Having worked at most of the Cripps venues now, I cant tell you how excited I was to land one of the very first weddings at the stunning Thorpe Gardens back in August this year. Having chatting with the couple and seeing how excited they were also, I new this day would be one of those special ones, and it did not disappoint!
Follows is what I saw during there most special day but before we go into that, here is a little more of Claire & Davids wedding story….
WHEN DID YOU GET MARRIED?
August 2019
WHERE DID YOU GET MARRIED?
Thorpe Gardens, Thorpe Constantine
HOW DID YOU MEET?
Like most people do these days, online dating. David’s fairly adamant that Claire messaged him first, but Claire’s a little more hazy on the details, it was nearly 5 years ago after all!
WHERE DID YOU GO ON YOUR FIRST DATE? HOW DID IT GO!?
We went for a wintery walk in the Warwickshire countryside and out for lunch. Claire’s first encounter with David was him fumbling about trying to decide on the most suitable footwear; wellies or boots? Despite the muddy setting a spark was felt and that is how our story began.
TALK ME THROUGH THE WEDDING PROPOSAL !?
I proposed at home on Christmas Eve 2018. I wrote it in a Christmas card and got Claire to open it before we set off to her parents for Christmas. I knew she had an idea it might happen in the new year so wanted to catch her by surprise and celebrate in style with family at Christmas. I then surprised her with a break to Vienna as a Christmas present and we flew out on Boxing Day for a few days away. We met in January 2015 and it was clear from the start it was something special.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING VENUE?
We had spoken many times of the wedding we would want before we were engaged. Almost to the point of where we knew what we wanted we just had to find it. Finding Thorpe Gardens and Cripps was amazing and exactly what we wanted. We both love to be outside and be in the garden so to get married in one was perfect. For us the food and drink is also a huge part so when tasting the food and drink at a feast night months before the big day and seeing how good it was confirmed we had made the right choice.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT OR MEMORY OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
David – For me it was always about bringing everyone together. All our closest friends and family in one place. It doesn’t happen very often so felt really special. Seeing claire walk down the aisle looking beautiful and spending time in the sunshine walking the gardens will also never be forgotten.
Claire – I’m struggling to pick just one moment as it was all so incredible. One thing I won’t forget though is when David gave my mum a house brick as a gift- her face was a picture!
We hope all our guests have made some life long memories from the day too!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLES?
Discuss what you want together as much as possible.
Make decisions quickly and choose reliable people to help with the wedding. Pick a reliable helpful venue. A great photographer! Give relatives tasks to own to share the workload. You don’t need to do it all yourselves.
Don’t spend too long planning and let the day just run. Your guests won’t know if small things don’t go to plan. We were engaged on Boxing Day and married 7 months later. With no stress believe it or not.
Make sure you enjoy it on the day it goes super quick
HOW DID I DO AND HOW WERE YOUR IMAGES?
Darren you are a real gent. Great in the day with the bridal party, you just fitted right in. Great with all the guests. Very courteous to all and very conscious of not taking up too much of our time for photos. We loved all the ideas you were having for shots and could of quite happily spent longer just wandering with you taking photos. We can’t wait to see more! From what we have seen already it’s almost worth doing all again just for the photos.
OTHER SUPPLIERS THAT DESERVE A SHOUT OUT?
Thorpe Gardens / Cripps
The Florist Gate (Anslow) – @floristgate_farmshop
Nigel Lynall Jewellers
Boothfactor
Makeup by Tabitha Glaze
Anna Wood Bridal (Long Buckby) / Willowby by Watters
Eclat Bakery (for stationary)