Can you imagine stumbling across your wedding venue, as if by chance, whilst out walking when you were actually due to be getting married somewhere else completely? That's exactly what Ros and Ollie did, they had it all planned: A church wedding in Old Malton, the reception in a local hotel and then they discovered Danby Castle...
They were actually collecting grasses to press for their new wedding invitations, after sadly being forced to reschedule from October 2020 to April 2021 which quickly became August 2021, Ros thought the dried grasses on the invites would be a lovely personal touch. When they saw Danby Castle, they both agreed what a beautiful place it would be to get married, little did they know that their original venue would be ringing them in 3 days time to say they were closing and they would no longer be able to host their day. " I was at work, and rang Ollie from the storage cupboard in a bit of a state! He rang me back an hour later to tell me he had booked Danby Castle. I honestly think it was much more 'us' than the other place ever was." Remembers Ros.
How terribly stressful for the pair of them, but it was as if fate were calling them here just days before. Danby is also a place close to Ollie and Ros' hearts; Ollie spent his childhood here, having grown up in the village and Ros used to holiday here as a child with her sister and family.
The pair were right, Danby Castle did make the perfect venue for their day and Ollie added complimenting entertainment to amuse everyone too, with the addition of an artist drawing their guests and a fire throwing performance in the evening. What fun they had, let's take a look at their day shall we.
Ros began it getting ready at Guisborough Hall in the end with her sister, mother and nieces, they'd spend the night before here and had enjoyed seeing one another for the build up to the actual day.
Ros had a make up tutorial so she was more confident doing her wedding make up. With covid looming on the run up to their day she didn't want to risk not looking herself for the wedding and the trial run with the makeup is something that was an unnecessary risk on the run to it.
I met Ollie and the grooms men at the church, where they were meeting and greeting the guests as they arrived. Due to Danby Castle being set in such a rural location, both Ros and Ollie had arranged for the guests to be collected from Guisborough Hall by a coach so they didn't need to worry about taxi's or driving, some guests chose to stay in B &B's in Danby itself, however. Worth the forward thinking thoughts for anyone planning to wed in the back of beyond. 🤔
The couple left the church with more confetti in their underwear than there was on the floor, thanks to some rather mischievous and unruly guests both still smiling though.
On the way to the venue, we stopped for a few photos on a little stone footbridge with a ford running below it. I would have had no idea this gem even existed had it not been for Ollie's familiarity with the area.
Due to covid lots of their guests had never met before, so this was a good chance for everyone to get to know one another. This is one of the things that they both felt came together well; Ros had told me later, it could have been a disaster and hugely awkward had people not just got on and enjoyed one another's company.
Inside the venue, Ros had gone to town with the table names and decor, her ideas were so different and personal to them both. They have a love for maps and walking, they enjoy doing a walk and then adding on sections the next time they go. Ironically, it's how they came across their venue like a said before and because of this Ros printed a section of an OS map for each table and each table was named after a village or town that she had passed through when she used to work in Middlesborough as a deputy head.
Some joyous shots from the speeches, you have to love the speeches!!
Then they cut the cake and the party really got started! Andrew from The Patisserie, in Malton made and delivered the cake, it looked incredible!
OVER TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM...
Your dress was stunning, how did you choose and who was there?
"I went to chose my dress with my mum and my sister. We went to the warehouse place in Northallerton as a first stop. As I went in I briefed them both that I wanted something plain, no sequins. At one point I tried on a ballerina type dress that had spaghetti straps and I clearly remember saying, thus would be lovely if I was having an August wedding, but we better keep looking! 😂😂
After trying on a few blingy numbers just to be sure, the assistant intervened and brought me a dress with a few beads on the corset. I think I sighed and told her I felt it was still too much bling for me. She came back with *my dress* and I loved it straight away, it fit like a glove and my mum cried when she saw me in it. "
The best bit of your day:
Ollie: Seeing Ros for the first time and her sparkling eyes and smile just for me.
Ros: Ollie's face when I was walking down the aisle to him.
Tips to other couples planning a wedding
Enjoy every single second, and accept that somethings will not go to plan. Last minute changes are part of the experience!
Credits to other supplier as they deserve a shout out! Photography: Anoif Photography | Dress: The Bridal Outlet, Northallerton | Shoes: Jasper Conran, my mum has had them years and I have always loved them. They were my something borrowed | Flowers: Horsleys | Jewelery: Henrich and Denzel via Ashberry of York did the rings and the bracelet Ollie gave me. Ashberry helped Ollie pick and design my engagement ring too | Hair piece: Britten veil, and flowers from the florist | Suits: Leonard Silver, Hull | Ties: Same | Shoes: groom's shoes Charles Tyrwhitt | Venue: Danby Castle | Food: Danby Castle | Cake: Andrew, The Patisserie | DJ: Paul Moore | Fire thrower: via AR Entertainments | Artist: AR Entertainments | Sweetie table: all my Mum 🤣🤣
Decor in the venue: me! Honestly, the candle bits were home bargains and the bottles were amazon! I made the chair decorations and maps for the centre.