Karen and Ash
Our gorgeous Alan Hannah bride, Karen is this week’s “Babe of Boo”, and she shares with us her amazing day!
So my Husbands name is Ash, we’ve been together 10 years, married 2. We locked eyes for the very first time at our local pub, I remember thinking how well dressed he was, both quite shy neither of us introduced ourselves so we went out separate ways assuming we would never meet again, a few days later his photo popped up on my computer screen...that’s right we were both on plenty of fish (cringe!) a week later he took me to dinner but we never actually managed to order as we were talking so much and from that evening we’ve never gone a day since without talking.
The proposal, a complete surprise. I’d just returned back from travelling around America & Ash had said he had planned an evening together for us, I had to be dressed and ready for 7pm and a car would collect me. We had dinner at Cote in Farnham, looking back now I should of realised something was up as he didn’t eat much of his dinner! Afterwards he said about popping into the pub (the one we had first met at) to meet some friends for drinks, when we arrived I was greeted with all my closest friends and family! About an hour into the party, Ash stood up to do a speech, calling me up to stand with him it still didn’t register until he turned to stand in front of me and bent down on one knee. To come home from one of the best trips of my life to then be surrounded by all our nearest and dearest to witness our engagement was truly one of those magical moments in my life and how lovely is that engagement bubble you are in for a while, I think I was doing everything with my left hand.
Our wedding was held at The Olde Bell, in Hurley Berkshire, a barn situated in a very English-esque village. We both knew we wanted that barn style wedding and the Olde Bell offered just what we wanted within the budget we had. Our mindset for our wedding was very much, good food, good music and most importantly good company.
Our flowers were by our good friends at Sprinkles and Petals, Yolanda sat with us and discussed the style we were wanting, colours, the flowers that would be best for the season and what we could do within our budget. My main flower was a protea so Yolanda worked with this and created the most beautiful bouquets.
Photography was done by Katy and James at Red Fox Photography. I know every couple says their photographers were the best, but ours really were! The key to a good photographer is actually not knowing they are there on the day, this way you know they are going to capture those natural, unposed shots which Katy and James did. They spent time getting to know us, finding out the kind of shots we were wanting and talking us through how the day would go and what to expect. We also loved having two photographers, so would definitely recommend that. The photos turned out so well we actually ended up in a local magazine!
Our beautiful cake was baked lovingly by our good friend Charlie, she doesn’t bake for a living (she really should) but she made us the most delicious three tied cake, which went down a treat with all our guests.
My hair was done by Polly and make up was done by Amy, I had trials with both and they arrived on the morning of my wedding to style myself, bridesmaids and mum, they both drank champagne with us and had they not have had other clients I’m pretty sure they would have ended up being part of the wedding, getting ready in the morning is so so much fun!
Suits - now this is one part of the wedding that I really didn’t have any say in. All this responsibility landed on Ash, he has great taste in clothes as we know. He opted for a dark blue almost black tuxedo from Marks & Spencer’s, they complimented the blush pink bridesmaid dresses perfectly.
My tips for planning would definitely be, try to stick to your budget, it’s soo easy to fall down a wedding rabbit hole and feel you need to buy all these extra bits the magazines and websites say you need, but ultimately the day is about you and your love.
The most memorable part of the day, gosh that’s tough because I really did love every moment. Two stand out memories for me were just after exchanging our vows, we had a moment to ourselves in a room whilst the photographers arranged guests for the confetti shoot and just that moment being with my husband still feels my heart with so much love! And then later in the day at the wedding breakfast, sat there looking around, seeing all our friends and family, all there to celebrate our love for one another.
Boo Bridal - So I’ll let you in on a little secret... My appointment at Boo was a last minute booking, Emma squeezed me in on a Saturday morning. I thought that I had already found “the dress” but my Mum had advised I try just one more boutique. We arrived to a warm welcome and a glass of bubbles, We worked together to pick out styles I liked and the look I was wanting, two dresses down I tried on Millie. She was STUNNING, she really was “the one” I knew because I didn’t want to take her off.
Dress confirmed and deposit given, Emma and the Boo team stayed in touch regularly to let me know how the making of my dress was going and to book in for fittings. I also followed them on Instagram which I really recommend, I loved seeing them post about the other Boo brides journeys and what the team are up to!
The most valuable person on the day of our wedding? I couldn’t pick one, my bridesmaids for making sure all those little details ran smoothly, my Mum for helping me get ready in the morning and lending me her veil, my Dad for being my rock, the best man for making sure Ash was ready on time, all our amazing friends and family who made the wedding what it was, and of course my gorgeous Husband, Ash. For being him.
Weddings are truly magical, everything about them from the moment you get engaged to heading off on honeymoon. Soak up those memories, take photos of your wedding journey & most of all enjoy this wonderful time.
Karen’s favourite suppliers
Venue - The Olde Bell - Hurley
Flowers - Yolanda Romero-Cummins - sprinklesandpetals (Instagram)
Hair - Hair by Polly (Instagram)
Make up - Amysheridan_mua (Instagram)
Photography - Katy & James - Red Fox Photography
Dress - Millie by Alan Hannah, Boo Bridal
Suits - Marks and Spencer’s
