Bethanie and Gavin tied the knot on the 24th of September 2021. After more than a year of delays due to COVID, they finally got to have their special day. Their fairytale wedding took place at Carlton Towers, a stunning country estate in Selby, Yorkshire with the most magnificent architecture. After choosing the perfect wedding suppliers, Bethanie's dream wedding became a reality. Bethanie tells the story of her wedding in her own words, and it sounds like an absolute dream!
The Engagement
Two minutes to midnight on 14th March 2019 was the time and date of my proposal from Gavin! We had been together for 5 years and I had always said that I wanted to be married before I was 30. I turned 30 on the 15th of March so he did the next best thing; he proposed. Unbeknown to me and everyone apart from his Grandma, he had bought me a beautiful ring, asked my Dad’s permission and was on with his plan! We both went to bed as normal that evening and I did wonder why he was quite restless but I eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next thing I was aware the bedroom light snapped on and Gavin was at the side of me, on the floor on one knee. “You might not be married before you’re 30 but will you marry me?” he said. I burst into a fit of giggles at the sight of Gavin in his boxers on one knee, me with messy hair and sleepy eyes, we were a sight to behold. Of course, I said yes and I was engaged before turning 30 at midnight.
The Venue
The hunt was then on for a venue but COVID was on the horizon! I’d always dreamt of a fairytale wedding and after popping out for an afternoon tea on my birthday we drove by a sign outside Carlton Towers, near Selby. We turned into the drive to see what was in the distance. As me, my parents and Gavin ventured up the winding, tree lined avenue, what appeared in front of us blew us all away. Carlton Towers is the home of the Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan-Howard, a Grade 1 listed country house in the Victorian Gothic-revival style. When we saw it looming up in front of us, our jaws dropped. The main doors at the top of the imposing, sweeping staircase were open and we decided to venture in. We were met by lovely staff who advised us that it was indeed available for wedding hire, in fact you could hire the whole house!
Gavin and I were totally star-struck! Was it beyond our budget? Was it just a dream? Gavin said there and then, “This is it...I don’t want to look at anywhere else!” He had made the decision for us and I was delighted. Gavin, Mum, Dad and I travelled home with wedding plans, budgets, outfits and everything wedding on our mind. The though was still looming in my mind; would it be possible?
I produced spreadsheets, made lists and we then decided that, if we could do quite a few bits ourselves then it was a possibility. My mum is quite handy so I didn’t worry about decoration, although, Carlton Towers interior doesn’t need anything in itself. With its venetian glass ball room and endless Gothic architecture, less was more.
The Date
The date was set for May 4th 2020, which originally was a Bank Holiday. It was a Friday so a few of my 8 bridesmaids were able to attend as they would not be at school. However, due to the Queens’ V.E. day celebrations, the Bank Holiday was moved to the following Friday! As a lot of guests were travelling from afar, the 4th was proving to be a no-go.
Especially now that COVID had reared its head, all future dates were no longer reliable. Any plans I had were rapidly becoming impossible and arranging suppliers was proving difficult.
COVID pushed my next date to September 18th 2020. Guests were tentatively advised about the date but due to the low numbers, we could have in the large building we felt that it would be such a shame if all our family and friends couldn’t enjoy the lavish surroundings. That decision again was made for us. COVID had won but as long as everyone was safe and well we didn’t care.
Negotiating with Janette at Carlton Towers proved invaluable. We were then offered May 2021 but again COVID was still with us and so the decision to keep everyone safe was to move the date to September 2021. September came and amazingly it seemed that it would go ahead.
Unfortunately, Gavin’s grandma had been diagnosed with a terminal illness in July 2020. Gavin and Grandma Doreen were incredibly close and she sadly passed away in March 2021. He was heartbroken, as we all were. She had played a huge part in some decisions for Gavin. She had been so excited about the wedding and we decided we would party in her honour.
So September 24th 2021 it would be. The beautiful climbers growing up the side of Carlton Towers were gently turning red and showing Autumnal hues which were so pretty. My original photographer, venue decor company and florist were available which was amazing news as I didn’t want to change.
