Back in July, as the world was starting to see some kind of normality and emerge from the dark tunnel of lockdowns and ridiculous restrictions, yes we mean the one where you can stand up in a Garden with your friends and family, but put a drink in your hand and you must sit down -nope we didn’t get it either- and we were finally able to host “normal” weddings again!

One of our first weddings of the Summer was Alisha and Ricky and what a wedding it was! Alisha and Ricky were originally supposed to marry in August last year, but for obvious reasons, it was moved to July this year, however this year it wasn’t just the 2 of them standing at the end of the Aisle, as Alisha was carrying their soon to be new addition to the family! We were so happy and excited for them when they told us the news!

Not only was their wedding one of our first weddings since 2019, but it was also Maddie’s first solo wedding here at Launcells Barton! She was rather thrown in at the deep end, as Matt and I unfortunately caught Covid, meaning we had to isolate and couldn’t run their wedding! I was absolutely devastated not to be able to be there, but knew Maddie would be amazing, so while Matt and I were living off our left over wedding cake, as we couldn’t get any food deliveries, Maddie picked everything up and ran with it! How amazing it was to hear the incredible feedback, from suppliers, guests and of course Ricky & Alisha on how well Maddie did! Proud boss moment right there!

Ricky and Alsiha’s day was filled with colour and laughter! They weaved the most gorgeous blues, pinks and peaches throughout the styling of their day and it looked beautiful!

The day started with the guys heading off to the beach for a quick dip in the sea, which is only a 5 minute drive away in Bude.

Meanwhile the ladies all got ready in the Bridal Suite, before guests started arriving and heading to the Snug bar for a pre-ceremony drink!

After drying off and getting himself smartened up, Ricky arrived to welcome everyone before it was time to take their seats and wait for the arrival of the Bride!Alisha looked utterly gorgeous in a simple statement ballgown, I don’t know if it was the excitement of finally getting married or the pregnancy, but everyone said she was absolutely glowing! Just look at her smile as she walked down the aisle as her band played!

After the ceremony guests made their way outside for drinks, photos and confetti! There had been showers coming and going all morning, so at the last minute the ceremony was brought inside, with the weather being a tad unpredictable, we decided it was best to set the drinks up in the den opposite the snug bar and then whatever the weather, guests could find shelter if the heavens did open again! Thankfully they didn’t, and the afternoon turned out to be beautiful!

As Ricky and Alsiha went for a walk and some time with their photographer, their guests took their seats in the Reception Barn, before they were announced in as the new Mr & Mrs!

After Beautiful and the Feast had served their meal and guests had had a breather outside, it was time for speeches! 

After speeches as we turned the venue around and their band set up, guests were able to go outside and enjoy the last of the day’s sun.

As the sun set, guests were welcomed inside for Ricky and Alisha to cut their cake before their band kicked off the evening with their first dance as Man and Wife!

A few words from the beautiful Bride herself… “Everything happens for a reason’ is a stance I truly believe in and live by, and no more so than having your wedding postponed during a pandemic – a situation thousands of us had to sadly experience during 2020. Both couples and suppliers truly suffered emotionally and financially, however when you work together as a team and fill this undeniably difficult process with understanding from both sides of the equation, then it only leads to amazing things in the future. It definitely did for us, and Lara ensured that the process to move to a 2021 date that suited us both was smooth. And so, the new countdown to the #WedWed 2021 – as our wedding was now on a Wednesday – began. 

So how did two Brummies end up in Cornwall? Our original plan was Portugal as that is where my mum’s family come from, this was proving to be tricky but we wanted the beach and holiday feel. It couldn’t have fallen better, with our guests making their way down to beautiful Bude for a week with a wedding in the middle of their holiday! It meant we had pre-parties, after-parties and actually spent quality time with our friends and family.

I will never forget that crisp Autumnal day in October 2018 driving up the winding roads to Launcells – the first and only venue we looked at. It was breath taking and immediately we fell in love with everything about it. Meeting Lara sealed the deal for us – she was funny, kind, knowledgeable and understanding. She made us feel totally relaxed and we could envisage our wedding taking place at this extraordinary venue. The exclusivity of it was also a huge selling point to us – being able to really make it our home over the 2-3 days and having our wedding party stay with us in the most magnificent period house.

Those 3 days in July 2021 at Launcells Barton were the best days of my life so far and we do have to thank newest Launcells member on the block, Maddie, for being so diligent, calm and collected and helping to make some quick decisions based on the slightly temperamental weather. We feel very honoured to be Maddie’s first solo wedding, and she really did an outstanding job. Thank you!

We made a lastminute decision to have our ceremony in the barn rather than outdoors in the garden – Maddie didn’t skip a beat to turn it around for us and to the sweet sound of My Girl sung & played by our phenomenal band The Distractions, we began married life.

Every part of our day played out better than expected – and this was smoothly executed by Maddie & the Launcells team working during the wedding. They were professional, good humoured and had a smile on their face all day. All of our guests commented on how brilliant every single person working was – and how especially accommodating they were at supplying the drinks well into the evening! I was 5 months pregnant at the time, and the team were attentive and thoughtful in their approach. I was never left with an empty glass of elderflower, or a Cornish pasty in hand!

Lara and then Maddie, were on board with our vision from the very beginning – relaxed day time vibes, good humour, personal touches and a lively party. We hope that they loved the day just as much as we did! We can’t thank them enough for all their organisation, love and support since that first meeting in 2018. We cannot recommend Lara, Matt, Maddie & the team highly enough. All of our suppliers were equally as magnificent in bringing our vision together. Thank you!”

Top tip for couples: Enjoy the time planning together as a team. Make sure that you have personal touches of who you are as a couple. Work with your suppliers, not against them. 

It was an absolute pleasure getting to know you both over the last 3 years, we are all so glad that you finally got to have your day and celebrate with all your loved ones around you! We wish you and your new addition nothing but happiness as you step into the next chapter of your lives as parents! As I write this now, you could already have your new bundle in your arms! If you don’t, get as much sleep as you can now and then invest in as much concealer as you can carry! I hope you enjoy re-living your day in your feature, as much as we loved being a part of it! Huge Congratulations again!! 

Suppliers

Photographer: Mark Shaw

Flowers: Bleujen 

Catering: Beauty & The Feast/Abbots Catering Supplies

Band: The Distractions

Festoon Lights: DJC Generators

Bride & Mother of the Bride Hair: Hannah Woodgates

Bride & Mother of the Bride Make-Up: Fiona Miller