OPULENT DERBYSHIRE WEDDING
October 4, 2016
Jingjing and Nick’s gorgeous August wedding took place at the beautiful and historic Haddon Hall, followed by their wedding reception at East Lodge, both in Derbyshire. A typical British summer rainy day didn’t ruin anything for Jingjing and Nick, a couple that just wanted to get married and have a great day with family and friends. Their guests had travelled from around 12 countries so it really was an ‘international’ affair.
Jingjing and Nick contacted me in March of this year to enquire about ‘Wedding Day Management’, especially with it being across 2 venues and them living overseas. They were recommended to me by another wedding professional and I was over the moon that I was still available for their wedding date. After a skype chat, Jingjing and Nick soon confirmed that they wanted me to assist with their wedding. As with all of my clients a bespoke package was put together for them – incorporating my ‘Across the Miles’ option. With them living in Beijing, there were lots of final details to iron out and with the time zone clashes and their busy jobs, I was on hand to assist wherever needed.
Their vision and wedding brief was just stunning with a colour palette of blush pinks and blues with a real floral element. I am now totally in love with the David Austin Keira Rose (thanks Kerry). A brilliant team of suppliers were on board, some old faces and some new ones. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Ben Pollard Photographer, Clark and Palmer Wedding Films and award winning Tineke Floral Design.
There was lots to setup for Jingjing and Nick’s Derbyshire wedding. An early start, leaving Lincolnshire just before 6.30 am to get to East Lodge. Jingjing’s wedding favours were beautiful silk scarves (with their names on) which she wanted elegantly tying around a thank you card and menu for each of her guests (thanks so much Vicky, you superstar), as well as boxes of chocolates putting out, table names, corks for their guest book, picture frames and signage, as well as triple checking everything and double checking that Jingjing (and Nick) were OK.
Once all of their suppliers were greeted, buttonholes allocated, buses had arrived, we made our way to Haddon Hall to put out reading and double check everything was as they wanted it for their civil ceremony. The most beautiful ceremony took place in The Long Gallery, with a string quartet playing. Such an emotional wedding ceremony with not a dry eye. Jingjing literally took your breath away in her couture wedding dress and Jimmy Choos. Her 2 bridesmaids wore blush pink and complemented her to perfection.
During drinks, canapes and photos the car was loaded (to its maximum)! with urns of flowers, signage and yet more flowers to take back to East Lodge.
East Lodge had a great jazz duo playing (who I worked with at a wedding in the summer in Cambridgeshire and so recommended). Drinks, more canapes and photos took place before their wedding breakfast. A number of speeches took place before their meal and a few after. It has to be said these were some of the best speeches I have heard. Emotional, funny and just great to listen to. Even though Jingjing’s parents didn’t speak any English, anything they said was translated really adding to the emotion of the day.
It was great to network with some of Jingjing and Nick’s dream team of suppliers and enjoy some of East Lodge’s exquisite food. A big room turnaround happened after their last round of speeches so their DJ could set up and they could have a traditional chinese tea ceremony prior to cutting the cake and having their first dance.
Later in the evening, Jingjing changed into yet another stunning dress, this time a blush pink sparkly one. A stunning girl and a beautiful couple that you can tell are meant to be together.
A selection of some of the beautiful images captured to perfection by Ben Pollard:-
Some great suppliers made up Jingjing and Nick’s dream team, including:-
Photographer – Ben Pollard Photographer
Wedding Director and Planner – Amy Thorne from Amaranthyne Weddings
Flowers – Tineke Floral Design
Videographers – Clark and Palmer Wedding Films
Hair – I Love Hair
Makeup – Leona Seymour
String Quartet – Derventio String Quartet
Jazz Duo – Oriana
Cake – Janet Morwood
Sequin Table Runners – Wedding Event Design Studio
Wedding Cars – Cupid Carriages
DJ – RK Entertainment
Ceremony Venue – Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
Reception Venue – East Lodge, Derbyshire
A big thank you to Julie at Haddon Hall and Rob at East Lodge for your hospitality. Nick also had 2 great best men (Sean and Henry) who were real stars so thank you to you both as well. A really lovely family and couple to work with and a pleasure to share in the first of their 2 weddings. Hopefully our paths will cross again at some point.
Update soon
Amy xx
