Your East Midlands Wedding - August/September 2020 (Issue 39)

REAL WEDDINGS 23  A fter working for the same employer, Robert and Wendy first met after he challenged her to identify a rogue piece of metal contamination. From that moment, the pair would occasionally bump into each other and after a while, realised their compatibility. Wendy says, “We were both separated from our partners at the time and found it easy to talk and support each other through the difficult times we were both experiencing.” She adds: “My feelings for Robert started as a friendship, but over the weeks I realised that I wanted to spend more and more time with him – just doing mundane things like shopping together. One day we were driving through Derbyshire, the sun was shining, and the song Everywhere from Fleetwood Mac was playing on the stereo. We were both singing (very badly) at the top our voices and that was the moment when I knew he was the one.” For Robert, he knew she was perfect for him while in Norfolk when he started missing Wendy, once he got back, he confessed his feelings. During a meal out at the World Service restaurant in Nottingham on Wendy’s birthday, he popped the question. Wendy says: “When we arrived, he wouldn’t let the waitress take his jacket, which I thought was a little strange. After a lovely meal, we went into the lounge area for an after-dinner drink. We sat at a table tucked away in a secluded corner, which had a reserved sign on it. Then Robert went down on one knee and took a box out of his pocket and asked me to marry him; I couldn’t say ‘yes’ at first because I was too busy wiping away the tears. I did nod, though.” She adds: “I thought Robert would never want to get married again; we were fine as we were, so when he popped the question I was totally surprised, and very proud that I would be Mrs Wendy Phillips.” SETTING THE SCENE Robert and Wendy picked St Mary’s Church, East Leake for their ceremony as Robert preferred to exchange vows there. He says: “Although we have both been married before, the vicar Rev Tim Parker said he had no problem in marrying us, we just had to be resident in the parish for at least three months.” After having Sutton Bonington Hall recommended to them as a wedding venue, the pair contacted the team. The hall’s old-world charm, peaceful and serene caught their attention and the owners were very charming and professional. Robert comments: “Things were starting to fall into place. Numbers of guests restricted us as we wanted everyone to be in the conservatory for the wedding breakfast. So, we had six tables for guests and a sweetheart table for us.” The centrepieces matched the colour scheme of ivory and cerise as well as the cake, which consisted of three tiers. The flavours included chocolate and orange ganache, lemon and elderflower, and fruit as the top tier. As Robert doesn’t eat meat, and some of the guests had dietary requirements, they needed to have two options for each course of the wedding breakfast. To keep the little ones happy, (including the six grandchildren between them), a sweet table was used, which was a big hit with guests. The couple also had a wish tree for friends and family to write messages or general words of wisdom. On the day, the pair hired a Rolls Royce Phantom VII from Lymn Luxury Vehicle Hire – this created the perfect backdrop for the images. LOOKING THE PART When it came to finding the perfect dress, the bride-to-be picked a full-length ivory lace gown with a short train by Maggie Sottero, which featured a scalloped neckline, capped sleeves, and a stunning sheer back. As soon as she tried it on, she knew it was the one. She says: “I decided not to have a veil as the back of the dress was sheer, and I wanted to display that. I chose a simple, elegant hair clip that would secure my half updo.” Robert wore a mid-blue Sawyers & Hendricks three-piece suit supplied by Slaters Menswear in Nottingham, with a contrasting ivory jacquard waistcoat, pink floral tie with matching handkerchief. The best men, Wendy’s son and Robert’s son, both wore the same suit and accessories except the waistcoat to