The Dress
I didn’t have a clue what style of dress to go for. Me, my mum and two sisters travelled to Elizabeth Kate Bridal near my hometown. After trying a few different styles, I tried on my Enzoani ivory gown and I knew it was the one. When I appeared from behind the curtain amongst swathes of tulle, a layered waterfall train with a gentle beaded, sparkly bodice, we all knew it was meant to be. I felt a million dollars. The dress was going to be discontinued so I made the decision to have it there and then.
Bridesmaids
I had decided on 8 bridesmaids; obviously my two sisters, Rachael and Lauren, my cousin Natasha, and Victoria, who has been my friend since play school. I was her bridesmaid in 2019. Four other very close friends from school; Laura, Danielle, Lauren and Charlotte completed the line up.
I had originally bought their gowns in January 2020; rich gold sequin bodice fitted gowns from ASOS. But in September 2021, I found out that three of the bridesmaids were celebrating the amazing news that they were pregnant! Unfortunately the original dresses couldn’t be altered, so a decision was made to change them all. Blush pink, Grecian style dresses with gold accessories became the order of the day! The blush colour turned out to be a perfect choice, complementing my ivory gown and the opulent gold decoration within the grand house. With their hair softly pinned up they looked fabulous.
Groomsmen
Gavin knew what he wanted for his wedding party. Working in high-class fashion retail at The Vault in Doncaster, he knew it had to be suits by Marc Darcy. He went for a mixture of Jenson Marine Navy check and plain navy, complemented by matching waistcoats even down to matching shoes. Gavin, his best man Nathan, groomsman Luke and his nephews, Joshua, Jack and Marcellous, all wore the same check suit with Claudio Lugli Guitar Trim Print shirts and gold woven ties. The future brother in-laws, Adam and Lee and my grandfather John, all wore Marc Darcy plain navy with waistcoats, again with Guitar Trim Print collar shirt and woven gold ties. They looked spectacular and Gavin was more than happy.
The Florals and Decorations
The decision for a florist was easy. It was my close friend Stephanie, who owns and creates beautiful floral arrangements at The Little Yellow House Shop. She had listened patiently to my ideas and gave a lot of input into what would look best. There was a lot of house to fill and staircases to decorate and I knew Steph would blow us away, which of course, she did. My bouquet of blush pink, ivory and gold roses with oodles of greenery and gold berry sprigs was the most beautiful bouquet I’d ever seen. My bridesmaid posies were equally stunning and I cried when I saw them.
The grand staircase at Carlton Towers is very imposing and doesn’t need a lot of decor, but Steph made it perfect. She added tall lit lanterns, sprays of flowers and wound overhead large garlands around the banisters. With the help of Michaela from Samui Weddings, the reception decor looked amazing. Everything from gold chargers, gold candelabras, chair scarves and overhanging blossom trees made our day perfect. My mum made the top table Mr and Mrs Prior sign and we had done the favours between us, packaging and adding little personal labels to gorgeous smelling bath bombs for the ladies and whisky miniatures for the gents. I printed our menus and had wooden personalised gold names added for our guests for the table plan. We also provided a few personalised grand mirrors on easels. It all looked perfect.
The Food
The food played a major part in our planning. It would be a long day and we wanted our guests to enjoy and savour every mouthful. We had visited Carlton for a food tasting the previous year and decided to stay with the menu. Canapés of fish and chips, olive tapenade and tomato bruschetta, and vegetable parcels with belly pork squares were served outside on the terrace below whilst photographs were taken. The starter was Ham Hock and Pig Cheek Terrine followed by Sirloin of beef, dauphinoise potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, parsnip, and kale. We had a trio of desserts including crème brulee, rich chocolate brownie, and strawberry white chocolate cheesecake, followed by coffee/tea and personalised after-dinner mints. A selection of red and white table wines were served with a glass of champagne for a toast. Our evening food was good old sausage with red onion and halloumi with roasted tomato sandwiches served in a soft bread bun; all extremely enjoyable.
Special Memories
Just after the meal, when we all felt full and the speeches had gone by, we were surprised by The Astonishing Singing Waiters. They started to sing when we least expected it and lifted the mood in the room. Everyone was on their feet and singing, it was absolutely fantastic! My mum and I had said earlier in the morning that we knew everything about the day so this was a fabulous surprise and all arranged by my two sisters, Rachael and Lauren. Just amazing!
