FIONA & RICHARD // TUESDAY 7TH APRIL 2015
We’re very excited to share with you the gorgeous real wedding of Richard and Fiona, who were married at Birtsmorton Court on Tuesday 7th April 2015.
Following their romantic ceremony in the Church at Birtsmorton, Richard, Fiona with their family and friends enjoyed drinks in the sunshine on the Terrace, overlooking the waters of the moat.
After this, they took their seats in the Marquee with was dressed beautifully and filled with personal touches. Fiona’s Mum had even made drink coasters as favours for all of the guests!
Richard & Fiona really made the most of the sunny weather when it came to their photos. Their photographer Frank from Frank Wood Photography captured the day beautifully, with lots of pictures taken around the grounds of Birtsmorton Court.
I’ll let Fiona and their amazing wedding photos tell you the rest…
Tell us about the proposal Fiona, how did it happen?
Richard had organised a birthday trip to London for me, with an overnight stay and Afternoon Tea. Whilst we were savouring our Afternoon Tea, Richard kept asking if I had finished even though there was food left – unusual for him, but I didn’t suspect anything! Whilst finishing off our cups of tea, Richard started to get quite serious, telling me how much he loved me and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He then got down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant and asked me to marry him! When I turned around, I realised he had asked someone to film the whole thing and Champagne was awaiting us – it’s a good job I accepted!
What made you choose Birtsmorton Court for your wedding? What were your first impressions of the venue?
We were at a wedding fayre at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and when we got to the Birtsmorton Court stand both of our mouths fell open when we saw how stunning and beautiful it looked. We were both in awe and said, ‘this is where we want our wedding!’
Did you look at many venues, before booking Birtsmorton Court?
None, Birtsmorton Court was the first venue we viewed and we booked it on our first visit.
What made you look at wedding venues in Worcestershire?
The medieval moated manor house that we found had taken our breath away. When we visited and saw the Malvern Hills in the background, it was the perfect choice!
Tell me all about the day. What was your favourite bit? How did you feel?
The day started very relaxed for me, with bridal preparations on site at Birtsmorton Court, in the Garden House and Bridal Suite. The atmosphere was very relaxed and calm, speculating on how the day would reveal itself. When Sophie, our Wedding Manager, came to fetch me, she told me it was 1pm and we should head across to the Church. I hate being late for anything but I suppose I had to be traditionally late as a bride – Sophie wouldn’t have had it any other way!
I remember walking with my Dad towards the Church, a very special moment, and standing outside taking a deep breath as the doors opened to enter and our chosen music from Love Actually began.
When Richard and I saw each other for the first time that day we both smiled with tears in our eyes, we were both so happy to be at this moment, after getting together at the age of 16. This is one of my favourite memories from the day.
The church service by Rev. Anthea was perfect; she made it so personal and made us feel completely at ease. It was wonderful to hear our congregation sing our hymns, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’. We left the church as Husband and Wife to ‘The Prime Minister’s Love Theme’, also from Love Actually.
As we walked on to the terrace, a harpist was playing the pieces we had chosen. With our guests close behind us, we had a few moments alone in the sunshine to appreciate the surroundings and take in that we were now Husband and Wife – another special moment.
The speeches were another highlight of the day. My father completed his speech with a song for us both, ‘I Loved Her First’ by Heartland. There were a lot of tissues required in the Marquee after this! My sister and Maid of Honour then shocked us both by revealing that nine and a half years previously, she had found a ‘love note’ that we had passed to each other in college and proceeded to divulge information from this to all the guests!
Our first dance was ‘L.O.V.E.’ by Nat King Cole followed by ‘Happy’ by Pharell Williams to get the party started!
As the evening came to a close, we enjoyed the decadence of Bridal Suite after the most enjoyable day! Mrs Dawes’ breakfast the next morning was DELICIOUS!
Any tips for other couples getting married at Birtsmorton Court?
Make sure you get out in the grounds alone with your photographer during the sunset hour! It’s magical!
Did you go on honeymoon after your wedding? Where did you go?
As I’m a teacher we went on our Honeymoon in July to Koločep Island off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia – an island paradise!
With a little help from:
Venue: Birtsmorton Court
Caterer: Dine with Style
Photographer: Frank Wood Photography
Videographer: Coventry Wedding Videos
Florist: Blooms to Bloomers
Cake artist: Cakeland
Daytime Musicians: Alison Eve, Harpist
Evening entertainment: DJ Chris Roberts
Wedding dress: Maggie Sottero ‘Nadia’ bought at Georgina Scott Bridal, Lye.
Bridesmaid dresses: Maid of Honour – Ebony Rose (Georgina Scott Bridal) and Flower girls – Monsoon
Shoes: ‘Flo’ design by Perfect Vintage
Grooms suits: Formal Affair, Tamworth
Hairdresser: Jodie-Marie Smallman (Bride’s best friend)
Make-up artist: Dawn Farman
