Rebecca & Graeme – Classic Elegance In The Cheshire Countryside

Rebecca and Graeme introduced beautiful spring colours to their February wedding at this idyllic wedding venue in Cheshire, with delicate hues of ivory and pink. Love was in the air!

The Perfect Venue

Having visited a few venues, Rebecca and Graeme fell in love with Sandhole Oak Barn straight away.

“The surroundings and the lake are simply stunning, along with the wonderful barn. Its neutral tones were a real blank canvas to bring our vision to life,” says Rebecca. “I only discovered the amazing bridal dressing room on our second visit – that would have been enough to seal the deal for me!” The couple loved the team at Sandhole and at Top Table catering immediately, and started to put their plans in place.

Theme of the Day

The happy couple chose a classic, elegant and pretty wedding in shades of pale pink, ivory and cream.

“While our wedding was in February, we wanted to welcome in spring rather than choosing wintery colours,” explains Rebecca. “Sandhole just oozes romance without having to try, so we decided to enhance it with some elements from different styles.” Beautiful floral arrangements and candles adorned the Oak Barn, alongside a few more personalised extras such as photographs of Rebecca and Graeme over the years, love letters and bunting.

All About the Dress

The bride wore a dress from Mori Lee, classically beautiful with its ball gown style, but with a layered skirt and dramatic beaded back lending a contemporary edge.

“I knew Graeme would love its simplicity,” says Rebecca. “And he really did love it!’ Vintage style Swarovski jewellery was the perfect accessory, alongside shoes from Jenny Packham.

As for the Groom and the Bridesmaids…

Graeme and his ushers wore dark blue suits from Debenhams, chosen for their elegant style and the fact that they will hopefully be worn again. The navy blue was a lovely complement to the pale pink Mori Lee dresses worn by Rebecca’s adult bridesmaids, her two sisters. As for the flower girls…

“They wore dresses from BHS and really stole the show,” smiles Rebecca. “Especially with their faux fur-lined Rocha John Rocha boleros and pink flower crowns!”

Beautiful Blooms

The fabulous flowers were a combination of tulips, roses and anemones in shades of ivory, cream and blush pink. The bridal bouquet was hand-tied and finished with blush ribbon and pearl pins, while the bridesmaids carried smaller versions of the same arrangement. A collection of garden blooms made up the buttonholes, while the venue looked simply stunning. Two urns on plinths decorated the ceremony space, with an eclectic mix of bottles, vases, tea lights and fresh flowers adorning the registrar’s table. For table centres, some tables featured tall vases filled with foliage and blush and ivory blooms. Around the base of each vase were glass tea lights standing on a mirror plate. Other tables were decorated with a selection of pretty containers from jam jars to bowls filled with flowers. ‘It was truly stunning’ says Rebecca. ‘The room took my breath away on the day.’

The Wedding Breakfast

Following their reception with drinks and canapés, guests sat down to the wedding breakfast. Farmhouse cheddar and broccoli soup started the meal, followed by steak and ale pie and a trio of desserts.

“We wanted some heartwarming food as we knew it was going to be a cold day,” says Rebecca. “Top Table Catering were superb.”

Let Them Eat Cake!

Pink and ivory cup cakes decorated with roses looked pretty as a picture, with a small top layer cutting cake. The mouthwatering fillings included vanilla, New York cheesecake and cherry bakewell.

Evening Celebrations

The DJ from Hipswing created a fabulous party vibe, also entertaining guests with large light up love letters, a sparkly dance floor and casino tables. ‘A photo booth from Drunken Monkey was another highlight’ smiles Rebecca. After the first dance to ‘You Make it Real’ by James Morrison, guests danced the night away. A selection of warm meats and rolls, a delicious cheese board and hot chips was a great choice for informal evening dining.

Rebecca’s Top Tip

“When you’re planning your wedding, cherish every moment and trust your instincts. If something feels right, don’t be afraid to go for it. Book the venue, buy the dress that gives you ‘that feeling’ and enjoy every second!”

Photography courtesy of © Mick Cookson Photography