A surprise proposal in a spectacular location led to the most magical wedding in Holmewood Hall. We were delighted when two of our trusted suppliers, Becca and Alex, chose to tie the knot in our country house. Their day was every bit as beautiful, thoughtful and personal as we would have expected from this lovely couple.
Tell us about the proposal. How and where did it happen?
Becca: We got engaged in Dubai – and it was absolutely magical! We’d already visited once before, but when we planned a return trip, our holiday was postponed three times due to COVID travel restrictions. We finally made it out there in October 2022 – and this time, something incredible happened.
Alex suggested we visit the Burj Khalifa again, but at night. I thought it was a sweet idea, although I did wonder why we were going back up. Still, Alex played it cool – I didn’t know he’d secretly booked VIP tickets so we could skip the queues.
As we started the ascent, my nerves kicked in. The Burj Khalifa is seriously high, and when we reached the first stop-off point, I didn’t want to go any further. Alex gently persuaded me to keep going, and I reluctantly got back in the lift.
When we arrived at the top, I stayed close to the edges and avoided looking down, feeling a bit shaky. Meanwhile, Alex quietly put his plan into motion. He asked a bystander to capture the moment on camera and got me into position. Then, as I looked out at the view, he asked me to turn around—and there he was, down on one knee.
I was completely speechless. My eyes filled with tears as it hit me, pure happiness and surprise. Of course, I said yes!
What was your first step in planning your wedding?
Before we even got engaged, we already had a Pinterest board with some ideas of what we wanted at our wedding, like colours and themes. After booking our venue, we started to compile our ideas and enquired with suppliers. We created a wedding planning spreadsheet to keep track of enquiries as well as a to-do-list, which definitely helped with our planning.
What were your wedding “must-haves”?
The main wedding must-haves for us were the entertainment: we wanted to ensure that we had enough entertainment to keep the flow of the day going from day to night.
We also needed a venue with on-site accommodation so that family travelling from far away could stay overnight.
How did you find your venue?
As soon as we got engaged, we knew exactly where we wanted to get married – Holmewood Hall. Being wedding suppliers ourselves, we’ve worked at countless venues, and people assumed it would be a tough choice for us. But honestly, it was the easiest decision to make. We’ve always had such a great relationship with the team at Holmewood, and it was the first venue to ever list us as a recommended supplier. This made it feel even more special and personal.
How did you personalise your big day?
We didn’t have a strict theme, but we knew we wanted it to be elegant, modern and timeless with a classic countryside wedding feel. We were drawn to soft pastel colours (lilacs, powder blues, blush pinks) and used these for the bridal party and floral arrangements.
As wedding suppliers ourselves, we’ve seen so many different styles, and that definitely helped shape our vision. We wanted to keep things simple, elegant and full of meaningful touches. At the reception, we dressed the tables with bud vases holding just a few blooms each, paired with tall glass cylinders and floating candles. The overall look was minimal but warm.
One of our favourite details was the table numbers. We designed them ourselves using photos of our cats, Luna and Spots, which was such a lovely way to bring a bit of our home life into the wedding. Guests absolutely loved it, and it gave everyone something to smile at when they sat down.
Our wedding cake was one of the real highlights. We went for a clean and modern three-tier design with smooth white fondant icing and gold-leaf detailing. It was displayed beautifully with a floral crown, each holding pastel flowers that tied in perfectly with our overall colour scheme. On top, we added a playful touch — figurines representing our two cats plus a stylish ‘Mr & Mrs Storey’ cake topper. The cake had to taste as good as it looked, so we chose a trio of flavours: Cherry Bakewell, Luscious Lemon and Victoria Sponge.
We also made sure to include some personal touches in memory of Becca’s dad, who sadly passed away in 2023. Instead of a gifts table, we had a sign encouraging donations to Cancer Research UK, and we laid out pin badges from the Arthur Rank Hospice, where Becca’s dad received care. It was our way of honouring his memory and making sure he was part of the day in a meaningful way.
Every choice we made was about keeping it simple, soft and full of personality. It was important to us that everything felt true to us.
Did the venue provide any memorable extras or nice personal touches that stood out?
