In this month’s Real Wedding Blog we meet Melissa and Daniel, a couple who took a while to get to their wedding date, “this was not eyes locking across a crowded room, love at first sight. More a slow burner or to be more accurate a steady smoulder.”
Where: Chalkney Water Meadows https://browningbros.co.uk/chalkney-water-meadows
When: September 2025
Who: Melissa and Daniel
First Contact: I received an enquiry form on my website to say that the wedding was booked but their previous choice of Celebrant was unable to proceed and they had recommended me – was I free? (The benefit of collaboration over competition!)
Thankfully I was as Mel and Dan lived so close to me we might as well have been neighbours, so we booked in a planning meeting over a cup of tea and an introduction to their cats.
I was knocked out by the attention to detail that was going into this wedding and how much of it was home made. The central theme was Sunflowers and they were everywhere but I knew how big this outdoor venue is and that when you think something is too much, its almost not enough.
We discussed what could be done after the wedding to mitigate all of this preparation so there would be no post wedding blues and so discussed spa days, relaxation and mini-moons so there was still something to look forward to.
Wedding Day: It was a glorious day in the Essex country side, As I walked through the wooded glade I thanked my lucky stars once more for the job that I am so blessed to have. When I arrived at the water side I noticed fish basking in the sun, a solitary Swan floating about and the flash of azure blue as Kingfishers chased each other across the surface.
The tipi and decking was decorated in Sunflower garlands and I was thrilled that I had my nails done to match. As I prepared myself for the ceremony I got chatting to Chris and then Sarah of Forever Yours Films https://www.foreveryours.uk/, who were a joy to work with, and then had a brief catch up with Helen from Pinky Promise Photo (who supplied all these gorgeous images). https://www.pinkypromisephotography.co.uk/
After receiving the plan from the marvellous Holly of Browning Bros, I was ready to go so away we went to a ceremony full of love, laughs and personality, with a glorious backdrop and all the feels…..
Celebrant Led: We had a slight delay to our proceedings whilst the team had to rescue a horse that had escaped from a nearby field from a cattle grid – all ended happily ever after.
There was also a brief interlude in the first look when one of the groomsmen dressed as a bride to surprise the groom, which was hilarious and welcome relief from the nerves and tension of the morning.
Of course, I was in on the act so was able to call out Lewis in the introduction to the ceremony and asked him to admit his actions to a waiting crowd of guests and then I went on to check that Dan was relieved that Mel was the one in the dress right then – of course he was….. I also got to ask the bride’s friend Jade to admit her part in the pair of them getting together…..where there is blame there’s a claim right???
We had a moment with a commemorative certificate and took our time to get precious photos with guests as the signing took place – none of which you could do with a registrar.
I was thrilled to have been able to take my time to really get to know Dan and Mel, they are brilliant people with lovely cats. As always, working with a trusted team of friends and colleagues was ace and helped me relax so I could be at my best too. I can honestly say that this was one of the loveliest gigs I have done and I feel like I could fill these feed with photos of all the special touches on the day but perhaps the nicest of all was receiving a thank you and a photo the next day that showed they were still smiling and wrapped in that bubble of wedded bliss 🙂
Supplier Love:
Browning Bros at Chalkney Water Meadows, coordinated by Holly.
Photo’s by Helen of Pinky Promise photography and her second shooter Claire
Videography by Forever Yours.
Food by Aussie BBQ https://www.aussiebbq.co.uk/
Dress https://dresscodenine.co.uk/
Dan’s suit https://www.slaters.co.uk/the-wedding-shop
Ice cream van https://www.facebook.com/mollymoosices
