A very traditional affair

25 Feb 2014

When Lucy Chandler married Oliver Standen it was a beautiful day filled with help from friends and family and local suppliers

Image gallery

Oliver Standen and Lucy Chandler

Where: Ceremony at the church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester followed by reception at Longstowe Hall

Photography: Rebecca Andrews

I recently got married in September 2013 and it was the best day of mine and my husband’s life. It was so good i literally want to shout from the rooftops! I also spent a fortune on wedding magazines for about 10 months and every picture and idea and story helped me and Olly plan our special day!

Olly and I met 5 years ago, Olly is a fireman and I work in travel. We lived 12 doors down from one another and were set up my our families, 4 years later and a proposal on The Little Mermaid ride at Disney World and we planned along with both families a very traditional English wedding.

We married at our local church in Godmanchester with 4 beautiful bridesmaids, my best friend Ann-Marie Plumb, my sister Jemima Chandler, Oliver’s sister Harriet Standen and Kathryn Gradage, 2 flowers girls, Oliver’s neices Cerys and Zara Standen, 2 ushers, Oliver’s brother (and fellow fireman) Stocker, Lee Murray (fellow fireman) and best man, Michael Cramer, another fellow fireman. My dress was by Justin Alexander and was lace top to bottom. Bridesmaids had Kelsey Rose dresses, all different styles and shades. Oliver had his suit made by a local tailor and all the men wore top hats.

We found the venue through recommendations and after visiting Longstowe it was my beautiful Pride and Prejudice dreamy location. We planned the wedding and were married 10 months after we were engaged. We wanted to involve all our family and friends and local suppliers. We had no specific ‘theme’ just very traditional and beautiful.

From the local choir, to a lucky chimney sweep, double Decker bus, two vintage cars, a string quartet, photo booth, toastmaster, wedding band and lots and lots of flowers. Our table plan was based on our favourite castles we had been to over the years with our top table being named after Warwick Castle, our first date venue. We feasted on mouth watering canapés from roast beef to smoked salmon Bellini’s. Champagne (and lots of Asti!) flowed all day. Our meal consisted of Goats cheese, fig and Parma ham salad. Chicken with butterbean and chorizo mash and three mini puds! Along with a large cake covered in more flowers and a mini fireman and princess. Our families were both very much involved in the big day from the hymns we sung to the flowers and the food. The little touches made the day from the silver six pence super glued to my shoe, the piece of coal from the chimney sweep and unplanned speeches and all the laughs. We had the best day of our lives and want to share it with everyone!

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Rebecca Andrews, www.rebecca-andrews.co.uk

Venue: Longstowe Hall, www.longstowehall.co.uk

Bride’s dress: Courtyard Bridal Wear, www.courtyardbridalwear.com

Accessories: Freshly cut grass Irregular choice shoes cream with blue bows, www.irregularchoice.com/shop/womens/product/4656/fresh-cut-grass.html?offset=32; veil from the Tailors Cat, www.cambridge-bridalwear.co.uk

Hair: Images Hair Salon, www.imageshair.co.uk

Make-up: Lucy Rose make up, www.twitter.com/LucyRoseHanagan

Groom’s outfit: Abingtons Tailors, www.kimbolton-online.co.uk/wordpress/?p=28#

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Fancy Frox, www.fancyfrox.com; (flower girls dresses) BHS, www.bhs.co.uk

Stationery: Quills wedding stationery, www.quillsweddingstationery.co.uk

Cake: Sue Polhill, www.suepolhillcakes.co.uk

Flowers: Thelmas Flowers, www.thelmasflowers-godmanchester.co.uk