Hannah and Matthew’s beautiful day with DIY wedding decorations

Hannah and Matthew met 11 years ago in their local bar. “It was love at first sight,” says Hannah. “Even though Matthew was in his grubby clothes after a hard days work landscaping. For our first real date Matthew took me to a beautiful restaurant called Panama Hatties.”

Matthew later proposed at the couple’s caravan in Porthmadog, Wales. “We were there for the weekend,” says Hannah. “We went for a walk on the beach with our children and Matthew decided to get down on one knee as the sun set.”

Shopping for the dress

“I had an amazing experience at wed2b in Stoke-on-Trent,” says Hannah. “I went on the off chance, it was quite a 'spur of the moment' decision. My dress was the first one I picked up but I left it until last to try on. However, before it was fully over my head, I knew it was ‘The One’.”

Hannah chose Anna Sorrano’s Matthea design, a classic A-line with beautiful floral appliqués. “I found the name funny too, as it’s so close to my husband’s name.” she says. “I also purchased the Monae veil, which was absolutely gorgeous, an underskirt and an Estella belt. Plus a dress bag and storage boxes to keep everything safe.”

A few extras treats, too…

Hannah also treated herself to wed2b’s ‘Blushing Bride’ hanger, a ‘Bride’ pin, ‘Something Blue’ charm, and a ‘Bride’ robe, T-shirt and vanity case. Plus, a stylish jewellery box to keep it all in.

A meaningful venue

The ceremony was held at the couple’s local church on 5th August, followed by a reception at Wychwood Park Hotel in Cheshire. “Our church is our family church,” says Hannah. “All our babies have been christened there. And my husband’s late father is buried there along with grandparents, so we felt close to them as well.”

The big day

“I got ready at Wychwood Park Hotel with my four bridesmaids, flower girl and my mum,” says Hannah. “Unfortunately, the weather was not our friend and it rained most of the day. My beautiful eldest son walked me down the aisle to the piano version of Ruelle’s ‘I Get To Love You’. We also had ‘I Choose You’ by Ryan Darling and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’. Afterwards guest threw fresh rose petals as confetti.”

After the ceremony the newlyweds headed to their venue for drinks and canapés and mingled with guests. “The wedding breakfast was a starter of tarragon chicken, then traditional roast beef with Yorkshire pudding followed by a white and dark chocolate cheesecake,” says Hannah. “Our first dance was also to ‘I Get To Love You' by Ruelle and, when it ended, our guests fired confetti cannons over the dance floor. Our evening guests arrived later and then we got the party started.”

DIY wedding decorations and a green colour theme

“We chose sage green for our colour theme,” says Hannah. “My partner is a landscape gardener and my favourite colour is green, so we tried to incorporate it into the day. I also made a lot of DIY wedding decorations. I made all of my own table centrepieces, my own welcome stand and 99% of the decor.”

The best bits…

“There were two main two moments that stood out,” says Hannah. “The first was when I saw my Matthew’s face when he saw me walk down the aisle. The second was when everyone was standing around the edge of our dance floor with party cannons and, at the end of our first dance, they let them off. We were showered in confetti and it was just beautiful. Having all our family and friends together was overwhelming.”

My top tips...

“Take as much in as you can, the day flies by so quickly and it’s over before you know it,” says Hannah. “Also, take a breather with just you and your partner and take it all in. Try not to leave each other during the day. Otherwise, once someone gets a hold of you, you’re passed around from pillar to post and lose each other for a while!”

Hannah and Matthew’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Adam Murphy

Videographer: Nica Media

Ceremony: St Peter’s Church

Venue: Wychwood Park Hotel

Wedding dresses Stoke-on-Trent: wed2b

Chair sashes and garland: Falling Like The Stars

Cake: Flora’s Delights

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this lovely day with DIY wedding decorations, 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.