the venue - A Real Bride`s Guide

12
Go, Thursday, May 2, 2013
ECS-EO1-S3
www.thisistotalessex.co.uk
www.thisistotalessex.co.uk
Go, Thursday, May 2 2013
ECS-EO1-S3
wedding news
wedding news
www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/ido
www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/ido
First thing on the
menu – the venue
Ask Kelly...
BRIDE-to-be Rebecca
White marries Darren
Neville at Blake Hall,
Ongar, on July 19, 2014.
“Hi Kelly, what sort of
Bridal dilemma...
weight!
EVERY girl wants to look her very best for her
wedding day. Being in a comfortable
relationship can make many of us pile on the
pounds and not worry so much about an
extra curve here and there. But when it’s time
to walk down the aisle – and get into the
do while we’re having
our photos done that
Kelly says...
Hi Rebecca,
We had the same worry, that our guests would stand around
bored waiting for us to have our photos done. We really wanted
there will be about two hours between that and our wedding
breakfast. Instead of seeing this as a problem, we’ve created
event.
Finger sandwiches and strawberries dipped in chocolate will be
served, while a CD of music we’ve put together adds atmosphere
(saving money on having live singers). There will also be pots of
tea served and giant lawn games set up to keep everyone
amused and entertained.
Herbalife was my solution. Herbalife is all
about making you understand how your body
works and what it needs to function properly,
such as plenty of water and protein to
process unhealthy fat. It’s not a diet; I didn’t
You can add little touches such as fun stripy paper straws or
old-fashioned crockery, which is easily found in charity shops, to
complete the feel of the event. Or, speak to Favour Jars, in
Chelmsford, on 07824 556021 who can help with finishing
MARK and I had been together for three years
when he finally popped the question. I say
you marry me?” So, as soon as my glorious
white gold trilogy diamond ring was securely
on my hand, the planning began.
From the outset, I knew I wanted our
different enough? Are the men’s suits different
enough? Will the tables look different enough?
By different, I don’t mean wacky – just little
touches to make our wedding just that, ours.
We weren’t about to spend thousands of
pounds on a wedding that was a carbon copy
of every other one we’d ever been to. Apologies
if you were looking for recommendations for
white doves and sugared almonds, because
you won’t find them here.
Oddly, our number-one priority was
securing the photographer we immediately
knew had to cover our wedding. Wedding
photos taken by Ivan Finch, of Town and
Country Photographic, based in Loughton,
wouldn’t look out of place in the most glossy
of fashion magazines or in worldwide
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advertising campaigns. His work is striking,
modern and original. It’s different. So, before
we even looked around a venue, we checked
Picture courtesy of Town and Country Photographic
ceremony in one area of the Tudor mansion,
our wedding breakfast in another and then
our disco in yet another part of the building,
his availability.
meaning we could really make the most of the
Armed with Ivan’s diary slots for the coming
months, we headed to Leez Priory in
exclusive-use venue. On top of that, plenty of
our friends and family could stay the night
Chelmsford.
and enjoy breakfast with the new Mr and Mrs
When it came to a venue, there were
the morning after.
several boxes to tick – a wow factor as you
arrive, plenty of character, plus a ceremony
Delighted to hear Leez had availability on a
Saturday just seven months away, we
room which gave the feel of being in a
suddenly had ourselves a wedding!
church. Leez had it all. We both instantly
Now, tradition has it that couples spend
knew this is where we would become
husband and wife – and neither of us could
about two years planning and organising a
wedding. I’m far too impatient for that and
stop smiling as we were shown around by
being a super-organised person I was
Rochelle. We loved that we could have our
confident those few small months were more
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than enough to get things in place. I would tell
any bride-to-be that planning a wedding really
show off our album. As memories begin to
fade with old age, those images will still be
need not be stressful or time-consuming.
