Chris was not one for being discreet and keeping secrets… He thought it would be a good idea to try rings on Claire’s finger whilst she was asleep to get the right size… much to his surprise Claire woke up! Following that during a dinner date (after a few glasses of wine) he decided to show her a photo of the ring on his phone!
“I think because we are so close and such good friends as well as partners that he forgot who he was showing!”
Later in the year they had a holiday booked to go to Venice. On the way, Claire noticed he was wearing a man bag (something he had never wore in the past). As Claire looked closer she could see the shape of the ring box in it.
“Whilst we were at the Airport Chris came up in nervous rash, a lady nearby had to give him anti-allergy tablet and then on the plane the air stewards gave him ice packs for his arms to calm it down. The run up was very funny but the actual proposal was very romantic”
After the very anxious build up to the proposal Chris got down on one knee on a gondola.
“I said yes, of course and cried my eyes out”
Claire is a very experienced makeup artist and because of this she has travelled all over the country visiting so many venues making brides very glamorous. She knew straight away that Leez would be the place for them.
“It’s such a beautiful venue and I’ve always loved how welcoming the staff are. Chris loved it as soon as we drove in, it really does take your breath away at any time of year.”
As Claire had seen so many weddings she knew exactly what she wanted. Their theme was Black and white. The bridesmaids had white fishtail style satin dresses and lots of the wedding stationary was made to fit their theme including the table plan which was a large mirror with flowers stuck around the edge.
“It looked so pretty and saved us a lot of money”
She had also already chosen her photographer, Hollie Carlin. (As you can see the photos are stunning)
Claire wore Justin Alexander mermaid lace dress with open back, her ‘something borrowed’ was her maid of honors veil and she wore Christian Louboutin satin peep toe shoes although she said,
“The shoes hurt so much I changed into flip flops after a couple of hours”
Chris wore black suit trousers and a white jacket and shirt finished with a bow tie.
“I was worried he’d look odd when he first told me what he had planned to wear”
Although when she first saw him standing at the top of the isle she immediately got butterflies.
“He looked so handsome. He cried when he saw me…I think that was a good thing! I ran up the isle and dried his eyes.”
After the ceremony they were greeted by the banqueting team who served Cosmopolitans, Mojitos and Bellini’s alongside a mixture of Canapés.
“The food all day from the canapés, the wedding breakfast and the buffet was incredible. Our guests still rave about it now!”
For the wedding breakfast they had Prawn and crayfish Tian (Chris’s favorite) followed by Traditional Roast Beef and to finish the guests had the choice of, New York Cheesecake or Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies.
During the evening reception they had the resident DJ playing inside in-between sets and a live duo band playing outside.
Chris and Claire’s Top Tips:
“For a bride, definitely stay in the cottage the night before! We all had so much fun in the hot tub and it was nice waking up knowing we didn’t have to rush anywhere.
Enjoy every second as the day does fly by, everyone says it but it’s so true!
If your budget allows it, do go for a videographer. There were so many bits of the day I didn’t get to see that I loved watching back, like Chris opening my gift to him, all the guests arriving etc. You forget so much that watching it back makes you feel like you’re living it again.
Try and have a break between the wedding day and honeymoon. Chris wanted to go away straight away so it felt more traditional. BUT, when you come home it’s such a downer! You feel like all the celebrations are over so quickly.”
After the wedding the very gorgeous couple flew to Antigua for two weeks.
Credits
Wedding attire: dress – Justine Alexander. Suit – Scabal Savile Row London
The accessories: Christian Louboutin for both of us for shoes. Mikey bracelet for me and Rolex watch for Chris.
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Light in the box
Other outfits: Monsoon dress for mother of the bride
Wedding rings: Browns diamond jewelers
Wedding cake: Crumdiddlyumptious by Lorraine Moore
Invitations: Hand made
Photographer: Hollie Carlin
DJ & Band: Resident DJ, Austin Drague & James Payne
Wedding favours: Jo Malone
Makeup – By the bride – @webbymua on Instagram
Hair – Anna Rose
