Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 76)

REAL WEDDINGS 29  faux bay leaves. They didn’t want a traditional white cake, instead opting for a black forest gateaux-style bake. “There was chocolate sponge with cherry jam,” Nikki says. “This was covered in dark buttercream and finished off with figs, cherries, blackberries and foliage.” To arrive in style, they booked a gorgeous baby Bentley from Protocol Cars. “Our driver, Tara, decorated the outside to match our colour scheme,” Nikki tells us. “The car was so luxurious and special.” The venue supplied a wonderful menu of seasonal treats to fit in with the time of year, including a parsnip soup starter, chicken wrapped in serrano ham for the main and a decadent sticky toffee pudding for dessert. A wonderful chilli kept their loved ones warm in the evening. LOOKING THE PART The bride wore a gorgeous Justin Alexander gown from White Lace & Promises. “It had plenty of chiffon, which reflected the relaxed boho vibe we were going for,” Nikki says. “It had a beautiful silver beaded leaf embellishment on the bodice – perfect for the theme.” To make the gown her own, Nikki added soft sleeves, a raw quartz tiara and a hairpiece made from bay leaves. The men looked dashing in charcoal three-piece suits and dark green ties. They coordinated perfectly with the two bridesmaids who wore forest green full-length numbers. They also rocked faux fur wraps and flower crowns. Nikki’s bridesman wore a forest green three-piece suit with glittery shoes. GET THE PARTY STARTED Keen to let their theme influence their entertainment, the pair made their own photo booth. “There was a dark green fairy-lit backdrop,” Nikki says. “We provided a full table of props including poisoned apples, witch hats, deer antler headbands, animal masks and even a giant snake!” Their friends and family loved dressing up and taking photos on their phones. There was an extra special performance from the bride. “Myself and some of my friends are part of a local belly-dancing group,” Nikki explains. “We performed Kiss Kiss by Tarkan as a surprise for our guests. Thank you to our instructor Saeeda and the rest of the group for this!” MEMORABLE MOMENTS The nerves started to set in during the morning, but these soon subsided when the couple saw each other. “The ceremony was so special to us; it was very intimate and personal,” Nikki explains. “The whole atmosphere of the day and the beauty of the season made it so special.” The pair were so thankful to all their loved ones and suppliers. “Everyone made it a truly memorable experience,” Nikki says. “There’s not a single thing I would change.”