A Country Vintage Wedding – Christopher & Laura Tied the Knot at Rivington Hall Barn

Christopher and Laura were married on Saturday 9th April
2016 at Rivington Hall Barn, Rivington, Bolton.

LWB: Where did you meet each other?

Laura: We actually met at Rivington Hall Barn 14 years ago
whilst working there as students! Then a couple of years ago Chris popped the
question whilst we were on a perfect holiday in Mykonos. It was totally
unplanned even though he had 12 years to prepare. He just decided he had to propose
right there and then so he ran off to ring my dad for permission and then found
the nearest jewellers (for a temporary ring). All this whilst we were having a
romantic meal… and I was completely oblivious.

LWB: So, choosing your wedding venue was easy?

Laura: Very easy, as it’s where we originally met so obviously
held a very special place in our hearts. We have also both known the Salmons (Rivington
Hall Barn’s owners) for a long time. I went to school with the owners’
children. The venue is stunning and the service is always exceptional. The Barn
will always go out of their way to make the day perfect.

LWB: What themes did you have in mind for styling your day?

Laura: I wanted a country vintage theme. I chose to include
lots of rustic props to create a real country garden feel. Step-ladders, old
barrels, suitcases, jam jars, bottles, old books, buckets etc. Our florist was
Margaret Mason who was exceptional at putting together exactly what we had
asked for, along with Dawn at Creative Cover Hire who provided spindle back
chairs teamed with hessian and lace sashes. Dawn was amazing and helped with
lots of other wedding recommendations.

LWB: How did you find your Wedding Suppliers?

Laura: We mainly found them from recommendations or word of
mouth, and visited the Great Northern Wedding Fair at Bolton Arena too. I had
followed Ashton Photography online for many years as they shot my sister-in-law’s
wedding and several friends weddings, too. I love their pictures and the moments
they capture but also Steve and Steph are both lovely and really put you at
ease. We purchased the mens suits from Next and teamed them with grey tweed bow
ties handmade by a local tailor in Bahrain which is where we are currently
living. Our cake was made by Occasion Cakes in Bolton.

I bought my wedding dress from the White Closet in Didsbury.
It’s by designer Anna Sul Y. This dress shop was amazing as from start to
finish they made me feel so special. I wanted a vintage lace dress with beading
and that’s exactly what I got. I had been to so many wedding dress shops and
found nothing but it was the first dress I tried on here and I instantly knew
it was the one. I also got a belt for my dress from the White Closet which was
hand made by Sash and Co.

LWB: What was your first dance?

Laura: We chose Florence and the Machine ‘You’ve Got The Love’
– no particular reason why other than we both love this song. But I surprised
Chris and had Jay-Z ‘H to the Izzo’ mixed in as a bit of a joke. We met when I
was 16 and we used to listen to the Jay-Z album on repeat, so I knew it would
make him smile as he says that song always reminds him of me.

Our DJ Paul made sure the dance floor was full from start to
finish all evening – with plenty of dance-offs taking place too! He even played
extra songs at the end of the evening as everyone was chanting ‘one more song’
which is surely the sign of a good night.

LWB: What advice would you share with other engaged couples
before their big day?

Laura: We took some great advice from our married friends who
told us to go and view your room in the venue when you arrive so you can take in
all the months of hard work and preparation you have put into your big day
looking beautiful. Get a glass of champagne and have a wander around with your
hubby and look at all the special finishing touches.

LWB: And finally, what are your Favourite Three Things from
the day?

Laura: Walking down the aisle with my Dad as he has been so
excited to take this walk with me!

Getting married to the love of my life surrounded by my
closest friends and family (I hadn’t seen Chris for 7 weeks as he works in
Bahrain so this made getting married all the more exciting and special)

And having the reception at the venue where we first met, this
meant so much to both of us.