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LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTRY WEDDING

November 16, 2021

Lauren and Dan’s relaxed country chic July 2021 wedding all took place at the picturesque Woodhall Spa Manor in Lincolnshire.  Their outside ceremony was just perfect, followed by a marquee reception in the Manor’s grounds.

Lauren originally booked me back in November 2018, (her original wedding was planned for July 2020).  She wanted someone to manage her wedding day and ensure everything ran as it should, so she booked me for full wedding day management.

Four dates and three locations later, their amazing wedding happened and I’m so pleased they had the day they deserved.

I wanted to ask Lauren and Dan a few questions about their wedding planning journey, so over to them.

How did you both meet?

Lauren – Dan and I went on a date when we were 19, (we went to the cinema which, in hindsight was a mistake, it’s hardly a great way to get to know someone).  At the time, Dan seemed pretty keen but I just wasn’t feeling it, so when he text to ask for a second date, I horrendously ghosted him!  Fast forward 4 years and after both living in Lincoln and not once seeing each other, we happened to bump into each other in Prague airport, he was on a stag do and I was on a birthday trip with friends.  We were on the same flight home and unfortunately for, my now husband, he had told his mates the story about me pieing him.  All the way back to London Stanstead they were teasing him about it.  Then, it was actually me who reached out after that chance meeting and offered to go on that second date (4 years later).  It was hard to believe it wasn’t fate that had brought us together again after all that time and our rocky start.

Dan – I received a random add on Facebook from an attractive brunette.  I thought about sending her a message but realised she was about to go travelling to America.  When she got back I decided to make my move.  After a first date that didn’t go so well it was a few years before our paths crossed again.  I was in Prague airport when I bumped into Lauren, unfortunately I was on a stag do which lead to a lot of banter about the first date, however, when we both got back to the UK, we had a catch up and we’ve never looked back since.

Tell me about the proposal?

Lauren – It was a complete and utter shock!  I have always loved surprises and this was the biggest one of my life.  We had been together for one year and were on the trip of a lifetime to Vegas.  During our trip, we decided to rent a car to drive to the Grand Canyon for a few days.  I had visited once before and it is one of my favourite places on earth.  After a breathtaking helicopter tour over the canyon we took a walk around.  I asked Dan to take a picture of me with the Canyon in the background and when I turned around he was down on one knee. It was amazing and a huge shock.  People ask, did you cry?  The answer, no, I was far too happy to cry in that moment, we both jumped up and down, danced and just enjoyed this incredible whilst the sun was setting.  Later that evening, on reflection and after processing what had happened, I did get a little emotional.  Dan is the man I’d been waiting for and he wants to spend his life with me.  What could be more perfect.

Dan – I knew from very early in our relationship that I wanted to marry Lauren.  When she surprised me with a trip to Vegas I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to ask her the question.  We hired a car and drove to the Grand Canyon and we walked for a while until we found a lovely, quiet spot where I popped the question.  Once she had put me out of my misery and said yes, we watched the sun go down and the stars come out before finding a motel nearby to spend the night.

Why did you feel the need to have a wedding planner?

Lauren – I knew straight away that we needed a wedding planner for our big day when we had decided the type of wedding we wanted.  We both have lots of family and friends and we loved the idea of having everyone together and having a relaxed, fun day that we could really put our own stamp on. We settled for a marquee wedding and we were so excited about the prospect of picking all the suppliers we wanted and making it our own.  However, I knew with this it would require a lot of hard work and prep and coordination on the day.

Dan – I had no idea about planning a wedding and my soon to be wife was adamant we needed one.

What made you choose Amy?

Lauren – I have known of Amy for a long time and I’ve seen how much of an incredible wedding coordinator she is.  Without question, we were going with Amy, all you have to do is look at all the incredible reviews she has and trust me, if you meet her once, you’ll know why- she is so lovely and so down to earth!

What did you most enjoy about working with Amy?

