Fran and Bens wedding leap year 2020, in the middle of storm Jorge, but it absolutely did not matter because he brought sunshine, a little wind, but just a perfect day for the happy couple.
Their history has brought them to this day. A very special spark on bonfire night 4 years ago started their relationship, followed by becoming proud parents of Max and Amber the cats and Jeffrey the Dog, a proposal in Mauritius and finally so far a honeymoon in Finland.
It never ceases to amaze me how our bridal parties visualise the wedding barn so differently for their celebrations. Fran’s mum Celia had worked so hard to prepare and transform the wedding barn to a very unique and stylish space for her daughter’s wedding. She had made drapes to go on our screens with Burgundy tiebacks that matched the elegant bridesmaid’s dresses and bridal bouquets. The four tier wedding cake was also Celia’s work of art and tasted as good as it looked.
Fran’s bouquet was so feminine with very significant flowers, Burgundy Calle Lillies and Roses, that Fran has always loved, all carefully chosen for their meanings. As Fran walked down the aisle to Songbird with Warwick her Dad on her arm, she looked stunning in a unique gorgeous white dress with a full skirt decorated with petals. The ceremony was a civil celebration of their marriage conducted by the lovely Deborah Page in front of their family and friends to proclaim their love to the world, and to commit themselves to each other.
Fran and Ben cemented their marriage with a truly meaningful wine blending ceremony. “Some of the best things in life get better with age. In these Instances, time brings the gifts of maturity, depth, and a beautiful complexity. Fran and Ben, Just like good wine, relationships develop over time. “
James read during the ceremony, “He’s not perfect, you aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect; but if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can.” Rosie, Fran’s dearest childhood friend, also said a few words during the ceremony, “May you take on the world together with all your hopes and dreams, May you be each other’s anchor in smooth or rocky seas. The final reading was from “The Union” by Robert Fulgham and read by Lorraine.
With Natalie Cole singing “This Will Be” the new Mr and Mrs Gouldsborough walked back down the aisle to join their well wishes for a glass of bubbly, in our lovely gallery, tastfully decorated with a fabulous photo wall, hearts and driftwood LOVE Letters against our light wall.
Speeches were the first order of the day when the happy couple were welcomed into the wedding barn. Dad Warwick was up first and described his wonderful, beautiful intelligent daughter born on a Sunday. “Sundays’ child is full of grace as she most definitely was this morning when he first saw her in her wedding gown.” He treated us all to a wonderful slide show of Fran through the years and made us all laugh with a little clip of Fran and best pal Rosie doing a Re-enactment of “Absolutely Fabulous darling”.
Celia read a poem of the “recipe of a good marriage”. She presented Fran with a Myrtle bush, which, has always, been reported to be used, in recent royal wedding bouquets because of its significance of good luck in marriage, friendships and partnerships. Ben and Fran were also thrilled with a present of a tree planted in their honour in the heart of the new forest.
Bens Mum was up next to warm everyone’s heart when she invited all the little ones, Olive, William, Pippa, Harriet, Georgina, Elliot and Noah, to sing “Twinkle twinkle little star” as she presented Ben and Fran a star which she has had registered and named after them. “It will always be there for you, and remember one of the greatest stories we know began under a star”.
Ben spoke next to thank everyone especially his wonderful new wife. Fran, being a teacher, regaled everyone with a quiz to get everyone using their brains, especially the maths teacher friends that were in the room. “How many days have the happy couple been together (in days) was one of the questions.
Ben’s older twin brother ended the speeches. He has waited all his life for Ben to admit he is indeed the “Best Man” and as he is two and half minutes older, which is “absolutely massive in Twin Years”, he held his position of glory on the microphone and told tales of their childhood years together.
Budding photographer William took lots and lots of photographs of the evening celebrations which was a fabulous preview until the professional pictures were revealed.
Suppliers on the day…
Florist
Photographer
Caterer
Make Up
Hair
Celebrant
Band