is where the heart is

pg 19

A lot in Common…Tom and I both met at 6th form when we were both 18, like most teenagers we would just have the odd chat in the common room in passing, I didn’t know him that well, when one day out of the blue he asked me on a date! We continued dating all throughout 6th form and even continued to see each other while we were at different universities. Tom was studying medicine in London and I was based at Nottingham University studying languages. The distance was hard and we were both kept busy with our degrees, but we always made time to see each other. During my third year I moved to France for part of my degree, so we had to work a little harder to see each other, but it just made the time that we did spend together even better. Plus we had the gorgeous French countryside to explore! After I finished my degree I then followed Tom to Australia where he was lucky enough to be offered a work placement, after his placement ended we then travelled around Australia for 6 weeks before Tom had to return to sit his final exams.

Brides name: Louise BucknellGrooms name: Tom Robson

Home town: ChelmsfordCeremony venue: Blackmore Church

Reception venue: Marquee at Fingrith Hall (Bride’s family home)Wedding date: 2nd July 2011

pg 20 pg 21

He proposed…eventually! We had been living together for about 4 years when Tom asked my parents for my hand in marriage. I however, didn’t get asked for another 6 months. It was actually a bit of a running joke in my family– every time Tom decided to book a weekend away my mum would get excited thinking that this would be the time and nothing would materialise. It took Tom six attempts to ask me, apparently every time he went to ask me something would get in the way and spoil his attempt. I was always unsuspecting and enjoyed all the weekends away I was being treated to! Eventually Tom popped the question on a weekend away to Cambridge alongside the beautiful canal.

Country bumpkin at Heart! We wanted a summer, country wedding. Having the wedding at home meant we could do everything our own way and it was more personal. I also wanted to spend the morning of the wedding getting ready at my family home. Plus the more local we stayed the more hands we could enrol to help us with the planning. It’s a good job we have such a talented bunch of friends! They helped us with everything from the flower arranging, invitations, bridesmaid dress-making and making our fantastic cake!

The Night BeforeThe night before the wedding I stayed at my parents’ house and Tom stayed at our home in Chelmsford with his best man. Tom and the ushers all went out for a meal and drinks the night before while the bridesmaids stayed over with me for bubbly and last minute jobs! I was so excited and knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink.

The big day….The big day finally arrived and we couldn’t have asked for a better day – it was fantastic. The weather was perfect - dry and sunny which was lucky, being a marquee in the garden! Everything went to plan and we both really enjoyed celebrating with all our friends and family.I don’t think I could pick one special moment as the whole day was really special. The most important thing to us was that everyone important was able to share the day with us! They were with us from the beginning and all worked really hard to ensure that everything went to plan and even managed to arrange a few surprises for us such as champagne stowed in our vintage car for us to have on the journey from the church to the reception.

From bride to bride…. Relax and enjoy the day – and try to remember every second as it goes so quickly. Fortunately we have lots of photos to remember every part of the day – which is essential as you can’t take it all in at the time!

Recreating Tom and Louise’s

W e d d i n g

Photographywww.hayleyruthphotograpy.co.uk

Cakewww.rosemaryscakes.co.uk

Dresswww.thebespokewardrobe.co.uk

Catererwww.bouquetgarni.co.uk

Make upwww.juliacamilleri.co.uk

Hairwww.revampmyimage.co.uk

Jewellerywww.charlotte-rose-designs.co.uk

Favourswww.miniatureglassbottles.co.uk