Roxanne & Efe

This gorgeous wedding starts off with a romantic proposal that will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing, then culminates in a romantic, summer wedding at Millbridge Court in Surrey that is equally as adorable. The big bloomsey hydrangea head bouquets and centrepieces are perfection, just like bride Roxanne in her customised Anita Massarella gown, (who has since set up her own business Roxy Fit to help other brides feel their best on their day) with the outdoor ceremony and barn reception full of the fabulous florals and elegant decor matching her beauty and grace exquisitely. The couple were blessed with lovely weather, enjoyed steel bands on the lawn and even managed a choreographed dance routine to a Beyonce medley. And capturing all those memories to treasure was the wonderful Anneli Marinovich.

Love Story

Roxanne the Bride: Myself and Efe met firstly when we both went on separate friends holidays to Marbella Spain. I knew a girl he was on the trip with very well so I arranged with my friends to go out there at a similar time.

The Proposal

It was a lovely surprise as I didn't expect it at all. After living together in our flat for a year, Efe suggested we go out for dinner to have a little celebration of having the place for the year, he was always sweet like that with dates. So I just thought what a lovely idea! That day I had been bride dress shopping for a very good friend of mine who was getting married. I knew I had to be back home for 7 though to make sure we could leave for dinner at 8. I didn’t know any plans as he said let’s keep it a surprise for you, it will be more exciting for you if you don't know where we are eating. He then surprised me by taking me to Asia de Cuba in the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden, where we went on our first date. Earlier in the week his mum called us to say why don’t you stay with us in North London this weekend as she had guest passes for a new spa that had just opened. Clever because then I packed an overnight bag and took it to the meal thinking from there we were going to his mum’s house. Whilst sat at the meal he then explained to me that his boss in America always stays here when he comes to the UK office and he booked the table for us. Then went on to say he was coming to stay the next day and wanted Efe to check his room out. I believed him because it was quite a story. I was quite excited though because I’d heard it was one of the best hotels and couldn't wait for a nosey around! During the meal, when I look back, he did drink his drinks quickly and said to order more and the best dish on the menu because it’s a celebration. After the meal we went up to the room and when we got to the door he walked in and I stayed outside. He shouted ‘what are you doing come inside’. I was hesitant as it was his boss’s room. When I finally opened the door I was amazed there were fairy lights, candles and a big bottle of champagne on the bed, the bed was decorated so beautifully and so romantically I couldn’t believe it. Obviously I knew it was for me now! But I still hadn’t clicked it was a proposal yet. He then took my hand and got down on one knee and asked for my hand in marriage. I jumped at him and couldn’t stop saying ‘wow are you sure, I can’t believe it’ and of course YES over and over again. After the initial shock I realised I hadn’t even seen the ring because I was jumping around so much. He re-opened the box and it was the exact ring I had dreamt of having but thought it wouldn’t be possible! The excitement continued as my amazing mum, future mother-in-law and Efe had organised a surprise engagement party for me and Efe the weekend after. All my close family and friends were there and it was again such a shock and surprise – another best day of my life.

Photographer

Anneli Marinovich was fabulous and made us feel incredibly comfortable we chose them from a list the venue had given us and scrolling through her website and photos we knew she would capture the perfect photos. Anneli was not only amazing on our wedding day, but she was fabulous throughout the whole experience. From the moment we met her for a coffee to discuss her work, we knew she was the photographer for us. My husband doesn't really enjoy having his photo taken, but Anneli made him feel at ease and our engagement shoot in Esher forest was so much fun. We felt like we formed a friendship with Anneli after our engagement shoot and loved how she kept in touch in the lead up to the wedding. Our wedding was the most wonderful day and Anneli captured it all beautifully. She took the lead without being controlling and managed to group all of our family together for photos without a fuss. We loved our couple photos with her and the fact that we didn't spend hours away from our guests after the ceremony. Anneli stole us away during dessert at sunset and the beautiful lighting she used almost makes the photos come to life. We can't recommend her enough and I hope we have the opportunity to use Anneli again in the nearby future.

Videographer

Our video was by Jane Louise Films. Jane did a great job at capturing the essence of the day exactly how we remember it and it's something we're so glad we have to look back on for the future!" View the video here.

Venue

As soon as we walked in to Millbridge Court we knew it was the one for us. We loved the modern feel of the venue and also how bright and open it was and the staff were very accommodating with funky unique styles. It was my father who found the venue online after looking round seven before Millbridge. We knew we wanted an outdoor ceremony with a modern very open, light feel inside of the venue so he typed that in to google and that is just what we got.

Ceremony

We had an outdoor civil ceremony and then we had a priest from our local church to do a blessing straight afterwards. We had Efes amazing cousin Omeyele Thomas sing three personal songs for us whilst we were signing our marriage certificates, we also had my uncle read the reading “The One” and then his sister read out a passage the bible that was read out at his parents wedding also. Then we had our priest for the blessing, who got us to write down personal things about one another separately before the wedding day and then on the day he shared our stories with our guests and each other.

Ceremony Decor

For the ceremony we had white rose petals scattered down the sides of the aisle. We had silver hearts hanging from every other row outside chair down the aisle and on the other chair on the outside of the aisle white cones filled with butterfly shaped confetti and white rose petals. We then had which my mother hand made around the first arch tiny silk butterfly entwining with false eucalyptus which had glass stones which glistened in the sun then it also had tiny fairy lights which you couldn't see until the night time. At the end of the aisle there was an arbor which we got married under and on either side we had a mirror plinth with with clear vases each topped with a full round globe of flowers. To include; ivory/cream hydrangea, ivory ‘vendella’ roses and mink ‘menta’ roses with a little eucalyptus foliage.

