Sophia and Dan's love story started in the most unexpected setting - a spin class at the gym! Fast forward four years, and this duo found themselves in a stunning Surrey country house wedding venue becoming husband and wife. From a gorgeous Eva Lendel wedding gown to a Fire Service Guard of Honour and even a delicious paella evening buffet, this couple's big day is sure to inspire your late summer wedding plans.
Their big day was beautifully captured by Jodie Donovan Photography with the help of second shooter, Photography by Kirsty.
The Proposal & Wedding Planning
On a post-covid staycation to Cornwall with the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset over 'The Rock' in St Ives, Dan swept Sophia off her feet with a surprise proposal. Little did Sophia know, the moment was captured from afar by a professional photographer! Dan asked Sophia to marry him with a Haribo ring in a personalised box; knowing that they would want to design her real engagement ring together!
The Bridal Fashion
Sophia walked down the aisle in the dreamy Eva Lendel 'Lindsey' dress purchased from Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique. The stunning a-line gown with corset bodice, sparkling skirt, sweetheart neckline and bow shoulder straps was an angelic look for the bride and she radiated elegance.
Sophia completed the look with Christian Louboutin 'Miss Sab' slingback pumps, a chic Hollywood waves hairstyle and veil. After the formalities, Sophia carried a stunning pearlescent bridal clutch with the word "Mrs" and she swapped her veil for a pearl headband. These accessories perfectly completed her bridal look for the evening celebrations and are really on trend right now.
The Groom's Outfit
For the ceremony, Dan wore his Fire Service dress uniform, proudly displaying both his own medals and those earned by his grandfather in World War II. Only the bride and groom knew about this personal touch, so when others saw Dan, they were deeply moved. For Dan, wearing those medals made him feel like his grandfather was right there with him during the wedding.
After the wedding ceremony and formal photographs, Dan changed into a custom-made ensemble from Hubscher. He and his groomsmen looked sharp and he completed his wedding look with Christian Louboutin shoes. His choice of wedding suit matched Sophia's style effortlessly.
Bridesmaid Dresses
The bridesmaids sparkled in their champagne sequin halter neck dresses from Lipsy. They all had sophisticated ponytail updos and matching sandal heels. Their outfits worked beautifully with Sophia and Dan's neutral colour scheme and the shimmering dresses added that extra bit of glam to the whole wedding party look.
The Wedding Venue
Dan and Sophia chose Wotton House in Surrey as their wedding venue. When asked about why they chose the venue, they said "we wanted a venue that offered the ceremony and reception in one place, along with the capacity for our guests to stay. We fell in love with the Old Library at Wotton House - it was so unique and romantic. The rest of Wotton House was just stunning."
The venue's spaces are so versatile that they work with almost any style of wedding. Sophia and Dan's colour scheme of black, white, and champagne immediately set the stage for a timeless look across all the decor features of their celebration.
Celebrant-Led Wedding Ceremony
They held their wedding ceremony in The Old Library saying their vows in a breathtaking setting surrounded by candles, flowers and fairylights. The couple holds the wedding ceremony itself very close to their hearts, appreciating how the content created by their wedding celebrant, Janet Shell, was truly personalised and reflected her effort in getting to know them as a couple over several months before delivering it on the big day. The couple exchanged rings which were made by Hyde Park Design Bespoke and the poem, 'I'll Be There for You' by Louise Cuddon was read. This poem has plenty of sentiment with a touch of humour so was the cherry on top of such a special ceremony.
The ceremony ended with a surprise for the couple, a Fire Service Guard of Honour, as they walked back up the aisle. This was arranged by Dan's colleagues at work and was such a special moment that not only evoked a lot of emotion for guests but also completed their truly personal ceremony perfectly!
The Food
During the drinks reception, delicious canapés were served which paired beautifully with their glasses of fizz. For their wedding breakfast, the bride and groom opted for a traditional three-course feast. They started with Pressing of Ham Hock paired with apple puree, sour apples, and a tarragon dressing. For the main course, guests enjoyed Corn-fed Chicken with sun-dried tomato stuffing, potato rosti, and sautéed Mediterranean vegetables, all brought together by a tasty white wine cream sauce. The sweet ending to the celebration featured a delectable Toffee Apple Crumble served with clotted cream ice cream and salted caramel. The menu was a perfect blend of classic and modern flavours which complemented the timeless theme.
For Dan and Sophia's evening buffet at Wotton House, they opted for something a little out of the box – paella served in giant pans outside. The choice was an easy one for them since they share a sentimental connection with Spain. The paella was a hit with their guests, who found it to be a lovely and unexpected surprise, especially since it's not a common feature at weddings. Dan and Sophia wanted their wedding day to have unique and memorable elements, and the paella hit the mark!
For the wedding cake, Dan and Sophia opted for a modern four-tier wedding cake with a timeless look. The amazing creation was designed and created by Cakes by Nina and decorated in crisp white fondant, white ribbon and with gorgeous hand-crafted white sugar flowers. This simple yet impactful design was so elegant and tied in with the theme perfectly.
Entertainment & Unique Touches
Sophia and Dan infused their personalities into every aspect of their wedding day. To entertain their guests, lawn games were played; they were handmade by Dan and his colleagues which added a personal touch, complete with a personalised decal. Another exciting and unique highlight of their wedding day was Dan's grand entrance. Opting for a thrilling mode of transportation, he arrived in style by helicopter, adding an exhilarating touch to the pre-ceremony moments.
As for entertainment, the couple surprised their guests with the talented Ash on Sax, whose performance was a resounding success. The musical addition to their celebration was so well-received that people still comment on the exceptional entertainment provided, making it a memorable element of their wedding day that continues to be celebrated even today.
Additional games during the evening reception were also a hit and made the celebrations memorable. The Mr. & Mrs. Game got guests mingling and talking and a friend and colleague orchestrated a game of musical chairs with a fun twist. In each round, the participant who got out had to make a pinky promise for a special gesture during a specific month of Dan and Sophia's first year of marriage. For instance, the first one out promised to trick or treat the couple in October, surprising them with delicious brownies. The second promised to take Dan and Sophia to enjoy fireworks in November, and the third vowed to guide them to see Christmas lights in December, creating a calendar of joyous surprises. This unexpected game not only brought laughter and excitement to the reception but also added a personal and endearing touch that made the day even more memorable for the newlyweds and their guests.
Favourite Moments
For the couple, choosing their favourite moments of wedding was tricky as the day was so filled with love and joy. Highlights included seeing all of their friends and family mingling and the satisfaction of witnessing meticulous planning come to life. The bride and groom both said that the moment they first saw each other, as Sophia walked down the aisle with her dad during the ceremony, was their favourite highlight.
Newlywed Plans
Sophia and Dan enjoyed a minimoon immediately after their big day and a dreamy honeymoon in Mauritius in January. It's safe to say the couple are still on cloud nine after such a wonderful wedding day!
Wedding Supplier Credits
SPOTLIGHT
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Luxurious, relaxed and stylish wedding dresses for todays modern Bride in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
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Bridal Wear
Beautiful 17th Century Country Estate in Surrey
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Celebrants
Amazing Wedding Entertainment
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Discos, DJ's & Live Music
