Real Wedding

Gemma and Paul’s Wedding at Cain Manor

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Friendship Turned Romance

Paul met Gemma through her brother – who is now Paul’s best friend. Paul always used to be at Gemma’s house and over time the couple grew closer and closer. Their friendship developed in to a romance and the couple spent 4 years getting to know one another before Paul planned the perfect Disney style proposal for Gemma.

The Proposal
“Paul had it all planned out at home he cooked dinner and had my favourite Disney movie on – The Lion King. It wasn’t as straight forward as Paul would have liked due to me being stuck at work as the alarm wouldn’t set. So Paul was left waiting at home until 2am; dinner was obviously out of the picture by this point. When I eventually got home I walked into The Lion King on the TV and I secretly wondered why Paul had chosen to watch that film. He made me a cup of tea and asked me to take a chocolate, but I declined, not knowing that underneath the chocolate was an engagement ring. Paul dropped to one knee after giving up trying to give me a chocolate and I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was now nearly 3am and ‘Can you Feel the Love Tonight’ was playing in the background. I obviously said yes to the proposal and was in utter shock. Although it was a disaster for Paul’s plans it was absolutely perfect!”

Finding Cain Manor

Gemma’s sister got married at a Harper Wedding Venue so the family were familiar with their approach, style and service to weddings. Knowing how great her sister’s wedding had been, Gemma was keen to explore the venues within the Harper Collection and loved the look of Cain Manor. The couple visited around 5 wedding venues, but Cain Manor was by far their favourite and as soon as they walked in they knew it was ‘the one’.

The couple loved the warm welcoming feeling when you walk in to the oaky barn-like wedding venue on the Hampshire/Surrey border. “It fitted In well with our Disney Theme being deep in the woodlands. The long winding drive gave a Disney feel straight away, just like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty” explained Gemma.

Gemma and Paul put their deposit down on Cain Manor 1 year and 5 months before their wedding date.

Bridal Party and Fashion

Gemma found the perfect wedding gown in a boutique called Confetti & Lace. It had a corset style fitted top which went down in to a fishtail skirt to which Gemma had slight sequin detail added on. “I loved the way my dress fitted me it was flattering around my curves and it reminded me very much of a mermaid style wedding dress like little mermaid.” Said Gemma, who teamed her dress up with two pairs of wedding shoes; a sparkly pair of heels for the day and a pair of Charlotte Mills flats for dancing. Gemma’s wedding day hair was curled and twisted half up with a glittery piece of hair jewellery.

Gemma’s sister Louise was Maid of Honour her nieces and nephew were bridesmaids and page boy. The groom’s party all hired grey 3-piece suits from Stephen Bishop Suiting in Woking.

Wedding Flowers and Décor

Gemma and Paul hired Harper Partner Sonning Flowers to decorate Cain Manor and to create stunning bridal bouquets for the bridal party.

The main floral theme was pastel and flowers that were in season, but Gemma also wanted gypsophila dotted around as they were the favourite flowers of her late nan.

Cain Manor is full of character and doesn’t need much decorating so subtle floral décor was spread around the venue to add a touch of colour and fragrance.

The Big Day

75 wedding guests arrived at Cain Manor to witness the marriage of Gemma and Paul at Cain Manor. Gemma’s brother Andrew walked her down the aisle at 1:30pm to ‘Part of your World’ from The Little Mermaid and her sister read a reading during the ceremony.

pink hand tied wedding flowers

The couple were serious and emotional during the wedding vows, but as soon as they were pronounced Husband and Wife, the fun began and the couple were showered with confetti as they walked out of The Library and in to the glorious Hampshire country garden.

Baby shepherd’s pies, Honey mustard chicken bites and baby jacket potatoes with sour cream and chives and mini pork sausages were served along side glasses of celebratory Prosecco whilst photography duo Sam & Yaz captured images of the newlywed couple with friends and family.

At 3:30pm guest were called back in to The Music Room where Disney themed wedding reception tables had been laid. Table names included Aladdin, Cinderalla, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Pocahontas, Lady and the Tramp, and the top table was, of course, The Lion King, to remind the couple of their engagement evening. Candles in the shapes of carriages and small glasses were given as wedding favours. Pianist Tom Walton played the piano softly in the background throughout the sumptuous wedding breakfast.

During the wedding speeches, Angel Occasions photo booth arrived at Cain Manor to set themselves up in The Library, ahead of the evening wedding entertainment. Jukebox Function Band then set themselves up after dinner as guests were enjoying tea, coffee and truffles in The Library. A further 45 guests arrived to celebrate with the newlywed couple and they were just in time to witness the cutting of the cake and the first dance; Cinderella by Boyce Avenue.

Instead of having a gift table, the couple had asked for a Kuoni honeymoon contribution so that they could enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. Gemma and Paul travelled around Thailand and Bali for a month before returning back to the UK to enjoy married life together.

And to conclude this magical fairytale….they lived happily ever after.

Wedding Breakfast

Starter

Duck liver parfait with toasted sourdough & fig compote

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Main Course

Slow braised sticky Hampshire beef with creamed parsnip mash, Root vegetable crisps and Olivette carrots

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Dessert

Valrhona chocolate mousse with popcorn, hazelnut wafer, banana mousse and caramel

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Evening Buffet: Mini burgers and mini bacon butties

Wedding Suppliers

Wedding venue: Cain Manor
Wedding Photographer: Sam & Yaz Photography
Wedding Dress Boutique: Confetti & Lace
Wedding Hair: Pinnies Hair
Bridesmaids Dresses: Monsoon Kids
Groomswear: Stephen Bishop Suiting
Wedding Makeup: Amy Bray
Wedding Florist: Sonning Flowers
Wedding Magician: Paul Flower
Wedding Cake Designer: Specialty Cakes
Sweetie Cart & Post Box: Harper Venue Styling
Wedding Band: Jukebox Function Band
Wedding Pianist: Tom Walton
Photo Booth: Angel Occasions
Glitter Booth: Wish Upon a Sparkle
Wedding Insurance: John Lewis

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