Lewis Carroll would have been proud! This Alice in Wonderland themed real wedding had everything from a fairytale feeling to Alice props and “Drink Me” favours! Enjoy the touching highlights video by Our Big Day On Film – an expertly and beautifully filmed wedding day!
Bride and Groom… Kerrie and Carl
Wedding date… Saturday 8th September 2012
We met… at a party.
The proposal… Carl proposed by getting down on one knee on the Malvern Hills.
I knew he was ‘the one’… from day one.
Length of engagement… 18 months
Wedding videographer… Thomas Hill from Our Big Day On Film
My wedding dress was… the dress was chosen from Caroline Castigliano as she puts great emphasis on the made-to-measure element and the quality of the silk and lace used. It was the third dress tried on and mum remained composed throughout. What made it so special was the lovely lady who fitted the dress at all 6 individual fittings, her expertise and attention to detail and professionalism were outstanding.
Our bridesmaids and groomsmen were… Bridesmaids were two work colleagues Joanne and Lisa, and the bride’s sister Katie. Best man was long term friend Richard and ushers were bride’s brother Mikey and Carl’s son Charlie.
The wedding ceremony took place at… St John Baptist Church, Claines in Worcester. 98 guests attended the lovely, happy and warm religious ceremony. The readings done by Carl’s son, Charlie and the bride’s brother Mikie. The bride made her entrance to the string quartet who also played at the reception.
Favourite part of the wedding… The ceremony, if we had our way we’d repeat it all over again! The whole day was just perfect, food and the specially hand painted Alice in Wonderland cake, weather, venue, the lovely company, music, fireworks, the string quartet, evening band.
The wedding reception was… At The Nash in Kempsey, an Elizabethan manor house. When looking for a venue we decided within seconds that this was THE place for us – beautiful house with perfect gardens and lovely hosts.
Wedding theme/colours… Alice in Wonderland, colour was merlot for the bridesmaids’ gowns, men’s ties and hankies and white & green flowers that included green orchids and green anthurium.
Confetti.co.uk helped with… Wedding invites, dress choice, bridesmaids dresses, colour choices, shoes.
Our wedding was unique and special because… Our guests, and everyone involved in the planning of the day were amazing. The theme certainly stood out, small details such as the drink me/eat me favours on the tables and Alice in Wonderland illustrated playing cards, White Rabbit cufflinks, the life size props of the White Rabbit, Card Man painting the roses and the Caterpillar on his toadstool, grinning Cheshire Cat, pumpkins at night and the Alice in Wonderland croquet on the lawn! The speeches were especially entertaining.
The first dance song was… The Look of Love by Dusty Springfield, choreographed slow rumba dance.
Advice for other brides… Tell yourself I AM RELAXED and repeat it 3 times when stressed, imagine the day being perfect and sunny and if in doubt go that extra mile, don’t regret not including something as you only get one chance. Soothing/romantic music chosen on the morning when you are getting ready. The right choice of music for the ceremony and reception is especially important as it adds so much emotion. Also most importantly hire a great videographer, you will want to re-visit the day time and again.
On our honeymoon we went to… Thailand and would recommend it 100%!
Suppliers
Dress: Caroline Castigliano, bought in Bath
Shoes: Benjamin Adams with diamante detail
Suits: Nicholas Smith Suit Hire, in Worcester
Bridesmaid Dresses: Perfections Bridal Emporium Friar Street, Worcester
Flowers: Beautiful Flowers by Katherine Bujanszki from Worcester
Entertainment: Groove Environment, live band from London
Photographer: Claire Evans Photography
Videographer: Thomas Hill, Our Big Day on Film
Cake: made by personal friend Cassie Brown, handpainted with scenes from Alice In Wonderland and individual hand crafted sugar paste figures from the story
Make-up: Bride’s sister
Hair: Umbert Giannini in Worcester
Stationery: Concorde Stationery, Worcester
Invites: Specially designed invites, thank-you cards and place settings commissioned from the USA; Alice in Wonderland aged scroll, tied with ribbon and boxed to post
Transport: Pilot Wedding Cars, Malvern Worcestershire, vintage Buicks
Venue stylist/planner: The Bride with Rob at G-Force
Fireworks: Evesham, a display with choreographed music
String Quartet: Cantible String Quartet organised the entrance at the church; Canon by Pachelbeland the music at the reception
Gift list: Money donations towards the honeymoon were tactfully requested
Catering: The Nash, Kempsey, Worcestershire
Event Prop Hire: York (Alice in Wonderland), for the theme props
Natural flower petals: Flower Confetti, Pershore, Worcestershire
Gift for the groom: For Your Eyes Only photography in Manchester, specially chosen personal portraits given as a gift to the groom on the evening before the wedding