June 2012 was not a notoriously warm and sunny month. In fact, it rained a great deal and dampened rather a lot of weddings that had been hoping for glorious blue skies and unblemished sunsets. Luckily, Callum and Emma-Louise managed to make the most of one of the drier days of the month when they got married at Ramster Hall in Chiddingford, Surrey.
As recommended supplier for the venue, we at Jacaranda know and love the Ramster for its intimate charm and beautiful setting. “We chose this venue because we wanted a place that felt very homely and not ostentatious,” Emma-Louise explained. “The moment we stepped into Ramster and met Rosie, who owns the magnificent building, we knew it was the right place for us.”
Emma-Louise and her bridesmaids stepped down the aisle in entirely bespoke outfits, handmade by the mother of the bride especially for the occasion. Emma-Louise’s elegant lace and satin floor length gown seemed to fit in perfectly with the historic surroundings of the 17th Century timber-framed country manor.
130 of Callum and Emma-Louise’s friends and family witnessed her grand entrance, preceded by a traditional piper. Next to Callum’s traditional Celtic dress, the intricacies of the delicate beading on Emma’s dress seemed to glitter beneath the warm light of The Great Drawing Room.
“The Piper that Rosie recommended was out of this world and he created a scene that was the perfect start to our special day,” said Emma-Louise. “We planned the day to suit all coming and most of all us, but we had different moments throughout the day that left not only us, but also many of our guests, speechless.”
Emma-Louise and Callum not only felt that their first dance was a special moment, but also count saying their vows as a standout moment in a day of unrelenting happiness.
“The registrar was just amazing and we have so much to thank them for as they made us feel so special and calm. Anyone who has got married will know how emotional the build up and day can be.”
“The horse and carriage was a surprise for my husband and I; it was just the perfect touch to the day.” The father of the bride accompanied Emma-Louise to Ramster in the horse-drawn carriage, using the time to take in the view and soak up the excitement-fuelled moments together before the ceremony.
Callum and Emma-Louise decided to have their wedding breakfast in The Long Gallery at Ramster, choosing pink accents to decorate the room. Tall, long stemmed pink vases sported soft pink arrangements next to gilded branches. The pink menus and scatter crystals on each table helped to add pops of colour to the oak-beamed room.
“I have had the pleasure of eating Jacaranda food before and as ever their food was incredible,” said Emma-Louise. “Our guests are still talking about what wonderful food they ate at our wedding. Jacaranda were professional from the start to the finish and I would recommend them to anyone. I felt at all times we could talk to them about anything and they would be totally honest and give you the time of day.”
Callum & Emma-Louise kept rumbling tummies at bay by providing their wedding guests with canapés that included char-grilled asparagus with hollandaise sauce; king prawns with chilli, garlic and ginger; beer battered cod with crème fraiche tartare and mushy peas; and seared beef fillet with slow-roast tomato and pesto on crostini.
For their wedding breakfast, Callum and Emma-Louise opted to mix up traditional British dishes with more Eastern fusion morsels. Their menu included:
~ Starters ~
Soy blackened salmon with bok choi, tom ka sauce, chilli, spring onion and coriander
or
Tomato tart tatin with rocket pesto, creamed goats cheese and wild rocket salad
~ Main course ~
Loin of West Country lamb with crushed new potatoes, fine beans, mange tout, chantenay carrots and a fine ratatouille jus
~ Pudding ~
Fresh berry and elderflower jelly with lemon posset, crushed meringue and vanilla ice cream
“I have to say, most friends of mine that have got married say they never ate their food on their wedding day but believe me, I did!”
“The speeches were beautifully read and our friend who introduced us was our opera singer for the day. Her voice when she sung songs that we had picked made it very emotional for everyone.”
In addition to the traditional speeches, Emma-Louise also took to the microphone to make her own thank yous and revel in company of their closest friends and family.
“It was the most magical and perfect day of ours lives and we would love to do it all over again,” Emma-Louise said.
We wish the new Mr & Mrs Andrews all the happiness in the world and should they ever find themselves thinking about doing a vow renewal to relive the magic of the day, we’d be delighted to be on hand!
Credits
Photographer: Pippa Hart
Venue: Ramster Hall
Florist: Petal Florists
DJ: Mark Parker
Cake : Alison Swanyze
Stationery: Special Day Invitations
Hair/Makeup: Catherine Heys
Props/furniture/linen rentals: Distinctive Elegance
Transportation: Court Carriages
Piper: Major Graham Waller
Videographer: Ines Telling
Bride’s outfit: Custom made by mother of the bride
Bridesmaids’ outfits: Custom made by mother of the bride
Groom’s outfit: Groom’s own
Ushers outfits: Moss Bros
Toastmaster: Michael Smith