We spend a lot of time referencing the weather in this blog. That’s because: 1) We’re English, so that’s what we do, and 2) The weather seems to be an important ingredient to a wedding day.
But, as far as point 2) is concerned: we’re not so sure anymore. Come rain or shine, brides, grooms and their guests still have an amazing time at The Normans.
Just take The Normans for example. No, not us, these two, pictured below - Joanna and Andrew, who became Mr & Mrs Norman at The Normans on a blustery July day earlier this year. And while the weather misbehaved, it didn’t get in the way of what turned out to be a most spectacular wedding.
Before Joanna became Mrs Norman, she and her bridesmaids spent the wedding morning getting ready in The Normans Cottage with the assistance of Joanna’s longtime hairdresser, Kerri from Synergy in Harrogate.
“It was lovely to have someone I already knew quite well there on the morning!” says Joanna. “Kerri had an extra pair of hands from the salon - Emily - to help her, and Sam from the salon also did our make up.”
Once hair was styled and make-up perfected, attention turned towards the dresses. Joanna had picked a stunning Essense of Australia design from Ava Rose Hamilton boutique in Silsden and Colne, Yorkshire. The bridesmaids’ Dessy dresses in stunning sea grass, are from Scarlet Poppy in Leeds.
“I’m quite particular,” admits Joanna. “I tried on a lot of dresses in other shops before this one, and even this dress was customised by adding more lace on the illusion neckline! I loved the different layers of lace - particularly the illusion neckline and the detailing on the back.”
“Once I’d put it on I could actually imagine wearing it on the day, so that was a big selling point! I went initially with my sister-in-law, Alex, then went back with my mum and granny to try it on again - we decided it was the right one and Granny very kindly paid for it. The girls at Ava Rose Hamilton were lovely too, with no pressure at all to make a decision until I was sure it was the right one!”
Flowers played a huge part in Joanna and Andrew’s day - the bride’s gorgeous bouquet was created by the wonderful Wendy at Paperwhite Flowers.
But before we get too carried away with our beautiful bride, her bouquet and gorgeous gown, a shout out to the other person of interest: the groom. And, if we don’t say so ourselves, what a lovely fellow he is.
Here’s Andrew, at home, dressed in a well-cut suit courtesy of the ever-reliable Moss Bros. His lapel is adorned with a rose buttonhole - handiwork of Paperwhite, once again.
From one (Andrew) Norman to another: The Normans Ceremony Barn.
“The Ceremony Barn has such a beautiful atmosphere,” says Joanna. “The fairy lights were the main attraction so we decided to just have the floral displays on the barrels at the front, and pew ends on each of the front rows.”
The scene was set for the ceremony, which began as Jo walked down the aisle, arm in arm with proud Dad…
Jo and Andrew became Mr & Mrs Norman - a first for The Normans (wedding venue), and they walked back down the aisle just in time for…
… the rain to stop long enough to step outside into the Courtyard for the drinks reception. (Check out the silver birch, brought in especially for the day, placed either side of the Ceremony Barn doors.)
Hog & Apple’s super staff lay in wait - black-clad culinary ninja warriors, wielding cold champagne and canapés.
“Doug from the Hog & Apple was my saviour,” reminisces Joanna. “He brought me my own platter of canapés when we got back from taking some photos and I realised I was starving!”
Canapés included succulent roast beef served in mini Yorkshire puddings and goat-cheese mousse on olive-drop scones.
The weather even held out long enough for a group photo outside…
… and when the wind and rain returned, they only served to make the photos from the day all the more dramatic.
(Veil blowing in the wind: check.)
(Couple looking lovely under an umbrella: check.)
Once photos had been snapped, canapes had been consumed and champagne quaffed, the Grain Shed doors were flung open and guests lured inside.
This quite stunning table plan, framed with yet more English roses, greeted guests. (The floral frame was re-used later as a frame for a DIY photobooth. Bravo, Paperwhite!)
Joanna and Andrew made good use of The Normans’ rustic banqueting tables - the two outer rows featured leaf-strewn gantries, while the inner two rows of tables were punctuated with olive trees.
“We decided to have two different table designs,” explains Joanna. “One style had the little olive trees at the joins between the banqueting tables and the other used the gantries for lots of trailing foliage.”
“Every table also had a jar of seasonal flowers, each a little different to the next, with enough room for the sharing platters!” continues Joanna. “We wanted to ensure that people would be able to see those opposite them to make sure that conversation flowed!”
“The wedding favours were boxes filled with traditional Cypriot wedding favours called loukoumia, made by Andrew’s mum and her two sisters, who also hand-tied each box,” says Joanna. “There was also a bag of five sugared almonds and a packet of sweet pea seeds (I grow some every year). I also made and bottled a very large volume of elderflower cordial, using elderflowers we picked from the banks of the Nidd, about five minutes from our house. All of our stationery was made by local stationer Sally, at Goldfinch Design, and she designed and printed the little labels on the bottles of cordial.”
The food on the day was of particular importance to the couple - especially since Andrew grew up surrounded by fabulous Greek Cypriot cooks!
“One of the things we wanted to do was to have sharing platters; it gets people talking to each other and it means people can take exactly what they want,” says Joanna. “We had so many people telling us the food was the best they’d ever had at a wedding. All of the meat for the main was cooked to perfection, it’s hard to pick a favourite, and the salads were delicious. I think the pudding might have been the standout though.”
The stunning cake was the handiwork of Miss Friday, aka Lois Tanumi, and we loved how the gift table was packed with presents, extra wedding favours and the Polaroid camera gift book. Classic.
Speeches were heartfelt and hilarious to equal measure…
… and once guests were done toasting their bride and groom, they retreated to the sparkling Courtyard for fresh air and more drinks.
Meanwhile, Joanna and Andrew took this opportunity for some well-deserved downtime; stealing a kiss by the lavender in the Courtyard…
… and admiring the heavy machinery parked in the farm sheds across the road.
Back in the Cow Stalls, Paperwhite had worked wonders; filling troughs with delphiniums, larkspur, Ammi majus, Nigella and spray roses amongst others.
And the floral border for the table plan was re-positioned, making a fabulous photo frame.
Crowds were called back to the Grain Shed for the first dance…
… before the fantastic Rolling Keys kicked off the evening with a sensational set.
Judging from the photos, guests clearly approved. A wonderful way to finish a wonderful day.
“I grew up very much in the countryside so I wanted a venue that made me feel at home. Andrew’s English grandparents live in a farmhouse in Leicester that was built in 1691 and has been in the family for over 150 years, and I think the Normans reminded us a bit of the farm (not just because of the surname connection!). The whole day was perfect and we can’t thank Oliver, Sharon and Doug from H&A enough for making it stress-free and the best day of our lives.”
