Laura and Jake's Winter Wedding at Froyle Park

Winter weddings aren’t for everyone but after co-ordinating Laura and Jake’s wedding just before Christmas, I have to say...

Generally, I get booked to coordinate weddings in the summer as that is when the majority of DIY weddings take place. However, there are some stunning indoor DIY wedding venues that can be booked all year round, Froyle Parkin Alton, Hampshire being one of them.

Last year Laura entered a competition organised by Minster Bridal Coutureto win a bundle of prizes from a variety of wedding suppliers. Within the prize bundle I had offered a money off voucher to use towards my co-ordination services. Lucky enough to win this fantastic prize and having booked Froyle Park as their DIY venue, Laura and Jake soon got in touch to chat through how I could help them on their big day.

After a video call with Laura, Jake and Laura’s mum, it was clear there were lots of jobs they were worried about and of course didn’t want to do them themselves. Reassuring them all they had nothing to worry about, I would be there to make sure all their jobs were done so they could relax and enjoy their special day together...

Visiting the venue before a wedding is really important, as not only does it let me see the layout of the venue, it also helps me visualise how a couples day will run. When I coordinate a marquee wedding I can’t visit until the day before, once it is up and everything is in place. However, when it is a DIY venue it means I can visit ahead of the wedding which is always really helpful. A few months before Laura and Jake’s wedding, I went on a road trip to meet Laura and her mum at Froyle Park. With exclusive use of the venue and so many rooms to make use of, we were able to run through what was going to happen and in which room. It also gave us an opportunity to look at the type of chairs they had and decide how we were going to hang the chair sashes for the ceremony.

During the run up to Jake and Laura’s wedding I kept in touch regularly going through everything they needed help with. By gathering all the little details it meant I could make a start on writing up their tailored time plan.

Arriving early on the morning of Jake and Laura’s wedding, my team member Ellie and I headed straight to the bridal annexe to say ‘Hi’ to Laura and her bridal party. All the girls seemed super chilled and were enjoying having their hair and make-up done by Carina Allen-Jones Artistry and Lauren Gent. Leaving them to relax and enjoy their pamper time, Ellie and I made a start on our jobs for the day.

Jake and Laura had supplied their own alcohol for their welcome drinks and wedding breakfast, so it was really important it was chilled. Helping the caterers move it from the bridal annexe into the main house, we made sure the Prosecco was in the bar fridge in the drawing room and the white wine was chilling in the fridges in the kitchen. Once that was done we moved all of Jake and Laura’s decorations over into the main house, putting each box in the relevant room so we could make a start on decorating.

The ceremony chairs were already in place in the Grand Hall, so we got on with hanging the chair sashes ready for Sue from Hampshire Flower Hutto attach bunches of Gypsophilia to.

Not long after Hampshire Flower Wall Companyarrived to set up a beautiful flower wall behind the top table in the Ballroom, as well as the fabulous J & L light up letters which were a great feature next to the dance floor.

In order to get people up dancing then of course you need a DJ, and as if by magic Martin Facey DJarrived to set up. Chatting through the plan for the day and showing Martin where else his speakers and mic would be needed we left him to set up whilst we carried on with everything else.

The cake which had been made by Laura’s auntie was soon delivered and sat beautifully on a table next to the top table for all to see.

Mid morning, Laura and her bridal party were able to move from the bridal annexe into the bridal suite in the main house. We left what we were doing and went over to help carry anything and make sure nothing was left behind. Once they were settled upstairs in their new room, we went down to carry on with our other jobs.

In the Entrance Hall we put the ‘Welcome’ sign, along with the ‘Order of the Day’ sign in the Drawing Room. To the side of the doorway leading into the Grand Hall where Jake and Laura were to marry we placed a rustic pallet sign, letting their guests know there were no sides and they could sit where they like.

Whilst we were doing the jobs in the rest of the house the caterers White Trufflehad been busy laying the tables in the Ballroom with linen, cutlery and glassware. While they finished off, we arranged the ‘Pick n Mix’ sweets on the sweetie table for later in the evening.

Once the tables were laid we could arrange the centrepieces. Laura had bought small round mirrors for each table with glass jars, which we filled with fake snow to sit the battery operated candle and fairy lights in. Next to the vase we placed small bud vases which we put a small amount of water in, so later we could move the Gypshophilia from the ceremony chairs over to the tables. To make the most of your flowers, it is a good idea to repurpose your floral arrangements by having them moved somewhere else during the day. Don’t be scared to ask your florist (or any of your suppliers for that matter) any questions when you book them. Good suppliers will definitely know how best to advise you and as I always say...

