Why did you want to capture your wedding on video?
We are quite sentimental people, especially when it comes to Family and friends, and we have always enjoyed watching our childhood home videos back, we love a good reminisce! So it seemed only natural to opt for a wedding film; there is something so special about capturing moments on video, it can really bring the images ‘alive’ and make you feel like you are back in the moment. Also, so many people advised us to book a wedding Videographer. They said it was the best decision they had made for their own weddings, or it was something they had wished they had booked for themselves, and we couldn’t agree more with this view! In years to come, I can’t wait to watch the video back and remember our special wedding day!
Why did you choose Browns Films?
We came across Browns Films through the recommended suppliers list provided by our photographer, Gina Manning. Having seen some of their joint work, we knew they would make a great team. We really liked Tom’s style of film, his website was very professional and the online reviews from previous clients were excellent. We are so happy he was available on our wedding date!
Tell me a little about you… What do you do? How do you spend your days? What’s important in life?
We are both teachers, I am Head of Psychology and Ben is Head of Geography.
When we are not at work, we like to catch up with friends and family. We enjoy going for walks in the countryside, especially back in Suffolk and Norfolk where we are originally from. We enjoy eating out, perhaps a little too much! Haha!
Family is very important in our lives. We are very close, even more so because I have a very small family. Our closest friends are also like family, they really do brighten up our lives and I do not know where we would be without them! For us, it really is the people in life that matter.
The proposal, tell me everything…
It was our last day of work before the school Easter break. Ben specifically asked if I was coming home straight after work. This seemed a strange thing to ask as it is not our norm and I started wondering during the day if this was the day that he would propose. Having been together since 2013, and buying our first house at the start of 2015, I was certainly starting to drop hints of marriage and hoping it would happen soon.
I got home from work (29/03/18) and Ben was already there. He tried to play it cool when I asked what we should do for dinner. I said we should get a takeaway, and I remember him smiling and saying ‘No, let’s go out’. I became sure something was going to happen when I asked what he was going to wear. When he said a shirt (something he wouldn’t normally wear for a casual after-work meal) I thought this is it, he is going to propose!
In the taxi on our way into town, we were both so nervous that we didn’t speak a word to each other, we just held hands in complete silence. We arrived at an independent Italian Restaurant in Chelmsford, Olio’s. On entering, a bottle of bubbly was waiting on the table. It was still quite early in the evening, so there was only one other table of diners in the restaurant (they were celebrating a 40th birthday). As soon as we sat down and drinks were poured, Ben took my hands and said a few words (of which I can’t remember now). He then stood up and got down on one knee in the restaurant. I can remember all the waiters standing at the back of the small restaurant, and the other diners, watching. When I say ‘Yes’ everyone gave us a round of applause. It was the best moment! The waiters came up to our table one at a time to congratulate us. They even presented us with an additional sweet dessert, with ‘Congratulations’ written in chocolate on the plate. Before that moment,
I would have said that a public engagement was not for me, but this was just perfect! I was so emotional from it all that I ended up not being able to actually eat the meal! The next day we travelled back to Suffolk and Norfolk to tell our family who were all delighted. It was the most special time, and by the end of the two-week holiday, I had booked the venue, photographer and hair/makeup!
The Venue/s? Why this place above anywhere else?
Ceremony: St Margaret’s Church is a significant place for Ben and I; we both have family connections to it and being in a small village, we are always visiting and attending events there. There was no other place where we would want to marry.
Reception venue: Elms Barn. Converted barns are just so beautiful. When I was thirteen years old, my brother got married in a converted barn and I think from this, I always liked this type of wedding venue with all its rustic charm. Elms Barn was also perfectly located for us, just a twenty-five-minute drive from the church. We had several people recommend it to us and as soon as we looked around, I could picture our wedding reception taking place there. It has some idyllic gardens which suited my flower interest. Practically wise, Elms Barn also provided many key wedding elements in their package which appealed to me and my style of wedding planning. The package included all the flower arrangements, including the bouquets and buttonholes. We didn’t need to research caterers because Elms Barn provides their own highly rated catering service. The vintage Bentley provided was a great addition and we had a lovely driver. The on-site accommodation was also perfect for our family and close friends to stay. It was so lovely the morning after the wedding, to go back to the barn and have a big group breakfast together. Altogether, the location, look and packages on offer at Elms Barn are what why we choose it, and it didn’t disappoint!
What experience do you want to give to your guests?
Fun (with a hint of Norfolk pride)! We wanted our guests to come away from the day smiling, having had the best time and I think we did achieve this. We did not want our guests to feel bored, so we tried to make sure there were enough elements in the day to keep things interesting (games, sweet table, photo booth, table card games, multiple music entertainment at the Church and reception). We made sure we picked local suppliers; we loved the unique style of our band and the DJ entertainment was spot on; our guests loved them and were keen for a good dance! We had so many lovely comments after the day from our guests and all the photos speak for themselves.
Suppliers:
Wedding Videographer – Browns Films
Photographer: Gina Manning
MUA / Hair: Kelly Mullender
Florist: Teena Freeland (Elms Barn)
Venue: Elms Barn
Band / DJ: Paul Allen (evening DJ), The Shanty Buoys (afternoon band entertainment)
Dress (Shop/Designer): The Suffolk Bridal Company / Ronald Joyce