As the autumn sky greys and the leaves on the trees begin to turn, let our latest blog instalment warm you with memories of May as we hark back to the wedding of Kayleigh and Daniel…
The couple tied the knot at The Normans wedding venue on May 13 (lucky for some) - and what a wedding it was! The day began with Kayleigh and her crew quaffing girl-boss quantities of champagne as they prepared for the ceremony.
On hand to skilfully style the bridesmaids’ hair was Kayleigh’s old school friend Kelsey Tangi.
“When I saw that [Kelsey] had started out as a hair stylist, I knew I had to book her for my bridesmaids,” enthuses Kayleigh. “She’s developed some amazing skills since she started doing this, and it just added to the lovely atmosphere having her here!”
Kayleigh’s own hair was coiffed by award-winning stylist Colette, better known as Hair by Tosetti, while make-up artist Lucy Taylor worked her magic to enhance Kayleigh’s already radiant glow.
“I found these two lovely ladies on Instagram, and fell in love with their work straight away,” says Kayleigh. “Lucy’s style mirrored my own make-up style, which was important since I wanted to look like myself on the day!”
“Colette’s work blew me away!” continues Kayleigh. “My hair and make-up trials went so well and I left feeling like I had known both ladies all my life - I couldn’t wait to have them be part of my special day!”
Kayleigh’s beautiful bridesmaids wore stunning sage dresses from online retailer Shein.
“They cost a shocking £12 each!” laughs Kayleigh. [Editor’s note: Yes, £12]
“I searched and searched for some modern, floaty, spaghetti-strapped midi-dresses and had no luck whatsoever. All of the ones on wedding websites were too, well, ‘bridesmaidy’! And then, I was ordering something for myself on Shein and came across exactly what I was looking for! Plus the style of the dress means that my girls can wear theirs again! I even bought one for myself!”
And then there was the bride’s dress. And what a dress.
“I knew that I wanted a very modern, timeless dress, with not much fuss, and one that I wouldn’t look back at in years to come and wonder what was I thinking! I tend to go off things so easily!” says Kayleigh.
Kayleigh had seen a design by Eva Lendel in Leeds that she fell in love with, but, when she went to her fitting, the dress had been sold.
“I tried on 49 dresses after this!” admits Kayleigh. [Editor’s note: Yes, 49]
“But I still had the Eva Lendel dress on my mind, so my amazing sister - also my maid of honour - drove me two hours to Lacy Days in Greater Manchester where it was in stock. This is where I had the magical ‘this is the one’ moment!”
The look on bridesmaids’ faces when they first saw Kayleigh in her dress says it all, really…
Before the girls got going, groom Daniel stole into The Cottage - not to cause a scene, might we add, but to exchange gifts with his betrothed. The couple remained hidden from one another, and passed the presents around the corner. A nice touch.
Love was well and truly in the air, so it was fitting that our soon-to-be-weds would be doing the ‘I dos’ in a suitably stunning setting.
In the Ceremony Barn, Kayleigh went candle crazy, commissioning the creative talents of Shindig Event Styling who dotted teeny tealights in glass lanterns at the top of the aisle. The aisle itself had a makeover with an ivory-white runner, while the Shindig team adorned the barrels with cloud-like gypsophila.
Once guests had been seated in the Ceremony Barn, the stage was set for the entrance of the bridal party.
Kayleigh was walked down the aisle by her darling Dad…
… and met her beau, Daniel, in front of The Normans’ cascading fairylights (oft imitated, never duplicated, might we add!).
Vows were exchanged… registers were signed…
… and the couple shared their first smoochy kiss as man and wife. Or wife and man. Or whatever the acceptable parlance to describe a married couple is, these days. (Please don’t cancel us.)
As is the tradition in these parts, the bride and groom were enthusiastically pelted in the face with confetti as they tried to leave the building.
Once the confetti had settled, guests enjoyed drinks and canapes in The Normans Courtyard. The May sunshine, which was playing hard-to-get up until this point, finally made an appearance.
Our catering chums, The Hog & Apple Food Co, were out in force, keeping it real with simple yet sublime canapes - from zingy fresh bruschetta to mini fish ‘n’ chips and mushy peas. Hurrah.
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony also afforded the bride and groom a chance to escape their adoring fans for 30 minutes and explore the farm and surrounding countryside…
They were joined by their cohort of bridesmaids and groomsmen…
… And all the hand-holding and hugging and kissing and all round loveliness of these excellent human beings was captured in camera by the most excellent wedding photographer Charlotte White (the lady responsible for all these fantastic photos, in case you were wondering).
Once canapes had been consumed, and guests had quaffed their way through the couple’s drinks package, the impressively large rustic double doors were flung open to reveal the twinkling splendour of The Grain Shed dining area.
Kayleigh and Daniel did a great deal of the décor themselves, including the seating plan, which greeted guests as they entered The Grain Shed.
The Grain Shed looked stunning - all the more so because of Kayleigh and Daniel’s little personal touches throughout.
“We added personalised colouring books for the children, photos throughout the venue, and ‘our angels’ table with photos of loved ones no longer with us,” explains Kayleigh. “Because of our modern, quite minimal decorative theme, these personal touches made it extra special - and specific to us.”
Kayleigh and Daniel were welcomed into the Grain Shed with whoops and hollers and enthusiastic applause…
… And speeches proved to be a perfect blend of laughter and emotion.
And it was hard not to get emotional when looking at this cake (assuming that hunger is classified as an emotion). Bravo to Scrumbcakes for baking such a beauty!
Once guests had gorged themselves on Hog & Apple’s fantastic fare, Kayleigh beckoned All The Single Ladies outside for the bouquet toss…
… what ensued could have been taken straight from Squid Game, but once the flower-induced furore had subsided, and the debris had been cleared, the wedding party returned to the Grain Shed where the evening’s proceedings were kicked off with a dad-daughter dance…
And then Daniel stepped in to dazzle with some slick moves that set the tone for the evening.
The couple were soon joined by the rest of their guests and so began a night of most vigorous dancing…
… and shots…
… Lots of shots.
“From the second we stepped into the venue we knew we had found a special place run by such special people. ”
