Love stories often start with serendipitous encounters, and Charlotte and Matthew’s journey to matrimony is no exception. Their wedding day at Wynyard Hall was a culmination of six years of love, laughter, and shared moments. Join us as we delve into the details of their enchanting wedding, from the first meeting to their special day and everything in between.
On a spontaneous night out in Newcastle, Charlotte spotted the towering figure of Matthew, who stood at an impressive 6’7″, across the dance floor. With a touch of courage and the help of a supportive friend, Charlotte made her unsuspecting approach. Little did they know that this chance encounter would be the start of their beautiful love story. Six years later, the couple stood hand in hand, ready to embark on their journey as a married couple.
Having lived in Durham for several years, Charlotte and Matthew were drawn to Wynyard as a potential wedding venue, thanks to glowing recommendations from colleagues. The picturesque Wynyard Hall had already become a favoured spot for their anniversaries and birthdays, and they couldn’t help but envision it as the perfect setting for their wedding. Their venue search led them to Wynyard Hall, and it was love at first sight. The grandeur and charm of Wynyard Hall made it the only choice for their special day.
Charlotte and Matthew’s wedding was an intimate affair, with 60 of their closest friends and family joining them to celebrate. They opted to keep the décor relatively simple to let the hall’s natural beauty shine. Traditional ivory and sandy pink roses were paired with contemporary eucalyptus, olive branches, and ruscus, creating a perfect blend of old and new.
Charlotte chose a Q’nique Bridal dress, which featured pastel-coloured flowers in the bodice combined with a traditional tulle skirt. As an ode to her mother’s handmade veil from the 70s, Charlotte added silk pastel flowers to her own veil, creating a touching connection to the past.
Matthew and his groomsmen embraced a classic black tie tuxedo to match the grandeur of the venue. To add a personal touch, the groom wore cufflinks gifted by Charlotte, bearing the bride and groom’s initials.
One of the couple’s dreams was to have an outdoor ceremony at Wynyard Hall, having been captivated by the setup during a previous visit. However, on the wedding day, rain threatened to move the ceremony indoors. The Wynyard team pulled out all the stops, setting up both an outdoor and indoor ceremony space to make the outdoor dream possible. In a stroke of good fortune, the rain held off just long enough to allow Charlotte and Matthew to exchange their vows under the open sky.
Before and during the ceremony, as well as throughout the drinks reception, a string trio entertained the guests with beautiful melodies.
The bride’s father delivered a touching, unaided speech that brought tears to the audience’s eyes. This was followed by a humorous ‘roast-style’ speech from the groom’s brother, a heartfelt and entertaining speech from the groom, and a surprise speech from the bride. Before the first dance, the couple gathered their guests for a champagne tower pouring and cake cutting ceremony.
Charlotte and Matthew shared their first dance to the soulful tune of “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross. This led into a touching Father/Daughter dance to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland, transitioning into “Spacer” by Sheila, a personal favourite of the bride and her father. The bride’s surprise dress change allowed for more dancing late into the night, and the celebration continued without pause.
The couple opted for a simple, “naked” cake consisting of three tiers, adorned with eucalyptus. The flavours included white chocolate and raspberry, lemon and poppy seed, and carrot – a delectable treat for their guests.
– The flowers in the bride’s veil paid homage to her mother’s handmade dress and veil from the 70s.
– The centre-pieces featured copper lanterns, clay pots with succulents and avalanche roses, along with the bridesmaids’ bouquets.
– Guests received plantable favours, allowing them to take home a lasting memory.
– Laser-cut wooden place names were a hit, with guests taking them home as keepsakes.
– A Polaroid camera allowed guests to snap pictures, stick them in the guestbook, and leave short messages, creating a cherished memento of the day.
Charlotte and Matthew offer a few pieces of advice to future couples. They recommend staying together throughout the day to savour every moment and to help each other take it all in. They also suggest not getting too caught up in the smaller details, as they tend to be overlooked on the day itself. Simply enjoy the day and the celebration of your love.
Although they couldn’t plan a grand honeymoon alongside their wedding, Charlotte and Matthew decided to extend the celebrations. They visited Wynyard Spa the day after the wedding, a highly recommended experience. Afterward, they headed to Rhodes, Greece, for a relaxing week. They are now in the early stages of planning their official honeymoon for Easter 2024, with destinations like the Caribbean or Mauritius in mind.
Charlotte and Matthew express their gratitude to their exceptional wedding suppliers who helped make their day extraordinary:
– Photographer: Amy Lou Photography
– Videographer: Paul Flannigan
– Florist & Decor: Bees & Butterflies
– Entertainment: Aurora Strings
– Cake: Mr. Jones Cakes
– DJ: Persona Events
– Hairdresser: Gemma Mullarkey from Amari
– Makeup: Stephanie Worrall from Blade & Blush
In conclusion, Charlotte and Matthew’s wedding at Wynyard Hall was a beautiful celebration of their love story, filled with personal touches and heartfelt moments. Their journey, from a chance meeting on a dance floor to a dream wedding day, serves as a reminder that love can indeed be found in the most unexpected places.
