“Our song was a massive thing for us. We are huge fans of Billy Joel so had ‘(I Love You) Just the Way You Are’. It summed up everything we felt about each other - and still do!!!!”
Lesley and Richard Hunter wed in a romantic, fairytale castle on 26th June 2004. They met when Lesley, aged 17, booked a holiday for Richard and his friends in the travel agent where she worked. Some say it was their ‘passport to love….!’
Tell us about the proposal
Lesley was away on holiday in Greece with her Mum when she rang home to speak to Richard. “I was told there was something special waiting for me when I got home. Richard had booked a hotel in Liverpool and a meal for my first night back home, and proposed in the hotel room!”
Theme of the wedding
Lesley wanted a “very romantic fairytale wedding” and was inspired by the splendid Victorian Country House that is Bodelwyddan Castle, Denbyshire, North Wales (http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk/). The 260 acres of beautiful parkland made for a perfect setting. They were married in a civil ceremony within the Castle. Lesley chose lilac and hints of silver for their colour scheme. The evening reception was held at the Devonshire House hotel, Liverpool (http://www.devonshirehotelliverpool.co.uk/).
Lesley wanted a “very romantic fairytale wedding” and was inspired by the splendid Victorian Country House that is Bodelwyddan Castle, Denbyshire, North Wales (http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk/). The 260 acres of beautiful parkland made for a perfect setting. They were married in a civil ceremony within the Castle. Lesley chose lilac and hints of silver for their colour scheme. The evening reception was held at the Devonshire House hotel, Liverpool (http://www.devonshirehotelliverpool.co.uk/).
Tell us about your dress
Lesley’s beautiful dress by designer Maggie Sottero was both traditional and romantic. “It was a diamond white dress with crystals and sequins ruched to the side, with detail on the train.” Lesley purchased it from the former Liverpool Bridal House, now rebranded as the Liverpool Bridal Gallery (http://www.liverpoolbridalgallery.com/) and received “fantastic service and attention from Maria.”
Lesley’s beautiful dress by designer Maggie Sottero was both traditional and romantic. “It was a diamond white dress with crystals and sequins ruched to the side, with detail on the train.” Lesley purchased it from the former Liverpool Bridal House, now rebranded as the Liverpool Bridal Gallery (http://www.liverpoolbridalgallery.com/) and received “fantastic service and attention from Maria.”
Describe your accessories
Lesley had a matching Maggie Sottero bag (http://www.maggiesottero.com/) to accompany her dress, and wore a pear shaped diamond necklace as her ‘something old’. “My tiara was from a friend as my borrowed item.” Lesley’s ‘something blue’ was a new garter.
Lesley had a matching Maggie Sottero bag (http://www.maggiesottero.com/) to accompany her dress, and wore a pear shaped diamond necklace as her ‘something old’. “My tiara was from a friend as my borrowed item.” Lesley’s ‘something blue’ was a new garter.
Describe the Groom’s outfit
To compliment their theme, Richard wore an ivory suit with a long jacket, silver waistcoat and lilac cravat. It was hired from Groom within the Wedding House, Liverpool (http://www.theweddinghouse.co.uk/)
To compliment their theme, Richard wore an ivory suit with a long jacket, silver waistcoat and lilac cravat. It was hired from Groom within the Wedding House, Liverpool (http://www.theweddinghouse.co.uk/)
Did you have any other attendants?
Richard had two Best Men and two Ushers. They wore dark suits to contrast with Richard’s ivory suit, with lilac waistcoats to compliment Richard’s cravat. They were also hired from GROOM Liverpool.
Richard had two Best Men and two Ushers. They wore dark suits to contrast with Richard’s ivory suit, with lilac waistcoats to compliment Richard’s cravat. They were also hired from GROOM Liverpool.
Bridesmaids
Lesley had two bridesmaids who wore short, ivory satin dresses with straps and a lilac ribbon around the waist. “The dresses were handmade by a family friend.” Lesley was inspired by the bridesmaids at Tess Daly and Vernon Kay’s celebrity wedding. “I got an artist from an art shop in town to hand paint a lilac flower on each dress. They were amazing!”
