Planning Hells to Wedding Bells
Planning a wedding can be an incredibly stressful time. We tell you this as the newlywed Mr and Mrs Feeley. However, it was quite a pleasant experience for us due to the fantastic providers that we dealt with. They helped to make the planning and execution of our wedding flawless. If you’re living in the Hereford area in the UK and are starting to look at service providers, we cannot recommend the people mentioned below highly enough.
We were married on the 23rd of July 2016. The contact details are correct as of August 2016.
The Venue
Everything starts with the perfect venue. We looked around and, as we’re not particularly religious, we decided to opt for a venue that offered civil ceremonies and, most importantly, was available. If we can offer you one piece of advice, it’s to book your venue EARLY!
We chose the Three Counties Hotel in Hereford.
The venue is amazing inside and out and is also (as you may have noticed the wheelchair!) fully accessible.
From the start the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly. They spoke to us openly and honestly and quickly helped us develop a plan of how our wedding would work in their venue.
After our initial consultation with Michelle and viewing the Hereford suite, we decided that this was the venue for us and made a deposit there and then.
Throughout the planning process we were able to attend the venue with other providers to discuss plans and the Three Counties Hotel staff were always flexible when arranging these appointments.
When it came to the week of the wedding, we were fortunate enough to be able to, because of a clear schedule, begin setting up the Hereford suite a couple of days early which greatly alleviated any last minute stressing!
When it came to the day, everything went like a dream. The Maitre d’ on the day was absolutely incredible. She ensured everything ran on time, meals were served (vegetarian options were available too), the room was rearranged efficiently and our every need and requirement was met.
Overall, the Three Counties Hotel was an incredible venue for our day and we cannot thank the staff enough for all of their help and assistance.
Contact details
http://www.threecountieshotel.co.uk/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Three-Counties-Hotel/110587855668182
The Ceremony
As we have already mentioned, we opted for a civil ceremony. The Hereford Registrars were fantastic with us in the build-up to the wedding making sure we had everything we needed and were fully informed on what we had to do to tie the knot. They were very friendly and approachable and answered all of our silly questions without laughing.
All-in-all, the Hereford Registrars were a joy to deal with and made everything smooth and comfortable on the day.
Contact details
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/government-citizens-and-rights/registration/register-offices/
The Suits and the Perfect Dress
After visiting numerous bridalwear shops, the new Mrs Feeley found her dream dress at Amore Bridalwear. Elaine Maxwell and her team were incredible. Nothing was too big an ask. The dress was originally strapless but Mrs Feeley wanted straps — done. Their seamstress is very talented and met every requirement that was thrown her way to ensure that the wedding dress was absolutely perfect.
So impressed with the service at Amore, we decided to use them to obtain beautiful bridesmaid dresses also. We also used the other half of their business, High Town Hire, to make sure the Groomsmen were looking equally dashing. They were even able to provide and adjust the same suits for the mini Groomsmen.
Contact details
http://www.hightownhire.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amore-Bridalwear/124293731014657
Shoes with Style
The bride-to-be and mother of the bride had a vision in their mind of exactly what they wanted when it came to the shoes to accompany the dress.
The shoes were to be a very special and personalised part of the bridalwear.
They weren’t just shoes, they were a very touching and fitting tribute to the loving Nan of the bride-to-be, Cynthia Hemes.
After looking around for someone who could both meet the special requirement and do justice to the tribute being made, the mother of the bride discovered Keri Danks at Soley for you.
Keri was able to ensure that the shoes matched the accompanying dresses and provide a beautiful testimony to the memory of Cynthia. Incredibly easy to deal with and sensitive to all requirements, Keri was fantastic to work with.
Contact details
https://www.facebook.com/keri.rice.50
Dressing the Room
With everyone else dressed, it was onto dressing the Hereford suite at the Three Counties — Enter Diva and BStyled.
Early on in our planning, we decided on a red and white theme. With that in mind, we started to trawl around the wedding fayres.
It was there that we met the wonderful people working at Diva. Their range of chair and tables decorations as well as their incredible style and ideas had us hooked.
