Huge congratulations to Melissa & Ben on their gorgeous and flawless wedding at Stallingborough Grange Hotel in Lincolnshire! We had it all; a slow and chilled start to the day, amazing weather and an incredible time on the dancefloor!
The Beginning
“It all started through a mutual friend called George on the at Cleethorpes Boating Lake. I (Melissa) was having a leaving meal with my family as I was moving to Leeds the next day. George came and said goodbye, and he brought Ben.
From that moment, me and Ben have been inseparable always spending time with each other, whether it’s a day trip out or beach walks in Cleethorpes. Ben used to come visit me in Leeds. We were best friends for over a year and in Summer 2016 we fell in love and made it official. Both of us agree, that the foundation of being friends before a couple has made us solid!
We lived in Leeds for a year together, then moved back home to Grimsby to buy our first home and never left since! Been through some hard times in COVID together, but it’s shown that we are unbreakable and a strong unit.
Bought our second home in Laceby together in October 2022, me and Ben are beyond happy to be living in our hometown together. We look forward to what the future brings, but no matter where we go, we always feel like home when we’re together.
Now 9 years and 2 months later from the day we met, we are becoming Mr & Mrs Murray!
We haven’t set goals for the future, because we want to continue our life just how it is being happy, laughing together and just being us.
We still have a few more places, we would like to travel too. We are not putting any pressure on ourselves to start a family. Everything will fall into place, when it’s meant to be. Every couple has their own love story, but this ours.”
“We got engaged in Costa Adeje, Tenerife on the 6th of June of 2023. We’d been to Tenerife a couple of times before, and Ben decided to pop the question by the sea – it was beautiful! “
Melissa said she was most looking forward to seeing Ben’s face as she walks down the aisle.
“So excited to become Ben’s wife. I also look forward to celebrating with friends & family and the saxophonist! Ben is looking forward to seeing me walk down the aisle and becoming official. But also, just looking forward to all his family and close friends in one room.”
“All of the Murray’s are all together (even family from Canada), it means a lot that everyone took time off work to celebrate with me and Melissa.”
Top tip from the newlyweds
“Do what you want as it’s your special day! I know you need to think of your guests, but your guests are to celebrate with you so do what you want and not what the guests would like. Also, do not compare yourself to what others are doing on social media for wedding prep.
It’s good to get ideas from Pinterest and TikTok, but do not think because someone else has done it, you need too.
Stick to your budget and your original ideas and it’ll be beautiful no matter what! I am glad I followed the advice from my maid of honour and close family.”
The Wedding
Meet Ben
We didn’t get many prep shots for Ben & the guys because they were already dressed and ready to go when I got there! Luckily we managed to get some shots of the details like popping on his watch and tie; and of course, the rings!
If you’ve seen any of my previous Real Wedding Stories; you’ll know I always start with the guys first because they get ready a lot quicker (sorry girls, it’s true!) and it’s much easier for them to take their jacket off again and relax if they want to!
Suit boutique: Hancock Menswear
Meet Melissa
Melissa was such a chilled out and relaxed bride! Definitely the best way to be on your wedding day and it’s even more uncommon to see a bride so relaxed that is ready with time to spare! Melissa kept saying “I just want to see Ben now” – bless her! We had a lovely and emotional bridal reveal to Dad and then the bridesmaids!
Dress boutique: Bride Vibe
The Ceremony
The newlyweds said their “I dos” in the gorgeous Buttercross Suite at Stallingborough Grange Hotel. They had a lovely reading and I just remember seeing how many people were staring at them with adoration!
Cocktail hour
We enjoyed drinks and canapés; and the newlyweds greeted their guests.
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Family Photos
We had our family photos right before the wedding breakfast and made good use of the steps outside of the Buttercross Suite! Melissa and Ben were absolute troopers while working through their list.
Wedding breakfast
“To honour where we got engaged, gone with eucalyptus & foliage, white for the block colour with a hint of champagne for our pop of colour. Wanted simple, elegant but modern theme but also looks aesthetically pleasing.”
Venue dressing: Love in the Limelight
Speeches
The speeches were fantastic, Melissa’s Dad spoke first and was beaming ear to ear the entire time! Ben did his speech next and handed out some lovely gifts to their family members; and of course, the best men closed out the formalities!
Cheers to the newlyweds!
Newlywed Photoshoot
When a couple says “It’s so nice to have some time to ourselves for a bit” I secretly think “Yesss! They get it!” It was so lovely to see them really soak in this time together on their wedding day, away from all of the commotion and with this beautiful sunset instead!
Cake cut & first dance
As the sunset faded and the evening reception began, we cut the cake!
“Our first dance is going to be to ‘Until I found you’ by Stephen Sanchez. This is the actually one of the first things we decided on. We was on a staycation in Hampshire and listening to Radio 2 Sunday Love songs in the carl, and this song came up, and we both said how cute this would be to dance to. So we made it our first dance song, and it never got changed.”
Reception
The energy on the dancefloor was one of the highest I’ve ever seen! Everyone loved vibing with the saxophonist and they all joined in with glasses, light sticks and even props from the photobooth!
Photobooth: A Booth and Beyond
Why choose Stallingborough Grange Hotel for your big day?
As a wedding photographer I have the pleasure of working at so many venues and have the privilege of working with lots of incredible staff. From ‘prep to party’ it can all happen at Stallingborough Grange; it’s a perfect blend between the traditional and the modern.
★ Aimee is Stallingborough Grange Hotel’s officially recommended wedding photographer ★
They are a family owned business who look after you, your guests and your staff alike. They’re kind enough to never say no when I flutter my eyes at them for a coffee!
The hotel itself is like a larged thatched cottage looking building with a cosy rustic bar and restaurant; upstairs the rooms are all light and modern but with twists of glamour and a timeless charm throughout. These rooms make a great area for your pre-wedding photos, and the honeymoon suite is stunning.
The Buttercross Suite is the huge dedicated wedding building, where you can have your ceremony and reception all in one place. The staff can transform the place while your guests enjoy cocktails and canapés outside. It’s neutrally decorated with a chandelier and the ceiling lighting can be changed to suit your colour scheme. A perfect blank slate for those with their own vision!
