James & Ali finally tied the knot in June 2022 at Blackstock Country Estate. It was a joyous occasion for the couple and was the official start of their blossoming marriage. The couple spent hours over the past last year or so meticulously planning their special day. It’s safe to say it paid off and resulted in a memorable day for themselves and their guests!
Let us delve into their day and talk you through some of the key moments.
Both James, Ali and a select few guests all spent the Thursday night before the wedding on-site at our luxury accommodation. This streamlined everything and made preparations for the day ahead as relaxed as possible. Ali and her bridesmaids met with Grace Benson, an award-winning freelance Make Up Artist and Hair Stylist, at our bridal suite!
We believe there is no better place to start a wedding than in the bridal suite. The excitement it builds for what’s to come is infectious!
The ceremony was held in the wing of our Tudor Barn, which looked stunning! The barn was a perfect fit for our couple and it perfectly complemented the pair. The fairy lights and green ivy that wrapped around the support beams of our rustic barn made for the perfect backdrop to say “I do”. The decor gave off an soft and beautiful glow and illuminated the space flawlessly.
As James stood patiently waiting for his bride to appear, it was clear he was full of excitement. A cheek-to-cheek grin rarely left his face during the whole day. He wore a perfectly tailored navy suit with a white floral tie and pocket square.
Ali was walked down the aisle by her father, and exuded an aura of grace. Her delicate lace bridal gown truly accentuated her beauty on this special day. It was clear she was feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and love. Her fairy tale wedding had commenced!
Once the ceremony had come to its natural conclusion, everyone left the charm of our Tudor Barn behind them and ventured out onto our courtyard for a selection of Canapés.
With their guests enjoying the beautiful weather and mingling amongst themselves, the newlyweds slipped away for a photo shoot with Stephanie Kalber. Together they hopped on the Blackstock buggy and explored our wonderful grounds. They found some idyllic spots and captured some fantastic moments. Hopefully, the pair can look back on these great photos and reminisce very fondly over their wedding day.
Once their photos were finished, James and Ali made their way over towards our Granary Barn, the venue for their wedding breakfast. Devin announced Mr and Mrs Ellis to the room for the first time and the couple were met with a wave of applause. As everyone settled down three heartfelt speeches were performed. They were all incredibly touching and gave an opportunity for the fathers of the two families to share some sentiments and laughs with everyone present.
Upon hearing the last of the speeches, our in-house catering team began to make some final adjustments to the wedding breakfast that was prepared.
A menu consisting of Ham Hock Terrine to start, followed by a Traditional Roast Beef and was concluded with a fan favourite – sticky toffee pudding! This went down as an absolute treat and, from what was left on the plates, it was clear everyone enjoyed it all as well!
After a round of tea and coffee had been served everyone ventured back to the Tudor Barn for a night of celebrations! Adorned with sparkling lights and arrangements of flowers, it was a magical sight that greeted guests as they arrived at the barn. Everyone was in awe as the newlyweds cut their wedding cake, kindly baked by Ali’s aunt, and followed it with their first dance together as a married couple.
Knowing their guests, the couple had arranged for an evening hog roast and chickpea falafel. This went down an absolute treat and everyone enjoyed the delicious food. All guests and bridal party alike clearly had a marvellous time, and joyful noises filled the barn. Voices could be heard chattering and laughter in every direction!
At midnight the celebrations came to a close. Ali and James thanked their guests for attending and wished them farewell. The couple then made the short walk back to the Goat Shed to spend their first night together as a married couple.
If you want to create a memorable wedding day, Blackstock Country Estate’s skilled wedding planners and coordinators can assist you every step of the way. Our team brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating dream weddings.
Please call on 01323 848 006 or fill out our contact form. A member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
We look forward to hearing from you xx
