Tags: Dorset

With a little help...

10 Mar 2014

With a little help...a Dorset wedding

... from a cast of friends and family, Jay and Laura staged a wedding that was a feast of entertainment

Image gallery

Jay Eastwood and Laura Toms

Where: Ceremony and reception at The Italian Villa, Poole, Dorset

Photography: Nick Rutter Photography

It was easy to pick our venue – The Italian Villa was everything we’d ever hoped for, with the most wonderful team.

I am very organised and had started jobs early, going to exhibitions, getting lots of information and making a scrapbook of ideas. My sister, Sarah Field, is very arty and so after giving her some of my ideas, she created our invitations. I had picked the colours of my wedding years ago – red (my favourite colour), black and white.

Lots of our friends helped. Lisa Knight made our delicious giant and mini cupcakes, Lucy Moore did my hair, Lisa Roberts did our flowers and table decorations, Nick Rutter the photography and seating plan and two very clever costume ladies, Jackie Young and Marion Joy, altered dresses.

The morning flew by and before I knew it my dad and I were in the 1929 Phantom 1 Rolls-Royce waving at passers-by. My only nerves came just as I was about to walk down the aisle, hoping I wouldn’t trip up.

The theme of our wedding was entertainment. Each table was named after jobs in the film industry (directors, stunt co-ordinators) and my friend Darren Reeves, (a West End musician) played piano as we ate. The band, Deep Red, rocked our evening entertainment. I had also choreographed a surprise cabaret performance to Jay’s favourite ACDC track, which the band played and my dance students from Poole Academy performed.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Nick Rutter Photography, 07968 449930, www.nickrutterphotography.co.uk

Venue: The Italian Villa, Compton Acres, Poole, Dorset, 01202 816074, www.the-italian-villa.co.uk

Dress: Mark Lesley Bridal, www.marklesley.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Mark Lesley Bridesmaid, www.marklesley.co.uk

Hair: Lucy Moore (friend)

Make-up: Michaela Chalk, 07547 159098, email: chalk.m@hotmail.co.uk

Groom’s outfit: All Aspects Wedding Services, Bournemouth, 01202 427539, www.allaspectsweddingservices.co.uk

Flowers: Lisa Roberts (friend), 07748 202501

Cake: Lisa Knight, Cake Expectations, 07515 722740

Catering: Beales Gourmet, The Italian Villa

Transport: Christchurch Wedding Cars, 01202 477887, www.christchurchweddingcars.co.uk.