Real Weddings
Real Weddings Essex: Nicola and Lucy’s forest wedding
Nicola and Lucy’s first date was a seven-hour picnic at Langdon Hills Country Park in 2018. Later, Nicola proposed to Lucy via helicopter, after seeing the idea on her 1998 retro bucket list!
Nicola and Lucy’s first date was a seven-hour picnic at Langdon Hills Country Park in 2018. Later, Nicola proposed to Lucy via helicopter, after seeing the idea on her 1998 retro bucket list!
Choosing the perfect dresses
Both brides headed to WED2B for their dream dress. Nicola started her search for wedding dresses Essex and bought her dress from WED2B's Chelmsford branch, while Lucy found hers at WED2B Liverpool. “The experience was perfect for both of us,” says Nicola.
A dream wedding venue
The couple chose Captains Wood Barn, near Maldon, for their big day. “It was the first and only venue we viewed,” says Nicola. “We got married in the forest and then had the reception in the barn, which Lucy hand decorated herself. We knew it was the one when the owner took us on the tour and there were two aisles we could walk down, at the same time!”
The big day
The couple married on 14th August 2021. “Lucy surprised me with a camper van for transport,” says Nicola. “We also had a friend play music for us throughout the ceremony."
"Our entrance song was ‘When it Feels Like This’ by Maisie Peters. Our dads walked us down the aisle in perfect sunshine, shaded by the forest trees.”
A total blank canvas…
”Our venue was hired as a blank canvas, so we could do exactly what we wanted with it,” says Nicola.
“We had wooden lanterns made for centrepieces and we handmade macramé and dream catchers for the wedding sign, the table plan and the order of the day. We also had personalised bottle openers for guests."
Speeches, cake and cheesy chips!
After the ceremony a live band played while guests enjoyed drinks and crisps and the photos were taken. “Afterwards we headed into the barn for a buffet dinner, followed by speeches and cake cutting,” says Nicola.
“This was followed by our first dance, which two good friends had secretly choreographed for us. After that there was a DJ and a van serving cheesy chips in the evening.”
My top tips…
“Take time for yourselves to enjoy the moment and don’t stress if something goes wrong,” says Nicola. “It’s your day and nothing will ruin it!”
Lucy and Nicola’s Dream Team
Photographer: Lou Sutton Photography
Venue: Captains Wood Barn
Videographer: Forever Flame Productions
Wedding dresses Essex: WED2B
Toastmasters: Martin and Lina Jukes
Caterers: T&K Catering
Chip van: Cook ’n’ Go
Make up and hair: Annie Daniels (ADM Make up)
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 for more details about WED2B’s wedding dresses Essex
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