Verity & George

Here Verity and her amazing team of suppliers share their top tips, wedding entertainment ideas and contact books with you. Planning sorted!

The Couple

Meeting through mutual friends in 2012, Verity and George were engaged in January 2016, and had completed all their wedding planning in two months (yes, really!). Being soooo uber-organised meant they then had the rest of the year to kick back and relax before their elegant winter wedding on 3 December 2016. Plenty of time to taste test that champagne…!

When planning the day, the most important thing for us, was having all our loved ones and friends there.

The Style

Verity and George were fixed on a romantic and seasonal winter wedding – timeless and elegant with contemporary touches. “Winter was a must” admits Verity, “Cold, crisp mornings and Christmas just around the corner… it’s our favourite time of year.”

“We wanted something that we would look back on in 60 years and adore. We didn’t want it tinted by time. So we went for the idea of ‘less is more’ and everything was done in a subtle way.”

Verity asked Chelsea Gold medallists, Natalie’s Florist to create their floral wedding designs...

The Setting

For the ultimate in Georgian elegance, the couple had their civil ceremony and reception at exclusive country house, Iscoyd Park in Shropshire. “Having the whole wedding in one location meant that we could have a beautiful and laid-back day. Iscoyd Park is so homely and relaxing, with open fires, family photos, comfy sofas, candles, cosy furnishings. I’m a home bird and like my creature comforts, and this is one of the main reasons I loved the venue so much.”

TOP TIP

"Having your wedding in just one venue means you could make some savvy savings with your entertainment: If you're booking artists for the evening, ask if they can also provide entertainment during your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast. Many artists offer ceremony performances and daytime-friendly sets, as well as bigger, more energetic set ups for your evening party. It means less wedmin for you, and is usually better for the budget!"

Gemma, Verity’s Entertainment Coordinator
www.alivenetwork.com

The Details

Blush and blue touches complemented the elegance of their classic white wedding, with hints of antique glamour. The feel was far from formal, and their personalities shone through in lots of tailored touches. From beautifully-bespoke wedding invitations, their rugby-inspired table names (groom George works for England’s Rugby Football Union), and custom-made wooden place settings doubling as favours, to a gorgeous handmade guest book, and the groomsmen’s personalised socks!

Verity had previously worked with her makeup artist, Sarah Broadgate, so they were both crystal clear on the effect they wanted on the day. But how did Sarah achieve her look so beautifully?

The Cake

Verity and George were lucky enough to have a talented friend who created their white, gravity-defying, six-tiered cake, with different flavours and design textures.

Verity and George’s rings were made especially for them nearly 300 miles from their home, by Timothy J Sharpe in Dunoon. “Tim came highly recommended by our friends, and with my Scottish roots, I was delighted to wear rings made in Scotland! He made my engagement ring, and then we wanted something sparkly to match that. It only took Tim a couple of weeks to make them, and we were so pleased!”

Tim usually meets the couple in person, but on this occasion, he worked closely with Verity and George in a different way – with lots of help from emails, Royal Mail, and the phone.

Rarely have we been so excited by a groom’s style as we are by George’s bravura outfit. Plumping for a beautiful handmade, deep blue three-piece suit, George’s Crockett & Jones shoes were the real scene stealer! As worn by Daniel Craig in the most recent Bond flick, the dapper 007-approved footwear was more expensive than the bride’s Jimmy Choos! George, we salute you. He accessorised with brass skull cufflinks by Alexander McQueen, and an exquisitely engraved pocket watch – a gift from his groomsmen.

J&J Designs supplied Verity’s wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses, as boutique manager and buyer, Amy Holmes explains...

The Ceremony

Verity and George chose classical strings with a twist for their ceremony and drinks reception. “We wanted a classical feel but with a modern twist and The Lancashire String Quartet was perfect. We asked them to play modern songs with a couple of well-known classical pieces, so everyone would enjoy the music – it was such a hit!”