The venue went above and beyond for our wedding day. The team was amazing from start to finish and made everything feel effortless; however, there were a couple of extra touches that really meant a lot to us.
They added beautiful blossom trees for our wedding breakfast, which completely transformed the space, adding a romantic feel. It wasn’t something we’d specifically asked for, so it was a lovely surprise and made that part of the day feel even more special.
They also set up their outdoor candle package for us, which created such a gorgeous atmosphere in the evening. The soft candlelight gave the whole place a magical glow and made for some stunning photos — a thoughtful addition that really elevated the experience.
It’s those kinds of extra touches that showed just how much the venue cared about making the day feel perfect for us. We couldn’t have asked for more.
Describe your wedding dress and favourite accessories
Becca: I knew I wanted a strapless dress, but I hadn’t expected to fall so in love with one that had these beautiful, off-the-shoulder, floaty sleeves. The sheer fabric and delicate lace gave it such a soft, romantic feel, but still kept that classic strapless shape I’d always imagined.
The bodice had the perfect structure, making me feel confident and comfortable. The lace trailing down into the skirt and the dreamy train felt like something straight out of a fairytale. Long, light and elegantly simple, the veil was one of my favourite things and finished the look perfectly.
My jewellery was from a lovely designer on Etsy. It matched the dress perfectly – delicate and subtle, with just the right amount of sparkle.
When I saw it all come together in the mirror, I just had that moment of, this is it. It felt like me – just the most bridal, magical version.
Alex: Becca looked absolutely unbelievable. I knew she’d look beautiful – she always does – but seeing her in that dress genuinely stopped me in my tracks. It was like something out of a dream.
The lace, the sleeves, the way it flowed… just perfect. When I saw her for the first time, everything just stopped for a second. She looked unbelievable. I felt like the luckiest bloke in the world – and still do.
What did the groom wear?
Alex: I wanted something that felt a bit different from the usual black or grey, so I went with a navy blue suit, paired with a light grey waistcoat and a lavender tie to tie in with the colours Becca had picked out for the day. It felt sharp, classic and a bit modern too – exactly what I was going for.
I added a boutonnière that matched Becca’s flowers and an Arthur Rank pin, then kept the rest simple. The shoes were tan leather, clean and comfortable – nothing flashy, just solid.
Tell us about your wedding party and their outfits
Alex: We kept our wedding party small and personal. Becca had two bridesmaids: her sister and one of her best friends, and I had my best man.
The bridesmaids wore gorgeous lavender dresses – floaty, flattering and perfect for the spring vibe of the day. Each had a slightly different style to suit them, but the colour brought it all together beautifully. They looked amazing standing next to Becca, and their bouquets tied in perfectly with the soft pastels in the flowers.
The best man wore a navy suit to match mine, with a grey waistcoat and lavender tie to pull the whole look together with the bridesmaids and the flowers. We wanted everything to feel coordinated but not overly matchy-matchy, and I think we nailed that balance.
Everyone looked so good, but more importantly, they felt like themselves – which is exactly what we wanted.
What was your ceremony like?
Alex: Our ceremony was simple, heartfelt and totally us. We didn’t have any readings or a celebrant telling stories – just a playlist of songs that really meant something to us. Becca walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of ‘You Are The Reason’, which set the tone beautifully – emotional but calm.
Becca’s dad sadly passed away at the end of 2023, and she spent a long time thinking about who would walk her down the aisle. In the end, she chose to walk herself, which was such a strong and personal decision. I met her halfway down the aisle, and that moment – just the two of us, locking eyes and walking the rest of the way together – it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect.
Our live illustrator, Owen Mathers, quietly sketched at the back of the room throughout the ceremony. Having the moment captured in that artistic way added something really special, and it’s now a beautiful keepsake we’ll treasure forever.
We walked out of the ceremony to Ordinary by Alex Warren, which just summed everything up. Ordinary people, madly in love, starting this next chapter together.
Tell us about your drinks reception and wedding breakfast
Alex: We went with prosecco, bottled beer and a couple of garden mocktails. It’s easy to get carried away choosing fancy cocktails, but we really wanted to make sure there was something for everyone. Judging by how quickly the drinks went, I think we made the right call!