Lesley had two bridesmaids who wore short, ivory satin dresses with straps and a lilac ribbon around the waist. “The dresses were handmade by a family friend.” Lesley was inspired by the bridesmaids at Tess Daly and Vernon Kay’s celebrity wedding. “I got an artist from an art shop in town to hand paint a lilac flower on each dress. They were amazing!”
Describe your floral arrangements
“I used a florist from Rhos on Sea, Wales called ‘Keith Smithies’, recommended to me by Bodelwyddan Castle staff. I think what swung it was (I was told) he always did the flower arrangements for the Queen whenever she visited Wales!” Lesley’s bouquet was a Princess style lilac roses, white freesia, lilac orchids and foliage. Lesley chose ivory roses for guest buttonholes. “I had two sets of flowers for inside the castle and a table arrangement for the top table. I didn't do any centre pieces due to the fact we were going back to Liverpool after the wedding breakfast.”
“I used a florist from Rhos on Sea, Wales called ‘Keith Smithies’, recommended to me by Bodelwyddan Castle staff. I think what swung it was (I was told) he always did the flower arrangements for the Queen whenever she visited Wales!” Lesley’s bouquet was a Princess style lilac roses, white freesia, lilac orchids and foliage. Lesley chose ivory roses for guest buttonholes. “I had two sets of flowers for inside the castle and a table arrangement for the top table. I didn't do any centre pieces due to the fact we were going back to Liverpool after the wedding breakfast.”
Transport
“I used a company called Beauford Wedding Cars. I had a beautiful silver Beauford and a silver Jaguar for the bridesmaids. We used Cannon BBT Coaches (http://www.cannonbbt.co.uk/) to take our guests from a central point in Liverpool to the castle, and then to the Devonshire Hotel after the wedding breakfast had finished.”
“I used a company called Beauford Wedding Cars. I had a beautiful silver Beauford and a silver Jaguar for the bridesmaids. We used Cannon BBT Coaches (http://www.cannonbbt.co.uk/) to take our guests from a central point in Liverpool to the castle, and then to the Devonshire Hotel after the wedding breakfast had finished.”
The Ceremony
“I used Trumpet tune to walk down the aisle and Trumpet voluntary for walking back. No confetti was allowed within the castle. I did have a reading done by my Aunty but unfortunately cannot remember the details! It was a civil ceremony so only lasted approximately 20 minutes.”
“I used Trumpet tune to walk down the aisle and Trumpet voluntary for walking back. No confetti was allowed within the castle. I did have a reading done by my Aunty but unfortunately cannot remember the details! It was a civil ceremony so only lasted approximately 20 minutes.”
The Reception
The wedding breakfast for approx 80 guests was served in St David’s restaurant within the castle. Guests enjoyed Bucks Fizz on arrival with a three course meal of Soup of the Forest. Welsh Beef with Vegetables and Potatoes and Chocolate Profiteroles for dessert, with a selection of wines on each table.
The wedding breakfast for approx 80 guests was served in St David’s restaurant within the castle. Guests enjoyed Bucks Fizz on arrival with a three course meal of Soup of the Forest. Welsh Beef with Vegetables and Potatoes and Chocolate Profiteroles for dessert, with a selection of wines on each table.
Cake
To really personalise their day, Lesley sourced the cake and wedding stationery from family members. “I had a three tiered heart shaped cake with a lilac ribbon around and matching flower detail, identical to my wedding bouquet. This was made by my Aunty and was a wedding gift.”
To really personalise their day, Lesley sourced the cake and wedding stationery from family members. “I had a three tiered heart shaped cake with a lilac ribbon around and matching flower detail, identical to my wedding bouquet. This was made by my Aunty and was a wedding gift.”
Favours
“The place settings and wedding invitations were handmade by my cousin, Nicky. They were beautiful with a lilac rose on each of them.” The Thank You cards were supplied by Terry Tang Cakes Designs, of Wavertree, Liverpool (http://www.terrytangdesignercakes.co.uk/)
“The place settings and wedding invitations were handmade by my cousin, Nicky. They were beautiful with a lilac rose on each of them.” The Thank You cards were supplied by Terry Tang Cakes Designs, of Wavertree, Liverpool (http://www.terrytangdesignercakes.co.uk/)
Entertainment
Richard runs his own entertainment agency, Riverside Entertainments, (http://www.riversideentertanments.co.uk/), so had the pick of the best when it came to sourcing their own! “We booked a group called Dalima who got the night-time going, and had a fantastic disco with quality PA and lights called Tony Lee Roadshow.”
