An intimate affair

Lucy and James enjoyed a private celebration with their nearest and dearest at luxury wedding venue The Slaughters Manor House

Lucy and James met in a café and, after a whirlwind six-month relationship, the couple moved in together and soon became engaged. "James asked me to marry him while we were at home one day," Lucy tells us. "It was the perfect intimate proposal as he knew I wouldn't have wanted a big fuss. I knew he was thinking about marriage because he kept guiding me into jewellers while we were out shopping but I didn't know that he'd already bought the ring and had asked my dad before he asked me."

Here, the couple tell us about their special day at The Slaughters Manor House.

An intimate affair: Image 1 We loved the fact that The Slaughters Manor House was suited to a small celebration. It'sa traditional historic manor house but the inside is contemporary and modern so it suited us perfectly.

The grounds at the venue are simply stunning – there are photo opportunities everywhere!

The most memorable part of our day was when James revealed to our guests in his speech that we are expecting a baby – it was quite a moment!

An intimate affair: Image 3 I loved my dad's speech and our readings were also wonderful.

An intimate affair: Image 4 Our table plan was easy to put together because it was one long table of 20 guests.

We opted for traditional white flowers teamed with green foliage. Shelley from The Broadway Florist did an amazing job. She created bouquet arrangements as centrepieces that we were able to give away to our guests at the end of the evening. We teamed these with single heads of elegant white hydrangea.

I loved my bridal bouquet of roses teamed with different varieties of foliage and hand-tied with trailing ribbons. It complemented the cream rose buttonhole that James chose.

An intimate affair: Image 6 Instead of a wedding cake, we had a five-course meal and some fun iced biscuits as our favours.

I went with James to buy his outfitand was more emotional about that purchase than my own dress! When he stepped out of the changing room in his navy three-piece suit, I almost cried – he looked so handsome!

I chose a Bardot-style,mid-length wedding dress that felt fun, comfortable and allowed me to easily move around while wearing it. I teamed it with some drop earrings and a pair of elegant shoes.