In this look back at one of 2025’s most colourful weddings we can see how little pops of colour can make such a difference to a neutral palette and how your furry family can be a part of your celebrant led ceremony.
Where: The Boundary at Garons Park, Southend, SS2 4FA
When: September 2025
Who: Zoe and James
1st Contact: I first met Zoe and Jay at the same venue on one of their open days. I was actually stood in the same spot that I would be standing in a little over a year later to conduct their wedding. They had already booked the venue and were looking at vendors and who could help them make their vision a reality.
As we got chatting about the practicalities of what they were looking for I mentioned how the registration service could be “cheeky buggers” and try to sell you a ceremony room when all you want to do is the paperwork and this made them laugh.
I was thrilled to get a message from Zoe the next day to see they would like me to be their celebrant – very keen! When we did our discovery call a few days later, I asked them what made them so sure and they said it was because I had sworn and they knew I was their person, who says things like it is, wants nothing but the best for people and is up for a laugh. I’ll take that!
Wedding Day: As always, I arrived an hour before the celebration was due to start. I took this as my opportunity to take a few preview photos of the marquee and check in with the brilliant Charlotte, who manages the venue.
They had already put out the chair markers for me in the scoreboard, so that saved me a bit of time, so instead I started unwrapping button holes and was thrilled there was a corsage made up ready for Sidney, our ring bearer.
The groom arrived a little later looking dapper in his green tweed suit and he and his best man got to work tying up loose ends and greeting eager guests.
Zoe had been very specific about her walk in music and we had a time marker for when we wanted guests to stand and for her to reach the doors to the barn and I have to say she timed it perfectly, despite being a bit wind assisted on the journey. She looked stunning in a simple satin gown with a bodice lacing to the back and most importantly of all, comfy shoes!
Celebrant Led: What I loved about this ceremony and the vision of the day was that it was all so simple but so effective. A bright colour palette showed off the venue brilliantly and meant that there was no need for fluff and frills as there was enough impact in the fabrics and flowers.
I was greeted warmly by the effervescent Aunty Carol who gave me a hug and told me she’d heard all about me and already knew I was perfect for the job before I started. I also met other family, aunts and grandmas as I assisted with button hole attachment. The boys sensibly had pocket cards – I would recommend these to everybody – they were bloody marvellous. The ladies had been given buttonholes with magnets on, which is a great idea to save fabrics getting marked but in reality they fell off and we went back to pins again!
Zoe and Jay had a love story full of fun and laughs, they wrote personal vows to each other that were only revealed on the day after they had taken the mickey out of how much the other had written!! And then it was time for the one who upstaged us all, Sidney the ring bearing floof – she was amazing.
As everyone left to go off and have a drink we had some private photos with the nans in the barn as it was a bit chilly outside and it was great to be able to see this candid moment full of love and pride.
I got a massive hug from Aunty Carol and told “I knew you were going to be brilliant but that was excellent, I’m going to recommend you to everyone.”
Supplier Love:
Venue: The Boundary https://the-boundary.uk/
Photographer: https://www.lottietopping.com/
