Laura and Baljinder walkign back up the aisle after their wedding ceremony

Laura and Baljinder met at work. “We went to Manchester Christmas markets in 2019 for our first date,” says Laura.

Laura having her make up done on the morning of their wedding

Later, Baljinder proposed during a holiday in Santorini for Laura’s 30th birthday. “He proposed to me while we were eating dinner and watching the sunset,” says Laura. “It was a complete surprise, which made it so special.”

Laura in her lace wedding dress and bridal veil looking out the venue window

Shopping for the dress

“I had a baby just two months before I visited WED2B’s Wednesbury store (the wedding was just six months postpartum) and the staff worked with me to make me feel comfortable,” says Laura. “ Everyone was really helpful and welcoming and we went back to buy our bridesmaids dresses from the same store.”

Laura and baljinder's country house wedding venue
Laura and Baljinder's country house rustic wedding venue

Laura chose beautiful A-line Camelia. “I loved the sleeves and that it tucked me in at my waist but flowed out when it got to my ‘mom pouch’,” says Laura. “I also bought the Thea dresses for my five bridesmaids. They were allowed to choose whichever style they liked and most of them chose the same one! They all looked lovely in the sage green colour, too.” For similar wedding dress styles have a closer look at, Alva, Amalthea and Samson.

Laura and Baljinder's outdoor wedding ceremony decoration

An elegant manor house venue

The couple married at Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, near Kidderminster on 17th March 2023.

"I wanted Bridgerton vibes and the gardens there gave us just that,” says Laura.

Laura and baljinder's violinist for their wedding ceremony

The big day

“I got ready with my bridesmaids, my mum and my aunty,” says Laura. “The weather was dry with some sunshine, which was amazing, as we had snow and rain only days before.”

Laura walking down the aisle for her outdoor wedding ceremony
Close up photo of Baljinder putting a ring on Laura's finger

“My dad walked me down the aisle to a violinist and I met my husband and six-month-old son at the bottom (my four and five-year-olds had the important job of giving the rings). We wrote own reading, which was a combination of Bridgerton quotes. We then walked back up the aisle to ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ by Stevie Wonder and were showered with confetti!”

Laura and Baljinder at the end of their wedding aisle with the registra
Laura and Baljinder having their first kiss as a married couple

Surprise alpaca wedding hire…

“After the ceremony, we headed to the venue’s secret garden where my husband surprised me with alpaca wedding hire!” says Laura. “So, we sipped Prosecco and bottled beers while the children fed the alpacas.”

Laura and Baljinder's alpaca wedding hire
Alpaca feed for Laura and Baljinder's wedding guests

“Then we went in for the wedding breakfast, where we ate slow-cooked beef and had speeches from Baljinder and I, my dad and the maid of honour. Our first dance was to ‘God Only Knows’ by the Beach Boys, which was sung by the incredible Lula Weddings. It has always been our song.”

Close up photo of an Alpaca at Laura and Baljinder's wedding
Laura stroking one of the alpaca's at her outdoor wedding

A beautiful green colour scheme

“For the colour scheme we wanted something that suited the start of spring and Bridgerton, so we had lots of sage green flowers mixed in with some rustic vibes. There was also an arch with flowers and fabric draping down, both at the ceremony and then behind us for the wedding breakfast.”

Laura and Baljinder walking hand in hand around the grounds of their wedding venue
Laura and Baljinder posing under two trees of the goudns of their wedding venue

Fun touches

“For entertainment we had a caricaturist, which was a huge hit with the guests,” says Laura. “There was also a live painter who painted us outside our venue. It was incredible to see that picture develop as the day went on.”

Laura and Baljinder embracing during their outdoor wedding

“I also had lots of small touches, like drink toppers pegged to the Prosecco, hangover kits and sparklers,” says Laura. “Plus, personalised door hangers for those staying over, so they weren’t disturbed early the next morning.”

Laura and Baljinder embracing, smiling and their foreheads touching Laura and Baljinder embracing with Baljinder kissing Laura's forehead

The best bits…

“The most memorable moment was walking around to find the alpacas!” says Laura. “It was the best surprise for me and our guests.”

Laura and Baljinder posing on their wedding day with all their wedding guests

My top tips…

“Let the day just go with the flow,” says Laura. “We had five page boys, all under five. So, I briefed all the parents that if one decided to walk backwards down the aisle or didn’t want to sit for the ceremony that’s fine and to let the kids be kids! Weirdly they all behaved amazingly and all walked down the aisle beautifully. Maybe they felt the laidback vibe too!”

Laura and Baljinder cutting their rustic wedding cake

Laura and Baljinder’s Dream Team

Photographer: Bohemian Rose Photography

Venue: Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel

Wedding dresses Wednesbury: WED2B

Videographer: Tell your story Videographer

Cakes: Delisharama

Caricaturist: Utoons 

Alpaca wedding hire: Simply Alpaca

Hair: Hair by Mrs B

Makeup: Callie Jo Makeup

Wedding singer: Lula 

Violinist: Cave Violinist 

Live painter: Katie Bowden Art

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this lovely day with its alpaca wedding hire, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Your nearest WED2B is closer than you think, click here for your nearest store and here for what to expect when you visit.