The Wedding of Jules and Rob - 17th September 2011

From the first time I meet Jules, ringing ahead to ask for the co – ordinates for her helicopter to land on the hotel’s lawn, I thought, this is my kind of woman! Bringing her mummy along with her for much needed second opinions we had a great first meeting going through all the finer details for her big day with us. Knowing from day one exactly what she wanted, Jules had a clear determination to deliver it in understated elegance and tasteful touches.

 On Friday 16^th,  the day arrived for Jules & Co to take over The Rectory for her two day wedding weekend. Having been a pleasure to work with leading up to the wedding I was filled with excited anticipation of what colours and finishing touches she and Rob would have finally gone for.

She didn’t let me down. Choosing the fresh flower company, www.thefreshflowercompany.co.uk from nearby Chippenham, a Croque Em Bouche Wedding Cake from Cirencester based Lick the Spoon, www.lickthespoon.co.uk  and bringing with her a stunning gown made especially for her, I was in excitement overdrive.

As many of our brides do, Jules chose to start her special weekend with a supper in our beautiful pub, The Potting Shed. An indulgent menu of scallops followed by venison with garlic and thyme dauphinoise was had with wine and family and a, (surprisingly), fairly early night to bed for the Goss/Beazley clan.

As a cool autumnal day awoke The Rectory, beams of shy sunlight caressed the windows and warmed the rooms and preparations got underway. Breakfast was had and the florists and Emma from www.cotswolschaircovers.co.uk arrived to assist in turning our conservatory into a stunning ceremony room. Peacock feathers being the theme, the girls from the fresh flower company did not disappoint and the struts draped with soft eucalyptus leaf, bud pink roses and ripe green chrysanthemums. Complemented by two displays flanking the registrar’s desk made up of calla lilies, autumnal berries, roses and orchids. Completed with simple white chair covers and sashes, the room echoed Jules to perfection: tasteful, elegant and chic.

At 3.00pm guests began to gather and pimms was served all round. A very calm groom had his chat with the registrars followed by an eager bride, making her way down the stairs followed by her two sisters dressed in striking blue to tie in with the peacock feather theme,  finished with their grandmother’s necklaces, giving a warming indication of the true family values Jules epitomised throughout her plans.

In stunning nude lace shoes and a dress fitted to perfection, accentuating every perfect curve, Jules made her way around the gardens and down the final Cotswold gravelled path, with the first of the autumn leaves underfoot and a bright blue sky above , our bride made a graceful entrance into the conservatory to her awaiting future husband.

Emerging as Mrs Beazley-Goss, Jules and Rob, along with their friends and family, enjoyed canapés of tuna sashimi, Parma ham, fig and goats cheese bundles and wild mushroom filo parcels complimented by jugs of pimms and homemade lemonade, enjoying the last of the summer’s glow in the late afternoon light.

Ushered through to the dining room and expertly transformed conservatory, guests sat at the neatly dressed tables to enjoy a 3 course meal of crab cakes followed by roasted fillet of beef with dauphionoise potatoes and petit vegetables.

Deciding on The Rectory’s beautiful gardens to serve the dessert, guests were held captive to the stunning Croque Em Bouche, delicately decorated with hundreds of handmade white chocolate flowers and expertly built on site by the wonderful Lick the Spoon. Feeling slightly nervous and a little bit guilty for the destruction, I, along with Victoria, began to reverse all of Diana’s hard work and serve the tower of toffee glazed profiteroles to the eagerly awaiting guests, accompanied simply with fresh strawberries, everyone unanimously agreed, it was THE BEST thing they had ever eaten!

As the light began to fade and the lanterns dotted around the garden began to twinkle everyone made their way back indoors for the band to start in the conservatory and, for what was the main attraction of the night, the extraordinarily talented illusionist Jules and Rob had organised to mingle among the guests and then perform a theatre style show in the dining room. With lots of wine and champagne still flowing the house was full of peals of laughter, wows of disbelief and the sound of music well into the night.

