With this year’s wedding season starting earlier than usual, we’ve found it a tad tricky to find the time to update our wondrous wedding blog (thanks for bearing with us!). But we’re slowly finding our feet and we’ll be posting more and more marvellous marriages… But, for the time being, settle in and enjoy the verdant vibes of Emma & Graeme’s summer wedding here at The Normans, captured on camera by photographer Laura Calderwood.
As is often the case at The Normans, proceedings started early in the morning in The Cottage…
It was in the dressing room that bride Emma entrusted make-up duties to her namesake Emma (Denton).
“Emma specialises in natural ‘glowy’ make-up, which is exactly what I wanted,” says (bride) Emma.
Meanwhile, unable to find a hairstylist named Emma (just imagine!), bride Emma commissioned in the excellent Hannah Taylor to beautify bobs.
“I loved my hair on the day,” says Emma. “It was important to me that my bridesmaids all felt comfortable, so they all picked different hairstyles and Hannah smashed every single one!”
Bouquets for the bridal party were arranged by florist Kate Mell - we love the simplicity and timelessness of these white roses.
Emma’s stunning bridal gown was the handiwork of designer Mark Lesley and procured from Confetti & Lace.
“I always knew the style I was going for - fitted with a low back!” says Emma. “It fit the bill perfectly, and as soon as I tried it on I instantly felt more confident. I did think I would go for a completely plain front but a bit of subtle sparkle at the top helped me feel a bit more special for the Big Day!”
Bridesmaids, meanwhile, were dressed in something blue.
“I spent nearly a year searching for the ‘perfect’ shade of blue I'd envisioned for the bridesmaids’ dresses since we booked the venue!” recounts Emma.” Eventually, I found them on ASOS. I'm glad I persevered as the colour looks amazing in photos.”
It certainly does, Emma, it certainly does…
Contrary to what we tell couples when they first view the venue: it does rain in North Yorkshire (sometimes). But the wet weather didn’t dampen spirits and Emma and her bridesmaids were happy to brave the elements en route to The Ceremony Barn.
Emma and groom Graeme decided to keep thinks simple in the Ceremony Barn - enlisting the mad skills or florist Kate Mell to build this lush foliage archway, which provided a perfect pop of greenery in amidst the flickering candles and twinkling fairy lights.
“We were unsure whether to include the foliage archway in the Ceremony Barn,” explains Emma. “In the end, we opted to go for it and it's one of the best last-minute decisions we made! It looked absolutely stunning and we also had to use [the Ceremony Barn] more than we had anticipated due to the rubbish weather on the day, so all our photos were taken inside and it was a great feature!”
Indeed, the archway was the first stop on Emma’s journey down the aisle - arm in arm with proud dad Gary…
Once she reached her destination, Gary gave her away to groom-in-waiting Graeme. Who, we now realise, hasn’t had much of a mention thus far! (Sorry Graeme.)
Needless to say, Graeme looked suitably dashing in a nice marine navy check suit, with double-breasted waistcoat by Marc Darcy and purchased from Joshua Adams.
“It didn't take Graeme long to pick his suit as he loved this one as soon as he tried it on,” says Emma. “The groomsmen have the same suit which looks very smart in the photos.”
Once the couple were married in front of their 66 day guests, they were lucky to get a break in the weather and were able to enjoy canapes (courtesy of F4D) in the Courtyard.
After a couple of hours of nibbles, drinks and photos, the Grain Shed doors were opened and guests were guided in by way of this bespoke table plan.
Emma and Graeme had opted for our rustic banqueting tables, set out in four rows with a top table. The outer two rows featured the gantries lined with foliage, which worked wonderfully as it gave height to the greenery.
The cake, by the wonderful Where The Ribbon Ends, was another head-turner - and the artful silhouette topper had something of a significant meaning to the couple.
“Our dog Reggie was also supposed to make an appearance at the wedding, but had an operation the day before so was unable to be there!” explains Emma. “We featured him on our cake topper instead and made sure he was in some of the photos we printed out and displayed in the Cow Stalls, so those were small details which were special to us.”
The wedding breakfast highlights included barbecue sharing boards and pork belly. And once the delectable dishes had been consumed, speeches were made.
Soon enough, guests congregated around the dance floor for Emma and Graeme’s first dance.
And, before long, the rest of the guests were coaxed onto the dancefloor, by the sweet sounds of The Wilde Ones - an aesthetically (and acoustically) pleasing band who look as though they’ve walked off the set of Twilight (the boys are, in fact, from the Jonny Ross Music agency).
“The Normans is the most perfect venue and we fell in love with it from the minute we first looked round,” says Emma in a heartfelt tribute to The Normans (which we’re more than happy to print in full). “The whole experience with the team was amazing - they made the planning experience feel completely stress free, from our last minute queries, which were never too much trouble, right up to re-scheduling the whole date thanks to Covid! Everything about the service felt so genuine and personal.”
You guys!
“So many of our guests said it’s the most beautiful wedding venue they’ve ever been to.”
Suppliers
Photography Laura Calderwood
Make-up Emma Denton
Hair Hannah Taylor
Bride’s dress Mark Lesley from Confetti & Lace
Bridesmaids’ dresses ASOS
Groom and groomsmen’s suits Marc Darcy from Joshua Adams
Flowers Kate Mell
Food F4D
Cake Where The Ribbon Ends
Music The Wilde Ones from Jonny Ross Music
