Your Herts and Beds Wedding - June/July 2020 (Issue 80)

32 N atalie and Devon first met at university during a social night. Devon says: “When I noticed her sat at a party table with an empty chair next to her, I went straight to it and began a conversation with her – she was the most beautiful girl in the room.” That moment was the start of an incredible journey together. During a road trip in South America, the pair took a romantic sunset steamboat ride with a live jazz band and incredible views – the perfect place to ask the perfect question. Natalie says: “Devon took me to the deck of the boat, got on one knee and asked me to marry him – it took me completely by surprise as usually Devon can never keep a secret from me.” The date was set for 17 th August, 2019, and the planning began. SETTING THE SCENE When it came to finding the perfect venue in which to say ‘I do’, the pair choose a small inviting church full of character with stain-glassed windows, interesting arches and doorways and a large garden. The team were so lovely, and the couple knew it was the perfect place for them. For the reception, the nearlyweds fell in love with Putteridge Bury’s picturesque grounds that would be perfect for photos. Natalie says: “We decided to go for a classic three-course meal for the wedding breakfast, including a small number of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Our venue was excellent in catering for us and our guests as the service was well- timed and extremely tasty.” For favours, guests were given hand-made boxes with the couple’s names and wedding date on, which were filled with sweets and chocolate hearts. The venue gave the pair different options for centrepieces and they settled on tall thin ones with the same flowers that were in the bouquet. The florist recommended pink peonies, which worked perfectly mixed in with gypsophila and small pink roses. Each place name had a sage green flower on, placed on wooden stumps. The three-tiered caked looked stunning on the big day and featured white flowers cascading down the side. Natalie adds: “The venue and the staff were fantastic, the day before we dropped off extra decorations for the tables in both the wedding breakfast room and disco room. The staff then used what we provided, set out all the extras throughout the venue making everything look fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for more from them.” Natalie and Devon are both tennis coaches and love sport, and what better way to highlight this than some mini tennis nets and croquet for guests to play in the gardens during the day? LOOKING THE PART When it came to the dress, the bride-to-be knew she wanted a high-neckline dress and lace to be incorporated. After visiting the bridal boutique Minonettes in Caddington, Natalie found the one . She says: “I’m more a sporty casual dresser – I’m not good with heels and overly fancy clothing and I wanted to be comfortable on the day. I choose a full lace sleeve dress which had a small train, it was quite light to wear considering all the fabric that was used to make it.