Jules and Rob’s big day was as fun filled and happy as they are and it was a pleasure to help in making it so. We wish them both a relaxing and food filled honeymoon in Crete and wish them all the very best in their bright future together.

sarah and petes wedding 24th July

We have all been so excited about Sarah and Pete’s Wedding from the start of Wedding Season. A better looking, more genuine, down to earth couple you could not wish to meet.

From our first meeting Sarah and Pete both wanted the emphasis on their day to be about having fun and for their close friends and family to enjoy their day with them.

Slightly worried about the weather forecast, (when are we not), the preparations got under way mid week with Sarah dropping off her array of fastidiously sourced vintage china, (http://www.laviniasteaparty.co.uk/) lace table cloths and tiny Bedouin style silver tea light holders with dainty little handles, (complete with miniature ivory pillar candles that on arrival would not fit and our patient bride spent many a pre wedding evening in front of the TV carefully chiselling them down!)

Sunday came and the sunshine with it and all were happy at The Rectory as we began an early morning transformation of the Conservatory and Dining Room into Sarah’s perfect day. The ladies from Fresh Flower Company arrived with their usual amazing array of natural and feminine flowers. Blooms of Hydrangas, being the ‘flower de jour’ this season, were delicately hung across the Conservatory struts and swagged across the front of the top table with olive green foliage. Huge urns of delphiniums, lizzyanthus, roses and sweetpeas stood tall and elegant either side of the registrar’s desk and sprigs of lavender and eclectic mixes of glass vases and jars with ribbon and lace give the perfect finish to the table settings of a country house in summer.

As we set the tables with all of Sarah’s finishing touches, an aperitif table laden with heavy silver ice buckets full of bottles of fizz and a vintage tea party station in the sunkissed walled gardens, the bridal party began to arrive. A very stylish groom nervously ushered friends into the hotel and had his chat with the registrars. As we finally tucked all guests away into the Conservatory, the beautiful bride arrived. Dressed in an elegant, beaded Jenny Packham creation with vintage diamond headpiece, finished of with a pair of oyster gold Jimmy Choos, she simply looked like a princess. A trio of bridesmaids with legs bambi would be envious of were at her side and a very proud father to follow. After her moment with the registrar, I led Sarah and the girls around the gardens for her entrance into the Conservatory to meet her awaiting Prince Charming.

After the small ceremony two very happy, very relieved looking people led their family and friends into the garden and with a glass of champagne in hand began to have their pictures taken and relax into their perfect summer’s wedding day. An abundance of canapés later and the wedding party were ready to sit down to enjoy their meal. With some tear jerking speeches out of the way the party enjoyed seared king scallops with apple and ginger puree and a fennel sauce, followed by slow roasted belly pork with sage mash and apple compote, finished off perfectly with Raspberry Crème Brulee and Shortbread.

Then came what I think I can safely say, Sarah’s favourite part of the day, Cocktail Hour! Mojitos, Cosmos and Bilinis were served in the garden, alongside Sarah’s vintage tea party selection, whilst the talented Matt B on acoustic guitar played the late afternoon sun into early evening, with picnic blankets on the grass and friends happy and relaxed the evening guests began to arrive.

With Igo Pa system in the Conservatory, Sarah and Pete had their own ipods playing set lists they had chosen themselves and the party really got underway.

Sarah and Pete and all of their family and friends were joy to work for and we wish them both a lifetime of happiness and love and lots of fun on their honeymoon!

Rose and Ethan Sen's Wedding - 11/06/11

        

Rose and Ethan met with me for a final run through of their Wedding Day last month. We went through all the finer details of their big day and as I sat listening to them speaking about their hopes and dreams for their wedding I was struck by what a kind natured and gentle couple they made. Everything was in place and Rose’s extreme efficiency meant that no detail was left unfinished. On the final lead up to the wedding a few unavoidable tweaks were made here and there but sure enough Rose met this with a methodical calm and as expected, a very neat and up to date spreadsheet would always follow.

