An Exclusive real life wedding - Victoria and David
Tell us how you met and got engaged:
David and I met whilst studying Law at Durham. We both joined the same society - I thought he was boring and he thought I was a know-it-all... When he asked me if I was free on Valentine’s Day, I thought it was for a committee meeting!
The proposal didn't quite go to plan. David 'hid' the engagement ring in the basket around his side of the bed. I saw it as soon as I came home as my dad was helping me to hang curtains up right by it. I totally freaked out. My dad knew as David has asked permission, and carried on hanging the curtains up as if I hadn't said a word. Out went our romantic holiday proposal and in its place he got down on one knee at the end of our sofa.
How did you choose Lainston House as your Wedding destination?
My dad heard a charity auction on the radio a few years ago and made a bid and won! He had bid for a Lainston House chef to cook at our house. We loved the food and so David suggested Lainston when we came to look at wedding venues.
We had exclusive use of the hotel and absolutely loved it. We did not need any big theme as we were in a beautiful English setting and we just enhanced it with flowers. Our Wedding Co-ordinator Emily was great at answering all of our questions and on the day the staff were brilliant at helping us sort everything out.
How did you found your dress and jewellery? Perhaps the David has a tail to tell too?
The first time I went to look at dresses, I was adamant that I wasn't going to buy one then and there. I went to Proposals in Chichester with my mum and of course found 'the dress' - white with an abundance of lace.
My jewellery took a little longer to find... I searched for a long time for some pearl earrings and had no luck. David suggested some online and I hated them. We went to the shop anyway as we were nearby and, you probably guessed it, I fell in love. He bought them for me then and there. He then surprised me a couple of weeks later with a pearl necklace that he had made for me.
David's suit still makes me laugh. He wanted to get it made so we went to a shop in Savile Row. He picked out the fabric and they took his measurements. David managed to pick a very rare fabric, Escorial wool. It used to be only available to the Spanish royal family. Only a Welshman could end up picking wool from a rare sheep!
Did you have any special moments during the organisation of your wedding and the big day itself? What are your fondest memories...
Everything!
The best piece of advice I was given before the day was just to relax and enjoy every single moment. It's one of the biggest days of your life and one that you spend a lot of time and money planning. It only lasts a day and you spend almost half of it getting ready. It can go by like a flash if you let it. The best parts for me were seeing my parents and my new husband having so much fun. I also loved the fireworks down the avenue of lime trees. All our guests had sparklers and the whole thing was magical.
Let's be honest, planning a wedding is just stressful, but I think the barn dance on the day was a real hit.
The Bride and Groom: Victoria and David Walters
That date: Monday 29th August 2016
The location: Lainston House, an Exclusive Hotel - the Pavilion and Dawley Barn
Flowers: A Very British Bunch (Debblie Lamb)
Cake: Choccywoccydoodah
The Dress: Sottero and Midgley, bought in Proposals, Chichester
The Suit: Cad & the Dandy
Make-up: Helen Leonard
Hair: Riot Hairdressing
Fireworks: Alchemy Fireworks