Your Yorkshire Wedding - Page number 25 - July/August 2021 (Issue 49)

to provide everything they needed at the last minute. “We used a bakery in York called Dough for delicious finger food, fresh pastries and our cake,” Anna says. “We ditched the idea of a traditional cake, instead opting for an Austrian favourite: apple strudel. We both love skiing and this is a regular afternoon treat on the slopes. Not a scrap was left and the smell of cinnamon was so festive.” The wedding breakfast was served courtesy of The Mount Hotel in Malton, via a takeaway service. Anna says, “While it may have been unconventional, I was adamant that the food was going to be fresh, home-cooked and delicious.” The newlyweds laid on a hot chocolate bar, to keep loved ones warm while enjoying the gardens. With no staff at their disposal because of restrictions on numbers, the pair’s superstar guests transformed the space from the ceremony room to the evening reception room, while the newlyweds drove to Hunmanby Gap beach for some atmospheric photos with their dog, Jackson. Anna explains, “Our guests loved being involved and I’m told it was like a military operation! We were blown away.” Anna and Jack returned from the beach to a sparkler reception before evening celebrations commenced. LOOKING THE PART Anna had bought two dresses during the summer when she had been very unwell, but she only intended to keep one. However, after the year she’d had she decided to indulge herself and keep them both – saving the second, a ballgown, for a larger celebration next year. “I wore a Great Gatsby -style beaded dress from Wife To Be, and had it altered at Once Upon a Dress near York,” Anna tells us. “Not only did they alter it to fit, but they added some flapper sleeves I had bought on Etsy to accentuate the style.” Anna completed the look with a champagne veil and a gold leaf hair braid, which was woven into her curls. Jack bought a new black suit from M&S and a burgundy bow tie, while the groomsmen wore their own suits with navy bow ties. Only three bridesmaids were able to attend because of limits on numbers, so the burgundy gowns they originally had planned were put on hold until next year. Instead, they wore their own choice of dress in navy, burgundy and blush pink. TIME TO CELEBRATE The newlyweds hosted a games evening to entertain their guests. Anna says, “My bridesmaid arranged a game of Mr & Mrs involving the parents, which was great fun – and embarrassing! I then organised a ‘girls vs. boys’ challenge of Play Your Cards Right and Family Fortunes , which was hilarious and very competitive. We then had games for people to play in smaller groups, including the classic Austrian game, Stump, which involved hammering nails into a block of wood – we did wonder what the neighbours thought!” NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL After changing just about every aspect of their wedding, Anna and Jack were just glad to be getting married. After a difficult year when Anna had been ill, the most important thing to them was becoming husband and wife. “Having to deal with new suppliers and venues made it an interesting year, with some stressful moments,” Anna says. “We went into lockdown in November not knowing if we’d be out of it in time for the wedding. We were excited to have something different for our day, even though it was driven by COVID, and we got to spend time with our family and friends. We smiled all day long!” REAL WEDDINGS 25