by Robert Page | Friday 13th September 2024
a DORFOLD HALL Wedding |
STORY
JEWELLERY + ACCESSORIES
Jack did his apprenticeship at Vauxhalls as an electrical engineer and worked for Peel Ports in Liverpool after this. Jack now works for Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood. I am a Veterinary Surgeon at a Hospital in Northwich. I work both days and nights doing emergencies and working towards an additional qualification in emergency and critical care. Jack's interests are going to the Gym, reading non-fiction, mostly finance.
My interests are cooking, always finding new places to go eat, and spinning.
We met on tinder, which sounds a bit cliché nowadays. I had just moved home from living and working in Norfolk for one year after graduating from Liverpool University. That year was also when Covid hit so I knew I wanted to come home and live closer to my family. I moved back to my parents, with my surprise rescue dog Poppy in September 2020, I thought it was just going to be me and her for a while. But we matched on Tinder, literally a couple of days after I moved home. We arranged a date within a couple of days, to meet at Telford's in Chester. Earlier that day I was nearly going to cancel, as I was meant to be starting my new job on the Monday. But I decided to go and see what happened!
On the day of the date... I was still late! Jack had turned up early and text to say he was there. I was still at home and needed to get a move on. Jack was nearly about to leave but thankfully I walked through the door. We had a really amazing night. I had never been on a date like it where the conversation flowed, and we were the only ones left at the end of the night. Halfway through the date Jack shocked me and asked me how I thought the date was going! I said I think it's going really well and quickly followed with how do you think it is going? Jack agreed.
By the end of the night, we really needed to leave as the staff wanted to finally go home, the card machine came out at the bar and I snuck in and paid the whole bill. We quickly made plans for more dates. However, we went back into a second semi lockdown, so then our dates mostly consisted of dog walks for Poppy. I joked at the beginning that Jack first fell in love with Poppy the dog. Despite dog walks being the only date we could do, it was perfect for us and is still our favourite thing to do all together across North Wales and the Peak District.
Our biggest hobby we both share is walking with our dog. We love walking across North Wales and the Peak District. I will make lovely sandwiches and sometimes bake some sweet treats to eat along the way. If not, then we will find a nice pub to have food at. Our perfect day is a cool but sunny day in Autumn, an all-day dog walk which includes yummy sandwiches and snacks. After the dog is super tired and chilled, we set up our log burner and warm a bottle of red by the fire. While I cook something really yummy, we then snuggle up on the sofa chilling with Red wine soothing our sore legs.
The groom and all the groom's party will be wearing personalised cufflinks. My shoes have a message on the sole, Mrs. Boardman, Est 13th Sept 2024. I will be wearing my Aunty Florence's jewellery.
VENUE
I had my eye on a Dorfold Hall wedding for a couple of years after it came up on my 'for you' page after helping my maid of honour plan her wedding. I very much fell in love and could not imagine getting married anywhere else. The classic but modern twists of the venue, with having space for all eventualities, come rain or shine, it would still be beautiful... that is what sold it for me. When I actually saw it in person it was everything and more!
THEME
We have tried to keep the decor as simple as possible as Dorfold really does not need it. We have gone very elegant English garden/meadow style flowers. Flower choices include garden roses, cosmos, dahlia, lisianthus, delphiniums, hydrangea. I've used hydrangeas in my invites as well. They will still be in season when we get married and look amazing in the gardens at Dorfold Hall.
The aisle will have tall meadow style flowers at the end of every other row. The tables in the L'Ecurie are very simple, we have no table favours. Low design of flowers with candles placed on the table too. We are having light blue coloured napkins the name cards will be placed on top. Mum and I have made the name cards ourselves with dusty blue handmade paper with the frayed edges and calligraphy names with dried lavender from my grandparents garden. The cake table will also have a cake meadow at the base with a simple ivory ruffled three tiered cake. Our Card and gift table will also be accompanied by photo frames of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days. One of the main features in the L'Ecurie is we are having the disco ball, which I am so excited for!
EXPERIENCE
I want the guest to feel relaxed and enjoy the food while catching up with friends and family they have not seen.
- Arrival drinks: Elderflower Gin Fizz and Prosecco
- Canapes: spring rolls, arancini, beef carpaccio
- Starter: Focaccia
- Main: Duck
- Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding
- Cake: lotus, lemon, coffee
- Evening food: pizza
There will be background music before the ceremony, like Bridgerton-style string quartet and piano covers of songs. Then we will be having a band in the evening called Agent Smith. After the first set from the band, there will be sparklers outside just before the evening food starts.
Also, if the weather allows (no muddy paws) while we have our couple portraits and Poppy may join us for a photo away from all the other guests.
PROPOSAL
The proposal story started long before Jack actually proposed. Firstly, the ring! My family had a really close relationship with a family jewellers in Chester, Waltons. My grandmother, who passed soon after her parents were married, so we never met, was very close friends with one of the owners of Waltons. All of my family have bought their engagement rings or sentimental jewellery from Waltons. My Aunty used to take me to the Jewellers even as a small girl. I had found memories of them letting me try on all sort of diamond bracelets for fun. Waltons sadly announced they were closing in the Winter of 2021. We had planned to go for a dog walk around Chester Christmas Markets and the Meadows. I also spontaneously arranged to meet my Aunty at Waltons to have a little look at their closing down sale. While Jack waited outside with Poppy and my Uncle Mike. Later on the walk, I was telling Jack why the jeweller was so important to my family and the connection with my Dad's mum. Walking back past Waltons, Jack asked me if I had to choose an engagement ring would there be one in the shop I thought was perfect? I jokingly looked but actually saw the most beautiful ring! We were a bit giddy and went in and tried it on! We left and I honestly didn't think Jack would have gone back and got the ring. We did joke about how it was such a good deal as everything was half price!
