Join us as we delve into the captivating love story and wedding planning journey of Kay Dee and Andy. From their magical proposal to the meticulously curated wedding day held at a breathtaking Essex wedding barn. Every intricate detail that contributed to their unforgettable celebration will be unveiled. Read on to find out more about their big day celebrations and see photos captured by their wedding photographer, Pure Image Photography.
The Proposal
Kay Dee and Andy's love story began at a mutual friend's housewarming party, where a chance encounter led to a delightful conversation. Despite not actively seeking a relationship, their connection blossomed, and they have been happily together ever since. After 14 ½ years of commitment, Andy surprised Kay Dee with a heartfelt proposal in 2021, marking a new chapter in their lives.
A couple of years later, Kay Dee and Andy got married on the 21st May 2023 at High House in Essex. Planning their entire day from their home in California came with plenty of challenges, but the couple made it look easy as everything came together perfectly!
The Venue
Choosing the perfect venue was essential for Kay Dee and Andy, and High House proved to be a dream come true. The picturesque Essex barn venue offered both the ceremony and reception spaces, with idyllic features like a pond, a charming bridge, and a magnificent marquee. They fell in love with the features and location after being given a virtual showround by the team and booked their wedding at the venue soon after. Their in-person visit (just a month before the wedding) confirmed that the venue's beauty and versatility exceeded their expectations!
Kay Dee told us what was their deciding factor: "I love the Essex barn style. We loved that we could have the ceremony and the reception at one location. The pond and bridge are idyllic and were also a deciding factor. I am a Monet fan and I loved the photos of that feature from real weddings shown on the High House Weddings’ and the photographer’s websites (our photographer did a great job utilising that and all of the beautiful spaces in our photos as well!).
The marquee was extra special too- I loved that the fairy lights are built in, and the wow factor of the dance floor. No one even knew the dance floor was there until the curtain came up. So fun! The location was perfect as well. Ultimately the High House team made it a very easy decision. They are phenomenal, professional, responsive, attentive, supportive, and so much more! Every step of the way. From our initial meeting with Sam, to working with our coordinator, Ella, we felt so blessed! Everything went beautifully!"
The Fashion
On their special day, Kay Dee looked stunning in the Darnelle wedding gown by Madi Lane, accompanied by the A.B. Ellie Hayden Pearl Chapel Veil from BHLDN/Anthropologie. She wore vintage pearl jewellery that belonged to her mother, adding sentimental value to her bridal ensemble that matched beautifully with her pearl embellished wedding heels from Dolce Vita.
Andy and his best man were dressed in tailored suits by Royal Clothiers, meticulously crafted by Carlos Perez from Morgan Hill, CA. The groomsmen wore suits from different vendors within a coordinated colour palette, including Men's Warehouse and vintage pieces.
The Colour Scheme
The couple opted for a classic and elegant theme with a colour scheme of white, greenery, and touches of blue. This choice reflected Kay Dee's favourite colour and her love for the blue and white combination, which exudes timeless beauty.
The stunning floral arrangements, designed by Samantha May Floristry, featured predominantly white blooms with lush greenery, creating an atmosphere of romance and sophistication. The presence of a pianist during the ceremony and wedding breakfast added to the enchanting ambiance, resonating with the couple's vision.
The Wedding Ceremony
Kay Dee and Andy paid attention to every detail, ensuring their wedding day was a memorable experience for everyone involved. During the ceremony, a special wedding reading from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo expressed the power of love and kindness, resonating with the couple's values.
"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves."
The Wedding Breakfast and Reception
The reception featured an extensive menu, expertly crafted by Valentine Cuisine, which left guests raving about the delicious canapés, mouthwatering main courses, and delectable trio of desserts. For their main course, guests had a delectable choice of 3 dishes; roast sirloin of beef with gravy and Yorkshire puddings, quarter roast chicken with pigs in blankets and the roast dinner trimmings, or the vegetarian option of roast pepper, goats cheese and mint filo parcels with a Thai chilli sauce. Every dish was served with a selection of lovely veggies.
For pudding, guests were treated to a trio of desserts, sticky toffee pudding with a toffee sauce, Baileys & milk chocolate cheesecake and apple & blackberry crumble with custard or cream. With such a wonderful wedding menu, it's no wonder guests were raving about their meal!
As a special touch, candy jars filled with assorted American and British sweets delighted guests throughout the reception.
For The Guests
To express their appreciation to their guests, Kay Dee and Andy presented them with custom decks of cards sourced from Etsy. As avid card players themselves, this favour reflected their shared love for games and created a personal connection.
The evening entertainment was in the hands of the talented in-house DJ from High House Weddings, who skilfully curated a playlist that kept everyone on their feet, ensuring a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
For the wedding presents, Kay Dee and Andy asked for donations to our guests’ favourite charity or recommended a few charities on their wedding website if they did not have a preference. This meant that they could give back to good causes on their big day!
Big Day Highlights
For both Kay Dee and Andy, the highlight of the day was seeing each other at the ceremony. As Kay Dee walked down the aisle, accompanied by her son, she eagerly anticipated the moment when she would witness Andy's reaction. The pure joy and love reflected in Andy's face as he saw his beautiful bride approaching him created an unforgettable memory for both of them, symbolising the beginning of their new journey as a married couple.
Kay Dee and Andy's wedding day was a testament to their enduring love and commitment to each other. From the stunning venue to the thoughtfully chosen details, every element came together to create a magical and unforgettable celebration. The couple's journey, filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories, is just the beginning of their lifelong adventure together.
The Talented Suppliers
SPOTLIGHT
79 reviews
Beautiful Barn Wedding Venue in Essex
Essex, Chelmsford
£3,500 - £12,000
Venues
Additional Suppliers
- Florist: Samantha May Floristry
- Catering: Valentine Cuisine
- Transport: Fords Coaches (guest transportation) and SL Executive (bridal party transportation)
- Stationery: The Knot (website and paper products) and Paperless Post (bridal shower invitations)
- Entertainment: Jon Spanyol Music (ceremony and wedding breakfast) and High House Weddings (in-house DJ for the evening)
- Hair and Makeup: Team Glam
- Cake: Pinkface Cake Design