The day before the wedding Rose and Ethan’s stunning marquee, supplied by Elegant Marquees, was put up in record time and our bride began to set up the special decorations and finishing touches. Along with an army of equally pretty sister’s, I mused, there must be a lot of young men very envious of Ethan’s position right now. A favourite finshing touch of mine was the white wooden letters across the fire place in the dining room matching the contemporary print above perfectly.

The bridal party finished their day with a ‘Wedding Eve Supper’ at our pub,                 The Potting Shed. Enjoying some of our Head Chef’s sumptuous new summer creations and a well deserved, relaxed family meal after a hectic week our happy couple  were then off to bed, ready for an early start greeting florists, guests and chair covers alike and of course to have a very important breakfast to set them in good sted for the day ahead.

As always everything came together for the Big Day. Even the nasty sombre clouds that had been threatening to erupt over the weather channels Rose had admittedly become addicted to tuning into throughout the week decided it best to head elsewhere, (probably Scotland!), and the sunshine shone on The Rectory as the busy morning got underway. The calmness of the bride resonated into the Wedding Team at The Rectory and all was in place and order well before time. The marquee Rose and Ethan had chosen with the clear back wall reflected the lush green grass and country gardens giving the room light and a real connection to its surroundings. Soft ripples of cream fabric swaged from the roof complemented by the simple white chair covers and sashes and the vibrant cornflower blue of the hydrangeas arranged with lush and full roses and studs of proud lavender. Co-ordinated gracefully with Rose’s fairy like bridesmaid’s dresses the table at the centre of the marquee held the flawless white wedding cake studded with the same stunning hydrangea blooms.

After making her way with her proud father and bridesmaids down the Cotswold gravel driveway next door to the angelic All Saints Church where a patient groom awaited, Rose emerged as Mrs Sen to the peel of church bells and showers of delicate petals of confetti.

Flutes of White Peach Bilinis and Sparkling Elderflower and Pomegranate were enjoyed along with the ever popular canapés in our beautiful, and thankfully sun kissed, gardens as Rose and Ethan were taken away to pose for their special photographs of their big day. Champagne flutes topped up and the aperitif was followed by speeches on the stone steps leading up to the lawn which made a natural stage for Rose’s father, her proud new husband and a nervous best man. After much laughter and reminiscing about the Rose and Ethan’s journey so far,  the Wedding Party were ready to make their way in to the marquee. Candle lit and welcoming the guests sat ready to enjoy a thoughtfully put together wedding breakfast of Cerney Goat’s Cheese Crostini with marinated cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and balsamic dressing, followed by a bespoke salmon dish, complemented by (my favouritest thing in the world, well, dessert world), Rectory Raspberry Crème Brulee with voluptuous and shiny raspberry sorbet, finished with homemade vanilla bean shortbread.

As the church bells tolled 8.00pm marking the start of the couple’s evening reception the cake was ceremoniously cut and the bride and groom took to the dance floor for their first dance. Evening guests arrived and the wedding party dispersed into the house and gardens to relax and enjoy the summer’s evening and the finale to Rose and Ethan’s perfect day.

The gentle and caring characters I saw in them that day we met in March shone through and made it such a delight to work for them on their special day. It was very clear for all to see the love Rose and Ethan share for one another and we wish them both a lifetime of happiness and a well deserved and decadent honeymoon in Mauritius. 

