Sarah & Simon! What an absolute belter of a couple! Massive congratulations to you both again! Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome at your wedding at Brackenborough Hotel, it was an honour to be a part of it!
We kicked things off in one of the lake cabins where Simon was getting ready with his son. Simon seemed super chilled out and I got to witness a groom in make-up for the first time (he had a black eye!) I think Simon looked super swanky and the cream suit from Cavani at Coney’s looked both amazing and cool to wear in the July heat!
Sarah and her bride tribe got ready in the bridal suite in the Brackenborough Hotel, just a short walk away. We survived the heat in there (somehow!) and the girls looked gorgeous with their hair and make-up done by Christina Barnett and Lauren Aisthorpe Hair & Beauty respectively.
When you choose a wedding at Brackenborough Hotel you have the option for an outdoor ceremony, with a lovely paved aisle to walk down and a spot of shade to stand in while you say your ‘I do’s’ (which also does wonders for your photos!) Sarah and Simon tied the knot here and to cap it off, had an epic confetti exit!
After our ‘hugs and high fives!’ we made a start on the family portraits! Sarah & Simon were absolute troopers with seemingly endless patience while we worked our way through their portrait list! Everyone really enjoyed the garden games provided by the lovely Emma Lane Designs!
The newlyweds made their rockstar entrance into their wedding breakfast room and were greeted by thunderous applause and cheers from everyone in the room! We enjoyed a delicious three course meal courtesy of The Brackenborough Hotel chefs! Fairytales did a stunning job of their venue décor, the whole place looked magical!
“We have gone for sage & cream colour scheme and as much activity outdoors as possible”
Sarah’s brother Craig was the first to speak, providing us a healthy balance of comedy and emotion – followed by a few words from Sarah’s mum Wendy. Simon nailed his speech and it was so apparent how overcome with gratitude he was to be in the moment, it was lovely to watch as he praised his kids, his parents and his new wife Sarah.
We had our newlywed portraits all over the spacious grounds of The Brackenborough Hotel and we had a great time getting these shots with a lot of laughter!
The newlyweds cut their cake which looked absolutely incredible; I’m not sure who it was made by though unfortunately!
Sarah & Simon’s first dance as newlyweds was to The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra. I’m a huge Sinatra fan myself! So I knew the moment they told me that I’d be using a cover for their highlight video! We also had A Booth and Beyond on photobooth duties, always a pleasure!
Their story
Tell us all about your ‘the beginning!’
“We met when we worked together, Sarah didn’t like Simon when we first met! Our first date was a double date at Damon’s and we never looked back since. We’ve been together for 12 years, had lots of fun travelling and making memories with the kids and other family members too! This will be another great time to celebrate with everyone and make memories for years to come.”
When and where did you get engaged?
“We got engaged on a beach in Mexico at sunset on Sarah’s birthday – she was very shocked!”
What are you most looking forward to on the day?
“Seeing Sarah in her dress for the first time, having a fun with everyone and dancing the night away.”
What are your top tips for other nearly-weds?
“Start early and be all over the detail – save more money than you thought you’d need! (Don’t forget to save plenty for the honeymoon). Most of all be organised and let other people help – it’s not all on you!”
Why choose a wedding at Brackenborough Hotel?
“Everyone wants something different on their wedding day, and we will do our utmost to make your requests a reality. At Brackenborough Lakes Resort, we have a selection of function rooms and an experienced wedding team on hand to help you choose the perfect wedding package. We can guide you every step of the way. Located in a tranquil location just off the A16 outside of Louth, the hotel sits on six acres of carefully landscaped grounds and offers ample car parking facilities. There are many stunning photo opportunities around the hotel’s grounds. Additionally, each function room boasts modern, neutral décor, with tasteful furnishings. Therefore, whatever the weather, the backdrop to your photographs will be stunning.
Your wedding co-ordinator will be on hand throughout the journey to the big day, to advise, guide and generally set your mind at ease. He/she will also act as Master of Ceremonies on the day itself, so you can relax and savour the moment, safe in the knowledge that all of your requests and wishes will be executed to perfection by the person who has worked on the planning process with you throughout.
Our packages include all room hire, dedicated staff throughout, delicious menus, drinks packages, some room décor elements c/o Fairytales, a DJ and evening catering, plus many other items, that represent excellent value. For all full day/night packages, we also provide you with a bridal suite on your wedding night too, so that you enjoy your first breakfast as Mr & Mrs with us, too.
And finally…We know your dream day will be as individual as you…and that is how it should be. With this in mind, we want you to know that if you’ve got your heart set on different elements to those detailed in our wedding packages; your own DJ, room décor etc, then you are more than welcome to use other suppliers.”