The awesome Georgie and Lewis finally tied the not at the beautiful Upton St Leonards Church this spring whilst we were still under Covid-19 restrictions. Lots of changes of venues had happened in order that this lovely couple were able to get married. I loved their determination that they were going to be married whatever it took. That’s true love for you!
Following their intimate wedding at Upton St Leonards Church with just immediate family and close friends present, we then made the short journey up to Bowden Hall.
Bowden Hall were brilliant. They had the coolest ‘pods’ for everyone to sit and eat dinner outside. And the really clever thing was that they were clear and also open sided where needed so that guests could interact with each other between pods. Goodness knows the step count each day for the Bowden Hall team, but they were awesome!
And here in their own words is the Wedding Story of Georgie and Lewis for you all to enjoy…
“Danielle (my sister in law) lent me her Bouquet clip from her wedding which covered old, borrowed and blue and she brought me a new charm to hang off it for the wedding.”
“We hired blue tweet suits for Lewis, the groomsmen and fathers.
Unfortunately the company we hired them from were not the best contacts through lockdown and when we went to go and speak to them at our local store it had gone!
Instead everyone wore blue suits and Lewis had one from Next that was lovely so we stuck with that.”
“The church at Upton St Leonards was our family connection.”
“Going in was the wedding march. Leaving was Tom Walker- better half of me
To sign the register we had piano Guys- 5 secrets. Which was perfect and now when we play it brings back the most wonderful memories”
“I went to the NEC wedding showing with future sis and mother in law. I tried on a different dress from Louise Victoria and saw this dress while in the queue.
It was lunch time and I was too hungry to leave the queue, get the dress and join back at the end, it was so far away!
I loved the dress I did try on so book to go to their store and try it again.
At the store I spotted the dress I had seen at the show and still liked it. I tried it on after a few other and just instantly knew it was the one.
The moment I walked out the changing room one of my bridesmaids burst into tears.
Sold! I said yes to the dress.”
“DIY all plans”
“Get wedding insurance … seriously!
Don’t worry about the little things, table decoration don’t matter. We can hardly remember ours.
Make sure you are doing it for you and not for your guests, they will be happy no matter what.
It is your day enjoy it.”
“We had a mini moon in Poole. Stayed in a static caravan with our Son and Dog and it was an amazing week.”
“It all started as Spring time/wood/homemade, and then became whatever worked and we could get done during covid!”
What was your favourite part of your wedding day?
Georgie: “When we signed the register, as there was only 15 people there so everyone could come up to the alter and be involved in this part of the wedding that normally most people miss.”
Lewis: “As we walked out the church knowing we were finally married and a family”
“The first plan was for 09.05.2020. I got my dress quite quickly as on 24th Feb 2019 we found out we were pregnant with our Son, Ezra.
For us the church was important. This is where my (Georgie) parents and aunties and uncles were married, my grandparents attend church there and family are buried there.
For Lewis he had always wanted to be married in a church. We found a venue, bar, caterers, florist, cake maker, car and were all set for this date then covid hit. We had to make one of the hardest decisions to move the wedding just before lockdown came.
We tried to re arrange the same wedding for the following year but unfortunately not all suppliers were as understanding and accepting as others so we had to find another date and another venue.
This is when we found Cowley Manor. We booked in for 2021 without seeing it due to lockdown restrictions and move all suppliers that we needed, we were on track. Covid had other plans for us. We were going to be stuck with the number restriction but we came to terms with this. Then our venue wouldn’t be able to open in time.
New plan! Bowden hall. Beautiful room, could do our date, the numbers worked for them, it was looking good.
One again we were knocked back, just not too far.
Plan number 5 by this point, Outside! and we were so lucky that Bowden hall were building their pods. So all in all, 2 ½ years and multiple plans but we made it.”
Georgie: “Lewis proposed 02.09.18. We brought our first house together; the day we got the keys his parents and my dad were over.
Little did I know, Lewis’s brother had the ring and was running late so Lewis was panicking and I couldn’t work out why.
We were having photos at the front door with our keys and family watching when he got down on one knee and popped the question.
I was so shocked, the first thing I said was ‘Oh My God’ followed by a big ‘Yes’.”
“As you can see from above this was not our first choice or even second but we are so happy we had it when it came down to it.
The pods were amazing and the location of them on the grounds of Bowden was perfect.”
“Everything!
Even though this was not our first plan we were so happy with our day and couldn’t have asked for anything better.
Our Vicar was relaxed and friendly so the ceremony was wonderful, Bowden hall couldn’t have done any more for us.
They arrange everything, catered to all our needs and went above and beyond to make sure everything was okay.
You were wonderful, kept everyone in check for photographs. Knew what we wanted and made it happen.”
“The cake stand and name places were made by Lewis. The flowers were created by both of us.”
“A small wedding is wonderful.”
Georgie: “My best friend convinced me to go on Plenty of Fish (POF). Lewis and I started speaking in August 2016.
Lewis sent a message ‘what is the angriest stitch’ after reading my profile (Georgie works in textiles) and seeing that I did fashion and sewing.
In September we went on our first date to the local pub. We didn’t stop speaking and laughing the whole night (we were kicked out as they were closing) and it has been that way ever since.”
“The final plan yes! We were very relaxed about everything by then.
The small things that were so important on the first plan didn’t matter anymore. We just wanted to be married.”
“I (Georgie) met you at a wedding fayre and felt so relaxed when we spoke.
I came home and told Lewis all about you. We booked in to meet and instantly knew it was the right fit.
You understood that we were not in-front of the camera people and never pushed us to be that way.
You went through all the details clearly and we were so happy we never looked for another photographer.”
“Lemon and carrot. Lewis chose the Carrot which I don’t like so made it the smaller layer on top!”
Georgie: Ham Hock Terrine to start, followed by Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken, and then for pudding; Apple, Pear & Walnut Crumble.
Lewis: – Ham Hock Terrine to start, followed by Honey Roast Loin of Pork, and then for pudding; Rhubarb & Custard Eton Mess.
Photography by Nikki Kirk
Ceremony venue: Upton St Leonards Church
Reception venue: Bowden Hall
Flowers: Brought cut flowers from Kate Hurts Camomile & Cornflower then did the bouquets and button holes ourselves
Dress: Louise Victoria
Bridesmaid dresses: JJ’s House
Groom’s outfit: Next
Cake: A work college made this, Amy
Catering: Bowden Hall
Transport: Georgie: Dad hired a tesla
Entertainment: A wedding playlist from Spotify
Favours: Handmade name tags and sweet bags
Hair and beauty: The pamper Rooms/Bridal Prep Rooms
Rings including engagement ring: Goldsmiths