Dan & Natasha – 19th April 2019

Living in the same city for 10 years, but never meeting, Dan returned to Bristol for a friends leaving do and that is when Dan and Natasha first met.

Popping the question at Bath Spa, Natasha & Dan knew it was the perfect time for them.

Spotting her dress two years before the wedding, Natasha couldn’t walk away. She knew it was the one!

Dan took control of venue hunting, knowing he’d love to marry Natasha at a Castle they began looking. After visiting a few, they fell in love with Clearwell Castle.

“Just how special and grand it felt – it was perfect for us and I couldn’t have been more proud to bring our family and friends together there.”

After finding Clearwell Castle, the wedding theme started to come together – Regal, elegant, classy and classic. Natasha wanted to keep to a neutral colour scheme with lots of white, cream, ivory with dark greens from natural foliage.

“The personalities and outfits and beautiful smiles of our guests and the nature, grounds and sunshine of the venue and day brought all the colour we needed.”

Prior to the big day, Natasha had planned, designed, printed and framed the welcome poster and table plan. Personalising it perfectly for their day.

Natasha also handcrafted their version of their wedding guest book. Giving each guest a square of fabric, and fabric pens they each could leave their message. After the big day, Natasha could then make this into a patchwork quilt.

Vintage keys were at every adults table place carefully tied to their place name with a pure silk ribbon. The kids were provided with activity packs and a small soft heart with the wedding date on.

Natasha and Dan had Emma from Pretty Sweet Cakery design and make their cake. Going for slightly obscure flavours the couple could not have been happier with the finished product.

Top small tier: traditional fruit cake and finished with an elegant floral design
Tall tier: Chocolate orange flavour finished with gold leaf
Double tier: Pink champagne sponge with fresh strawberry coulis and swiss meringue buttercream (best cake EVER)
Bottom tier: Lemon and elderflower sponge with lemon curd filling and finished with buttercream

Natasha wore a stunning dress. A long full dress with applique detail and a plunging neckline – perfectly complimenting the regal wedding style.

To complement the dress Natasha wore a cathedral length veil and a rose gold art deco style tiara. To match the tiara her shoes were a gorgeous rose gold satin with crystal details.

Dan, their son Ray, both Fathers and the Groomsmen wore traditional black tails with dove grey waistcoats and charcoal pinstripe trousers. Looking very handsome.

The 5 bridesmaids all wore white dresses. Natasha had asked them to go away and find a white outfit that they felt fabulous in. With flowers, hair and makeup they all came together, but Natasha wanted to make sure they all individually loved what they wore.

The Ceremony

Esme and Ray, Natasha and Dan’s children, walked down the aisle first.  Followed by Natasha’s bridesmaids and then Natasha herself linked on to her proud Fathers arm.

They all walked down to the Bridal Chorus played beautifully on the saxophone.

“Dan cried throughout – and I smiled! It was perfect and emotional.”

As a friend played a selection of the couples favourite songs on Piano Natasha, Dan and their guests enjoyed drinks, canapes and their beautiful surroundings. It happened to be the hottest day of the year so far and so guests relaxed in the sun on our Cocktail terrace.

A classic British menu of duck, pork and crumble for the wedding breakfast.

“The speeches blew me away. We heard from my Dad, Dan, Ben the best man, my best friend and bridesmaid Sam who did an amazing speech which she rapped!”

 A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman was their first dance song – a family favourite. Followed by Dance Wiv Me by Dizzie Rascal, quickly getting everyone on the dancefloor!

“We had the DJ provided by the castle who was AWESOME by the way.”

The weekend after the wedding Natasha and Dan headed to Venice for a mini-moon. The perfect chance to spend some quality time with each other away from day to day work.

Heading then to Marbella in July for a family-moon, Natasha and Dan could reminisce on their special day.

“It was everything I dreamed it would be and more. It was an actual dream come true from start to finish. For me and my family. It was a very special occasion that we will treasure forever and much of that we owe to our beautiful venue and the staff around us that day.”

Suppliers:

Suits: Dyfed Menswear
Wedding Dress (day): Wed2b
Veil: Future Brides
Tiara: Eden Luxe Bridal
Shoes: ASOS
Wedding Dress (evening): Jovani
Makeup: Rachel Hosking & Anna Williams
Hair Stylist: Stacey Jade
Flower Girl Dress & Accessories: Monsoon
Florist: Roots Floral Design
Videographer: Mitchel Clulow 
Cake: Pretty Sweet Cakery
Stationary & Decor: Natasha herself!
Entertainment (Saxophone & Piano): Frankie Povey
Photographer: Jonny Barratt
Nails: Caitlin Marie Nails
Chair Sashes: The Boutique Weddings
Engagement Ring: LeVian
Wedding Ring: SP Green

If you have any questions relating to having your wedding at Clearwell Castle, please don't hesitate to call Laura via the contact details below:

Laura

T: 01594 832 320
E: info@clearwell-castle.co.uk