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PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL WEDDING

May 3, 2018

Charlotte and Joe had their opulent and dramatic wedding at the stunning Peterborough Cathedral in Cambridgeshire in October.   With the Cathedral being their parish church and literally on their doorstep, Charlotte and Joe were over the moon to be getting married in such an amazing location.  A space that just oozed warmth, elegance and vibrancy.  Charlotte and Joe were lucky enough to be the first couple granted permission to hold both their ceremony and wedding reception inside the Cathedral itself.

FIRST CONTACT

Charlotte and Joe only contacted me just over six weeks before their wedding.  I had been recommended to them by their florist who I had worked with on a previous wedding earlier in the summer.  Charlotte required assistance finding their last couple of suppliers, pulling everything together and sorting out a final couple of final details.   After their initial enquiry, we had a lovely phone conversation that evening, then we met the following week.   A very bespoke service was put together for Charlotte and Joe which was between my ‘wedding weekend’ and ‘partial support’ options, which included full wedding day management as well as a huge setup the day before.

The suppliers that needed recommending and sorting were one to provide tables and linen, a videographer and men’s suits.

WEDDING PLANNING JOURNEY

Whilst our wedding planning journey was relatively short, a real connection was made with this couple, meaning we had lots of catch-ups (over the phone and face to face).   There were a few ‘challenges’ along the way so it was really important that Charlotte had that ‘independent’ wedding professional on the end of a phone / email to reach out to.  I also attended their wedding rehearsal the Saturday before, as did their incredible photographer (Mark) so it was great to put a face to a name ahead of the big day.

WEDDING EVE

A massive setup took place late afternoon, well into the evening on the Friday – a ceremony and wedding breakfast for 130 guests needed setting up.  This included creating the u-shape of tables and starting to get them laid ahead of the next day.  Metre tall candelabras started to be put in place by the florists as well who were also on site.  It is really not easy setting up a Cathedral when prayers are going on and you have to be super quiet and discrete and at other points physically vacate whilst they have a service on.  This was quite a logistical challenge, so a big thank you to everyone that made the end result happen.

I stayed very local just down the road on Westgate the night before the wedding at The Bull Hotel.  The Vincent and Stubbs crew were also staying over so it was lovely to have a proper catch up with them ahead of the big day.

THE WEDDING DAY

On the wedding day itself, I was onsite at the Cathedral bright and early to finish setting up, including checking their place name cards and putting out the relevant glassware on the tables.  Their lovely florists (Vincent and Stubbs) were already on site finishing off their amazing creations.  Stargazer lilies, roses, hydrangeas, green foliage and candles all made for the dramatic impact on their tables.  The u-shape of tables was screened off with apple blossom trees, which were to be moved to behind where Charlotte and Joe were sitting during the wedding breakfast itself.

After an hour or so I went to check Charlotte and her bridal party were OK and also met with her lovely MUA (Alison) and hairdresser.  Bridal party preparations were in full swing and you could feel their nerves and excitement.

The fantastic Mark Northcliffe Photography arrived shortly after at the Cathedral.  Such a lovely genuine guy as well as being an incredible photographer, it was an absolute pleasure to work with Mark (and his second shooter, another Mark).  I really hope our paths cross again very soon as Mark’s photography, manner and professionalism were just perfect.  He was such an integral part of their dream team of suppliers.

Robert (Stubbs) and I took the bridal party bouquets over to Charlotte and I then allocated the buttonholes to the groom and his groomsmen when they arrived looking very dapper in their Vow Bridal suits.

Shortly after Nick Grove arrived who was videoing their wedding.  I have worked with Nick on a number of occasions and he really does a fabulous job and is super discrete and calm whilst doing his job.

The flowers were just so wow and opulent.  Charlotte had such a vision of how she wanted things to look, so I wanted to make sure it was exactly how she wanted it to be.  This was really important to her and I really hope that myself and their florists delivered this and exceeded her expectations.

Charlotte looked absolutely stunning in her Ronald Joyce dress and cathedral length veil.   I went to fetch them when everyone was sat down in the Cathedral.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t kind at this point so it was umbrellas at the ready as they made their way across to the Cathedral.  Charlotte and Joe’s 3 pm ceremony was beautiful and emotional, with the longest aisle walk I’ve ever seen a bride have to make!

After confetti and a few photos, their drinks and canapes reception mainly took place in the Visitors Centre, where the fabulous Steve Bean played the classical guitar.  The apple blossom trees were moved and the lighting of the candelabras started, which was certainly a challenge!

When the guests came in to the Cathedral, Charlotte and Joe had a receiving line and prosecco was served, with them being announced in straight to the cutting of the cake.

After their wedding breakfast, some incredible speeches took place followed by their first dance by their super talented band.  Their evening food of a stunning selection of cheese was devoured by all of their guests and there was lots of dancing to finish a very memorable day.  A very late finish this one, as quite a lot needed sorting out before we left as there was a big event on the following day at the Cathedral as well.

On the Monday I returned to see Charlotte and Joe to check that everything had been collected by their suppliers as well as returning their suits for them.  A lovely gift was received of some of their lovely champagne saucers and a bottle of fizz which was a real surprise – thank you so much.

What can I say such a fantastic and gorgeous wedding day with a great couple and group of family and friends.  It was a pleasure to be a small part of your wedding planning journey and day Charlotte and Joe and thank you for choosing me to assist with your incredible Cathedral wedding.

A huge thank you goes to Maria at Peterborough Cathedral for being an absolute star on the day, also to Ian and Tamsin at the Cathedral and to Vicky for assisting me with the setting up on the Friday.

CHARLOTTE AND JOE’S DREAM TEAM

Wedding Planner – Amy Thorne of Amaranthyne Weddings
Photographer – Mark Nortcliffe Photography – you can also read Mark’s blog about the day here
Florists / Floral Stylists – Vincent and Stubbs
Hair – P.Kai
Makeup – Makeup by Alison
Videographer – Nick Grove
Wedding Dress – Jodie by Ronald Joyce
Men’s Suits – Vow Bridal Gallery
Caterers – Jeeves Catering
Cheese and Accompaniments – The Cheese Shop, Louth
Catering Equipment – Whittlesea Catering Hire
Tables, table linen, napkins – A Place Setting
Seating plan, place name cards – Charlotte’s Dad – Malcolm
Catering Tent – Rutland Marquees
Ceremony Musicians – St Peters Singers
Drinks Reception / Wedding Breakfast Musician – Steve Bean Classical Guitarist
Evening Band – Motor City Vipers

Wedding Venue – Peterborough Cathedral 

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