I remember my dad walking into the room when I was ready in my bridal gown and he was so emotional. Calvin Taylor Lee, our award-winning photographer, captured everything. He popped up everywhere during the day, even from early in the morning. Gavin and I knew we wanted the best photographer and he didn’t disappoint, he captured everything.
When I walked down the grand staircase towards the ceremony room door, my 11-year-old nephew said, “Wow you look beautiful.” I will always remember that.
Seeing my bridesmaids walk into the ceremony hall before me to the beautiful sound of Pachelbel Canon in D Major, played by the enchanting NadiaViolin, I suddenly realised this was it. I was going to be married at last! The build-up over the last year or so had gone so fast and lots of unhappy moments faded into insignificance. Gavin and I had got this far and would enjoy every moment.
"I Do"
As I walked in with my dad by my side, the late September sun shone through the huge Gothic windows. I tried to acknowledge everyone as I made my way down the aisle, smiling whilst being extremely nervous, so much so my leg was shaking at the altar. Gavin smiled at me from the end of the aisle and I felt completely at ease. I met up with Gavin and remember him whispering, “This is it Beth...we’re getting married!” My sister, Lauren, read “From beginning to End” by Robert Fulghum after our vows, and Gavin’s Uncle Brian read an excerpt from Winnie the Pooh; “If I live to be a 100” by A.A. Milne. Both were very poignant.
The Music and Evening
Our first dance was to Shane Filan’s "Beautiful in White." The words are so moving and mean a great deal to Gavin and I. Have a listen.
Our evening entertainment was provided by Something for the Weekend, which we booked through the Jonny Ross Music Agency. We loved this live band because they had everyone on their feet with a mixture of music; 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, etc. They played several sets during the evening and were enjoyed by both young and old. They were definitely a fabulous choice and we would recommend them for your wedding or event.
We paid for Carlton Towers’ front facade to be illuminated in pink in time for our evening guests’ arrival. Spectra Entertainments provided this and our illuminated names on the ballroom wall. Both looked spectacular and were well worth the money.
The Cake
Our cake was a unique, 6 tier iced faux cake. It was so pretty, adorned with beautiful roses, peonies and greenery and it looked stunning in the venue. We had also provided a mixture of gorgeous soft iced sponge cakes in vanilla and chocolate to serve to our guests.
The Honeymoon
We didn’t plan a honeymoon as with all that’s happened with COVID we thought it would be impossible. At the last minute, we booked a 5-star break to Majorca in which we intend to flop for a week and relive our wedding day in our heads whilst drinking a G and T or two.
Bethanie's Advice for Couples
Time flew by so my advice for other couples is to take moments to stand back, enjoy and soak everything up. At the end of our day I didn’t want it to end and we were the last on the dance floor! You’re so focused on making sure everything goes to plan and everyone is enjoying themselves that in a blink of an eye it’s over. Make time for you and your partner, even if it’s just to say “I love you” during the evening.
Planning a wedding is stressful at the best of times, but combined with the threat of COVID and not knowing if it will go ahead at all, we had endless anxiety and many sleepless nights. Knowing if our suppliers would be available played a major part, and obviously, the health of everyone and keeping people safe played on all our minds.
Lastly, use social media to get ideas but remember it’s your day so go with what you want and keep within your budget as best you can. Share the load with your partner and ask for their ideas; you may not go with them but they will at least feel included. Remember, planning should be fun and not too stressful so if anyone offers to help, let them. If your budget allows then stay the evening before the wedding at your venue. We felt less stressed staying and getting a feel for the place, and it felt like home by the time we got married!
Suppliers
Venue: Carlton Towers
Dress: Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Mother Of The Bride: Caroline Chamberlain Couture Bridal Studio
Shoes: Jimmy Choo Romy
Suits: Marc Darcy at Vault Menswear
Hair: Hair by Adele & Hair by Naomi
Make Up: Nicki Teal MUA
Photographer: Calvin Taylor Lee
Florist: Little Yellow House Flower Shop
Venue Decor: Samui Wedding Planners
Styling: Crash the Wedding
Lighting: Spectra Entertainments
Photo-booth: Over the Top Events
Ceremony Music: Nadia Violin
Cake: Nice Icing
Reception Entertainment: The Astonishing Singing Waiters
Evening Entertainment: 'Something for the Weekend' booked through Jonny Ross Music Agency
Story written by Bethanie Caley