Accompanied by the string quartet, Verity’s Grandad had the honour of walking her down the aisle. “I wasn’t feeling too emotional until I walked down the staircase and I could hear the quartet echoing though the corridors, and then I saw my grandad with a tear in his eye. Then, when we were standing at the door to the ceremony room, and I could hear the strings strike up with Bitter Sweet Symphony, I broke – I couldn’t stop crying.”

“During the ceremony, George’s brother Rob, dropped the rings and broke the emotional ice! Always something we will remember. Then the quartet played One Day Like This by Elbow after the ceremony, as we walked up the aisle together. That song made us feel very happy, excited, and relieved after feeling so nervous – it was time to enjoy the day!”

I could hear the strings strike up with Bitter Sweet Symphony, I broke – I couldn’t stop crying.

The Reception & Wedding Breakfast

For the table decorations, Verity and George used lots of light colours – white candles, golden bejewelled votives and floating candles, scattered pale pink and white petals, and little bunches of gypsophila to give a bright and gorgeously glamorous feel. And with the early winter evening, the atmospheric lighting added to the starry, intimate mood of the day.

We tried to be clever with the name places, and had them made out of wood, in a metallic gold colour that the guests could keep as a favour.

Made by VM Bespoke

“We wanted a bagpiper to pipe us into the wedding breakfast, to highlight my Scottish roots, and it was a great entrance – very upbeat!”

My not-so-little brother, gave a surprise father speech during the wedding breakfast, very emotional. He was only 16, and it wasn’t like him at all.

The Evening Party

For their first dance, George chose Noel Gallagher’s If I Had A Gun, a tender indie track. “I’m not a big fan of Noel!” admits Verity. “But it was the one thing George really wanted. And the lyrics really are quite beautiful. So I let him have it! And I’m so glad we had that track. It wasn’t just a gesture… it actually ended up being very special and meaning something really personal to us.”

The Band

The best way to follow this super romantic moment? Cue evening headliners The Sonics, ready to kick start Verity and George's lively evening party.

“George and I love to dance and have a laugh on a night out! So the evening of our wedding was very important. We wanted a band that everyone could enjoy. We had The Sonics at our evening reception – I fell in love with the lead vocalist’s incredible voice as soon as I heard it. We wanted everyone up and dancing, so they played classic pop music – all the modern hits with a couple of the oldies thrown in, and the dance floor was packed. It did just the trick – it was so much fun, and made us feel very happy and silly! Everyone loved the band. They really did make the night!”

What We Learned

Good planning, great comms…

We had everything organised and planned out before the big day, so that we could relax and enjoy it. Communication is the key – with your suppliers and your partner! – to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Don’t sweat the small stuff…

If something doesn’t go to plan then it doesn’t matter, your guests won’t be aware of all of your original plans and won’t know the difference! You have to remember the whole reason behind your wedding day. It’s about you and the person you love.

The Magic Makers

Bride’s attire Dress: Allure Bridals, via J & J Designs, Staffordshire | Veil: by J & J Designs, Staffordshire | Shoes: Romy 100 by Jimmy Choo | Handbag: Milla by Jimmy Choo | Bracelet: Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard, from Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids dresses Designed and made by J & J Designs, Staffordshire | Groom’s attire Three-piece suit: Platt’s Formal Hire, Cheshire | Groom’s shoes: Alex by Crockett & Jones, London | Hair and beauty Bridesmaid’s hair: Embassy Hair, Staffordshire | Make Up: Sarah Broadgate, Staffordshire | Flowers and table decor Natalie’s Florist, Staffordshire | Food and drink The Fine Dining Company, Cheshire | Stationery Table names and wooden place name favours by VM Bespoke, Nottinghamshire | Wedding Invites and Seating Plan by Emma Salmon of Emmy Designs, Staffordshire | Venue Iscoyd Park, Shropshire | Wedding rings Timothy J. Sharp, Dunoon, Scotland | Music, atmosphere and vibes of love and fun Alive Network, UK-wide | The Lancashire String Quartet – the ceremony | Traditional Highland Bagpiper – the wedding breakfast | The Sonics – the evening party