When Jeni and Dan first got in touch with me about their cool wedding in Quantock Lakes, I was so excited! They had loads so ideas planned for their day and when I heard about the surf machine I was totally sold. A surf machine, I mean c’mon! This was just a part of their day, which was super sunny and really refreshing to be at Quantock Lakes, which is a pretty amazing location. They are pretty laid back and the loveliest loveliest people. Jeni wore an AMAZING dress with pockets, who doesn’t love this feature in a dress nowadays, and Dan looked so dapper. The wedding took place in the Barn at Quantock, and had a total beach theme. The flowers from Sarah, at The Petal Shed were just so pretty. You know when you’re on holiday and you get that fresh sea smell, the flowers totally reflected this, a spray of summer! Oh and I’ve never seen or heard a bride shout “look at me” when they get to the end of the aisle, it was hilarious and super cute! Jeni you rock!! Dan is an amazing graphic designer by day and had put so much effort into creating amazing stationary and posters, it tied the whole seaside theme together, I kind of fell in love with Boozy Suzie the Seal!!
Keeping reading to hear Jeni & Dan’s story of the day! Plus the swing band at the end of night were just fabulous and definitely kept everyone on the dance floor!
How did you meet?
The two of us met at school. We studied Performing Arts together and had to play boyfriend and girlfriend. Naturally, this involved kissing on stage. The two of us would compete for the smelliest breath in a bid to make the other one break character!
How did you get engaged?
We try and visit St. Ives, Cornwall every year or two and have done since we started going out, so it’s a special place for us. In Summer 2016, the two of us were having dinner at the Porthmeor Café. It was just after the main course had been served that I could hear the sound of a plane. I turned around to see one flying very low across the beach trailing a banner with Dan’s proposal. Naturally, I said yes and, as we celebrated people cheered from the beach.
Was there an overall theme to your day? If so, what was it?
Yes – Seaside theme as we both love being by the sea and it ties in with the proposal.
How would you describe your day?
The best day ever. Being able to share our special day, and all the hard work we put into it, with everyone, made it the best day. The venue staff were amazing and worked really hard to make sure everything went to plan.
How long were you planning it for, and what was the best bit?
Two years. After the initial stress of securing a venue it was great to spend time planning all the little details that would make our day that much more special.
How was your day unique to you?
Dan is a graphic designer so he created all of the stationery from scratch. This included a bespoke fold-out invitation where the poem “oh I do like to be beside the seaside” could be read with each fold and he also hand-painted all of our table names. Each of them linked to the seaside in some way, as well as to the people on them. Jen is a Primary School teacher so all the names were alliterations – ‘Pengenna Posse, Suzie Seals and so on. We also created a newspaper full of stories from our relationship, embarrassing stories from our mums and some terrible (but hilarious) jokes from Dan’s uncle.
If you could relive one part of the day all over again, which part would it be?
The ceremony. All of our favourite people were there to share the moment with us and we had some lovely readings from our nearest and dearest.
What are your favourite details of the day?
The surf machine, the newspapers and the pizzas!
How did you find your suppliers, and why did you decide on them?
Most of them were word of mouth and personal recommendations.
Tell us about your wedding outfits, and why you picked them.
Jeni’s dress had pockets… do we need to say more!
We went for navy to tie in with the seaside theme. Bridesmaid dresses were from Wed2be and groomsmen had suits fron Next. Dan splashed out on a more expensive suit from Simon Carter. He really wanted a pocket watch to set his outfir off. Luckily his uncle let him borrow his which he was really chuffed with.
What was your budget?
~£25k
Do you have any advice for couples currently planning their wedding, for either the planning or the lead-up?
Make lists! There is so much to do and I found it so useful to make lists and be able to tick lots of bits off. Try not to leave too much to the last minute as then it becomes more stressful and less fun. Enjoy all the small moments. Make occasions out of dress fittings, bridesmaid shopping. These bits make the journey so special and add to the memories that will last a lifetime.
Gah how amazing are these guys! I bloody LOVED this day. If you are planning something just as awesome as this then get in touch!!
Wedding Breakfast:
Quantock Lakes – BBQ with salad and pesto pasta
Desert:
Quantock Lakes – Meringue with fresh fruit and white chocolate sauce!
Evening food:
Quantock Lakes – A range of freshly made pizzas served in pizza boxes to eat around the fire pit.
Bar:
Quantock Lakes
Band:
Hot Shoes – Jazz band
www.hotshoesswing.com
Flowers:
The Petal Shed
www.thepetalshed.co.uk
Stationary:
Prose and Cons
@prosecons
Bristol Fun for Hire for the Surfing Machine.