Annette and Will met when they belonged to the same rugby club. "We both still attend to this day and it's a big part of our lives, Annette tells us. "When I first met him, I loved how laid-back Will was (and still is) and we enjoyed shared interests including sport and a love of good food and the great outdoors."
The couple became engaged during a surprise festive proposal. “Will popped the question in December 2017,” Annette explains. “It was a complete surprise – he hid the Tiffany & Co. ring in my advent calendar and I almost missed it! It’s a stunning solitaire diamond set in a platinum band and was so well chosen
for me.”
Anette and Will kept their décor simple with a rustic country theme complete with pale green, blush pink and cream touches. "We had crisp white linen tablecloths and chair covers tied with hessian chair sashes," Annette tells us. "We displayed our table plan on a wooden pallet and decorated it with gypsophila.
Our elegant centrepieces were recycled milk bottles wrapped with hessian twine and also filled with gypsophila, which I made, and I also created our place names using brown craft card with calligraphy writing. My cousin, Anne, made our favour cases from craft card and we placed a shot glass in each one inscribed with our names and wedding date. They were a nod to my Polish granddad, Joe, who is no longer with us - we enjoyed plenty of vodka during the toasts!"
Annette wore a Maggie Sottero vintage-style dress. "I always wanted my shoulders and upper arms to be covered and this gown featured an open back which I loved," She tells us. "It was simple and I teamed it with a full-length veil and a pair of kitten heels which quickly got swapped for flip flops. I even performed our first dance in flip flops!"
Will wore a three-piece tweed suit teamed with a gold tie and pocket square. "Our groomsmen wore the same suits as Will with sage-green ties and pocket squares to match the full-length bridesmaids' dresses that had a similar low back to mine," Annette explains.
Afternoon tea
Bride's dress, hair accessories and shoes
Bridesmaids' dresses
Cake
Ceremony venue
DJ and light-up letters
Entertainment (band)
Evening catering
First-night accommodation
Florist
Groom's and male bridal party suits
Hair
Make-up
Photography
Reception venue
Singer (during the day)
Transport
Wedding rings