Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

This happy couple added a touch of magic to their big day with a fun Harry Potter theme and two gorgeous WED2B dresses - a stunning lace back wedding dress for the day and a party dress for dancing the night away! Our WED2B Real Weddings feature reveals more…

Declan and Bea first met seven years ago after connecting on a dating site. “We spoke for about a month before finally seeing each other in person, and then I went to visit him at his home,” says Bea. “Since then we've rarely spent any time apart!”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

A last-minute change of plan

Declan proposed on the couple’s four-year anniversary. “We spent it at our favourite beach, where I later found out he'd planned to get down on one knee and pop the question,” says Bea. “However, he'd forgotten the ring! So had to wait until we got home. He asked me that night, once we were back home.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

A lace back wedding dress and a party dress...

“I actually bought two dresses from two different WED2B stores,” says Bea. “The first, Constance, was from the Milton Keynes store and it was love at first sight. It was a fitted, sleeveless, mermaid gown, fully covered in lace. It also had scalloped edges, a long train and was a lace back wedding dress, so it fitted perfectly. I felt beyond beautiful in it.” 

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

“My second dress was from WED2B Nottingham. I only went in to look at some bridesmaid’s dresses with my maid of honour and I came across the gorgeous Spring dress. It was head to toe tulle with the thinnest straps and was so floaty that I felt like a princess. It also had the loveliest lace appliqués at the side. I call the first dress my 'wow-factor dress' and the second dress was my 'party dress', as I could dance and eat and really enjoy myself.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

A dream local venue

“We actually came across our wedding venue, Holmewood Hall, near Peterborough, after my sister did some googling. By luck it was only 10 minutes from our house. It was literally the most gorgeous venue. Every single room, bedrooms included, had its own wow factor and the grounds were beyond stunning. No photos do this venue justice and it was more than love at first sight."

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

The big day

The couple married on 6th October 2021. “The night before the wedding I stayed in a cottage at the venue with my bridesmaids, so we were there to get ready first thing,” says Bea. “The ceremony was at 2pm and my dad walked me down the aisle. This was followed by photos, drinks and canapés in the gardens, on what was thankfully a beautiful sunny day.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

A wonderful wizarding theme

The theme for the day was Harry Potter. “It is the biggest love in my life, both as a child and an adult,” says Bea. “We had Ferrero Rocher as golden snitches and I made up individual drink bottles for favours and put different HP potions stickers on each one."

"We all sat at different Harry Potter themed tables for dinner and we had sparklers at night time to look like wands. Our cake was very simple but pretty, which also suited the feel of the day.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

Let’s party!

“At 4pm I changed into my evening dress and we had dinner followed by speeches,” says Bea. “As a surprise for the guests, I hired a singing waiter. Just before dessert, he came out and did a 45-minute set, which got everyone singing and dancing. It was by far the most talked about moment of the day and it was the most fun to have!”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

A sparkling end to the evening

“After dinner we all went outside into the gardens and took some shots with sparklers to look like wands for my Harry Potter theme. After that, we cut our cake and had our first dance with all the guests surrounding us on the grand staircase."

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

"I also hired a photo booth, which was loads of fun with its props and wind machine. Afterwards our DJ got the evening disco started. Then it was drinking, dancing and enjoying our evening buffet of fish, chips and mushy peas until the end of the night.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

My top tips…

"For me there are three key things. One, plan ahead and keep it simple so you have little to do near the time and can just enjoy it. Two, choose your bridal party wisely. They literally keep you sane and take your stress away, if you've picked the right ones."

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

"Three, invest in your memories, such as your photographer and/or videographer. The day goes by in such a blur that you'll forget half of it. Then, when you get the final product, it's the best feeling ever. I got so lucky with my photographer and I just know my video footage will be just as fantastic when it's ready.”

Real Weddings Cambridgeshire: Bea and Declan's magical wedding

Bea’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Trillion Productions

Venue: Holmewood Hall 

Florist: Eden Flowers

Videographer: Dean Sherwood 

Cake: @lylamaycakeaway 

Entertaining: The Best Singing Waiters

Make-up: Flawless by Amelia 

Hair: Rebecca French

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here to find your dream lace back wedding dress like Bea’s.