Very entertaining

Richard and Laura’s wedding had lots of special moments including the band leading their guests in a conga line

Richard Drury and Laura Morgan

Where: Ceremony and reception at Offley Place Country House Hotel, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Photography: Ian Scott Photography

As soon as we looked around Offley Place we knew we’d found the right venue. It was grand and impressive, but still felt intimate and homely.

When it came to the dress I had clear ideas what I wanted – it had to be lacy and fitted (I’m only 5ft 2ins). My dress was the last one I tried on at Fleur de Lys and I fell in love with it. It was a Justin Alexander lace fishtail gown that gave me curves in all the right places.

We had lots of crafty touches on the day. Our family friend Christine Powell made the ladies’ favours and our usher Theo Sundh, who’s a dab hand with a crochet needle (he’s had a crochet book published in Sweden), crocheted us some gorgeous coasters to go underneath the vases and teacups around the reception rooms.

Our theme for the day was English country garden, with lots of blush pinks and soft greens and butterflies. I bought teacups and vases which our florist filled with blooms, we had a birdcage to keep our cards in and a 1950s cut glass dressing table set as the centrepiece on our gift table. I’m a huge tennis fan, so the tables were named after tennis players, with Roger Federer (my favourite) being the top table.

We didn’t want a traditional tiered cake, so Carina Bentley made the most amazing cupcakes and we had a small top cake to cut. Our band, Pink Champagne, created one of the standout moments of the night when Chris Pyne, the band’s frontman, led the guests round the grounds for a conga, while playing his saxophone. As an extra we hired a photobooth which provided a lot ofentertainment. If you can afford it, it’s a worthwhile addition.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Ian Scott Photography, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, 01582 469003, www.ianscottphotography.co.uk

Venue: Offley Place, Great Offley, Hitchin, 01462 768787, www.offleyplace.com

Dress: Fleur de Lys Bridal, Saffron Walden, Essex, 01799 526982, www.fleurdelysbridal.co.uk

Accessories: Jo Barnes Vintage, www.jobarnesvintage.com; Fleur de Lys

Bridal, as above

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Fleur de Lys Bridal, as above

Hair & make-up: Lisa Domeisen, Little Wymondley, Hertfordshire,

07788 425505

Groom’s outfit: Anthony Formal Wear, Billericay, Essex, 01277 651140, www.anthonyformalwear.co.uk.

Stationery: Angela Hart (friend)

Flowers: Wild Ivy, Hertfordshire, 07947 278216, www.wildivy.co.uk

Cake: Carina’s Cupcakes, Colesdon, Bedfordshire,

www.carinascupcakes.com

Catering: Offley Place, as above

Chair covers: Chair Covers by Cathy, Shefford, Bedfordshire, 01462 811097, www.chaircoversbycathy.co.uk

Entertainment: Pink Champagne, Hitchin, 01462 431206, www.pink-champagne.co.uk; photobooth, Beanie Photobooth, 07920 163237, www.beaniephotobooth.co.uk