In late 2015, Sophie and Jacqui announced that Diva was under new management. We had a mad panic and decided we needed to evaluate the choice we’d made and met with the new owner.
This is when we met Bernice (B) Maxwell, previously of Wedding Meander. B immediately reassured us with her years of experience and her friendly and calming nature.
Diva, under B, became BStyled and has continued to build upon the great reputation Sophie and Jacqui had established. We cannot thank them enough for all of their help and patience with us as we worked towards our vision.
Contact details
http://bstyled.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/BStyled2016
The Balloon Shop provided the finishing touches to the top table with their supply of the balloon arch and the feature balloons at either end.
Whilst a small part in what was quite a planning marathon, Trudy was fantastic to work with and provided assistance on a number of smaller items that added much appreciated polish to the day.
Contact details
http://theballoonshophereford.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Balloon-Shop-Hereford/286316213733
Emma, the Sweet Fairy of Leominster Party’z & Special Occasions, also caught us at wedding fayre and sold us on her stylish love heart sweet display. As we had many kids attending our wedding, we thought the parents would appreciate us filling them full of sugar.
It was a massive hit, mostly with the adults, and Emma was a pleasure to deal with.
Contact details
https://www.facebook.com/emma.l.hill.12
https://www.facebook.com/Leominster-Partyz-Special-Occasions-626575127471347
The Joy of Flowers
Sarah Jane, the florist of King Street, is not only an incredibly talented florist, she is just awesome to deal with.
Always friendly, accommodating and full of ideas, Sarah was just the perfect choice for us.
Her knowledge of flowers and floral design meant that she could coordinate with not only our colour scheme but also with the outfits being worn by everyone involved.
She provided stunning flowers for the bride, bridesmaids, family members, buttonholes, gifts and a beautiful display for the top table.
Contact details
http://www.sarahjanesfloristhereford.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/SarahJanesJoyOfFlowers
Rounding Up the Cavalry
Obviously, having guests at your wedding is quite crucial! Lily Lou and You was a company recommended to us by a family member who had just got married and used Bernie during her planning.
We looked at the website and were blown away by the standard of work that Bernie does. The meticulous attention to detail and the amazing eye for beautiful, creative design immediately captured us.
During our initial consultation, Bernie had some excellent ideas about how she could best meet our colour scheme and accentuate that with accessories.
Bernie provided stunning invitations, table names, place cards, the table plan and thank you notes that were a massive hit.
Contact details
http://www.lilylouandyou.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/lilyouandyou
Having Your Cake and Eating It
Emily Rose Cakes was another company we encountered at a wedding fayre. We met with Jan and had a chat about some ideas we had.
Jan immediately pulled out her bible of cake designs and presented us with a design that was modern, elegant and fitted perfectly with our theme.
That, combined with Jan’s incredible lemon and poppy seed cake, convinced us that Emily Rose Cakes was the company for us. Not only that, but Jan and her husband were lovely people that just appealed to us.
Jan produced the stunning cake shown in the picture and, coupled with Sarah’s flowers, captured our ideas perfectly. Plus, the lemon and poppy seed, chocolate orange and victoria sponge tiers were to die for!
Contact details
http://www.emilyrosecakes.co.uk/
Capturing the Memories
Yet again, we met Anthony Boocock at one of the countless wedding fayres we attended.
Tony is a down-to-earth guy that we immediately connected with. His sense of humour was perfect for us and his portfolio was exceptional.
Tony took all of the pictures that you see here in this piece and worked tirelessly with us from breakfast until the final dance and captured our day with 693 beautiful images. I can honestly say that there wasn’t one picture with which we were disappointed.
Tony also provided the event photobooth that is amazing fun for everyone. Everyone had a blast with the fun props whilst acting like naughty little children. Great fun!
Contact details
http://www.anthonyboocock.com/
http://www.event-photobooth.com/
https://www.facebook.com/anthony.boocock.5
Putting Your Face On
Natasha Louise was the victim of a stalking by the bride. After finding Natasha online and being impressed by her work, the bride tracked her down to a wedding fayre and immediately booked her.
