Tina - A stunning day at Beeston Manor!

2nd September 2022

My proposal story
The proposal wasnt a big romantic one and Im not one to be made a fuss of. But Saad had told friends on a trip to New York that he was buying me a ring! Clueless to realise I was sat there, but then I was excited! He had been asking what styles I like ect, and then he choose it with my little boy who was 2 at the time. We then went for lunch together in Manchester and it was placed next to me with our cocktails. Subtle but it worked and it was beautiful. Then the planning started!

Wedding style

My friend got married at Beeston Manor in Preston and I fell in love with this venue. I took my partner to see it, as well as arranging other venues and viewing them online, but he fell in love with Beeston Manor too, so we stopped looking and got a date booked in on their open day.
I wanted it to be rustic theme and mint, coral and cream colours. The date originally was September but Covid striked, so we had to cancel and rearrange 18 months later. We then had to take the next available date which was December but it was perfect. I changed my colour scheme slightly to sage, pink and cream and it was all so beautiful!

Shopping experience

I had visited a few places and thought I knew what I wanted but the dresses I choose I kept saying I love it but can we change this and this. I had seen Grace by Stella York on the Emma Louise bridal website and I knew I needed to try it! I went with my friend on the 1st occasion. I was in my works uniform on arrival and hair scraped up. I knew I loved the dress but arranged to come back at a later date with my mum and mother in law. The Emma Louise Bridal staff were not pushy and were very welcoming, they encouraged me to try many designs and styles which I did. Other shops came across pushy and eager for a sale.

How did you choose 'The One'?

On my 2nd visit I tried the dress again and I loved it. I remember Emma and Amber saying to me there are only so many wedding dresses and styles which can be tweaked and there are many dresses very similar, but if you want to change things on the dress its not the one for you. As I stood there I knew that I didnt wanted to change a thing. I loved the slight off the shoulder look, the buttons, the lace everything! I even put a Cathedral style veil on and I didnt want to take it off! I knew it was the one. Although it didnt fit well as it was a sample dress I thought if I feel this amazing now, how will I feel on the day!

Tell us about your experience at Emma Louise Bridal

The staff were amazing! I met with Emma on my 1st visit and then Amber, both of which were lovely and welcoming, and allowed me to take my time during my appointment and try alternative styles which were very similar to what I wanted but I kept going back to Grace! The communication during Covid and my changes were dealt with in a sensitive manner, and future appointments were made when appropriate. I was having doubts if the wedding would be going ahead as planned in December but it all worked out well. My dress was stored with them at all times and collected a few days before my big day!

What are your favourite memories from your wedding day?

Everything! I want to do it all again and it goes by so quickly! The surprises that no one was aware of were my favourite. I had prepared a speech, booked singing waiters and the fireworks, to keep this a secret and see everyone blown away it was magical.

If you have a honeymoon planned - where are you going?

We went on our honeymoon 3 days after the wedding on the 2nd January to Cape Verde. We had originally booked for Dominican Republic but this at the time was still on the red list so we changed. We have been to this island before and it was beautiful. We all went as a family of 4 and it was perfect.

Do you have any advise for other couples planning their wedding?

Enjoy every minute, take some time in the morning for yourself I found family members were causing me more anxiety so I took myself off with a drink and walked around my venue watching suppliers decorate this which was lovely. Walk slow done the aisle! Book suppliers well in advance, and once you have made your mind up on styles, colours, suppliers, bands DJs ect dont go to any other wedding fairs. As you can see too much and theres not enough time in the day to be enjoying all these things planned. Dont stress over the little things that you can do nothing about. What will be, will be and enjoy every minute! And be prepared for the wedding blues nobody tells you about!

Venue
Beeston Manor Preston

Photographer
Paul Rittaler

Entertainment
Gary Jones - Killer Party (DJ), Zanda Magic, Sarah Davies (Harpist), The Firework Shop, Silver Service Singing Waiters

Florist
JoGrow (Joanne Clayton) Irlam

Hair stylist
Ashleigh Scorah - Village Hair Dressers Irlam

Make up
Clare Breen Beauty - Irlam

Suits
Cavani - Birmingham

Venue dresser/stationary
Creative events and stationary was Mamabear graphic designs