It’s been a while since we posted on our world-renowned* wedding blog. There are a number of excuses: last year’s busy festive schedule, an Omicron scare, and, most of all, our insane children.
But we’re back with a vengeance, kicking off 2022 with, erm, a throwback to 2021. Bear with us, because this wedding was an absolute belter…
The stars of our story are Liam & Nima, two handsome chaps from Leeds who were lucky enough to hold their wedding on its original date after a year and a half of uncertainty. And what a wedding it was…
*not world-renowned
Nima (left) and Liam (right) exchange personalised vows. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
The couple’s attention to detail ensured that all senses were satisfied - sight, smell and sound… and suits!
“We spent rather a long time looking for suits and went to many shops (both high street and bespoke), but we struggled to find suits that would fit the rustic theme of the venue and not make us look like we were off grouse shooting!” says Nima.
Groom Liam dressing to impress in The Normans Cottage. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Groomsmen getting ready outside The Normans Cottage. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Double parked. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
And breathe… Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Personalised Lego men were exchanged before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Happily, Liam and Nima eventually found the perfect suits at the ever-reliable Moss Bros: stylish slim-fit three-piece tweed suits in a lovely shade of sage for themselves, and a deeper brown for groomsmen. (Usually, our hearts sink when groom and groomsmen turn up at a summer wedding wearing tweed - dying of heat exhaustions isn’t a good look on a wedding day! But Liam and Nima dodged this bullet by choosing a nice lightweight fabric with a slim-fit cut.)
The grooms share a tender moment before the marriage ceremony at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Choosing the groomsmaids’ dresses, meanwhile, involved several Zoom fashion shows and, according to Nima, lots of online orders and returns during various lockdowns. However, the ladies finally settled for these beautiful designs from Coast.
“We found them early on, luckily, as we certainly weren't looking forward to hours of dress shopping! They were stunning though, somehow managed to suit all three girls … and were in the sale!” laughs Nima.
The groomsmaids looking stunning before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
And so, to the venue…
“We had a strong idea of what we wanted,” says Nima. “But we didn't know how to execute it. Luckily, armed with a few ideas and photos, we had a quick and efficient meeting with brilliant florist Kate Mell. She was great and we would recommend her to anybody getting married at The Normans - especially because of the bespoke floral options she has for the venue.”
Handmade wooden signage greeted guests on arrival. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
We love this card box made from a suitcase. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Flowers aside, much of the venue's aesthetic and vibe was down to stylist Emily K.
“Emily executed everything so well - to a standard we could just never have done ourselves,” says Nima. “She did the beautiful entrance sign and the card box.”
Time to tie the knot. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Congregating in the Farmhouse Courtyard before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
The rustic Ceremony Barn at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
The couple’s personal, heartfelt ceremony was conducted by super celebrant Deborah Page.
“She went out of her way to write us a ceremony that meant so much to us,” says Nima. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We were so glad we went with the option of a personalised ceremony officiated by a celebrant.”
A traditional Persian sugar-rubbing ritual. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
A ceremony to remember at The Normans. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
“During the ceremony, we had a marriage canopy put above us with my ‘unmarried’ cousin sprinkling sugar over us to represent sweetness,” explains Nima.
As per Persian tradition, the grooms were asked three times if they wanted to get married. Each time, Nima said no, holding out for a gift from Liam. When Liam finally offered the ‘gift of marriage’, Nima said yes. The couple then fed one another a dab of honey, which represent a lifetime of sharing, sustenance and sweetness together. Beautiful.
Liam and Nima walk back up the aisle in The Normans Ceremony Barn. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Aside from the stunning aesthetics and emotional ceremony, guests couldn’t help compliment the grooms on the smell of the venue. The serene scents were a result of a close collaboration with Emily K, who sourced scented oils for the wedding day.
“Our friends we told [about the scented oils] found it hilarious and teased us about it, but a lot of people complimented the smell and now we have candles made to remind us of the big day!” says Nima.
Canapes by Hog & Apple
Champagne on ice. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Canapes to kill for by The Hog & Apple. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Guests are served drinks at pop-up bar. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Once the ceremony had finished, guests followed the grooms outside into The Courtyard for canapes to kill for by The Hog & Apple Food Co, and a soundtrack courtesy of The Paul Young Folk Duo…
Leafy views in The Normans Courtyard. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Paul Young Folk Duo provide the soundtrack for the reception. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
The Courtyard at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
After a couple of hours of mingling, guests were called in for the wedding breakfast; guided into the Grain Shed by this stunning table plan, styled by Emily K.
Table plan illuminated by the beaded chandelier. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Guests were guided in by the table plan. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Emily was also responsible for the place settings and table arrangements, but hats off to the boys who spent hours planning, ordering and putting together bespoke Lego figures for all of their 125 guests!
“Our guests absolutely loved them,” says Nima, “The figures made for great souvenirs.”
Beautifully appointed place settings. Photo by Sugarbird
Pride by way of Lego. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
“We also spent a lot of time writing and making bespoke Cards Against Humanity for each table, including answers designed for each table, with in-jokes and stories from school or university. Apparently they went down very well!”
Ready for dinner. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
H&A pulled out the stops with a Middle Eastern-style mezze board for starter - a mix of lamb kebabs with hummus and labneh.
“While not necessarily ‘authentic’ Persian, it was still a nod to Nima's heritage and something that was important to us,” says Liam.
The 'main' was the ‘lamb three ways’, which featured two beautiful cuts of perfectly cooked lamb, a lamb pastilla, beautiful vegetable sides, rounded off with an artichoke puree.
The wedding breakfast at The Normans. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Super speeches. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
After the speeches, the couple had chance to steal away with their photographer James, aka Sugarbird Photography, and take advantage of the beautiful sunset.
Liam and Nima enjoy a quiet moment outside. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
We love the lighting of this awesome shot. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
A quiet stroll in the countryside. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Back inside, an artful tower of macaroons awaited the grooms, while glassware was readied for after-dinner cocktails.
“We ordered a cocktail for every guest after dinner. Three different types, each named with a nod to Nima’s love of Britney - 'Every-time Espresso Martinis', 'Oops... Old Fashioneds' and 'Circus Cosmos',” explains Liam.
Marvellous macaroons take the place of cake. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Let them eat cake - sorry - macaroons. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Dancefloor derring-do began with a ‘knife dance’ - a Persian wedding tradition where a newly married couple have to ‘earn the knife’ (quite literally pay money) to cut the cake.
“This stems back from a centuries-old tradition where men would return from the battlefield and, as part of their celebrations, ‘paid women of the harem’ would dance with the battle swords,” explains Nima.
Persian knife dance to kick of the evening. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
From here on, the dance floor was packed all evening - largely thanks to the couple’s bespoke wedding playlist.
“We are control freaks so we opted for a set playlist so we knew exactly what was going to be played!” laughs Liam. “We also had an Iranian music segment with all the Iranian party classics… and I don't think the dancefloor was ever not full... especially for Nima's 'Work Bitch' performance, which he’s famous for cracking out at parties and nights outs. There was a lot of pressure for him to nail it for the wedding!”
Trust us. He nailed it.
Nima leads the way on the dance floor. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
Dance til you drop. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
“The Normans is an incredible venue... The team’s comms were always super speedy and useful - we never had to stress about the venue itself. Thank you again!”
The grooms share a tender moment at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography
