Cindy Thompson and Elan Cohen first met on the popular Channel 4 series First Dates (series 10, episode 2). The beautiful couple met in October 2017 and were engaged by May 2019, on Cindy’s birthday! Elan planned a spectacular proposal at The Gilpin in the Lake District. After postponing their wedding twice due to Covid-19, the couple finally got married in September 2021. Cindy and Elan chose to get married in a stunning wedding barn with an exceptionally beautiful and personal Jewish-Humanist hybrid wedding ceremony led by Independent Celebrant, Erica Harley.
The day was beautifully captured by Lee Brown Photography and James Tracey Films.
The Venue
Elan and Cindy had an original wedding date of May 2020. Unfortunately, their special day had to be postponed twice due to the pandemic. 16 months after the first postponed date, the gorgeous pair finally tied the knot in September 2021. They held their wedding at the stunning Owen House Wedding Barn in Mobberley, Cheshire.
Cindy and Elan chose this venue for many different reasons. Everything came under one roof; the ceremony room, accommodation, dinner and dancing as well as separate rooms for the bride and groom to get ready in and an event coordinator to help the day run smoothly. The couple has stated it truly had the "wow factor" they wanted for their special day.
Image by Lee Brown Photography
Heartwarming, Personal Ceremony
Elan’s family is Jewish, so the couple opted to have a hybrid Jewish-Humanist wedding ceremony to honour their union. This was led by the highly-regarded celebrant, Erica Harley, who made the couple's ceremony exceptionally personal. When Cindy's mother passed away in 2018, Erica led the funeral which made her presence at the couple's wedding even more heartwarming and special.
'Perfect for me' by Ron Pope played whilst Elan walked down the aisle, this was the same song that was playing when he proposed to Cindy. As Cindy walked down, a classic Israeli song, 'Boi B'Shalom' played; it was a beautiful version by Itzek Orlev.
One of the most memorable parts of the ceremony was when Erica supported both families to conduct a sand ceremony. There was dark coloured sand from the Lake District where Cindy's mum's ashes are scattered and white sand from Ashdod Beach in Israel where Elan grew up.
Image by Lee Brown Photography
Family members from each side took it in turns to pour the different coloured sand into a beautiful vase creating layers. This symbolised that just like the grains of sand, the bond between the families cannot be separated! A beautiful sentiment and a lovely keepsake from the day.
Jordan, Elan’s cousin, read the poem ‘Union’ by Robert Fulghum and Andrea, Cindy’s mum’s best friend, read an adaption of the poem ‘Invisible Kisses’ by Lemn Sissay. Cindy read the same poem at her mum’s funeral so it was an incredibly heartwarming moment.
Cindy said: “Mum was very much with us in spirit. Erica paid tribute to her in the ceremony. It meant everything to me to have that link. Erica listened to my mum’s inner-most thoughts and has been there for us as a family ever since. She told me how honoured she was to be with us at the most painful time of our lives and now sharing the happiest time of our life... Our guests said it was the most beautiful ceremony they’d ever been to and it was everything we’d dreamt of."
Image by Lee Brown Photography
Charity Wedding Favours
The couple opted for charity wedding favours, giving a donation on behalf of each guest to Yorkshire’s Brain Tumor Charity in memory of Cindy’s mum. Each guest received a small note that informed them about it. Cindy’s mother was sadly diagnosed with Glioblastoma at 58 and passed away 20 months later in June 2018 at 60. This touching tribute is truly beautiful.
Food and Entertainment
The couple shared their day with 100 guests. For the wedding breakfast, the couple's three-course meal was prepared by Barretts Caterers. The guests were first served with their starters, artichoke and tomato ravioli. This was followed by the main course, Harissa chicken and vegetables. Dessert concluded the already tasty meal with a mouthwatering chocolate brownie with salted caramel popcorn.
Image by Lee Brown Photography
The couple's cake created by Hannah Matilda Cakes was a simple, yet elegant design. The two-tiered cake featured a beautiful green and gold colour palette and was finished with fresh flowers from Milly Davey Flowers.
The day was full of happiness and energy. Cindy’s favourite part was the Israeli dancing which just looks utterly joyous from the photos. There was also a beautiful range of entertainment including 'The Rush' band, live Sax and a DJ.
Image by Lee Brown Photography
The Fashion
The colour scheme for the wedding was pink and khaki as the couple both wore khaki on their first date… accidentally matching!
Cindy wore a stunning wedding dress by Enzoani, purchased from Scarlet Poppy Bridal in Leeds with her gorgeous bridal hair by Love & Hair Bridal and makeup by Blusch Makeup Artistry. There were 5 bridesmaids, all of whom wore beautiful pink dresses from Maids to Measure.
Image by Lee Brown Photography
The groom wore a dapper navy checked suit with a khaki bow tie from Marc Darcy in Manchester. The groomsmen wore their own suits with matching khaki velvet kippahs and khaki bow ties.
Honeymoon Plans
Cindy and Elan are looking forward to their romantic honeymoon in Sri Lanka and the Maldives which is booked for February 2022. The team at Guides for Brides hope they have a fabulous time and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.
Suppliers
The couple has sung the praises of their venue and their suppliers for their exceptional support throughout COVID-19.
Guides for Brides Supplier:
5 reviews
As seen on Don't Tell The Bride! Independent wedding celebrant In Oxfordshire & Berkshire
Oxfordshire, Wallingford
£495 - £600
Celebrants
Other Suppliers:
Photographer - Lee Brown Photography | Venue - Owen House Wedding Barn | Bridal Wear - Scarlet Poppy Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses - Maids to Measure | Suits - Marc Darcy, Manchester | Makeup - Blusch Makeup Artistry | Hair - Love & Hair Bridal | Catering - Barretts Caterers | Cake - Hannah Matilda Cakes | Neon Signs & Chuppah - The Word Is Love | Florist - Milly Davey Flowers | Balloons - Especially For You | Videographer - James Tracey Films | Stationery - Papier | Couple - Cindy and Elan
