Ahead of our Wedding Fayre coming up on Sunday 29th January we got together with Mari & Craig to find out all about their big day. Mr & Mrs Bamber got married in February 2015 at our popular Wedding Fayre Venue, the stunning Leasowe Castle......
When did you get engaged?
On the 28th March 2013, we went to York for our 5 year anniversary and Craig got down on one knee outside of York Minster, it was so lovely. We started planning 15 months before the big day which was more than enough time. I had a quiet job at the time so managed to do a lot of planning there!
How did you decide on a Winter Wedding?
We first visited Leasowe Castle for the Red Event Wedding Fayre and fell in love with the venue. We then attended a Twilight Wedding there and enjoyed it so much we booked our wedding the next day! The Twilight Wedding package is only offered in the winter months so that is why we choose February.
Who was in your wedding party?
I had 6 bridesmaids; 4 of my closest friends from school and my 2 step sisters. Craig had his best mate as his best man and another close friend as an usher. We had 100 to the ceremony and 160 to the evening party.
Tell us about your dresses?
Well mine was from Opulance which is a shop in West Kirby. The staff were amazing and made the experience stress free and enjoyable. The lady in the shop gave me 10 tags to put on dresses I liked and she also picked out a few she thought would suit me. I ended up choosing one she picked out for me! I would definitely recommend visiting Opulance.
We bought the bridesmaids dresses online from ASOS and all the girls loved them. Two of the bridesmaids were self conscious about their arms so I bought them shall's. Once the bridesmaid dresses were bought our colour scheme became navy because of the dresses and then gold because that goes nicely.
We had our ceremony in the restaurant and party in the Castle Suite of Leasowe Castle, we liked the fact that it was all under one roof and the guests could relax.
My mum, the bridesmaids and myself got ready at the Castle in one of their function rooms. We stayed in the honeymoon suite that night and 18 other guests also stayed.
Tell us about the food you had?
We had a buffet rather than a sit down meal with chilli and curry. We chose this purely to keep costs down but the food was lovely. The cake was made by a school friend of mine, Jen Bethel. We were friends on facebook so I knew she made cakes now and again and she was happy to make our wedding cake.
What entertainment did you have?
We had a band called Madison for the music and a photo booth and chocolate fountain! We saw the photo booth and chocolate fountain at the Red Event Wedding Fayre we went to at Leasowe Castle and thought they both looked like fun. On the day I think we enjoyed the photo booth the most as not only did the guests get to keep their photos we were also given an album of everyone's photos.
Would you do anything differently?
Nothing! I loved every minute.
What advice would you give any Brides-to-be?
I would say stick within your budget, don't spend more than you can afford as you don't need the added stress. We budgeted for £6k but ended up going over!
The best things about planning your wedding?
I would say the wedding fayres are great as you can see all the different things you can have at a wedding, free samples and advice. Also trying on dresses and makeup and hair trials were fun.
The hardest part?
The guest list and trying to keep the numbers down. As much as you would like to invite everyone unfortunately you can't!
Thank you to Mari for telling us all about your beautiful wedding day it looked like so much fun!
If you have not got your wedding venue booked yet or you are still looking for wedding suppliers and ideas then you won't want to miss coming along to our next Leasowe Castle Wedding Fayre on Sunday 29th January 2017.
Come and view this beautiful venue for yourself and browse over 40 Wedding Exhibitors waiting to help plan your perfect day! Keep an eye on our blog starting from Monday as we will have lots of amazing special offers bring posted leading up to our wedding fayre!
For further information about our wedding fayre then click here