Fast forward the clock, we bought and destroyed a house together, finally living in the house and had finished all the final touches. We had my Aunty and Uncle round for the August Bank Holiday for a dinner party. They are famous for hosting us for dinner parties and we wanted to repay the favour. We had such a lovely evening and a little hung over on the Monday and decided to go for a cute walk around Chester with the Dog round the Meadows. Poppy was having a great time running around the fields and I was completely oblivious. Jack pulled me to a stop; I thought he was going to tell me I had mud on my face because Poppy had been jumping all over me. Jack was fumbling with his jacket and next he was pulling the ring out and I was in complete shock while Poppy was running off having the best time. It was the most perfect way, as Jack put it, "just me, you and Poppy like it always is". After we got engaged, we had some drinks in Chester even though we were dressed for a dog walk and then went round to our parents to celebrate. My Dad especially could not believe the story of the ring and expressed how much it meant to him.
MOST EXCITED ABOUT
Apart from being married! We both think that exact moment when we first leave the ceremony. It will just be the two of us briefly before we carry on with the hectic day will feel amazing. Then we just want to enjoy seeing all our friends and family and partying on the dance floor in the evening. We are definitely known for our dad dancing!
HONEYMOON
The week after the wedding we are going on a mini moon to Bath. We will be staying at No. 15, by Guest House. Which is also dog friendly! So, Poppy will be joining us. We are staying in their Pulteney Room, which has a big chandelier and huge four poster bed. We really wanted that luxury hotel feeling with the big fluffy pillows and breakfast in bed feel. We cannot wait to relax, chill and go on some lovely dog walks.
After the mini moon we have also booked the Honeymoon for April/May next year to go to Mexico and stay at Secrets by Moxchein Cancun. It is a five-star luxury hotel. We have heard the Caribbean and Mexico for being amazing for their all-inclusive hotels and we both have never been on a holiday like that so we very excited!
FILM
I felt we gelled really quickly when we met a Chester Cathedral Wedding Fayre. We were at the very beginning of our wedding plans. We went through that sticky, awkward stressful bit at the start like most people do. Even when you think Wedding Planning was going to be so much fun. My mum took me to try and cheer me up, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. You put me so much at ease and I am so grateful mum took me there that day! Your videos are so romantic and capture so many precious moments, I was crying watching some of your videos. We really want to get that soft romantic feeling but also capturing the fun and joy of the day. We also really looking forward to being able to listen and watch back the ceremony and all the speeches on video. We feel we won't be able to really take them in on the day and want to cherish all the kind and beautiful things the closest people in our lives say.
ATTIRE
The Wedding Dress... only my mum and my bridesmaids have seen it, I have kept it a secret from everyone who seems to ask me what it is like! The designer is Madison James and dress is called Iona, in ivory. I bought it from My Funny Valentine in Chester. It's a big A-line but very light weight perfect for dancing, with a large train. There are some large pieces of flowery lace scattered across the dress with a very small hint of sparkle. The veil is very long, with sparkles throughout. The shoes are Harriet Wilde, Hetty mid with big organza bows. I wanted a big dress as when can you ever do it again? But it was the only dress I put on and felt like it was everything I was looking for.
The groom, and groomsmen we went to Peter Posh in Knutsford who were amazing. We chose a dark navy tails with matching trousers, a champagne double breasted waist coat. All the groom's party will wear a blue tie and Jack will wear an ivory patterned tie. The shoes are a dark brown brogue. Jack looks so handsome and the tails really suit the vibe of the day of Classic English Garden Party.
The bridesmaids are wearing two different colours, two are in a Sky blue (which is a very different shade of blue to the ties) and the other two are in a dusty lavender. They are all wearing the same style of dress in chiffon.
The colours of our Dorfold Hall wedding are very much shades of blue with a hint of lavender with other pastel colours. My mum pointed out none of the blues matched and I very much didn't want them to! I said it was a colour palate not a scheme. The invites, table names, napkins everything is a slightly different colour of blue.
WISE WORDS
- Jack wished he wrote all timings down... I had sent loads of WhatsApp messages to all groomsmen but I wished I had printed a hard copy for them to refer back to.
- It went so quickly between having my makeup finishing and getting into my dress. I think I wish I hadn't done a bridesmaid reveal and had more time with my bridesmaids round me while I was getting ready. But then my makeup probably would have taken longer if I was chatting to them all!
- But ultimately we had the most amazing time and could not fault the day at all.
special thanks...
a note from me...
Lovers // @becblagg + @jack.boardman.56
Venue // @dorfold
Flowers // @happybloomuk
Photographer // @antonia_grace_photography + @steph.kiely.weddings
Hair + Makeup // @bridalhairandmakeupofcheshire
Dress // @madison_james
Suit // @peterposhsuits
Rebecca and Jack, thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me along to capture your incredible wedding day! Wow. It really was the most stunning day and you were both ace to work with, along with all of your lovely guests! I count myself extremely lucky to be able to capture your precious moments and it has been such an honour to create your films! It looked like you both had the most amazing day and I hope you enjoy reliving it all over again!
All my best,
R x

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