Lauren & Dan – Everytime we met with Amy, spoke with her on the phone and even emailed she always made us feel so special and even more excited about our wedding day.  Knowing the industry as well as she does, Amy had the most incredible ideas and was always able to guide us in the right direction and advise us if we hit a stumbling block (usually a far-fetched idea Lauren had).  On the wedding day, Amy was worth her weight in gold, she organised suppliers, greeted them and checked everything was in the right place at the right time, without us even knowing she was doing it all.  Having Amy around was so lovely, we felt in such safe hands that if anything went wrong on the day, she would find a way to sort it without us getting stressed out about anything, allowing us to soak up the day.

What part of the wedding planning did you enjoy the most?

Lauren – I love the sentimental parts of a wedding, the little touches.  I spent a lot of time (a lot more time than anticipated in the end after postponing a year due to Covid) crafting things with my mum. We made some lovely memories doing this together.  I tried to think of the little things and I really enjoyed making the bits and bobs.  There were lots of nods to our family wedding days such as a memory table, making my mums dress into a clutch bag, her artificial flowers into décor.  All the favours were handmade incorporating a Cancer research charity pin which is a Charity close to our hearts after affecting both our families. Dan also spent lots of lockdown time making all our wooden garden games, card box and signs. It felt amazing to step back on the day and see all our hard work and vision come together.

Dan – Without question, food tasting!

What part of the day did you enjoy the most?

Lauren & Dan – Everything!  We genuinely could not pick a moment that we enjoyed the most. From a lovely morning (at times emotional) getting ready with our bridal parties and parents to laughing away during the ceremony.  From playing games, drinking, eating canapes and dancing in bubbles to all guests having a nerf gun war during the meal.  From stealing a few precious, quiet moments together to dancing the night away and singing our hearts out with our incredible friends and family.  To having a grand finale of a firework display.  We really could not have asked for a more PERFECT day.

What advice would you give to a bride (or groom) whilst planning their wedding?

Lauren & Dan – Enjoy every moment and make it special- you’ll only do this once! We soaked up each stage of wedding planning and made sure we took the time to select the right suppliers for us.  Having someone who is amazing at their job is, of course, what you’re after. However, having suppliers with the right personality and you gel with is also key, they’re sharing some of your most intimate moments and the best day of your life with you, why not see them as a friend too.

Five words to describe Amy

Friendly | Organised | Experienced | Professional | Talented

Would you love to do it all again?

Lauren & Dan – Everything about our wedding day was just so perfect from start to finish, so if we could relive it all exactly as it was, then 100% yes!!

Would you do anything differently?

Lauren & Dan – We don’t think there is anything we would do differently.  Any little hiccups along the way (like changing the wedding date 4 times – thanks covid) just made room for more memories and gave us even longer to plan our special day.  We felt so lucky and will be forever grateful, that we were able to hold our wedding day on the first Saturday after restrictions lifted and celebrate with all our friends and family.  Those moments on the dance floor after the year and a half everyone had had were just euphoric.  It will be a feeling of happiness that we will hold onto always and memories we will cherish forever.

Thanks so much Lauren and Dan, such a pleasure to assist you with your wedding celebrations.  The loveliest of people, family and friends you could ever wish for.  Here are a selection of some of Lauren and Dan’s beautiful photos by Adrian L Harvey Photography.

THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Coordinator – Amy Thorne of Amaranthyne Weddings
Photographer – Adrian L Harvey Photography
Videographer – Above Air Media
Click here for wedding highlights video
Makeup – Estera Sutton of Kokoshka Makeup
Hair – Lauren’s Mum, Debbie
Wedding Dress – Belle and Bouquet
Florist – The Merry Florist
Lawn Games – Handmade by Dan (groom)
Harpist – Christine Palethorpe
Ice Cream during Drinks Reception – Confectionary Lounge
Caterer – Cook and Saucer
Bar – Bar Bubbles
Cake – One Stop Cake Shop
Menus – Polka Dot Creations
Band – Crazy Ape
Evening Food – Pizza Mamma
Marquee – Mudfords
Fireworks – Rave Fireworks

Wedding Venue – Woodhall Spa Manor

Amaranthyne Weddings
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Beautiful weddings across Lincolnshire, Rutland, the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire and the whole of the UK

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