Getting to know Keely and Dan along their wedding planning
journey was a complete joy. Totally relaxed and full of fun which made me even
more excited for their big day.
Visiting Cleavel Point Campsite the day before, I was blown away
by the sheer beauty of the blank canvas they had hired for their DIY wedding.
Driving through the private gates, along a beautiful winding road through
forest surroundings, eventually I was met by a lone marquee in the middle of a
field overlooking Brownsea Island and Furzey Island. What more could you ask
for when planning a marquee wedding?...
...OTHER THAN GOOD WEATHER!
Setting up the day before it was very hot, but frustratingly the forecast
wasn’t looking good for their wedding the following day. Arriving early on
Keely and Dan’s wedding morning the sun was shining and the team and I found
the girls getting ready in the camper vans after they had stayed the night in
the field.
While Dan got ready back in the lodges onsite.
The outdoor ceremony area overlooking the sea was all set up and
looking beautiful. The mics were plugged into a PA system ready for the celebrant and for the guitarist to play Keely &
Dan down the aisle...
...and the tables were laid in the marquee decorated with pampas grass and dried florals along with the bouquets all arranged by Keely's mum.
The
first job for us was to prep the Pimms and to set out the reception drinks as
well as to put out any last minute decor.
Not
long after Dan and his groomsmen arrived ready to greet their guests.
Just
as people started to arrive sadly the sky turned grey and the winds picked up.
NOT WHAT KEELY AND DAN HAD HOPED FOR!
With only half an hour to go we hoped we
could just get through the ceremony before it started to rain but unfortunately
that wasn’t to be. Making quick decisions we moved all the chairs inside and
set the ceremony up on the dance floor. Having already tied the ceremony hoop
to some hay bales to secure it from the wind, we quickly untied it and moved it
across to the marquee.
All
ready for the ceremony, Dan had been on the phone to Keely to discuss the
moving of the ceremony as he knew just how much she wanted it to take place
outside. I headed over to the other side of the field to chat with Keely and to
make sure she was ready, but on arrival and although smiling, Keely and her
bridesmaids were still really set on the idea of having it outside.
With
a little gentle persuasion and the wind getting stronger Keely accepted it just
may not be possible. It wasn’t ideal but we
all knew this was the right thing to do, so we had a giggle and made our way over to the marquee making up a
hashtag of the situation...
#LETSDOITINSIDEKEELY
Having said all this these incredible photos by Sam at New Forest Studios
would make you believe I was lying, as the weather really doesn't look that bad!
THE SIGN OF AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER!
Making sure all the guests were sat and helping the bridesmaids with their timings walking down the aisle whilst the guitarist played, Keely and Dan's ceremony was absolutely
beautiful, a moment I love to witness as a wedding co-ordinator.
After the ceremony typically the rain stopped which at least
meant Keely and Dan could capture their confetti shot outside. Helping Sam gather the guests to form a confetti tunnel
this made up (just a little bit) for the indoor ceremony.
Managing to capture the group shots outside while the weather
was dry Keely and Dan's dog Mambo was of course included in their big day. I do
love weddings that include pets as after all they are a part of your family
too.
Now outside my team and I served the Pimms and kept the water trough
filled with ice and beers so the guests could help themselves.
With help from
the groomsmen it didn’t take long to move all the chairs and put them around
the tables ready for the wedding breakfast. Clearing away any dirty glasses and
keeping check with the caterer everything was running on time, it was soon time
to seat the guests ready for their meal. On the tables was the starter platter
of charcuterie, breads and oils which my team cleared once everyone was
finished.
For the main was a buffet style of paella where I sent a table up at
a time to collect their meal from the catering gazebo outside.
After, we
cleared the paella plates and got ready to pour the toast drinks of Prosecco
ready for the speeches. During this time the winds had picked up so much we decided
to take down our gazebo base and move all our bits to the back of a van for
safety as the winds were getting stronger by the minute. As a wedding
co-ordinator it’s really important to be able to think on your feet. Afterall, we are there to do everything in our power to make your day as stress
free and seamless as possible.
With everyone safe in the marquee, we continued pouring the
Prosecco and once poured prompted for the speeches to start. Whilst the
speeches took place we laid out all the mini chocolate caramel cheesecake pots
on trays ready to hand out as soon as the last speech had finished.
After pudding Keely and Dan cut their wedding
cake which we cut up into smaller pieces wrapping them in a serviette and
laying them on a tray so the guests could help themselves throughout the
evening.
Not long after, the band The Plus Ones
arrived who I greeted and
showed them where to set up ready for the evening party.
Instead of a guest book Keely and Dan had mini pieces of puzzle
for each guest to sign so they could create one large puzzle with all their
guests well wishes on.
A LOVELY IDEA I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE.
Just as the evening reception was about to begin the winds got
so strong that Taddle Farm Tents
had to come out and check the marquee was still safe as they could only take up to a
certain wind speed. A little nervous on what they might say I was pleased to
hear everything was ok but we just had to hope the winds didn’t get any
stronger as then we may have been faced with a problem!
Hanging the donuts on the donut wall, clearing all the rubbish
from the tables and picking up any empty glasses everything ran smoothly and thankfully whilst everyone was enjoying themselves...
...THE WINDS BEGAN TO DROP!
Knowing everyone was safe and having a great time it was soon
time for my team and I to leave. Saying our goodbyes I could see for myself
just how happy Keely and Dan were and it was clear they had loved every minute
of their special day despite the wind and rain. Keely and Dan’s wedding is a shining
example that you can’t predict the weather and as long as you have a
contingency plan everything will be ok!
Windswept and wet my team and I were still smiling which didn’t
go unnoticed by Keely and Dan and in fact their review made me smile even more…
“Tasha
Mae and her team were wonderful at our wedding. I knew from the moment I spoke
to her she would be fab and just what we were looking for. So friendly and
willing to get stuck into anything on the day! She made us feel so relaxed on
the day as she was in control of everything! We had the BEST day and all
delivered with a smile. Would highly recommend”.
The moral to Keely and Dan’s wedding story is to go with the
flow and not be disheartened with whatever weather is sent your way. Wind, rain
or sun, remember you are sharing the most important day of your lives with your
friends and family and as long as you are all together that is all that
matters!
If you are planning a marquee or DIY wedding and think you might
need help on the day then don’t hesitate to get in touch. My team and I can be
with you to co-ordinate and ensure everything runs smoothly so you don’t need
to worry about a thing.
THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR ANY TYPE OF DIY WEDDING.
