"We went for a walk through some beautiful bluebell woods with my mum and dad," Ellie remembers. "We thought Joe had taken ill when he suddenly sat down, but then he got on one knee – it was a total surprise!" Ellie is very close to her parents, so Joe knew it would be important for her to celebrate with them.
Work soon started on planning their dream day, and the date was set for 9th November, 2019, with a church ceremony at All Saints Church in Bolton Percy, followed by a reception at Hornington Manor. We caught up with Ellie to get the lowdown...
With Ellie's friends and family mostly based down south, it was important to find a venue with accommodation, and they had their heart set on a barn. Hornington Manor fit the bill brilliantly. "It wasn't too rustic," Ellie says. "It had the right location and stunning accommodation for the whole bridal party."
The couple chose a forest green, gold and ivory palette to fit in with their winter wedding. "We opted for beautifully simple gypsophila and roses for the floral arrangements," Ellie tells us. "The white rose was perfect for the Yorkshire-born groom!"
Log slices adorned with mercury glass candle holders and vases brimming with florals sat on the tables for an elegant look. "We named the tables after places that are significant to us," the bride says. "We kept things informal by referring to our loved ones by their nicknames on their place settings. The gorgeous stationery was provided by Feel Good Invites."
There were plenty of sweet treats for friends and family to enjoy. "I work in marketing for Quality Street," Ellie says. "We picked out sweets to match our colour scheme for favours: the green triangle, milk choc block, toffee penny and toffee finger."
There was a delicious Victoria sponge cake sat on tiers of green, white and gold macarons. We also loved the doughnut wall created by the father-of-the-groom.
"We have very different tastes in food," Ellie explains. "We designed a menu each that our guests could choose from. Mine had fish options, while Joe's was more meat based. The sharing desserts had enough options for us both to agree on!"
The couple ensured that they and their loved ones arrived in style. "The wedding car was an ivory Rolls Royce from Dovecote Wedding Cars," Ellie says. "A vintage ivory bus was a great way of bringing our guests from the church to the venue."
Ellie looked stunning in an Allure Couture silk gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, crystal waistband and dramatic long train. "I was set on having sleeves," she says. "Thimbelina of York made me a lace, sequin and crystal bolero to attach to my gown. I wore it all day until just after the first dance."
The men looked dashing in classic morning suits with forest green accessories to complement the bridesmaids' full-length dresses. "We found champagne-coloured faux fur stoles to keep my best girls warm," Ellie says.
The ceremony was conducted by one of Ellie's childhood friends, Father Sean Gilbert, giving a personal and fun vibe to the service.
Music also played a big part, with Ellie's choir, Lucy's Pop Choir, performing for the couple." I walked down the aisle to All of Me by John Legend," the bride says. "We left as newlyweds to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. It's always been one of my favourites after hearing it in The Parent Trap as a child."
Later on, a fantastic live band called Hipster provided the soundtrack to the dancefloor, while guests also enjoyed delicious food from a pizza van.
Ellie and Joe describe the day as surreal but amazing. "I was worried I'd be emotional," Ellie says. "It was actually Joe who choked up when I walked down the aisle!" Friends and family made the day what it was, from the father-of-the-bride making subtle nods to Ellie's favourite programme, The Office, in his speech, to the couple's best friend and MC, Batesy, having everyone in stitches and close friend Krystene doing a reading in the church in her beautiful Northern Irish accent.
Band
Bride's accessories
Bride's dress
Bus
Cake
Car
Catering
Choir
Flowers
Hair and make-up
Menswear |
Photographer
Stationery
Venue
Videography
