Our real wedding today is an absolute treat! The whole event from start to finish reflected the couples personality and lifestyle. Anna and Mark worked so hard to make sure their guests had a truly memorable day. Wherever they could Anna and Mark planned various activities that would delight and entertain everyone and made them feel part of their special day. The Wedding Genie had the pleasure to provide On The Day Coordination.
It all started quite a few months ago when Anna phoned me to ask about the OnThe Day service. Anna is a complete perfectionist and had spent many months already planning this fabulous wedding. On the wedding day Anna wanted to be sure everything came together exactly as she planned it.
The wedding reception was at Grittenham Barn in West Sussex. It is the type of venue that is a total empty shell. Every single thing had to be hired, from the chairs and tables to crockery,cutlery, furniture and even the bar!
Anna had a very specific theme in her mind which she explained to me as “The White Company look” white, sophisticated, cool and ultra chic. You may ask how you can achieve that kind of look in a barn but Anna had a fabulous vision of exactly what she wanted and my did she achieve a look to die for. She wanted her guests to be wowed by the look and style when they entered. Never would they expect that kind of look from the outside of the barn.
Photography by Julie Kim
One of the passions of Anna and Mark is their love of food and good drink. The caterers hired, Buns to Banquets were briefed to provide anti pasti for the guests on arrival, which was a favourite starter of theirs. It was completely at home in the surroundings and beautifully laid out. You can see from the images below how mouth watering it all was. Anna collected glass jars and serve homemade sloe gin in them with straws to promote the barn theme. Because Anna and Mark had complete control over their drinks they were able to provide exactly what they wanted. The sloe gin was such a fabulous welcome drink along with champagne for those whose preferred.
Anna had planned that the guests would be served their drinks and anti pasti outside in the sunshine but as is often the case with our inclement weather, unfortunately it was heavily raining when the guests arrived. It was no problem we had a wet weather plan which was put into action and everyone gathered in the lower barn. The upper barn was curtained off to save the surprise of decor for the wedding breakfast. Anna asked me to take photographs of all the couples at the wedding with a polaroid instant camera. Armed with a list and my camera it was fun to say hi to all the guests and take their pictures. During the wedding breakfast I pasted them in a beautiful guest book which later everyone found their photo and wrote their messages beside it. It was a lovely touch and a another great way to involve your guests and create a very special memento.
It was very cosy with the guests being inside but it added to the atmosphere and the photographer Julie Kim did an amazing job, as you can see from the brilliant images. I cannot recommend her enough, her reportage photography is just brilliant. She never stopped snapping all day long but was never intrusive or in the way.
Anna made table plans with cards which were beautifully printed with tables and names and then arranged them in heart shaped wired decorations. It really suited the theme, simple but chic. After the wedding breakfast, in readiness for the evening I removed the cards and replaced them with photographs of Mark and Anna.
The barn was bought to life with a white bar which was illuminated from behind with a mirrored top. It looked fantastic with the gorgeous flower arrangements placed on either side. With two silver and white round poseur tables with simple flower arrangements the guests had a place to place their drinks and congregate. There was also two white sofas and a low white coffee table in front of a gorgeous fireplace which was filled with flowers and candles.
Anna had lot’s of lovely little touches throughout the day such as the fingerprint tree. All the guests dipped a thumb into little pots of ink supplied with the kit and then pressed the image on the tree and signed their initials. Again just another way our brides involve their guests. A time for me to dip into my emergency bag so that everyone had wipes to clean their fingers!
The main barn itself was decorated so beautifully it was quite breath taking. Delicate cut paper streamers were strung across the beams of the barn. Flowers were attached to the beams and various size jars and glasses were used filled with wild type flowers for centrepieces. Check out the window too. As guest walked by they got a sneak peak of what was to come from outside.
.
The food was so in keeping, each table had a huge joint. A person on each table was nominated as head carver. They were called out and then donned chefs hats and coats. It was really good fun.
Great food by Buns To Banquets
Anna’s dress was to die for, and her flowers as you can see just gorgeous.
The little details were just lovely. Anna sourced fabrics to match the stationery and table mats were made to place the flowers on and little hearts made and stuffed to hang all around the walls, as well as lovely framed messages of Mr and Mrs.
Anna even provided pasmina’s which matched her theme for the evening in case it became a little chilly. After the wedding breakfast the barn was turned around ready for the evening party. A band played which consisted of one of Anna’s brothers. They created a fantastic atmosphere. As everyone started to dance and let their hair down we set up a table which had the polaroid camera on for earlier and plenty of props and signs. Each guest could dress up take a photo and then peg it up on the beams in the barn. Another way that Anna captured the memories of her special day.
In the evening the rain cleared up and everyone was able to go outside. The whole barn was lit up with paper lanterns and hundreds of jars with tea lights. It was so romantic and idyllic. As everyone left they were given a lovely packaged blank CD with an addressed envelope to send back to Anna. That way all the guests could send Anna and Mark their photographs, more memories of a fantastic day.
I could go on for hours about the wedding it really was planned to perfection. Anna had a vision and I helped her carry it out on the day. You can see what Anna said about our service here.
If you are getting married next year and want to be sure your wedding day is stress free and you can relax, call me to book our On The Day Coordination service. Now all thats left is to wish Anna and Mark a lifetime of happiness. xx
Until next time, happy planning.
Subscribe in a reader
