We had been checking the weather forecast religiously on the days leading up to Steph and Eliott’s wedding, knowing how desperately they wanted their ceremony under the Lych Gate. At the start of the week it wasn’t looking too good, however in true Hornington style, on Saturday morning it was glorious and we were so thrilled that Steph and Eliott’s dream ceremony was going to become a reality!
On Friday night, the guests staying in the Manor were treated to a delicious feast prepared and served by family friends and guests of the wedding Martin and Donna, who just so happen to own the Mussel Pot.
The ceremony was at 11am, so guests were up early to prepare for the big day. While they took their seats in the courtyard, Strings Attached, an incredible four-piece band played beautifully in the sunshine and we waited for Steph to appear. She looked absolutely stunning in her gown walked so confidently to marry the love of her life!
Once the pair had said ‘I Do’, guests made their way to the front lawn and enjoyed beer and Pimms served from our Ha Ha Baah. Steph and Eliott’s photographer Mark J Hillyer captured the day perfectly, and thank you to Mark for sharing his photos with us for this blog.
While guests were on the front lawn, we out the final touches of Steph and Eliott’s wedding reception together, and it looked amazing! Steph’s mum had hand made reels and reels of beautiful bunting that was strung all across the barn, and each table had another Wild Floral Couture masterpiece at the centre- mini trees with the most gorgeous coral blooms surrounded by moss and delicate white flowers.
The tables were named after placed Bride and Groom had travelled and each guest had a card with a description of what made that place so special to Steph and Eliott. Some of our favourites were-
Reykjavik where the couple spent their time taking in the incredible landscapes of the Golden Circle, hunting for (and finding) the Northern Lights (twice!) and were joined on the open sea by a pod of dolphins, porpoises and a solitary hump-back whale!
Southwold, where the newly-weds have visited every year they’ve been together, and sometimes more than just the annual trip! They’ve consumed more drinks than they can possibly recall and had countless fabulous sunny days strolling along the beach. Southwold is their home from home and there’s no other place that suits them better.
Kirkby Lonsdale which was one of the first places Steph and Eliott visited as a couple. When they returned in 2016 were not disappointed and went on a beautiful walk but after about 6 miles in the blazing sun, Steph was ready for the pub however Eliott had other ideas. He wanted to climb an incredibly sleep hill! But that hill must have been a magic one, as they Steph walked up it with a boyfriend and down it with a fiancé!
And finally, their top table which was Home. ‘No matter where we may go and no matter what amazing things we may find along the way, home will always be wherever or family is- the most special place of all.’
Once seated in the wedding barn, it was time for the speeches and Steph’s dad was up first. Steph and Eliott had been together since high school Steph’s dad said he already regards Eliott as a son but he is so thrilled he can officially call him his son-in-law now. With Steph looking as beautiful as she does, Eliott must feel like the luckiest man in the world! We learnt that Steph has always been naturally creative and had a love of flowers and gardening, which she has inherited from her mum. She has also always been outspoken, and she got that from her dad! He said it is just as obvious today as it was back when Steph and Eliott met, how much they love and care for each other, and he is so proud of them both.
Eliott thanked Steph’s mum and dad for raising the most beautiful daughter and a special thanks to Steph’s mum for all the bunting, which will be on sale tomorrow for £5 per metre! He and Steph first met in their Science and Humanities class and he thought she was cute. Since then Steph has grown into a stunning woman, and Eliott has grown about half an inch! Steph has done an incredible job with the whole wedding and Eliott couldn’t take the credit for any of it!
Soon it was time for Oliver, Eliott’s brother and Best Man. He said he was going to make this short as he realised most of the jokes were actually at his expense! Oliver revealed that Eliott used to be in a heavy metal band but his music career came to a welcome end when he met Steph! Now he deals with a different kind of heavy mental that actually pays the bills and involved power tools! He described his brother as kind, generous, never one to finish a job… I mean leave a job! Oliver revealed that when they pair were young, if Oliver made him a cup of tea, his big brother Eliott used to let him into his bedroom and watch him play the PlayStation!
As a surprise to both Steph and Eliott, Oliver had put an envelope full of photos of him and his brother on each table from a photoshoot they went on as little boys- some of which had been photoshopped with hilarious consequences! He ended by saying that Steph is smart, compassionate and a good laugh- she makes Eliott a very happy man- in a way he never could!
Eat Me Drink Me served up a delicious feast and as evening fell, Photobomb Events set up a magic mirror photobooth on the mezzanine and guests were treated to a mini gig by Marsicans, the band in which Eliott’s brother is a guitarist. They were absolutely brilliant and you must give them a listen! We had such an amazing evening and we hope Steph and Eliott’s day was the happiest they could have wished for.
Suppliers on the day…
Caterer
Florist
Photographer
Ligting and PA System
DJ
Bands
Photobooth
