Shaughney and Adam met at work when they were both teenagers. "Adam has a fantastic sense of humour and I loved his jokes," Shaughney tells us. "We added each other on social media, swapped numbers and arranged to meet up outside of work and have been together ever since."
The couple became engaged during a holiday to New York for Shaughney's birthday. "It was our first full day in the city and we were both jet-lagged so decided to explore Central Park," Shaughney tells us. "Adam had always planned to pop the question next to the fountain featured in the Home Alone movie but he got stage fright because there were so many people around! His second idea was to rent a rowing boat for a trip on the lake in Central Park. He would not let me have control of the oars and ended up rowing us into a hedge! He then started searching through his bag and said 'I can't get down on one knee but...' at which point I interrupted him.
Because he is a joker and had been winding me up for years pretending to get down on one knee in a restaurant and other places, I said ’oh don't think about doing this again!‘ At that exact moment, he had the ring box in his hand and was gobsmacked at my response! We both started laughing and then Adam asked me to marry him.” During his proposal preparations, Adam had confided in some of Shaughney's closest friends regarding the engagement ring choice. “My best friend, who became my maid-of-honour, accidentally revealed that Adam was planning on proposing but didn't tell me when, where or how! So it was a lovely surprise,” Shaughney says
"Adam's father and stepmother got married at St Bartholomew's Church and Adam is very close to his father so we wanted to have our ceremony there too," Shaughney tells us. "Adam grew up in Churchdown where the church is located and I always wanted a church wedding and walk down a long aisle so we couldn't have chosen a better option. The idyllic setting on top of Chosen Hill is simply magical."
When looking for a reception venue, the couple wanted a large function room with a simplistic white interior and stunning grounds where they could capture glorious photographs of their special day. "The lake at wedding venue Manor by the Lake proved to be a big attraction for us," Shaughney reveals. "We also liked the games den where Adam and his groomsmen could grab a drink, listen to music and play pool. We didn't want the rooms to feel like those in a hotel and this romantic venue didn't disappoint! We only viewed two other places which didn't compare so we both knew then that it was the one for us."
The couple arrived at their wedding in style. "We always wanted an old-fashioned, convertible car so we hired a diamond white Beauford Convertible lovingly named Barnaby which featured black running boards and beading. It had an immaculate cream interior with faux-fur rugs and a black mohair soft top and was styled with silver ribbons. Our bridesmaids' car was a dark blue BMW 7 Series with a silver ribbon running down the bonnet."
The couple's silver, white and grey colour theme with winter wonderland touches included large white circular hoops as centrepieces styled with white roses to tie in with Shaughney's bouquet and hanging tea lights suspended from the centre of each one creating mood lighting. Lanterns were placed at either side of the top table filled with fairylights and ivory rose petals and their table names were after landmarks in New York where they became engaged. "The table plan itself was presented on a large silver ornate mirror with silver calligraphy writing and our order of the day was a smaller version of this," Shaughney describes.
"Our elegant place names matched our invitations and other stationery presented on pearlised card with a silver glitter border and tied with dove-grey ribbon. Each place name was displayed in a clear bauble holder which also held pretty silver mirrored confetti. I had also created our menu cards to tie in with our theme in a shimmery dove-grey shade with the food choices printed on ivory card."
The couple decided to donate to Cancer Research and give their guests badges as favours because Adam's mum and Shaughney's grandmother have both battled with the disease. "We paired these with personalised Love Hearts sweets in grey organza bags with silver wooden name tags attached," Shaughney explains.
The cake stood centre stage on a silver sequin tablecloth surrounded by tea light votives and scatter crystals, as did the pimp your prosecco and guest book. They also had a large white twig arch framing the entrance to the ballroom, and fairylights cascading from the ceiling. "Adam and I added bunting to the twig arch printed with Mr & Mrs Loveridge and chose dove-grey organza chair drapes featuring a crystal buckle that complemented the organza table runners. I also decorated the staircase with 30 vases containing LED candles which looked so romantic."
The couple wanted plenty of flowers incorporated into their special day. "We hired a 6-foot floral hoop to use as a photo backdrop and the wonderful team at the venue provided large foliage and floral hoops draped from the ceiling," Shaughney describes. "My ivory bouquet and my bridesmaids' posies were very similar, the only difference being that mine included diamante sprays and was much larger. They all featured avalanche roses, freesia and gypsophila while the groomsmen each wore a single white spray rose and fern buttonhole tied with a silver ribbon. The corsages were a single white spray rose teamed with white freesia and gypsophila, and bundles of gypsophila were hung from the pew ends in the church. There was also a long floral arrangement placed on the top table and foliage wrapped around the staircase in the manor house."
Shaughney chose the dress style no 1751 by Kenneth Winston. "I had already tried on more than 40 gowns before this one but as soon as I put it on, I knew it was the one," Shaughney tells us. "It was a tight-fitting style with a sweetheart neckline, long train, an illusion back and it was decorated with crystals. I accessorised it with a cathedral-length veil trimmed with lace embroidery, diamond teardrop earrings, a delicate hairpiece and ivory sheer heels decorated with jewels. My mother-in-law gifted me a blue and silver bracelet as my something blue."
Adam and his groomsmen wore navy suits with grey and white check waistcoats. "Our groomsmen wore navy ties and grey pocket squares whereas Adam wore a silver satin tie with a matching pocket square," Shaughney explains. "Our beautiful bridesmaids wore silver satin multiway dresses with silver shoes and matching clutch bags."
During the ceremony and the drinks reception, Shaughney and Adam hired a pianist to perform instrumental versions of their favourite songs. "We also hired a DJ and a dancefloor because we both love to dance and thought this would be the best way to get our guests up and mingling! They loved the varied selection of music and we also hired a photobooth which was a massive hit!"
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