Joanna and Harry had their fabulous wedding day here at Gosfield Hall in late October, when the trees had just started to turn autumnal!
However, before the big day got here, it all started with a proposal… Harry woke Jo the morning after her 25th birthday, asked her to go and treat herself to a nice dress as he was whisking her away for a surprise night away. They arrived at Wivenhoe House, checked in and as they entered the room, Jo noticed the bed had been showered with petals. It was there that Harry popped the question and Jo replied with a big fat YES! Un-be known to Jo, her family and Harry’s family were waiting downstairs to surprise her and to celebrate! (Ahhhhhhh!) He did good!
The first step to planning their special day was to find the perfect venue… They visited Gosfield Hall and one other venue, but it was apparent from when they first stepped through the door that Gosfield was the one! All the family came to look at the stunning Ballroom and beautiful Queens Gallery as Jo and Harry wanted to show their nearest and dearest the place they planned to start their married life.
“It took my breath away. As soon as I walked in my legs went to jelly. The dining room and the bedroom sealed the deal though! It took everyone by surprise I think. The pictures of it are gorgeous but seeing it for real is something else. So grand and classy.”
In preparation for their big day, they both did a bit of planning by researching lots of images on Pinterest. They liked to look at colour schemes, but knew in the back of their minds it was to be classy (like the venue) and to have a classic feel to it too.
So… With just over a year of planning, the big day had arrived!…
Jo was made (even more) glamorous by the lovely Nina Barrett on the morning of the wedding. With nerves under wraps, the finishing touches were done and the girls got their glad-rags on…
Jo’s dress was from Serenity Brides in Colchester… You have to agree with us, she looks absolutely breathtaking… As do the girls in their bridesmaid dresses (Jo’s bargains from the Boxing Day sale at Monsoon!)
There was time for final pictures, before it was on to walking down the aisle to her ‘Mr Handsome’…
With Dad and the girls in tow and Ella Henderson – Yours as their chosen song, Jo took her last deep breath, before making one of the biggest promises of her life to the man she loves… Harry on the other hand, cool as a cucumber, having a whale of a time waiting for his Bride…
Reunited once again, they made their vowels to each other and exchanged rings…
With the “I do’s” done and dusted, the newly weds Mr and Mrs Green made their way out of the Queens Gallery, with Bridesmaids in tow, on their way to fun and laughter having their photos taken in the stunning grounds…
Jo and Harry made the most of the mild weather and carried on with their photos, which were taken by the talented Anthony Kirby…
From their drinks reception, it was onto to their wedding breakfast… To quote Jo;
“We had an amazing Camembert Tart, followed by the best roast Beef I’ve ever had, all my guests thought the food was lovely! Finished with Cheesecake – to die for!”
They followed the colour scheme of navy through into the Ballroom, which we’re sure you’ll agree, definitely goes with their classy effect they desired for the wedding!
Jo and Harry had The Wedding Stationary Boutique from Ongar create their wedding favours for the table and table plan… They had scratch cards put into individual white wallets, which matched the table plan, and doubled up as name settings too.
With speeches done and Harry’s Best man claiming the success of being the hilarious friend, divulging all the secrets of Harry’s younger years, it was onto the cake cut, first dance and dancing..! (And for Jo to change from her Kurt Geigers, into her flip flops)
Mr and Mrs Green partied on into the night with their nearest and dearest around them and made some amazing memories that will last a life time!
After the wedding they had a few nights in London which was a gift from Jo’s Mum and Nan and then jetted off to Budapest for a mini break which was a lovely gift from Jo’s work colleagues! (How lucky!)
We asked the newlyweds if they could give us some top tips for planning a wedding;
“Just try to actually enjoy the planning of it, that’s all part of it as well, looking back I wish I’d actually took time to look at how exciting that part was, instead of stressing, as it all ran so smoothly I needn’t of worried about a thing.”
“If we could do it all again, we’d do it alllll the same.. It was the perfect day, maybe I’d try to take in more as it was all a whirlwind!”
We wish Joanna and Harry all the best for the future and we are so pleased we could be a massive part of your special day!
Credits;
- Wedding Dress – Serenity Brides – Colchester
- Suits – M&S
- Bridesmaid Dresses – Monsoon
- Other Outfits – River island for the Page Boys and Rococo for the Flower Girl
- Invitations and Favours – The Wedding Stationary Boutique – Ongar
- Photographer – Anthony Kirby Photography
- DJ – Brad Bushnell
- Makeup – Nina Barrett
- Hair – Lena Miller
