Kylie and Neil met in 2005, after a chance meeting in a bar. Kylie had been to the cinema with a friend, and after the film they decided to go for a drink. The bar manager, who Kylie knew well, had a friend visiting (Neil), and Kylie and Neil spent the evening chatting at the bar. As Kylie and her friend left, Neil followed and asked for Kylie's number. Two weeks later they went for a date, and now, 7 years later, they have two daughters and are married.

The Proposal

Kylie and Neil got engaged on Christmas day. Neil was cooking lunch for Kylie and her family, and after they sat to eat they began pulling crackers. Kylie pulled hers with Neil, and was disappointed to find she did not have a wind-up racing reindeer that everybody else had got in their crackers. On closer inspection she realised there was a piece of card inside, and when she pulled it out and opened it she found a note which read "Will you marry me?"

Hen and Stag Parties

Neil and his stags went to Butlins in Bognor Regis for a 70's and 80's themed weekend. He dressed up as The Milkybar Kid, as he used to look like him when he was a child.

Kylie went to London and had afternoon tea at The Strand, went shopping, saw the musical 'Rock of Ages', and went for a meal and comedy night.

Wedding Theme

The wedding theme was 'vintage country wedding', with a colour scheme of pink, peach and cream.

The Outfits

Kylie wore Cloris by Sophia Tolli, a classic a-line wedding dress in ivory, with crystals and pearls, bought from Expressions Bridalwear in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Kylie's bridesmaids all wore made-to-measure long pink bridesmaid dresses, with sweetheart necklines and diamanté detailing, from Cambridge Bridal Studio.

Neil and his groomsmen wore grey suits with grey waistcoats and pink ties, also from Expressions Bridalwear.

The Flowers

Kylie's favourite flower helianthemum was used in the wedding flowers, along with pink and peach roses, and hydrangea. The flowers were supplied by The Flower Room in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

The Ceremony and Reception

Kylie and Neil had a church ceremony at St Mary's Church in Northill, Bedfordshire. As Neil plays the trumpet they had a trumpet player to play along with the organist, and they also had a solo singer who sang one of Kylie's favourite hymns.

The reception was held at South Farm in Royston, Cambridgeshire. They enjoyed a hog roast as their wedding breakfast, and for their entertainment a jazz band played during the day, and they also had a balloon artist for the children, a magician, and a Blues Brothers Band.

The Photographer

Kylie and Neil chose Gareth Squance Photography as their wedding photographer. Although they love every single photo, the one that stands out is their first dance photo where Kylie is holding Neil, with a beaming smile on her face.

Wedding Details

In keeping with the farm theme, Kylie and Neil had hessian table runners, enamel jugs, and country style signs and chalkboards. They asked all their guests to leave their fingerprints on a fingerprint tree, which is now framed as a keepsake, and they used fabric squares as their guest book, which have now been made into a quilt. Instead of favours they had a sweet stand, and they put the money they saved from the favours towards the entertainment.

Memories

"For both of us the most exciting and memorable moment was when we finally saw each other in church; I will never forget the look on Neil's face when he first caught site of me!"

The Wedding Community

"I used the Real Weddings section to search for ideas and see what had worked for other people's weddings."

Tips and Ideas

"Organise everyone; don't assume they know what to do or will remember! It made our day run so smoothly and meant I did not have to worry about anyone not knowing where they needed to be or what job they needed to be doing."

Bride's Top Tip

"Take time out to find your groom at least once throughout the evening. Neil and I went to find each other and take the atmosphere in together for 5 minutes."

Groom's Top Tip

"Stay calm, take it all in, and enjoy the day."

Best Buy

"I bought fabric and hessian from ebay and made 120ft of bunting and 14 table runners, all for £40!"

Money Saving Tips

"Call in the favours; someone will be able to make it or lend it to you. If not, make it yourself."

Bride's Beauty Tips

"My bridesmaid took me to the beauty counter for a trial and the lady on the make-up counter showed me how to do my own make-up. I saved a fortune and still have the make-up afterwards! Also, don't buy what you would not use again, and try before you buy; you don't want to react to it or find it looks horrid in photos on the day!"

See more pictures from this wedding by viewing the 'A Country Wedding in Cambridgeshire' post on The Wedding Community blog

Photography: Gareth Squance Photography

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