Tags: Dorset

Best of British

26 Feb 2014

Best of British

Khalid and Gemma flew the flag for love at their red, white and blue wedding in Wiltshire

Image gallery

Khalid Al-Khayat and Gemma Williams

Where: Ceremony at St Mary’s Church followed by reception at Wellington Barn, Wiltshire

Photographer: Gina Soden Photography

Wellington Barn was the first venue we visited and we fell in love immediately. It was perfect for the informal, laid back wedding we had in mind.

On the morning of the wedding, Khalid got ready at the Bowood Hotel (where we stayed on our wedding night) and I got ready at home. After breakfast, hair and make-up artist Katherine Jennings arrived to work her magic.

The colour scheme was red, white and blue (very British). I wore an ivory Suzanne Neville dress and carried a red bouquet, the bridesmaids wore red and carried white bouquets and the groom and groomsmen wore dark blue suits. My auntie Dianne Hill, made our three-tier wedding cake, which was absolutely exquisite, Khalid’s brother’s girlfriend, Carina Parmar, made our favours – delicious chocolate truffles and my mum, Trudy, made our invitations.

There was a definite ‘equestrian’ theme to the day as we are both keen horse riders and own three horses. Khalid organised a surprise horse and carriage ride to the venue; the favours were served in horse and carriage boxes and our cake had silver horseshoes on the front.

Our photographers, Gina Soden and Mike Deere, are good friends of ours and took beautiful, artistic photos. I was particularly worried about the speeches, but best man, Alex Wilmott, struggled to dish the dirt on Khalid despite the fact they had been friends since they were four.

Our first dance was to Ben E King’s Stand By Me, one of our favourite songs. Then we all let loose on the dance floor.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Gina Soden Photography, www.ginasoden.co.uk

Venue: Wellington Barn, Calstone, Wellington, Wiltshire, 01249 823222, www.wellingtonbarn.co.uk

Dress: Carina Baverstock, Bradford-on-Avon, 01225 866610, www.carinabcouture.com

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Debenhams, www.debenhams.com

Wedding ring: Orton Jewellers, Bradford-on-Avon, 01225 309039, www.ortonjewellery.co.uk

Accessories: Carina Baverstock (as above)

Hair & make-up: Katherine Jennings, 07887 537334, www.bridalhairstylingandmakeup.co.uk

Groom’s outfit: Marks and Spencer, www.marksandspencer.com

Stationery: The Little Things, 01383 741830, www.thelittlethings.co.uk

Flowers: Young Blooms, Bradford-on-Avon, 01225 580271, www.youngblooms.co.uk