Rhys planned to propose exactly 1500 days later on Waiheke Island in New Zealand - "but we got a bit carried away during a day of wine-tasting on bikes!" confesses Nicki. So the following day, he wrote: "1500 - will you?" in the sand on a secluded beach before dropping to bended knee.
Taking the season as their styling inspiration, their wedding in the idyllic setting of Rockbeare Manor was painted with rich autumnal shades of deep red and burgundy. The floristry was a key component of the look: hydrangeas, dahlias, red roses, berries and silver eucalyptus were arranged throughout the venue.
Flowers and candles adorned the mantlepieces and tall floral centrepieces complete with willow branches provided an eye-catching focal point, while large urns with gladioli, hydrangeas, roses, berries and willow comprised the flowers for the ballroom ceremony.
A wonderfully ambient drinks reception greeted guests with a harpist, caricaturist, champagne and beers ahead of a delicious wedding breakfast of grilled Capricorn goat's cheese on beetroot biscuit and fillet of beef and rounded off by baked cheesecake, cherry and amaretto compote, and hazelnut crumble.
The culinary delights continued with the cake: a three-tier confection of sponge and butter cream icing featuring two fabulous flavours: lemon sponge and lemon icing, and double chocolate sponge with salted caramel icing.
Bill Ding and the Skyscrapers filled the dance floor "as well as doing a note-perfect version of 'Uptown Funk' for our first dance," says Nicki. "We had some lessons for the first dance so it was entertaining rather than cringeworthy!"
Looking back, she says: "Getting married was obviously very special, and seeing all our guests having fun was really great to watch. And the service provided by Rockbeare Manor staff was excellent; completely faultless. The food was first class too."
As a word of advice, she adds: "Enjoy the whole process - it shouldn't be stressful. Also, trust the professionals, they know what they are doing and won't let you down. Make sure you gel well with the venue staff as they will be working with you closely right up until the end. All our wedding suppliers were really excellent; we couldn't fault a thing."
Photography Nova Photography novaweddingphotography.co.uk
Venue Rockbeare Manor rockbearemanor.co.uk
Dress Suzanne Neville suzanneneville.com
Bridesmaids' dresses BIBA from House of Fraser houseoffraser.co.uk
Groom's outfit Gieves & Hawkes gievesandhawkes.com
Groomsmen's outfits Moss Boss moss.co.uk
Hair Gorgeous Bridal Hair gorgeousbridalhair.co.uk
Make-up Changing Faces changingfaces.net
Flowers Poppy's Flower Studio weddingsatpoppys.co.uk
Cake Claire Makes Cakes clairemakescakes.co.uk
Dance Instructor Louisa-Jane Heathorn at To Have And To Hold
Entertainment Susan Sherratt suetheharpist.co.uk
Bill Ding & The Skyscrapers bdsmusic.uk
Caricature artist Sarah Bailey sarahbaileycartoonist.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2018
