Imagine being transported to a picturesque haven as we relive the enchanting Manor By The Lake wedding in the Cotswolds, where Catriona and Jon tied the knot. With only 33 guests in attendance, they crafted an intimate celebration that stayed within budget, while still allowing them to indulge in their dream day. A few days later, a marquee extravaganza followed, welcoming their loved ones to join in the merriment. The beauty of a small wedding lies not only in its cost-effectiveness but also in the unique atmosphere it fosters. This couple’s story is further elevated by their thoughtful blend of Scottish and Jamaican heritage, which infused every aspect – from delectable cuisine to refreshing drinks. The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the striking attire, picturesque blooms, and a show-stopping confetti moment. Entertainment Nation’s live musician added an extra layer of magic to the proceedings. Kudos to Grace Dove Photography for sharing these breathtaking images with us, giving us a glimpse into Catriona and Jon’s unforgettable Cotswold celebrations.
Manor By The Lake Wedding
The Proposal
My 30th birthday fell during lockdown in July 2020, a peculiar circumstance that only added to the unique nature of the celebration. Living near Ashdown Forest, Jon had been planning a special outing for us, and I was excited to spend my special day with him. The morning of my birthday brought an unexpected surprise – a gorgeous wicker picnic basket overflowing with treats, thoughtfully prepared by Jon. As we made our way to the forest, however, classic British summer weather decided to join the party, forcing us to seek shelter beneath a tree. Despite the rain, our picnic was filled with laughter and joy. It wasn’t until the very end, when I reached for the bottom of the basket, that I discovered a birthday card addressed to me – or so I thought. As I looked up, Jon was kneeling before me, the ring shining brightly on his finger. Overwhelmed with happiness, I insisted on sharing my good news with every dog walker we met on our walk back, beaming with pride and showing off my new sparkler.
The Vision
As we had always dreamed, our special day would be set amidst the picturesque Cotswolds. However, our budget presented a significant challenge. We yearned for authentic local cuisine, an enchanting traditional venue, and exceptional service for our guests. Unfortunately, these aspirations were not feasible for all, so we opted for two intimate celebrations, allowing us to honor our heritage in meaningful ways. Our primary wedding was designed as a quintessential English country garden affair, blending elements of Scottish and Jamaican culture. Guests enjoyed whiskey cocktails and rum punch after the ceremony, followed by Caribbean-inspired cuisine and an evening filled with merriment and drinks. The next morning, we welcomed everyone back for a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast. Just days later, we hosted a lively marquee celebration in Sussex, where we danced the night away under the stars.
The Venue
The Manor by the Lake, located in Cheltenham, was our choice despite never having laid eyes on it in person. In fact, our booking was made prior to the property being physically accessible due to the constraints of lockdown.
Your Outfits
I never thought I’d fall head over heels for my dress, but it ended up being a two-tone ballgown masterpiece with plenty of glitter and bling. My search for the perfect dress took me to multiple bridal boutiques, where I tried on countless styles. Although I initially wanted a specific color tone, I was thrilled when Tanya from Lily Jacobs helped me find a similar dress that exceeded my expectations. The real showstopper, however, was the White Rose Bridal design I discovered later in my appointment. I hesitated at first, but after trying it on, I knew I had found ‘the one.’ With only minor adjustments – including a touch of added glitter – my dress remained unchanged until the big day, when it made its debut. Meanwhile, Jon’s suit was an easy choice; he had to wear green, which matched our wedding theme and complemented his dashing good looks. The challenge lay in finding a green suit that fit our budget, but Moss came through with some stunning options.
The Ceremony & Music
As the ceremony came to a close, the sweet serenade of a string quartet lingered in the air, with ‘Etta James’ timeless classic ‘At Last’ being played as I made my way down the aisle. The haunting melody was nothing short of breathtaking, even without the lyrics. The music continued to flow seamlessly into the reception, where guests mingled and enjoyed lawn games amidst the gentle strains.As the sun began its descent into the horizon, we welcomed a talented singer-guitarist duo (Johnny Romance via Entertainment Nation) to take the stage. With cocktails in hand, our intimate gathering of loved ones swayed to the rhythm, their moods elevated by the soulful melodies and the warm glow of the setting sun. It was the perfect way to transition into the evening’s festivities, creating a sense of community and connection among our guests without feeling the need for a large dance floor.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
It’s a wonder we struck gold with our photographer, considering how things fell into place at the last minute. It was as if the stars had aligned to bring her on board. We had initially booked another photographer, but as our wedding style evolved over the course of the year, we realized their aesthetic didn’t align with ours. The risk of canceling them paid off in a big way, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. In fact, I had saved one of Grace’s images on my Instagram to illustrate what we were looking for in a photographer – little did I think it was a possibility! As it turned out, our good fortune extended beyond the stills. We had an unofficial videographer, courtesy of a Go Pro handed out to our wedding party. While many brides might regret not having a professional videographer on board, we were grateful for what we got. One member of the party took the task to heart and captured some truly breathtaking moments. The video he produced is all the more special knowing it was created with love and passion. We’re absolutely delighted!
The Honeymoon
From the moment we got married, we knew that our honeymoon would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Before planning anything else, we booked our dream getaway – a trip to Greece that would allow us to unwind and celebrate our new life together. We began in Santorini, indulging in a couple of nights of relaxation before making our way to the picturesque island of Milos. This tiny gem was the perfect setting for our newlywed bliss, where we were able to disconnect from the world and focus on each other. By taking this trip immediately after the wedding, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the joy of being married, without any distractions or interruptions.
The Styling & Decor
As we planned the wedding, our primary objective was to repurpose as much as possible for a subsequent celebration back home just days later. This approach seemed to intimidate florists, who were hesitant to commit to creating arrangements that would last several days. It was then that we discovered Lilia Rose Floral Design and their incredibly talented designer, Nicki. She proposed building the majority of our displays and bouquets using dried flowers – a stroke of genius! With a clear budget in mind, we entrusted her with bringing our vision to life. The result was breathtaking, and I fell in love with her creations. Nicki also facilitated an introduction to Lucy Philips from Something Borrowed Flowers, the mastermind behind the stunning dried flower arrangements. Following the wedding, Lucy visited us, collected the fresh flowers from the day’s festivities, and crafted a truly remarkable dried flower wreath for our home. Meanwhile, Jon’s auntie, a talented baker, created our homemade cake. We also sourced the welcome sign from Etsy and designed our seating chart ourselves.
Memorable Moments
The memories that linger long after the wedding festivities come to an end are some of the most cherished. There’s the moment when my bridesmaids’ eyes widened in surprise as they caught their first glimpse of me in my dress – a sight that would be etched in our collective memory for years to come. And then there was the intimate, quiet moment I shared with my new husband the day after our special day, when we finally had the chance to steal away from the chaos and take one last stroll around the venue, savoring the memories and each other’s company.
