A balmy autumn day with surprise guests...
Leanne and Marcus tied the knot on a beautiful October day at Lillibrooke Manor, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Despite the rainy start to the day, and guests heading into the ceremony under umbrellas, it didn’t dampen spirits as the couple exchanged vows!
The bridal prep took place at a local pub, where Leanne and her bridesmaids got ready in a private room. The atmosphere was full of excitement and anticipation as the bride and her bridal party had their hair and makeup done and the bridesmaid slipped into their gorgeous deep pink gowns by Studio. They then all arrived at Lillibrooke and piled into the cottage room for Leanne to don her David’s Bridal floral lace gown and one of two pairs of shoes!
Meanwhile, Marcus and the groomsmen were getting ready at the manor house, which had recently undergone a renovation. The boys looked sharp in their suits from Skopes, and the couple's nephews added a touch of cuteness to the day as they stood by Marcus's side as his groomsmen in their mini suits.
The bridal party clutched bouquets by Pom Pom Petals florist in one hand and umbrellas in the other and made their way to the barn which had been decked out with stationary by Sarah Johnson and decor by Serena Lilly for the couple to say their ‘I Do’s’ (good job I had my faithful bunch of clear umbrellas for them all!) The ceremony was touching with wonderful readings. I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted one of the youngest nephews fast asleep on daddy’s shoulder! Clearly not quite as exciting as he had hoped?!
As the confetti toss approached, the rain cleared and the sun came out, providing the perfect backdrop to cover the couple with a confetti storm. One guest decided to add a bit of humor to the occasion by running in and pouring the confetti right on top of the bride's head, making for a memorable moment!
Upon arrival at the reception, guests were greeted by a "Pimp Your Prosecco" bar and a spread of delicious canapés. They were also treated to the sight of real live alpacas from Pukka Pakkas, which they were able to feed and interact with.
The autumn colors provided the perfect backdrop for the couple's portraits, and Leanne's beautiful hair complemented the surroundings perfectly. The couple even included their beloved dog in some of the photos, making for some truly unique and special memories.
The bridal party shots were a highlight of the day, with the bridal party willing to try anything to get the perfect shot…including the boys lifting the bride up (luckily they didn’t drop her!!)
The speeches were a heartfelt and emotional part of the day, with the bride's mother, groom and the best man both sharing funny and touching stories about the couple. The best man's photo montage, in particular, had the whole room laughing as he shared embarrassing and amusing moments from Marcus's past.
In between courses of the superb dinner provided by Lillibrooke, I tapped the couple on the shoulder to go capture them in the last of the golden light of autumn, adding to the romance of the day. Not to forget the fabulous white bridal crocs Leanne slipped into for comfort!
The evening entertainment included a caricaturist who drew hilarious portraits of all the guests, which served as a unique and memorable keepsake of the day. Following cake cutting of the gorgeous cake by Couture Sugar Designs, the first dance was a true highlight, with the groom swinging the bride around the dance floor as they enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife. The band kept the party going late into the night, with guests dancing and celebrating the happy couple.
Leanne and Marcus's wedding at Lillibrooke Manor was a truly special and unforgettable day, filled with love, laughter, and plenty of memorable moments. The couple and their guests will certainly have plenty of stories to tell and memories to look back on for years to come. Thank you for having me!!!
