Lauren and Martin met at secondary school and lived near each other. "Martin was in the year above me but I used to pass him on the walk home every day and we had a few mutual friends so we gradually got to know each other," Lauren tells us. "We were friends for quite some time before we became a couple and I love the fact that our relationship is built on friendship." Lauren and Martin's younger sisters were also friends and wanted the couple to get married so that they would be related!
Martin proposed to Lauren during a weekend away in Woolacombe, North Devon for their 10th anniversary. "We stayed in a gorgeous apartment overlooking the beach and on the first morning there (which was our anniversary), Martin got down on one knee and proposed in front of the big bay window," Lauren tells us. "Although we had previously spoken about getting married, my reply of 'are you sure?' indicated that I was a bit surprised! It was so special and after lots of excitable phone calls to our families, we spent the day exploring the beach and playing mini-golf, and ended it with a romantic meal in one of the nearby restaurants."
The couple chose an elegant theme styled with rustic touches and an abundance of beautiful blooms. "Our tables were decorated with white lace tablecloths to coordinate with my wedding dress," Lauren explains.
"My uncle had made us some log slices to use as centrepieces which we placed under decorated jars holding flowers and candles. He also made us some log table name holders which held photographs and cards named after milestones in our lives and relationship, such as the first day of school, holidays that we had taken together, birthdays and of course our engagement."
Lauren and Martin's showstopping cake was decorated with purple roses, foliage and gypsophila. "As well as our centrepieces, my uncle also made our large log cake stand carved with our initials," Lauren says. "It was a semi-naked, three-tier design with different flavours for each tier. We tried to please all of our guests with lemon, chocolate and salted caramel choices and we think we did! We also had a personalised cake topper made that I had kept as a surprise for Martin until the day which featured our two cats, Poppy and Rosie."
Eastington Park uses Berry Blue as their exclusive caterers. "They had so many delicious options and were happy to customise them as much as possible to fulfil our needs as well as the dietary requirements of our guests," Lauren says. "We decided on three canapés to be served during the reception and we gave our guest a choice of three starters, main courses and desserts for the wedding breakfast. I loved the barbecue pulled-chicken pots and the summer fruit cheesecake!"
The couple's two bridesmaids were their sisters, Amy and Louise. "They looked stunning in their matching mauve floor-length dresses with a flowing skirt and lace bodice that matched the lace in my dress," Lauren says.
Martin and his groomsmen wore grey three-piece suits teamed with mauve ties and white shirts. "As a wedding gift, we gave our groomsmen personalised cufflinks featuring their name, role and the date of our wedding," Lauren explains. "The night before our wedding, I gave my dad a pair of personalised socks printed with 'of all our walks, this is my favourite' which he wore on the day to walk me down the aisle."
Caterers
Disco
Flowers
Hair stylist
Make-up
Photographer
Suits
Table decorations
Table plan, place cards and welcome sign
Venue
Videographer
