by Robert Page | Saturday 12th April 2025
a HANBURY BARNS Wedding |
VENUE
ATTIRE + ACCESSORIES
I found the Hanbury Barns wedding venue before Matt had even proposed (lol!). It is a converted barn with a modern twist. We loved the accommodation pods and the fact there is a different area for every element of the day (ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast, evening etc). When we first visited I wasn't sure because there were a lot of weeds near the entrance, so Matt and my Dad had to convince me that it wouldn't be an issue in April - we went again a week later and they had all been cleared, putting me at ease.
Joy's dress is called 'Kennedy' and is made by Sophia Tolli. The colour scheme is blush, white and golds... with a hint of navy from the bridesmaids. Matt's suit is light blue tweed, patterned waistcoat, navy tie and pocket square with tan shoes. Matt will be wearing very funky socks as he loves the brand Oddballs. He hired his suit from Blooms, his waistcoat was bought from Peter Posh and his shoes are from Dune.
My diamond infinity ring is platinum. I will wear pearl drop earrings, a pearl drop necklace with backdrop and Matt has bought me a bracelet but that's a surprise. My late Aunties ring will be tied on to my bouquet and on my right hand I will be wearing my late Nan's ring as my something 'borrowed'. Matt's ring is white gold beveled plain and both rings have our wedding date engraved on the inside. I am buying Matt a watch as a wedding gift.
Bridesmaids will wear long chiffon navy dresses, while the groomsmen and Dads will be in the same as Matt except for his plain waist coat to match the suit. Groomsmen will also be wearing funky socks! Our dog Murphy is a ring bearer and has a custom made suit the same as the groomsmen!
STORY
We met on Bumble in July 2020 and met up for a cocktail in Lichfield where Matt lived at the time and talked the night away.
I am a Dental Nurse Tutor/Assessor working from home. I love a dog walk, biscoff, binging series, lego, being cosy in a blanket and fluffy socks and food! Matt is an Engineer. He loves cricket, Manchester United, dog walks, watching any sport on TV, wresting and play fighting the dog and taking the piss out of me!
Our perfect day together would be taking the dog for a walk, going for a very good coffee (we're coffee snobs), going out with friends to some sort of activity bar and then being home in bed for 10pm!
HONEYMOON
Well.. we were going to St Lucia but our outbound flight unfortunately got cancelled... but we live by if its meant to be it'll be and this just wasn't. So we got a full refund and looked elsewhere and we're now going to Mexico for 10 days. All inclusive 5* resort in a swim out room with our own private butler!!! So excited for relaxation, all you can eat food and an insane amount of cocktails!
PROPOSAL
Matt organised a date night in Lichfield at a restaurant called 'Ego'. We had a lovely 3 course meal then we walked over to a small park by the cathedral and he proposed there (this park was where we had a very memorable date night and watched a lightning storm in the distance). We then went to a cocktail bar called the spiritualist where Matt had organised for our best friends to meet us. We then went home and my dad was there with a bottle of champagne. Matt proposed on the 1000th day we had been together. The ring was a little small but I was adamant it was going on - it then got stuck after wearing it all evening and had to be cut off by my step-sister who is a nurse haha!
MOST EXCITED ABOUT
We are most excited about the ceremony, our personalised vows and seeing each other for the first time. Also, spending time with our family and friends and eating all the food. I am looking forward to showing off my wedding planning skills haha! It has been two years of hard planning! We're also looking forward to our choreographed first dance which has been a lot of fun learning and practicing in a tiny kitchen!
EXPERIENCE
FILM
We want our Hanbury Barns Wedding to be personalised, foody and wholesome. We want it to have a modern, clean and minimal look with blush and white flowers, black and gold accents, a large moongate behind ceremony table (and relocated to top table) and lots of personality with the decor and signage. The favours are hexagon shaped coasters which signify us meeting on Bumble.
We are surprising our guests with alpacas during the cocktail hour... nobody knows about this and it has been an ongoing joke throughout wedding planning as I have been so set on getting them! I hope our guests feel relaxed, have fun and dance a lot on the evening!
We are having canapes during the drink reception, followed by a two course meal (beef roast and sticky toffee pudding) and sliders for the evening. Asti and Beer for the drinks reception, red and white for the table wine, cocktail hour post breakfast of elderflower Spritz and Bahama Mama.
We loved your style and how romantic your films are. Every one felt personal and a few brought tears to our eyes! We hope to feel the same when watching ours.
WORDS OF WISDOM
1. Don’t overthink the details on the day, for example hair, makeup, the shoes you’re wearing or how you’re having your nails - none of it really matters on the day and you’ll feel amazing regardless.
2. Have a backup dress bustle as mine broke and luckily a backup was added.
3. To bring personality to your wedding, no matter how crazy it may sound or how 'untraditional', if it feels right for you and your partner, do it!
4. Don’t walk over thorns in your dress!
special thanks...
a note from me...
Lovers // @joygriffiths2025 + @mattigriff
Venue // @hanburybarnsvenue
Photographers // @darleyandunderwoodphotography
Make Up // @makeupbytg
Hair // @platinum__hair__
Styling // @designeleganceweddings
Flowers // @ivisonlichfieldflorist
Cake // @bespokecakesby_nicole
Dress // @elsie.may.bridal
Joy and Matt! Thank you for such an incredible and wholesome day! I absolutely loved getting to know you two and experience your day along with your lovely family and friends. Joy, if all else fails you know you can go into wedding planning! And Matt, by the sounds of it Old Trafford could always do with you banging in those cheeky hat-tricks! Enjoy every second of reliving your amazing day!
R x
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