The finishing touch for the tables were the little chocolates Jake and Laura had personalised to their wedding day. We placed one on each napkin as a favour for each guest...

When the guests were due to arrive we went to greet them and direct them through into the Drawing Room where they could have a cup of tea and as it was nearly Christmas...

The pianist Paul Grainger Pianist who we had met with earlier was now set up and tinkling the ivories, creating a very relaxed atmosphere for the guests before Jake and Laura were to marry.

As the guests arrived so did the registrars, who went off to speak with Jake first and then upstairs with Laura. When Laura had finished chatting with the registrar I found her dad and took him up to see her for the very emotional and very proud ‘Dad & Daughter’ first look before they walked down the stairs.

While Matt from BLOC Photographywas upstairs capturing those precious moments, downstairs Martin announced on his mic for the guests to take a seat ready for the ceremony.

With Jake stood waiting at the end of the aisle in front of the roaring fireplace, the bridesmaids and groomsmen made their way down the grand staircase followed by the beautiful Laura, arm in arm with her dad.

Watching over at the back I made sure everything ran smoothly during the ceremony while Martin controlled the ceremony music. During this time, Ellie went back to the ballroom to finish off the table decor. The bauble place name holders filled with snow were such a good idea to fit with the wintery Christmas theme.

Laura had requested a piece of fresh mistletoe which Hampshire Flower Hut hung from the chandelier above the aisle. The perfect place to stop and capture a kiss after being announced...

It was a beautiful day, cold, crisp and dry, which gave the perfect opportunity to capture some shots outside. It may have been a bit chilly, but it was definitely worth a few shivers.

Back inside White Truffle served Prosecco and canapés to the guests who were having a good old catch up whilst listening to Paul play his piano.

With all the guests mingling in the Drawing Room, Ellie and I untied all the bunches of Gypsophila from the ceremony chairs and removed all the sashes. Moving the floral arrangement from the ceremony table we took it to the Ballroom to go in front of Jake and Laura on the head table. We finished off the guest table centrepieces by putting the Gypsophilia into the bud vases. There were some bunches leftover so we placed them around the post box and in the archways in the wall...

Before the guests went through for the wedding breakfast, I just had enough time to sweep all the artificial rose petals up which had been scattered down the aisle for Laura’s grand entrance.

Soon it was time to eat, so Martin announced the guests into the Ballroom to find their seat. Once seated and with Jake and Laura holding back, Jake’s brother announced them into the ballroom with a big applause from all their guests

When it came to the speeches Jake and Laura wanted to spread them out across the meal.

Once everyone had sat down Laura's sister began by saying some very moving words. After the mains Laura's dad said his, followed by Jake and his best man after dessert. As a surprise for Laura and Jake, Laura's sister stood and sung a song accompanied by Paul on his piano, who had also played throughout the meal. Not wanting to leave anyone out, Jake’s brothers introduced each of the speeches with a short limerick.

While everyone enjoyed their yummy three course meal prepared and served by White Truffle, Ellie and I met with the Selfie Podand showed him where Laura wanted the selfie photo booth set up in the Purple Room.

The evening guests didn’t have long to wait before we could show them through to the wedding party. Everyone was up chatting and ready to welcome the evening guests into the party so they could all watch the first dance together. With that, White Truffle opened the bar so everyone could get themselves a drink.

Now everyone was settled in the Ballroom we packed away all the decor around the rest of the house, leaving it tidy in one place ready to be moved in the morning. Our last job was to move the postbox and gifts upstairs so they were in a safe place and no one needed to worry about them at the end of the night.

Seeing everyone happy and having a good time, it was time for Ellie and I to say our goodbyes to Laura, Jake and their parents, as well as the fabulous suppliers we had worked with all day.

A few days later it was Christmas and not long after I received the loveliest of reviews from Jake and Laura...

There are lots of positives to planning a DIY wedding such as being able to style it how you like and choose your own caterers, whether it is your own choice or from a DIY venues recommended list. You can also offer a free bar or ‘Bring your Own’ if you are holding your wedding at home and on the plus side you can finish your party at whatever time you like (depending on your neighbours!)...the list of DIY wedding ‘pros’ really does go on...!

On the flip side having this freedom to do as you wish means someone needs to make sure everything is done as you want it to and that it happens at the right time...

If you need help with your DIY wedding or event then get in touch and we can chat through your plans. I love to hear everyone’s creative ideas and if I can come up with any suggestions to make your day run more smoothly, then I will of course share my ‘tried and tested’ ideas with you!