There was a magician walking around doing close-up magic during the drinks reception. He added a bit of fun and surprise to the atmosphere while everyone mingled, and we kept hearing guests talk about how impressed they were with the tricks.
Our walk-in music to the wedding reception was ‘Mr Brightside’ by the Killers. It isn’t a traditional wedding walk-in song, but we wanted something really upbeat and that felt like a party. Our guests loved it and danced along with us.
There was a bit of a last-minute change to the speeches as Becca’s mum wasn’t feeling great. Her brother stepped in and read the speech on her behalf, which was really special. It actually turned into such a lovely moment and was handled perfectly.
The speeches overall were brilliant – funny, heartfelt, and emotional in all the right places (even if mine went on a bit longer than planned…)
What music did you have at your evening reception?
Alex: We had a DJ and a band for the evening reception. The band was a complete surprise for Becca. She had no idea and honestly, her face when they started playing was everything. She absolutely loved it, and so did everyone else.
We also had King Konga (Andy), a percussionist who played alongside the DJ in the dance floor room. The mix of live drumming with the DJ’s set was such a vibe – the dance floor was packed all night.
Our first dance was to ‘Fields of Gold’ by Ellie Goulding. I actually found it completely by chance early on in the planning, played it for Becca, and she got emotional straight away. From that moment, we knew it was the one.
Based on your own experience, please give us some top tips!
Alex: Think about your guests when choosing food and drink. It’s tempting to pick all your favourites (we nearly went full cocktail menu!) but choosing drinks and food that most guests will enjoy keeps everyone happy – and avoids waste.
Don’t be afraid to ditch tradition. Becca walked herself down the aisle and I met her halfway. It wasn’t conventional, but it was perfect for us.
Plan a surprise. I surprised Becca with a live band and it ended up being one of the best parts of the night. Little surprises go a long way, whether for each other or your guests.
Leave some wiggle room in your budget. Something will come up last-minute, so having a small buffer really helps take the pressure off.
Make time for just the two of you. Honestly, this one’s big. Take 10 minutes during the day to sneak away and just be together. No photos, no guests, no distractions – just the two of you taking it all in.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. No one’s going to remember what the napkins looked like. They’ll remember the atmosphere, the love in the room and how the day felt. That’s what really sticks.
Did you go on a honeymoon or a mini-moon?
We went to France for a mini-moon and it was perfect. We didn’t pack the days with loads of plans – it was more about good food, quiet moments and just enjoying being newly married.
We do plan to have a bigger trip or honeymoon at some point, but we’re not in any rush. For now, that little French getaway was exactly what we needed – calm, romantic, and a proper reset.
“If we could do it all again, we’d…”
Make sure we actually ate some of the buffet food – we were so busy chatting, dancing, and just being in the moment that we didn’t get to try any of it! But we did get to take some wedding cake home and we could then savour it for a couple of weeks after our wedding day.
We also had mini golf set up which loads of our guests loved, but we never had the chance to play ourselves. Bit of a regret there!
And honestly, we just wish we had more time to properly chat to everyone. The day flies by so fast and it’s impossible to speak to everyone as much as you’d like. If we could do it all again, we’d try to slow things down just a little – and maybe grab a plate of food while we’re at it!
Tell us about your suppliers
Wedding dress: Essence of Australia from Burr Bridal
Groom’s suit: Charles Tyrwhitt
Bridesmaids’ dresses: JJ’s House
Best man’s suit: Moss Bros
Wedding rings: Ernest Jones
Wedding cake: Karen Jayne Cake Design
Invitations: Vintage Prints
Photographer: Laura Williams Weddings
Signage: Bewildery
Magician and MC: Dean Odell
Fireworks: Dynamic Fireworks
Hair and Make Up: Jessica-Jade Hair and Make Up
Florist: Keepsakes of Yaxley
Live Illustrator: Owen Mathers
Content Creator – Moments Evermore
Percussionist/Bongo Player: King Konga
Band: Stallions & The Bear, through Encore