Natasha worked her magic on the bride and mother of the bride. Both of whom looked beautiful on the day.
Contact details
https://www.facebook.com/bridalmakeupbynatashalouise
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Millie Eckley, the bride’s longsuffering hairdresser, was the obvious choice for the big day.
Millie, from Hairport in Kington, worked with the bride, maid of honour and bridesmaid to find the perfect styles for them.
Millie also did an ‘Elsa from Frozen’ fishtail plait for the flower girl who, quote, “felt like a princess”.
Millie did an incredible job and, I’m happy to say, will continue to be the bride’s hairdresser!
Contact details
https://www.facebook.com/millie.moo.758
A Shave and a Haircut
Ever since the groom was small, a proper cutthroat razor shave was one on the bucket list.
After tireless searching on the internet, Alexander’s popped up. Time for the groom and the best man to check it out.
Kelly Alexander made us a booking and did the job herself. A thoroughly luxurious and relaxing experience which can be crossed off the bucket list.
Kelly and her staff were incredibly fun and made the morning of the wedding stress free while the groom and best man had some ‘man time’. They even opened up early for us on the day! Exceptional.
Contact details
http://www.alexandersbarbers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/alexanders.barbers.37
Get Me to the Church on Time
Well, venue, not church!
Deputy Driver was found online by the bride. The bride had her heart set on a Beauford Classic Tourer and Deputy Driver hit the nail on the head.
Their beautiful Beauford Classic Tourer provided the perfect way to travel in style.
John was excellent to deal with whilst making the booking and he was able to accommodate a multi-stop trip from home to the venue.
John rang a few days in advance to confirm that everything was fine for the day. Something that has incredible stress-relieving qualities!
The driver was incredibly professional and provided a top dollar service. He even allowed the page boys to sit in the car and have their pictures taken, which made their day.
Contact details
http://www.deputydriver.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deputy-Driver/1524554881138229
Now That’s Entertainment!
After finding a video on Facebook of Lorna raving we immediately did some browsing on the Endless Entertainment Events page.
Their wide range of technologies is astounding. From an epic rigging to incredible sound system, they were the perfect company to pull off our late night UV rave after party.
When we met with Lorna and Gavin, we immediately clicked. They were so easy to get on with and we had lots of similar ideas. The initial ideas grew to incorporate confetti cannons and UV paints and bubbles. We quickly came to the conclusion that we had to have them.
With all her experience doing children’s parties, Lorna also provides a fantastic service when it comes to any little people running around. She’s incredible at entertaining the kids and ensured that, despite all odds, all of them were thoroughly occupied and had a great time. This also ensured that parents were free to have a great time safe in the knowledge that their bundles of joy were in excellent hands.
Brilliant!
Contact details
http://www.endlessentertainmentevents.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Endless-Entertainment-Events/752221994808844
That’s Magic!
We first met Kiegan Vallely at our second wedding fayre. The groom was outside waiting to leave whilst the bride was sorting out one last thing. The bride burst out of the doors and dragged the groom back inside saying “you have to see this guy”.
After five minutes in his company and seeing his incredible talent, Kiegan, the Hypnogician, was booked.
Kiegan is an astounding close up magician with tricks to burn. Quite literally in some of them!
Being in a wheelchair, the groom isn’t exactly a smooth mover! However, Kiegan worked with us to create a fantastic first dance alternative that wowed the guests.
I would never play poker with this man… Incredible!
Contact details
http://www.hypnogician.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hypnogician/260516000692512
Lights, Camera, Action
Last but not least, John Marshall, a family friend, kindly offered his vast experience in videography to capture our day for us.
John was also a part of the bride’s hen do and provided one of his beautiful limousines to drive the cackling hens to their chosen den of iniquity. Silly man!
Contact details
http://www.newyorkerlimos.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Newyorkerlimos
Final Thoughts
We can honestly say that the wedding went without a single issue. We are in no doubt that every one of the providers above played a massive role in the perfect day that we shared. We will be forever grateful and, repeating ourselves, cannot recommend each and every one of them highly enough.
Our deepest thanks to all of you!
Mr & Mrs Feeley
