Even though our wedding had to change multiple times due to covid, it honestly was the most amazing day of my life, there was so much love at our wedding it was incredible & I actually think our day was more special because of it! Everything happens for a reason. Don’t sweat the small stuff, brides to be! It will all work out & your day will be magical regardless of any hiccups along the way 🙂

Wedding photographer’s website

www.absolutephotouk.com

How did you choose your photographer?

Contacted via Facebook & looked at portfolio

Were you pleased with your wedding photographer? Do tell… we love a brilliant review!

Yes, our pictures are everything we dreamed of & more, they totally captured the essence of the day 🙂

Videographer details if applicable – and any thoughts for other couples about having a wedding video?

Craig @ Pristine videography
www.pristinevideographycom

I believe a wedding video is an absolute MUST! I still watch it & cry, I don’t think that will ever change! There are so many things you miss on the day as it goes so quickly & you cannot be everywhere, the video not only gives you ever lasting memories but also a view from your guests eyes. Well worth the cost in my opinion 🙂

Tell us about your venue – what made this place special for you?

Fennes Braintree.

I knew as soon as I walked in it was the place for us, its elegant, calm, so beautiful but in a more modern way than a lot of the venues we looked at. The team at Fennes are incredible, so attentive 🙂

Originally our whole day was supposed to be at Fennes but because of the covid rules we couldn’t have our evening reception there but we could book tables at a pub / restaurant. We found a local gem in Braintree “The hare & hounds” the team here treated us so well & handled the covid situation so professionally whilst ensuring our special day remained true to the day we wanted. A massive shout out to Alex, Ollie & Lauren – The dream team 🙂

Did you love wearing your outfits? How was the dress / suit shopping experience?

I absolutely adore my dress, it wasn’t at all what I thought I wanted, but as soon as I put it on I knew & I looked at my sister & best friends faces & it was decision made. I actually found the process a bit daunting until I found that dress, there is a lot of pressure to get it right & your constantly searching for that feeling everyone tells you about. My advice, enjoy the process, don’t take too may people along & trust your gut 🙂

My best friend helped my HUSBAND 😉 find his suit, he came back beaming once he had tried it on! He was so excited for me to see it & it was definitely worth the wait.

Did you hire a florist? Tell us about any floral amazingness

Stacey’s Flower’s Basildon

Stacey was amazing from start to finish, nothing was too much trouble she worked with me right up to the last minute with all the dreaded Covid changes. The flowers worked perfectly with our colour scheme & the flower girls kept their beautiful wands even once the flowers had dried.

Did you hire a wedding planner?

No wedding planner, but my sister who was my maid of honour was a massive help during the planning process 🙂

As cake lovers here at English Wedding we’d LOVE to know who made your cake, and how delicious it was?

OMG
Our cake was incredible.
I bake so I knew I wanted something that not only looked good but tasted good too & boy did Helen (Amelie’s Kitchen) deliver.
We had a four tier cake & even with reduced numbers it didn’t last very long lol
cherry Bakewell / vanilla & raspberry / passion fruit & white chocolate / strawberry & champagne!!! All of them were out of this world but the strawberry & champagne definitely stole the show.
The design was my brainchild & Helen executed it with military precision!

Tell us about any special personal touches, or creative projects you made yourselves

One of my bridesmaids made me a basket of face masks with the sign ‘Spread love not germs’ She also made me a crate with flip flops for when the guests feet got sore.

I had all of my bridesmaids, my mum, my mother in law & my fairy godmother (my sisters mother in law!) personlised gift bags, with personliased robes, champagne flutes, tea cups & hangers for their dresses – these were made by Kelly @ Amelia J’s Gifts. My bride squad absolutely loved everything 🙂

I made a special sign for my Dad which we put next to the dance floor for the father daughter dance

What was your first dance song? Why did you choose it?

So high – John Legend.

My husband chose this song, the words are everything & it’s not a song a lot of people have heard or usually choose.

Favourite wedding suppliers

www.decorativeevents.co.uk – our favorite & most talked about item – our MR & MRS MCKENZIE name in lights! we also had a twinke dance floor 🙂

@samrydermusic – our singer! Incredible voice & is destined for big things!

Jeran Winter (can be found on bark.com) – our magician, a chance meet, he came into our garage as his car had broken down, he did some tricks while he was waiting & blew us away (I’m not generally one for magic tricks – I find them a bit awkward), our guests we equally impressed 🙂 Would highly recommend.

Venue: Fennes, Braintree Essex www.fennes.co.uk
Main Photographer: Absolutephotouk www.absolutephotouk.com
Flowers: Staceys Flowers, Basildon Essex http://www.staceys-flowers.co.uk/
Decor (Tree, Flower Arch, Giant letters): Decorative Events, Colchester Essex https://www.decorativeevents.co.uk/
Singer: Sam Ryder, Essex @samhairwolfryder
Dress: Aurora Bridal, Cheam https://www.aurora-bride.com/
Videographer: Pristine Videography, Swansea https://www.pristinevideography.com/
Second shooter: Whitney Lloyd, Essex @whitneylloydphotography