Sarah and Ross became engaged during a trip to York when they were walking through the museum gardens along the scenic River Ouse.
'It was late afternoon and very cold, but the sun was still bright,' recalls Sarah. 'Ross insisted on meandering around the gardens a few times. He had the ring in his pocket, but was just 'waiting for the right moment'. Then he spotted my favourite tree ' a Japanese maple ' and, with the sunlight glinting off the river, he got down on one knee with the words 'You know how I love you…'.'
Having celebrated Sarah's dad's retirement party there the previous November, an autumn wedding at Hotel Endsleigh was promptly decided upon. 'We remembered how the gardens ' which are spectacular at any time of year ' were a complete riot of autumnal colour; the foliage all burnt orange, browns and reds and burgundy. There was the smell of wood smoke in the air, the open fire and the crack of gunshot from the local shoot. It all melded into this wonderfully calm and understated atmosphere that we wanted to capture for our wedding day,' explains Sarah.
Taking a colour scheme of deep burgundy, pale pink and sage green, a smattering of candles and lanterns adorned the marquee, which was left pared-back and rustic to allow the floristry to take centre stage. Hydrangeas on the tables infused a burst of colour and were complemented by foliage from Endsleigh's gardens wrapped around the marquee's supporting poles, while a moon gate created a fabulous focal point for the ceremony in the stable.
Afterwards, champagne and canapés, including wood pigeon pastilla, and coriander and soused mackerel, were devoured on the lawn before guests relocated to the marquee for the wedding breakfast.
There, they were treated to a lip-smacking menu of beetroot and Ten Tors gin-cured salmon and salt-aged beef Wellington, with honey parfait to finish. Later in the evening, an assortment of pasties, charcuterie meats and cheeses were presented alongside the stunning cake: a semi-naked confection comprising red velvet, rose, and pistachio layers.
A lively ceilidh dance kept the party vibe alive until sparklers on the lawn signified the end of Sarah and Ross's magical day.
'The autumnal sun came out for the drinks on the lawn ' everyone kept saying it felt like the end of summer, not mid-October,' says Sarah of a particularly fond moment.
'Keep in your mind what is really important; let go of 'sweating the small stuff' and accept that not everything will necessarily run to plan or be picture-perfect. After all, it isn't about what kind of table setting you chose, or the sort of flowers you have to make your day special. They are merely the backdrop; we remember the moments in between, all those smaller interactions. It was the people around us that made our wedding ' being surrounded by those who wish us well and those we love,' she says while in the throes of retrospect.
'We would say make sure you take a moment to take stock ' as difficult as that can be during the whirlwind of a day,' she adds. 'Just take a moment to look out at everyone and feel the love!'
Photography Nova Wedding Photography novaweddingphotography.co.uk
Venue Hotel Endsleigh hotelendsleigh.com
Marquee LPM Bohemia lpmbohemia.com
Dress Ailsa Munro ailsamunrodressmaker.com
Maid of honour's dress Ghost ghost.co.uk
Flower girl's dress Ghost at John Lewis johnlewis.com
Groom's outfit The Grooms Room the-wedding-company.co.uk
Flowers Flowers Et Al flowersetal.co.uk
Hair Nick Evangelista nickevangelistahairandbeauty.co.uk
Make-up Eve Ashby eveashby.co.uk
Cake Edible Essence edibleessencecakeart.com
Stationery Papier papier.com
Entertainment Amber Fire devon-ceilidhs.com
