Rebecca Holland and Matthew Lyons: a classic white wedding in Nottinghamshire

After 12 years together and an adorable proposal with their children, Rebecca and Matthew’s wedding was all about their friends and family

How did you meet?

We met through mutual friends.

Tell us about the proposal.

We’ve been engaged for about 12 years but Matthew proposed again. He made a little video with the kids asking mummy to marry daddy.

What was the theme for the day, and did you have a colour scheme?

There was no theme, it was quite relaxed with just close family and special friends. We had pastel flowers and a rustic look.

What venue did you choose and why did you choose it?

Hazel Gap Barn is a lovely venue and it fitted with how we wanted our day to work.

When did you know when you’d found ‘the’ dress?

I tried five and the last one I tried on was the one. I chose it from a local wedding shop.

What did the bridesmaids wear? 

I had six adult bridesmaids and three flower girls. The bridesmaids wore dresses by ASOS. 

Where did you find your suits?

Blidworth Menswear. We picked a blue Mark Darcy suit.

Often the aspect that makes a wedding original to the couple is the detail – tell us about the details of the day.

• We had a photo booth at night for the guest to have fun in
• We had personalised toy cars for the little page boys 
• We gave make-up sets to the flower girls
• We made some activity sets for the small children with bubbles and colouring sets

How did you feel as you walked down the aisle?

Emotional. I think the build up hit me at that moment. 

How did you make the ceremony personal to you?

With it being a church wedding we wanted it to be very traditional so we had the bridal march and traditional hymns, ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ and ‘Sing Hosanna’.

What was your most memorable moment?

I think the church ceremony. We’re not really religious but it was so intimate and that’s what made the day for me.

What was the most challenging aspect of planning this wedding?

Worrying about other people – how they would get to church, then on to the reception, that kind of thing. Getting everybody in one place to try suits and dresses on to make sure everything fit was also difficult.  

What was the most important investment for you?

Food and the photos – we wanted to make sure we had great photos to look back on and remember the day.

What song did you choose for your first dance, and why?

Savage Garden ‘I knew I Loved You’ – it was the first concert we went to as a couple and the lyrics say it all.

Tell us about your wedding cake.

It was a traditional white three-tier cake with pastel flowers. Two tiers were a traditional sponge and one was chocolate. 

If you could go back and change anything, what would it be?

We just wish we could have slowed time down as the day went fast.

Where did you go on honeymoon?

We went to a log cabin close to the venue immediately after. We chose somewhere close so the kids could come with us for a few days after.

Do you have any advice for couples in the planning stages?

Try not to worry about everybody else and make sure you have everything you want. The important people in your lives will be there just to enjoy the day with you both. 

Steal their style:

Photography: Matt Selby Photography
Flowers: The Flower Room Edwinstowe
Photo Booth: Jason Parnell Photography
Venue: Hazel Gap Barn
Suits: Blidworth Menswear