The Story
Jack and I have known each other since we were young, but were never close friends. Our parents hung around in the same circle when they were teenagers and our cousins, brothers and sisters all know each other well. We’re from the same area in Leeds, he went to the Boys Grammar School and I went to the Girls equivalent. After both coming out of long term relationships and after a few Instagram DMs, the story of our winter wedding began – we decided to go on a date in London and the rest is history. We did long distance for 3 years but now we live together in Highgate with our beautiful little bulldog, Moo Moo.
The proposal took me totally by surprise, mid dog walk on a stunning summers sunset walk in Hyde Park. He got down on one knee in the perfect spot in the Italian Gardens and gave me my dream ring, a pear shaped yellow diamond. He nailed it.
Venue
We had a pretty big wedding guest list due to the simple fact both my husband and I have huge families that we are both super close with – our family list alone topped over 110. So we needed a venue that was large enough to accommodate all our friends and loved ones. I’ve always wanted to get married in the village church where my grandparents lived, my parents got married and I got christened – it’s such a special place with fond memories and is beautiful and quaint too.
We ended up choosing the Mansion at Roundhay Park, it’s an iconic and grand venue situated in the middle of Roundhay Park, a place we’ve visited for years as children too so it was perfect. It had the old traditional feel we wanted for our winter wedding but had amazing food and wasn’t in the middle of nowhere so was easy to get to for all our guests travelling. The staff and especially our planner Liam were incredible, which made organising a dream.
Fashion
I’ve always known what style of dress I wanted so it was a case where to find it. It turns out that heavily laced, long sleeved, high neck, full skirt dresses aren’t that easy to locate. After trawling google and Instagram I came across Innocentia, an insane Ukrainian designer who’s dresses were beyond perfect and I ended up buying the first dress I tried on. I wore a long veil, tiara and pearl/diamonte encrusted platforms. My favourite item however was my little circular pearl bag, it looked just like a Christmas bauble. My something blue Agent Provocateur underwear.
Jewellery
I wore a pair of beautiful diamond and pearl drop earrings kindly given to me by my best friends mum. She has an amazing jewellery shop in The Wirral and always finds me the most perfect pieces. I also wore a vintage style crystal tiara which made me feel like a princess – I loved it.
Bridal Party
Our five bridesmaids wore a very simple, floor-length dove grey dress with a ribbon in their hair. I wanted something very demure and understated for the girls which suited our traditional church wedding. Ushers wore charcoal grey tails with matching dove grey ties.
Transportation
Due to the weather being so cold (almost -4 degrees) my bridal car had to cancel on the morning of the winter wedding. It was a vintage Rolls Royce Ghost, which would have been so stunning but wouldn’t have been able to make it to the church in the extreme ice and snow. My mother-in-law saved the day and arranged a driver last minute to come collect me in her much more weather-appropriate BMW 4×4. It wasn’t exactly how I had imagined arriving to church, but but at least I made it. Our guests were transported between venues in a vintage green double decker bus, which got very rowdy.
Tablescape
We went for a super simple colour scheme of white and gold. Gold chargers, golden snowflake napkin rings and lots of white candles on the table along with our white floral centrepieces.
Food & Drink
We went for a very seasonal and festive menu throughout the day. Canapés included Black sesame king prawns, Beetroot cured salmon and more adventurous options such as Bloody Mary shots with fillet of beef. Dishes such a Hot buttered trout, French trimmed Yorkshire lamb and a trio of desserts were served at the breakfast with the mini spiced pear crumble being big favourites. Drinks included a winter Pimms on arrival, and a lot of margaritas after dinner.
Entertainment
With it being December and close to Christmas we chose to have carols in church instead of hymns. Our first dance was Mariah Carey, All I Want for Christmas is You, which was super fun and festive.
Beauty Regime & Wellness
I am a pretty low maintenance girl but I had a wicked facial and dermaplane ahead of the wedding. My amazingly talented sister in law did my make up, she made me feel so glam but really natural at the same time.
Honeymoon
We headed up to our favourite place in the UK, the Lake District for two nights following our winter wedding staying at the wonderful Gilpin Lake House. A few months later we embarked on a 3 week trip of a lifetime across Japan for the cherry blossom season. It was perfect in every way and the most incredible experience.
Advice
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
- Plan ahead as much as possible, you will enjoy the run up much more
- Prioritise what you want, not everyone else
With Thanks…
Bride: @addysonpope
Venue: @themansionleeds
Caterer: @dinevenues
Dress: @innocentiadresses
Florist: @beautiful_flowers_tockwith
Photographer: @mavricphotography
Videographer: @midgleyweddingcinema
Cake: @poppypickeringcakes
Related Article: Our Favourite Winter Weddings