Bridal Gown

I wore a Couture wedding gown designed and created exclusively for me by Anita Massarella. The fabric, of sequinned tulle, was produced especially by British textile company Bella Tela . I thought it was going to be so dificult finding the perfect dress as when it comes to long dresses I am very fussy and I don't like traditional bridal dresses on my self. Anita and Lucy who made my dress from the minute I walked in to the shop were incredible and helping pick out my dream dress. They were not pushy at all but deep down knew exactly what style would look ‘wow’ on me. They asked lots of questions about what I wanted and then brought out three different dresses for me to try. One me and my mum picked out straight away from the three and said it’s so different and beautiful. My mum said you have to try that on its amazing. The other two were fabulous the style was what I was looking for but it didn't have the wow factor, I then stepped in to the dress and immediately said wow and my mum got goose bumps and said this is it. It just felt exactly how I’m sure it’s meant to feel when its right and then from there the team helped me make it couture and exclusive so it fitted perfect and was even more glamorous.

Accessories

I had a personalised head piece created exclusively for me to run down my hair at the back designed by Lou Lou Puchalka. I also wore Valentino Rockstud white heels and Tiffany pearl earrings. I had a veil that my very good friend gave to me as it was exactly the type of veil I was looking for, for that dress and it meant a lot to both of us for me to wear it. I also had a hair piece designed by LuLu which had the exact sequins down it as the dress. I also wore a beautiful garter from a lady boutique in west Yorkshire called Janet Denton.

Wedding Party Fashion

Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses. I knew I wanted two in a grey and two in a blush and again modern, classy with a little bit of sexy in the dress which they defiantly looked. It took a while to find these dresses as I also wanted them to not be your typical bridesmaid dress but when I saw them all in these Vera Wang dresses I loved them.

Groomsmen Attire

My husband wore a tailor made 3 piece suit from Cad and The Dandy. The ushers rented 3 piece suits from Moss Bros.

Colour Scheme/Decor

Grey, white, silver and blush pink. I have always loved fresh, modern and white when I think of weddings, especially with the open glass windows and doors in Millbridge court. I love greys and soft pinks together I think it’s very romantic and modern.

Flowers

I had a round globe of White Hydrangeas and the bridesmaids had white vendella roses. Boutique Blooms went above and beyond to make the venue look fabulous - exactly what we wanted and more. Centrepieces – Tall slim fluted vases, each topped with a full round globe of flowers. Included: ivory/cream hydrangea, ivory ‘vendella’ roses and mink ‘menta’ roses with a little eucalyptus foliage. Each centrepiece stood on a large mirror plate. The mirrors were decorated with x3 vases of floating candles with pearls and clusters of clear glass tea lights. Wall Displays – each shelf in the reception room was decorated with x3 vases of floating candles and pearls alternating with x4 low vases with a hydrangea head inside. We had a table plan on a tall standing mirror with 4 clear vases either side with water and floating rose petals and candles.I chose these flowers because they were modern, contemporary and complemented the theme for the day and my dress. Other Decorations - Behind the top table on the wall there were 6 shelves with hooks and we had hanging glass bulbs with tea-light candles inside - of different sizes, hanging different lengths There were butterflies on the champagne glasses. We had a “LOVE” sign on the dance floor and more hanging globes The place names also were white butterflies placed on each champagne flute Favors - A personalised pen with our initials on it and the date (white and silver). This also allowed our guests to write date ideas which we asked them to put in a large glass globe on the guestbook table. The tables were named after special locations for us both. e.g. the Top Table was called Millbridge Court and there were others such as Covent Garden (where we got engaged) and Marbella (Where we met) Our wedding and styling reflected us as a couple - Modern, fun, romantic and classy.

Food & Drink

Amazing catering & canapes by Kalm Kitchen. We wanted our wedding to feel very romantic and glamorous without being over the top. It was a relaxed family feel and a party after that! Reception drinks on the lawn included Pimms, Processo and Sparkling Edlerflower with raspberries. Our wedding cake was by Yele Ogundero at Truly Scrumptious Cakes. It was gluten free with 5 tiers and had 5 different flavors. It was white and decorated with roses and sequins. The best cake we have ever tasted and our guests finished it all!

Entertainment

We had a Steel Band during the pre-reception and as we walked back down the aisle. A magician - Simon Alexander. Then a DJ in the evening. The real DJ AK.

First Dance

First dance song: Drake - “Best I Ever Had”. We initially danced to an acoustic version before the real song kicked in. Since we met each other it has always been a song that reminds us of each other. Drake was also the first concert we went to together.

Special Moments

When my Dad saw me for the first time and walking down the aisle with him. The moment they said “you are now husband and wife” Guests all singing along to the songs during the ceremony. The speeches The whole day of seeing everyone enjoying themselves and feeling the love in the room

Advice

Write timetables for the day and in the run up to the wedding. Be prepared and book things well in advance (especially entertainment, and key suppliers) Do no try and do everything at once - focus on a couple of tasks before moving to the next one Don’t scrimp on the important things - it will be worth it. Communication to the venue is key! Enjoy even the stressful times as it only happens once so try and make it fun. Don't be scared to ask for help from close friends and family. It’s amazing how generous people are with their time.