Lauren and Jason were work colleagues. “We had been friends for about nine months when Jason asked me on a date,” says Lauren. “We went to the Little Hollywood Cinema in Norwich to watch Dunkirk. Jason proposed to me on 1st November 2019. We went to watch a fireworks display, which was the best one we’ve seen. Then, when we got home, he popped the question with my nanny’s engagement ring. It was so special.”

Finding the perfect dress

Lauren headed to WED2B Norwich to find her dream dress. “It was a lovely experience,” says Lauren. “It was March 2020, just before lockdown, I was so happy and I got to go with a big group of family and friends. I had an idea of the dress I wanted from looking online and they had the dress in stock. However it was on the mannequin, so they had to undress it.”

“I also picked three other dresses, a pretty one in a shape I wasn’t keen on, another that was similar to the dress I really liked and, finally, one more that I just felt like I needed to try it on but wasn’t too sure about. This was the first dress I tried on and I just knew it was ‘The One’! I proceeded to try on the others and, even though they were beautiful, they weren’t MY dress. So, I went back to the first one and the lady in the shop got some hair accessories and a veil and put a whole outfit on. Then I just knew it was the one for me.”

Lauren chose Lennox, which she wore with an Angel veil and Evie and Calli  hair pieces. “The reason I chose this dress was because the fabric was so pretty, and the lace was just perfect,” she says. “It was so much lighter that the other dresses I tried on, even though it had many layers and a big train.” (For similar styles try Mirella, Cassia and Finch)

A beautiful garden pavilion wedding

The couple married at Thursford Garden Pavilion on the 23rd April 2022. “Thursford Garden Pavilion is quite honestly the most beautiful venue there is,” says Lauren. “When we arrived to have a look I just fell in love with everything, from the barn area to the museum and fairground rides. It offers everything and is also a truly unique place! We originally booked to get married on the 17th April 2021 but with Covid we had to postpone for a year. Thursford were so understanding and helpful with everything that was required. Plus, on the day, the staff were just incredible.”

The big day

“We booked to stay at Holly Lodge in Thursford, which is a beautiful B&B,” says Lauren. “The staff were amazing and just helped the morning run so smoothly. I got ready with my bridal party, including my sister, who was in charge of my 16-month-old little boy and little best man. The weather was perfect, it was a little windy in the morning but by 2pm, when we went across for the ceremony, the wind had died down and the sun was shining.”

“My mum, who has always been there for me, walked me down the aisle to Shania Twain’s ‘From This Moment’. The most special part was watching my little boy walk down the aisle shouting ‘Daddy, Daddy’, as he hadn’t seen him for a day. He did steal the show with his cuteness!”

Drink, canapés and fairground rides

“Straight after the ceremony we had drinks and canapés in the museum area at Thursford, plus we got to ride on the Gondola and carousel which was magical! ” says Lauren. “After that we went outside for photos and then into the pavilion for the wedding breakfast.”

“We served salmon or chicken breast followed by sticky toffee pudding or brownie for dessert,” says Lauren. “Our theme was yellow with daffodils, which was just perfect for the time of year. Our cake was three-tiers of raspberry and white chocolate, chocolate and lemon. The cake looked incredible, decorated in ivory with a pearl decorations, which tied in with the pearls I was wearing.”

“On the tables we put little packets of Love Hearts with personalised stickers saying, Mr & Mrs West,” says Lauren. “We had a DJ for the evening and our first dance song was ‘Unbreakable’ by Westlife. Also in the evening we had a roulette and blackjack table plus a photo booth, which was lots of fun for everyone.”

A magical moment....

“If we had married as planned in 2021, my little boy would have only been four months old,” says Lauren. “So, my most memorable moment is actually thanks to us postponing, as I got to watch our little boy walk down the aisle and have a dance on the dance floor. Watching him enjoy himself made Jason and I smile so much!”

My top tips.....

“Enjoy yourself and enjoy the build up,” says Lauren. “Its your day, so don't stress about it. Everything will be perfect!"

Lauren and Jason's Dream Team

Photographer: Dan Sunderland

Venue: Thursford Garden Pavilion

Wedding Dresses Norwich: WED2B

Caterer: Back to Your Place

Florist: Scent with Love

Stationary: Fakenham Prepress Solutions

Hair & Makeup: Make Up, Nails & Manes Charlotte Main 

Roulette Tables: Anglia Fun Casino

Photo booth: Tiger Photo Booth

DJ: Connections Disco

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings like this garden pavilion wedding, please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Norwich