Richard runs his own entertainment agency, Riverside Entertainments, (http://www.riversideentertanments.co.uk/), so had the pick of the best when it came to sourcing their own! “We booked a group called Dalima who got the night-time going, and had a fantastic disco with quality PA and lights called Tony Lee Roadshow.”
Lesley’s Top Tips
“Get a wedding file and book well in advance; be organised so there is no additional stress on the last minute! Also, reconfirm everything you have booked the week before.”
“Get a wedding file and book well in advance; be organised so there is no additional stress on the last minute! Also, reconfirm everything you have booked the week before.”
Does the Groom have a top tip?
“To try and relax and help if help is needed by your future bride!”
“To try and relax and help if help is needed by your future bride!”
Big Day Beauty Tips
Lesley opted for a natural look but with enhanced eye make-up to stand out in the photographs. “My friend Gaynor from Perfections hair salon, Liverpool (0151 228 7676) stayed in the hotel the night before and did my hair and make-up (on the actual day).”
Lesley opted for a natural look but with enhanced eye make-up to stand out in the photographs. “My friend Gaynor from Perfections hair salon, Liverpool (0151 228 7676) stayed in the hotel the night before and did my hair and make-up (on the actual day).”
Special touches or magical moments!
“Our (first dance) song was a massive thing for us. We are huge fans of Billy Joel so had ‘(I Love You) Just the Way You Are’. It summed up everything we felt about each other - and still do!!!!”
“Our (first dance) song was a massive thing for us. We are huge fans of Billy Joel so had ‘(I Love You) Just the Way You Are’. It summed up everything we felt about each other - and still do!!!!”
Where did you go for your honeymoon?
“We went to Orlando. We did a week in Florida and got a convertible and drove down to Sarasota for our second week.”
“We went to Orlando. We did a week in Florida and got a convertible and drove down to Sarasota for our second week.”
Photographer details
Lesley and Richard used The Image Gallery, another recommendation from the Castle (http://www.imagegallerywales.co.uk/). Lesley says of the husband and wife team, Kath & Peter O’Reilly, “they were fantastic. It was a lengthy process but they captured every little detail of the day and the wedding album is still fantastic to look at even now!”
Lesley and Richard used The Image Gallery, another recommendation from the Castle (http://www.imagegallerywales.co.uk/). Lesley says of the husband and wife team, Kath & Peter O’Reilly, “they were fantastic. It was a lengthy process but they captured every little detail of the day and the wedding album is still fantastic to look at even now!”
How did you research your wedding?
Lesley visited lots of wedding shows, noting the Confetti show (then at the Liverpool Echo) being particularly good. “I collected all sorts of info and made a wedding file, with each area of the wedding sectioned, and collected until I found what I wanted. A wedding file is a must!”
Lesley visited lots of wedding shows, noting the Confetti show (then at the Liverpool Echo) being particularly good. “I collected all sorts of info and made a wedding file, with each area of the wedding sectioned, and collected until I found what I wanted. A wedding file is a must!”
Hen Party
Lesley's hen party was a glamorous and fashionable affair with 20 plus friends celebrating at Ladies Day, Ascot. Betting and Bubbles! She also enjoyed an evening with family and friends at the Christakis Greek Taverna on York Street, Liverpool (www.christakisgreektaverna.com) for a night of Greek cuisine, plate smashing, belly dancing, disco and ouzo!! Very lively and lots of fun! Richard and his stags enjoyed a few nights away in the cosmopolitan Benalmedena.
On the penultimate night, Lesley and her close 'hen's' stayed in hotel nearby to the Castle.
“We stayed overnight in St. Asaph, North Wales, in a fab hotel called the Talardy Hotel (http://www.talardy.co.uk/). All the rooms were themed from where the owner had been in the world, (African, Japanese, Chinese, Italian...) Definitely worth a visit!”
“We stayed overnight in St. Asaph, North Wales, in a fab hotel called the Talardy Hotel (http://www.talardy.co.uk/). All the rooms were themed from where the owner had been in the world, (African, Japanese, Chinese, Italian...) Definitely worth a visit!”
......And the bride and groom lived happily ever after!
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