There were several reasons for this choice of venue: it was important for both of us that we had an Anglican wedding ceremony, it is a beautiful building based around a decorated Gothic Nave dating from 1381, and it is literally five minutes down the road from home. Oh, and it also happens to be where one of my heroes Jessica Ennis-Hill tied the knot back in 2013!
As we arrived at the venue, I was so incredibly excited. Not only was I about to marry my best friend and soulmate, but I was also about to lay eyes on all of my favourite people in the world, all in one room. Some of these people I hadn't seen for well over a year! I marched down the path, my bridesmaids diligently helping me with my train and veil behind me. In my rush to get to the door, my garter had slipped down to my ankle, and my very selfless sister in law bent down to help me to put it back on! I then had a slight wobble, as I caught sight of my friends Tiara and Nissi who had made the journey all the way from Sri Lanka slipping late into the Church...but I composed myself, my dad put my veil over my face, I gripped onto his arm, and we were off...
Here are the details of the most important, memorable and magical hour of mine and Mr Sunshine's lives to date!
Vicar: The Reverend Jude Davis, who is young, female and LOVELY
Flowers: Gysophila hearts either side of the front porch; jam jars and of pink roses, cream freesias and gysophila inside the porch with candles, and the same jam jars hooked over every pew end; larger displays on the font, in front of the lectern and at the alter, all put together by Katie Peckett and my mum!
Entrance music: Pachelbel's Canon in D Major by our string trio, Simply Strings
Hymns: Be Still For The Presence of the Lord, Shine Jesus Shine, Oh Perfect Love
Readings: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 by Lisa (Rich's older sister) and Shakespeare Sonnet 116 by Tim (my older brother)
Signing of the register: Our witnesses were our mums while Simply Strings played Everything by Michael Buble and Make You Feel My Love by Adele.
Recessional: Mendelssohn's Wedding March by Simply Strings
Yes, the most magical hour. But luckily for us, we had several more to look forward to. My husband and I piled happily into our car, and started out on our short journey to Chatsworth House.
We couldn't wait to celebrate what had just taken place with all of our favourites!
All of the photos in this post were provided by our wonderful wedding photographer Brett Harkness. Check out his page for some truly stunning wedding, fashion and commercial photography, as well as his beautiful blog.