To experience your magical day with us or for any event enquiries please contact Gemma on 01666 577194 events@therectoryhotel.com

Santer Hemming Wedding

Hemming Santer Wedding 28^th May 2011

Our happy couple this week arrived in relaxed fashion with family in tow on Friday afternoon. After a last minute check of decorations and the marquee that had been erected in Elegant Marquee’s usual professional speed. Jessica was a perfect bride, relaxed and very well organised. Everything was calm and with everything in place the boys ambled across the road to The Potting Shed to enjoy an their selection of real ales and local ciders followed by a rustic three course meal in The Hide, The Potting Shed’s stylish and 'country chic' private Dining Room, frequented by Prince William and his Beloved, the perfect place  for some last minute boy time. The bride and her girls stayed with us over at The Rectory, taking in the gardens in the early evening glow they gathered in the bar for drinks and then drifted through to the conservatory for an elegant private dinner party.

The Wedding morning began as the bride and her friends made thier way down to enjoy a family breakfast as our wedding team quietly finished off dressing the beautiful marquee. With delicate white washed wooden chairs in each place matching the Bride’s radiant colour theme of white and cream. Flowers sat prettily in delicate cut glass vases and champagne shaded satin ribbons looped around the crisp white linen napkins with dainty menu’s tucked behind, they were finished with hand stamped name tags for each guest. The tables named after special holiday destinations of Tom and Jessica’s. When complete the marquee was a pleasure to behold, delicate, chic and simple colours and fabrics gave way to intricate, contemporary and tasteful finishes.

Throughout the morning a few rain drop laden, heavy clouds threatened and as Jessica descended the stairs followed by her attentive troop of bridesmaids, all dressed in strapless silk, we worried for the worst and retrieved the well thought through starch white umbrellas Jessica had delivered to the hotel earlier in the week. As the bride gathered her thoughts and the folds of cream taffeta from her stunning lace detailed dress we got ready to provide cover for her walk down the drive to the ancient church next door where her groom awaited. A short moment later the clouds seem to scurry away and by the time Jessica emerged as Mrs Santer the bright blue skies we are so much more used to in our little Cotswold village broke through and the bridal party drinks happily went ahead in the dewy gardens. Prosecco and white peach billinis, jugs of fruit strewn Pimms and bright raspberry Moscow mules were served to Jessica and Tom’s guests along with a delicate selection of canapés.

Soon it was time to make the way into the marquee where our Wedding Party enjoyed an elegant menu befitting of the surroundings. Chicken liver parfait encased in truffle butter with melba toasts and pear chutney followed by slow cooked belly pork with apple compote and sage mash finished off with the choice of chocolate tart and baileys ice cream or raspberry crème brulee with shortbread and cherry sorbet.

As day gave way to night and evening guests arrived our wedding party made their way through to the Dining Room where a special dance floor had been efficiently put in place earlier that morning and a swing band had discretely set up ready to sing the happy couple into their first dance and on into the night. Drinks began to flow and an evening buffet of bruchetta, homemade sausage rolls and miniature kebabs were enjoyed along with the couple's sensational wedding cake. On the outside a chic white creation of hundreds of tumbling tiny sugar flowers, inside giving way to layers of every different cake you can imagine, providing something for everyone as they celebrated Tom and Jessica's special day.

Tom and Jessica’s wedding was stylish, relaxed and happy, just as they were. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and a very relaxing honeymoon in the Seychelles.

For more information on Weddings and Events at The Rectory please contact Gemma on 01666 577194 events@therectoryhotel.com

More Tea Vicar? - Wood Caines Wedding 21/05/12

Beth and Dan had always had their hearts set on a vintage styled wedding, with this embracing the eccentric homely-ness of The Rectory, representing their character's and making it a weekend their friends and family would remember forever.

With Bethany's mum, Heather, owning "A Touch of Vinatge" in Lyme Regis in Dorset, stocking everything from quirky homeware and handbags to original auction house finds, this creative path seemed a natural way to go for our adorable bride. With months of planning behind us, Bethany and her little sister Rosie, arrived on friday afternoon under a tidal wave of Cath Kidston bags full of exciting old fashioned games, sweets, cupcakes and vintage china.

