Phoebe & Grant’s romantic real wedding at Bawtry Hall

Key Takeaways:

A romantic Paris proposal on a Seine river cruise
A January real wedding at Bawtry Hall in South Yorkshire
An elegant off-the-shoulder Anna Sorrano gown from wed2b
Winter wedding styling ideas in deep reds and blues

Bride and groom sharing their romantic first dance.

How Phoebe & Grant first met

Real wed2b bride Phoebe first met Grant in July 2022 at Lakeside, Doncaster. Their connection began with simple walks by the water with their dog Belle, a story that quickly grew into a lifetime love. Just a few months later, a romantic trip to Paris set the stage for a proposal to remember.

Bride and groom sharing a kiss during their wedding ceremony.

A Paris proposal to remember

The proposal happened in the perfect setting the following February, while the couple were enjoying a cruise down the River Seine. Grant took a moment to nip away while they were enjoying a three-course meal. “While he was gone I started talking to a woman and her daughter next to me,” says Phoebe. “A couple of minutes later, Grant said my name and I turned round to see him down on one knee holding the most beautiful ring. Then he asked me to be his wife. Of course, I said yes!”

Bride and groom posing together outside the front of Bawtry Hall.

Finding ‘The One’ at wed2b

After discovering lots of wedding dress inspiration for real brides on wed2b's facebook pages, Phoebe visited her nearest store in Hull for an unforgettable experience. “The staff were extremely helpful and friendly,” says Phoebe. “They were excited about me finding ‘the’ dress, which just made the whole experience so much more fun.”

Back view of the bride showing the long train of her wedding dress.

Her elegant Anna Sorrano dress

Her real wedding Anna Sorrano dress was stunning and everything she was looking for in her dream dress. “It was off-the-shoulder, with an amazing love heart neckline, long flowing train and also buttons the whole way down,” she says. “It was plain but elegant and everything I wanted.”

Bride and groom posing for photos around the grounds of Bawtry Hall.

Bridal Accessories

A hint of eye-catching glitter was all that was missing. “I also bought a pearl and crystal Estella belt to help break the dress up and add some of my trademark sparkle!”

Groom standing with his groomsmen on the morning of the wedding.

Real wedding Bawtry Hall

Exterior view of Bawtry Hall wedding venue in South Yorkshire.

Bawtry hall ceremony room with white floral decor

Phoebe had always dreamed of getting married at nearby Bawtry Hall, a sophisticated Grade II listed manor house, which combines a grand exterior and grounds with stylish contemporary decor inside. “It’s local to where we live and for years I’d imagined holding our wedding there,” she says. “So, we booked it for our winter wedding on the 18th January.”

Read more: Discover more winter weddings

The Big Day

Bride having her makeup applied on the morning of her Bawtry Hall wedding.

Bride smiling as her makeup is applied before her wedding ceremony.

When the day finally arrived, Phoebe got ready with her four bridesmaids at The Crown Hotel in Bawtry. They were also very lucky with the weather. “The weather was perfect,” she says. “Not like a typical January day. It was sunny, warm and not a cloud in the sky.”

Black and white photo of bridesmaids seeing the bride in her dress for the first time.

Bridesmaids reacting with excitement as they see the bride in her wedding dress.

A man hugging the bride as she gets into the wedding car.

Ceremony & Music

Phoebe walked down the aisle with her mum to an emotional piece of instrumental music from the movie Wild Robot. Then the newlyweds left to an upbeat, jazzy number by Natalie Cole.

Bride walking down the aisle arm-in-arm with her mum.

Black and white image of the groom becoming emotional as he sees the bride.

Bride and groom smiling warmly at each other during their wedding ceremony.

Wedding Breakfast & Menu

Bride posing outside Bawtry Hall with bridesmaids wearing red dresses.

Everyone celebrated straight after the ceremony with drinks and canapés, while the new Mr and Mrs had photos taken. Then friends and loved ones sat down to enjoy a hearty wedding breakfast.

Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake together.

Guests were served a choice of:

Starters - Crispy chilli chicken, roast belly pork and tomato soup
Main - Lamb shank, chicken breast or vegetable Wellington
Dessert - Sticky toffee pudding, apple crumble and dark chocolate brownie.

Styling & décor ideas for a winter wedding

Elegant winter wedding décor and table setting at Bawtry Hall.

This relaxed couple didn’t really have a theme for the day, just an elegant colour scheme of reds and blues. There was also a fabulous four-tier wedding cake decorated with red roses for everyone to enjoy!

Bride dancing with a young girl during the evening reception.

The Personal Touches

The couple danced their first dance to the romantic ‘Conversations in the Dark’ by John Legend.

Black and white image of the bride and groom dancing together.

Favourite moments

It was such a good day, Phoebe finds it hard to narrow down the best bits. “All of it was a standout moment!” she says. “It was such an amazing day! But just having a top table for us two was a great choice, as it was really the only time we got to spend just us together.”

Bride and groom laughing together during their wedding breakfast.

Phoebe's advice for future brides

Don’t stress. It will all come together in the end.
And, it doesn’t matter too much if a small detail goes wrong, as the whole experience makes up for it.
Wear comfy shoes, as you'll do a lot of walking and standing while you’re meeting and greeting, photo ops, etc.
Just enjoy it and soak up every minute, as it goes by in a flash!

Suppliers Who Made It Special

Photography: Mark Hooper Photography

Venue: Bawtry Hall

Wedding dress and Accessories: wed2b

Decor and flowers: All Occasions for the wedding decor and flowers

Cake: Cakes Galore

Bride and groom holding sparklers outside at night.

FAQs

Where did Phoebe and Grant get married?
They celebrated their January wedding at Bawtry Hall, a stunning South Yorkshire venue perfect for winter weddings.
Which wed2b dress did Phoebe wear?
She chose a gown from the Anna Sorrano collection, an off-the-shoulder design with a sweetheart neckline and flowing train.
What advice would Phoebe give to future brides?
“Don’t stress about the small details, enjoy every second, it goes by so fast!”
Can you have a winter wedding at Bawtry Hall?
“Yes. Bawtry Hall is an ideal venue for winter weddings thanks to its elegant interiors, grand entrances and warm, cosy atmosphere. The venue's large windows also allow soft natural light, even in winter months.”
What styles of décor work well at Bawtry Hall?
Bawtry Hall suits classic, elegant décor, especially rich tones like deep reds, blues or golds. Its neutral interior also works beautifully with modern minimal palettes or romantic florals.
Is Bawtry Hall suitable for small weddings?
Yes. Bawtry Hall offers flexible rooms that work for both intimate ceremonies and larger receptions, making it suitable for micro-weddings, mid-sized guest lists or full-capacity celebrations.
What time of year did the couple get married?
Phoebe and Grant married in January, choosing a winter date for its cosy atmosphere and elegant seasonal styling. They were lucky with bright, sunny weather on the day.
What music did Phoebe walk down the aisle to?
She walked down the aisle with her mum to an instrumental piece from The Wild Robot. The couple then exited to an upbeat Natalie Cole track.
What advice does Phoebe have for future brides?
Phoebe recommends not stressing over small details, as the day comes together naturally. She also suggests wearing comfy shoes and taking time to soak up every moment.