Sophie and Sam had actually done the official side of things the Wednesday before, in Masham, but their crazy ceremony and party was held on the following Saturday.
Sophie grew up in the village of Sinnington in North Yorkshire, where she and Sam planned their celebrations. As a child she's been able to see the location they planned their wedding, from her bedroom window, so it meant a lot to her. The venue was kindly provided by a neighbouring villager, who owned the semi-derelict medieval, old hall, the building was covered in cobwebs and full of old furniture when Sophie showed me around, but she had a clear vision of how spectacular it could look.
Both Sophie and Sam got ready in the village, Sam and his four groomsmen wore shorts, crazy, brightly patterned, short sleeved shirts and bow ties along with their mishmash selection of Vans and ankle socks. It sounds crazy right? But looked wicked! They casually got ready in Sophie's parents house and enjoyed leisurely drinks before heading up to the hall to get the personalised beers in the bathtub of ice.
Sophie and the girls (there were 8, 2 were maids of honour) were in a nearby holiday cottage, they were enjoying an odd glass or two of Prosecco whilst glamourising one another. Between them they did their own hair and makeup with the exception of Sophie, who had close friend Whit, a beautician come to do hers. The bridesmaids wore unique, white dresses that they chosen by themselves, with the only instruction being that they needed to have some lace on them somewhere. They teamed these with matching white Vans that had been personalised by Sophie with alphabet beads- she'd spelt their nicknames. Sophie wore the most stunning dress (sea-blue, full skirt with a delicate white lace top) obviously she wore this with a pair of Vans too. She decorated her curly blonde locks with a thistle, floral headpiece and her bouquet contained flowers that had, had to be shipped in from Africa. When the girls were finally ready they kicked the boys out of the Sophie’s parents house and headed there for the final touches...glitter face decorations!
Because Sophie, Sam and their families are big on the outdoors, there was no way they’d get through the day without somehow bringing this to the event. So I suppose it shouldn't have been a surprise that when it came to getting her and her 8 bridesmaids to the place where her 'ceremony' was going to take place, to learn that she had a selection of 9 road bikes and trikes to take them up the hill. There was a lot of noise outside her childhood home that afternoon! Sophie's dad drove her up on the back of his KTM after the girls had gone. Sophie really rocked when she arrived that day.
The ceremony was to take place in the terraced gardens of the manor house near to where the hall was located, she followed her many bridesmaids down the aisle with both Mum and Dad at her side, it was an emotional affair. Sophie and Sam were then 'married' by their friend, who had dressed up as a vicar in a outfit they'd proudly ordered off eBay. There had written their own humorous vows which they exchanged as they were watched by their hundreds of friends and family adorning the terraces of the garden. After they walked up the lantern lined aisle with a beer in each of their hands as these were showered with confetti and the live music of the acoustic singer drifted across the garden.
From then on the party started, they had a pop up bar serving cocktails and beers along gourmet finger food, served by a local catering company. Guests were everywhere, the gardens, the hall, the courtyard, the shed, there was so much space. They chatted and laughed in to sun as the music continued to play and the glitter was applied to anyone who wanted it, which was pretty much everyone! There was a mobile, stone baked pizza oven company for around 6 hours serving the guests with pizza of their choice. They could order from the range of different topping and then collect it when it was ready whenever they liked.
As the drink flowed and the night drew in and Sophie and Sam enjoyed one side-splitting speech, from Sam's brother followed by their first dance in the hall. After this they had a surprise from one of their guests, who got up unbeknown to most and sung a selection of songs with he band. One song of which was so special to Sophie, her and her Dad's song, Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader she boogied with her Dad a hugged him tight. As some guest chose to continue dancing, others enjoyed the warm night, chatting outside in the courtyard, which had been lit with flaming log burners. A fun filled, jam packed day!