We went about sorting through these and deciding on perfect spots for everything as Beth's friends, (and her groom), snuck off to make the most of the bright blue skies and our invitingly warm outdoor pool accompanied with nibbles and drinks. Beth, a committed bride, carried on with preparations before meeting one of our beauty therapists up in her room to have her nails manicured to perfection.

Old fashioned pic 'n' mix jars in place, bunting hung and eclectic jam jars and tea cups filled with tea lights dotted around the gardens, Beth and Dan set off over the road with friends and family in tow to enjoy a hearty meal at our award winning pub, The Potting Shed.

The following morning awoke to birdsong and sunshine and the house came alive with the chatter of nerves and excitement over a plentiful Cotswold Breakfast for all. As the bridal party began their preparations upstairs The Rectory's Wedding Team set about laying the picture perfect gardens ready for afternoon tea.

As the excited wedding guests made their way downstairs they were ushered through the hidden gateway into the churchyard and up the path to be greeted by our formidably friendly vicar into the main atrium of Crudwell's breathtaking ancient church. Bethany followed soon after in a delicate lace gown tailored around her tiny waist, fitting perfectly to her romantic and timeless English country garden wedding.

    

After a beautiful service it was back through the churchyard to be treated to afternoon tea in the sunshine and a few rounds of croquet on the lawn. With eclectic pieces of china sourced from Dorset auction houses, old silver teapots spilling with wild flowers and roses, and glass pitchers of old fashioned lemonade, you could have been mistaken for believing you had stumbled back in time to the 1940's and been cordially invited to a Vicar's Summer Garden Party.

Classic woollen picnic blankets adorned the lawns, pretty lace tablecloths draped across the garden furniture and fluttered in the breeze laden with fruit scones, silver serving bowls brimming with glossy home made jam and plates piled high with folds of vanilla seed studded cream. Guests tucked in whilst Beth's photographer went about capturing the timeless moments on film. Jugs of  Pimms were to follow and Beth and Dan's party were joined by the obedient peel of bells from the old church in the background, marking the hours casually spent whiled away with their closest friends and family celebrating their special day.

As the sun began to tire the guests made their way into the Conservatory to take in the tooth achingly sweet sight of the baby pink and cream tower of cupcakes. Beth and Dan cut the little cake at the very top of the pile to rounds of applause and the chiming of glasses of ice cold Prosecco. Shown through to the panelled dining room tables lay finished off with antique silver candle stick holders and royal purple candles, glowing warmly above the loosely arranged white and purple posies. The wedding party then enjoyed the delicately put together menu of Pea and Mint Risotto completed with a single shiny sail of crispy parma ham, followed by roasted baby chicken sat proudly on a bacon and leek purée finished with a tarragon jus. The day of indulgence was rounded off with a specially designed trio of chocolate desserts, (especially made for the slimmest chocoholic bride I have ever met!), consisting of chocolate creme brulee, chocolate panna cotta and a triple chocolate ice cream.

After some relaxing tea and coffee served in Bethany's special china and some strolls around the gardens, dusk fell over The Rectory like a warm blanket. Tea lights in glass jam jars dotted around the baptism pool were set a-glow and the wedding party took to the Conservatory to dance the night away, a drink in one hand and a bag of pic 'n' mix in the other!

A perfectly quintessential English weekend was had by all, both guests and staff included and we wish Bethany and Dan a very happy honeymoon in the Italian Sunshine!

To hold your perfect day here at The Rectory Hotel please contact Gemma on 01666 577 194 or email events@therectoryhotel.com

The Carter Wells Wedding

From my first meeting with our bubbly young couple Kristy and Brendan, the detail and care they had put into their special day was clear to see. Accompanied by Kristy’s proud parents, offering both love, support and some extremely precise and organised spreadsheets and table plans, (I was Dawn’s new number 1 fan!), the closeness of this family was clear to see. Brendan did well, giving nods and encouragement in all the right places, but slightly more emphatically at the most important points, the special delivery of Stowford Press Cider and the 120 person evening Hog Roast. With this healthy balance of priorities, I thought, we are going to do well!  

