Rhys and Gemma's Wedding in Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire

The venue’s in-house catering was exceptional. From the delicious meals that catered to every dietary need, to the evening pizzas served as oversized canapés (which were an absolute hit with our guests)! Friends and family couldn’t stop raving, calling it the best wedding food they’d had.

Our decorations were simple yet elegant, complementing the rustic charm of the venue. Our cake stand bought from Wolverhampton Carvings showcased the most amazing salted caramel top tier cake and brownies, all handmade by the incredible Brownie Points! The top tier was then cut by a replica of Bilbo’s sword, ‘Sting’, purchased from York Armoury.

Table decorations featured heart candle holders from Ginger Ray, a banana hook (sprayed gold) holding a hoop adorned with faux flowers, and wooden discs hanging from the hoops, each with the table number delicately burned into them. Other items were bought from Etsy, including beautiful coasters as the favours, a guest book tree and a nerdy nod with a Harry Potter-style cake topper with a doe and a deer and a Hobbit sign.

My dress (the second one I tried on) was a Milla Nova Lima with added pockets, bought from Timeless Elegance in Cardiff. I couldn’t have felt more fabulous in it and was made even more magical by the matching jewellery handmade by my mother-in-law and the most incredible ‘Princess Bride’-style photo that Jonathan captured. My wedding ring was beautifully designed and crafted by Kevin at Personally Yours, who we met at a wedding fair.

The grooms’ suit by Marc Darcy, was a striking blue and rustic orange chequered design with a matching rustic orange waistcoat from the amazing Thorburn’s in Leamington.

Our bridesmaids wore stunning infinity dresses in olive green, perfect for all shapes and sizes, while my man of honour matched the groom with blue and rustic orange.

The flowers were ordered from Triangle Nursery and put together by my mum, featuring a mix of baby’s breath, eucalyptus, atomic roses (my favourite), wax flowers and more.

Music was an integral part of our day. The ceremony and reception music were exquisitely played by Capriccio Quartet, who we first heard at a friend’s wedding at Manor By The Lake in Cheltenham. We cannot recommend them enough!

One of our favourite additions was Vlog My Wedding, which let our guests capture the day from their perspective. Darren and Sarah’s energy and creativity shone through, resulting in the videos spliced together creating the perfect blend of fun and heartfelt moments. They also gave us the raw footage, which we’ll treasure forever.

Highlights?

The champagne shot

The surprise t-rex (and Jonathan chasing after him)

The bride and groom's light-saber fight

The Hobbit door (actually known as the moon gate)!

Standing together in the Thatch Barn, surrounded by family and friends, love and laughter, with the fire crackling in the background, knowing that every detail had come together perfectly.

Our wedding was the best day of our lives and we’re so grateful to everyone who made it unforgettable.