there to remind us of our wonderful day. To
lost more than two inches off of each thigh –
need a diet. I just needed educating on
better ways to eat. Within three months, I’d
me, this is not the area to scrimp on. If photos
the area that needed attention – and was
pick the right date, photographer and venue
 Time of year can hugely influence many
are not a priority to you, then why not use the
services of a friend who’s keen on
feeling great once again. I know those
unhealthy inches will never return as I now
aspects of your wedding – weather, outfits,
photography? Or ask all of your guests to
know how to eat and drink healthily.
flowers, venue and even honeymoons. I’ve
give you copies of their snaps? But if you’ll be
always dreamed of a spring wedding
because I love the hopeful feel at that time of
disappointed with less-than-perfect shots,
maybe it’s worth investing a little more. We’ve
year, plus the presence of daffodils and tulips.
just enjoyed a pre-wedding photo shoot at
I don’t want to be a sweaty bride or too
our venue for us and our photographer, Ivan
disappointed if a summer date turns out to be
typically British, so late spring was perfect for
Finch, to get to know each other and the best
spots for images.
loss challenge at Chelmsford City FC, starting
 A venue provides the backdrop and
on June 2. Contact Dawn Parsall on 07968
A few things to bear in mind to ensure you
34 before hearing those wonderful words: “Will
wedding to be different. The word “different”
has appeared at every step – is the dress
They are all available from The Body Shop. Call
0800 0929090 or go to www.thebodyshop.com
So when I noticed my clothes were
beginning to feel a little too snug, I decided to
finally because I’d almost reached the age of
what we hope will be a wonderful garden party/afternoon tea
are perfect gifts for your attendants – and ideal to slip into your
flight bag for the honeymoon journey.
do something about it.
this part of the day to be enjoyable for everyone – so much so that
they wouldn’t notice we had gone! Our ceremony is quite early, so
ADD a glow to your cheeks and a shimmer to your smile with
this lovely new range by Leona Lewis for the Body Shop. They
our very best.
Starting this month, real-life
bride-to-be Kelly Clark
(soon-to-be Mrs Robertson)
talks everything weddings
as she heads for her very
own Big Day. First things first,
setting the date
won’t cost a small fortune?”
Deerly beloved
honeymoon bikini – we all want to get back to
things can our guests
touches at reasonable prices.
13
us. The downside is our number one
honeymoon destination, the Maldives, wasn’t
theme for your day. Character was hugely
an option because it’s hurricane season. Want
your wedding breakfast to be by cosy
important to us when picking a venue. Old
brick walls, beams and a restored coach
candlelight? Then maybe a winter wedding is
house made Leez the place for us as we
for you.
wanted a rustic edge to our day. If you’re
 You get what you pay for with photography.
Time and again I hear brides asking for
keen to transform a blank canvas, maybe a
venue with a marquee or a golf club with a
recommendations for photographers who can
function room would suit. If we added nothing
be with them during the morning prep through
to the evening disco, but as cheap as
to Leez, our wedding day would still be
beautiful so maybe consider comparing the
possible. Photographs of our wedding day will
price of a venue such as this with the huge
be cherished for the rest of our lives. We will
amount of accessories needed for
have them around our homes and proudly
somewhere with less character.
Oh Deer! Shimmer palette, £16
Herbalife works the opposite way, too,
helping you to increase bulk if your weight
has dropped too low.
If you – or any of your bridal party – need
educating in looking after your body the right
way, sign up to the Herbalife 12-week weight
Deerlicious Lip gloss tube, £7
441836.
Kelly’s contact book
Leez Priory, Chelmsford
www.countryhouseweddings.co.uk/leez-priory
01245 362555
Town and Country Photographic
www.townandcountryphotographic.co.uk
020 8502 3293
Herbalife
www.herbalmylife.co.uk 07968 441836
Favour Jars
www.facebook.com/favourjars 07824 556021
Cruelty-Free blusher brush,
£14
White Musk Libertine limited edition eau de parfum, from £10