With a few further afield family members, (including Kristy's loving and totally adorable grandmother, travelling all the way from Yorkshire), arriving on Friday afternoon and checking in to one of our 12 bespoke bedrooms, along with several 100’s of boxes of meticulously thought through and colour co-ordinated table favours and special decorations, Kristy and Brendan took to the Conservatory for a final ceremony run through.

Formalities over with and the excited couple were joined by more family members and set off over the way to our award winning pub, The Potting Shed, ready to enjoy a relaxed supper of down to earth, seasonal creations in the Private Dining Room. Full of fine food and much cheer, everyone was  off to bed ready for the big day.

The following morning was an early start for the boys as they set off bright eyed and (maybe not so) bushy tailed for a game of golf at nearby Oaksey Golf Course. With Kristy and the bridal party safely tucked away in preparation at her nearby family home the boys returned for a full Cotswold Breakfast to stand them in good sted for the forthcoming celebrations.

With Kristy and Dawn’s exact wishes in mind our wedding team busied themselves with creating the perfect ambience for our special couple. An elegantly dressed Conservatory gave way to neat little rows of chairs covered with white silk and tied with soft organza sashes. The main doors opening out onto the Victorian walled gardens were guarded either side by two pretty bay trees, standing to attention and studded with soft cream gerberas and tiny fairy lights. Doors opening through to a wave of iridescent sea green flashes, glinting like mermaids scales and enchanting the crisp white linen tables, bringing the original 18^th century wood panelled Dining Room to life.

Finished off with table centres in understated elegance of cream gerberas and roses supplied by Oppsydaisy flowers based in Cirencester www.oopsadaisy.co.uk/wedding.html

Sat proudly in a corner was the outstanding chocolate ganache wedding cake, created by the talented team at ‘Lick the Spoon’ also based in nearby Cirencester. http://www.lickthespoon.co.uk/ 

As guests started to arrive the sun began to peep from behind the scattered white clouds and the Cotswold sky seemed to light up ready for Kristy’s arrival. A buzz of happiness and smiles flowed through the rooms and groomsmen nervously began to pace back and forth ready for their big moments.

Kristy arrived with her proud daddy in a vintage car fitting into The Rectory’s gravel driveway as though it had always been there. Slipping effortlessly from the car in a stunning strapless gown with full and rounded train flowing behind her like a satin mill pond of double cream and led by her tiny and cute as a button, 2 year old bridesmaid Sienna, Kristy was ready to make her way through The Rectory’s grounds and into the Conservatory to her awaiting groom.

The ceremony was followed by Pimms and Canapés on the lawn as our photographer for the day, Tom Weller http://www.tomwellerphotography.com/ got to work capturing the relaxed and picture perfect moments Kristy and Brendan would come to treasure forever.

As the reception got under way in the spring sunshine the fairies came in and transformed the conservatory from a pretty and ethereal ceremonial space to an elegant extension of the perfectly laid dining room where guests were to enjoy the divine menu chosen by our couple. A Cerney goat’s cheese and cherry tomato crostini with flecks of basil oil and balsamic was followed by delicately roasted baby chicken sat atop a leek and bacon puree finished in a tarragon jus. The bride and groom chose wisely to finish with our chef’s famous raspberry crème brulee with homemade Rectory shortbread topped with a shiny nose of raspberry sorbet.

With everyone merry and full we went about preparing the hog that had been gently burnishing throughout the day to provide some much needed sustenance for the arrival of the evening guests. As the stars came out and the DJ played, the Stowford Press Cider flowed and the house was filled with peels of laughter and happy faces and a good time was had by all.

It was a pleasure to be part of such a lovely families’ day and to see, with a little help from The Rectory, the love and warmth felt by all involved sparkling happily in every corner.

For all enquiries regarding weddings and events at The Rectory Hotel and Potting Shed Pub please email Gemma on events@therectoryhotel.com