After meeting in November 2005 in a bar in their local town, it was instant chemistry for Hannah and Andy. Having crossed paths many times before actually getting together, it seems their meeting was meant to be. Their theme was 1950s meets 2012.
The Proposal
Hannah and Andy were on Lady Bird Lake in Austin Texas for the SXSW festival.
I had flown us out there for Andy’s 30th and he had planned to ask. We were lying in the sun and he rolled over and asked me… no knee or anything but I’m really not into that. I was VERY surprised and apparently, I went as white as a sheet and couldn’t talk!
“When we saw Gaynes Park we both fell in love with it and could instantly picture our day there, it was almost like love at first sight.”
The Wedding and Reception Venue
Hannah and Andy booked Gaynes Park for their wedding a year in advance. They wanted to get married in the Spring and Friday 13th was one of the only Fridays left. Luckily, they aren’t superstitious and the day was perfect.
When we saw Gaynes Park we both fell in love with it and could instantly picture our day there, it was almost like love at first sight. We just felt so at home… it’s understated and beautiful. We love EVERYTHING about it; the gardens, the food, the atmosphere… every building has charm and suited our day perfectly.
Bridesmaids
Hannah had four bridesmaids her two best friends, cousin and niece.
They were very easy to choose. The three adult girls helped with everything and anything I asked – they were a dream come true.
Hannah’s bridesmaids wore steel blue silk and organza dresses from Reiss and each wore gorgeous steel blue sequin platform shoes from Kurt Geiger that had big bows on them.
They were just understated but gorgeous. The whole day was supposed to be understated… just a good old wedding!
Choosing the ushers and best man was easy for Andy and Hannah as they asked their three brothers to be ushers and Andy’s closest friend to be best man. They each wore steel blue suits from M&S and red ties with cream hearts from Paul Smith to match Andy.
Andy wore a fitted steel blue suit and a red bow tie with cream hearts. He had two tone brogues made in London.
Hannah’s wedding dress was made by the Italian designers Le Spose Di Gio. It was a white satin bodice and skirt with very delicate organza which fell off the shoulder and around the bust-line and came out of the skirt. Hannah also wore a very simple and elegant, structured veil to match.
I felt like a bride… very special, but also nervous. There’s so much pressure is on the bride I think.
Hannah wore her hair in a huge beehive with red ribbon and diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet. Her wedding day outfit also included Agent Provocateur bra and Jimmy Choo shoes.
My earrings were my something borrowed from my mum. I had knickers with ‘Mrs Turk’ in pale blue as my something blue – the bridesmaids and groomsmen were all in Navy too. My dress was the something new. My something old was the vintage bus and also my wedding band, which was the eternity ring that my step Granddad gave to my Nan – he died when I was 8 years old. I had the ring melted down so it would fit around my engagement ring.
Hannah is a florist and designed her own wedding flowers including her bouquet with the help of Andy’s Aunt. Check out Hannah’s flower company The Blue Dandelion.
Transport
Hannah and Andy hired a vintage Regal Master single decker bus, much to the enjoyment of their family and friends.
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The theme for Hannah and Andy’s wedding was 1950’s meets 2012. Graphic Designer Andy, designed and printed all the wedding stationery.
The Orangery and Mill Barn were decorated with lots of flowers, which included candelabras on each table in the Mill Barn. They each had a ball of flowers on every arm with gypsophila draping down to the base. They also suspended balls of gypsophila from the mezzanine floor.
A blue vintage suitcase was used for guests to put their cards and gifts in. They also painted a giant A&H and placed it behind the top table during the wedding breakfast. The couple’s favours were cake pops in a variety of blue, white and red. Each cake pop had the guest name attached to it and Hannah and Andy had their own special bride and groom cake pop.
The table names were names of bars Hannah and Andy had been to when watching gigs.
As we got engaged at the SXSW festival in Austin, it felt like a fun idea and personal to us. During the wedding breakfast, we also wanted people to know one another to give off a good atmosphere, and we put the lively table in the middle so that their energy would spread to the others.
Hannah and Andy’s wedding cake was an impressive seven tier cake consisting of ten different cheeses. These were topped off with hand-made mice including a bride and groom, four bridesmaids and a sweep.
Best Part of The Day
I can’t really pick just one. Definitely the ‘I do’ part – seeing each other at the beginning of the aisle and just having the biggest grin. Another great moment was when the band started playing… Honestly, everything was just so amazing; it was the best day of my life!
Wedding Planning Tip
For brides – Don’t get too hung up about the dress… it’s just a dress and it will drive you crazy. Remember to reapply your makeup.
For grooms – Go shopping with your Best Man. Make a day of it like the girls do.
For keeping to a budget – whatever you think is your budget, double it.
“Seeing each other at the beginning of the aisle and just having the biggest grin.”
Honeymoon
We had a mini-moon at the Gallivant Hotel in Rye for a couple of nights. Then a week later we went to the Maldives for two weeks and stayed at the Constance Moofushi Resort and booked through Turquoise Holidays. It’s the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
