Lauren and Bradley Real Stockbrook Manor in Brentwood Wedding Story
When was your wedding?
11 June 09
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How and when did you meet?
We met through a mutual friend at a dodgy club in Essex, I said to my friends boyfriend, who is that guy dancing over there then he introduced us – very embarrassing but very worth it!
How old are you both?
I am 24, he is 25
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
We decided to go to South Africa in 2007, on the first day, we went to table top mountain to a lovely restaurant, he asked if I would like to see the sunset, to which I replied “NO! its way too windy out there”, he persisted, so I went out with him on the big veranda, he took me to the side and said ‘I haven’t just brought you here for a meal’, and got down on one knee!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
He went to Spain (!) in a villa with 10 friends, I went to Brighton with 20 girls and had a scream!
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
He was very helpful, he chose the band, helped with me with colour schemes, his buttonholes and his and best men’s suits etc. He was very helpful.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Yes I used the forums for hen parties and honeymoon ideas along with real wedding pics for colour schemes and flower and dress ideas.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
I wore a Mori lLee big dress in white which I felt like a princess in all day!
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had two bridesmaids, my first cousin and my sister in law, they had bright red to the floor dresses on.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Bradley chose his brother and best friend for his best men and had 3 ushers who were his friends, they all wore grey tailed suits with ivory waistcoat and gold cravats – it really looked gorgeous!
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
I am Jewish and he is Christian so we had both! A registrar came in and when she had gone, we had a vicar and a messianic Jewish rabbi to marry us afterwards! It worked so well.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Stockbrook Manor in Brentwood
Where did you hold your reception?
Stockbrook Manor in Brentwood
Did you have any special wedding transport?
We had a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Mercedes and Bradley drove there in a Merceded sports car!
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
180 to the day and about 30 to the evening! Phew!!
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
We wanted everything very light and bright and fun like our personalties.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
Yes, we had red fake petals sprinkled on each table with red and white gladioli flowers and short roses
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes we had red favours filled with chocs and little suit boxes for the men – these went down very well.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
It took me a year and a half to decide what flowers I wanted! So much so that I actually chose them a week before I got married- not a good idea but I had a domed slight shower grand prix roses with green leaves and bridesmaids has white peonies which looked stunning. My florist was Drake Algar
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue did the food and we had melon to start, then roast beef, yorkshire pud and all the trimmings then toffee pudding to finish
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
My mother in law’s friend made it, we had lemon for one tier, chocolate for second tier and fruit for third and we used square vases for the tiers instead of pillars with red and white flowers on – it looked stunning.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a band called China Grove
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
No we didn’t have a gift list
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
We spent our first night in the Holiday Inn near the venue and honeymoon was the day after in Thailand (Samui, Koh Pan Nang and Bangkok) in June booked through a friend who then booked it with Kuoni – Thailand was amazing and so hot! People have got to go!
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
We had Jewish Iisreali dancing up on chairs and spinning around – it was so funny and we were on such a high hours after doing it.
Did you experience any “nightmare” moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Yes, my dad was rushed into hospital the night before the wedding and couldn’t make it to the big day, I didn’t know whether to get married or not but he told me I had to and that Mum had to give me away, we are having a second ceremony next weekend so I have pics with Dad but it felt very weird on the day.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I wouldn’t have done anything differently, I made sure that I spent time with my new husband and danced wit him and walked round with him during the day, we spent a few minutes just us two chatting and looking at the venue to take everything in – that’s my advice – take everything in otherwise you might lose yourself in it.
