Clare and Nathan’s summer wedding at Northbrook Park had a calm, close-to-home feel, with both of them getting ready in cottages on the estate before everyone gathered for the ceremony. July suited the venue well, giving the day room to move between the cottages, the ceremony space, the wedding breakfast and the evening celebrations without ever feeling rushed.
Morning
The morning began at Northbrook Park, with Clare getting ready in one of the venue cottages and Nathan also preparing on site. Having both sides of the wedding morning at the same venue kept everything close together, which suited the relaxed pace of the build-up before guests arrived.
Ceremony
Guests arrived at Northbrook Park in the early afternoon, with Nathan there ahead of the ceremony and Clare arriving before the 2.30pm start. The ceremony formed the centre of the day, bringing everyone together at the venue before the celebrations moved into the reception.
Speeches and Wedding Breakfast
The wedding breakfast began with everyone seated, followed by a welcome speech from Clare’s father and grace from Nathan’s auntie. The speeches were spread through the meal, with the best man speaking before the main course and Nathan giving his speech before dessert, which gave the reception a natural shape rather than keeping every speech together in one block.
Evening
The evening moved into the cake cutting and first dance after the wedding breakfast had finished. Clare’s sister introduced the first dance, and Nathan’s father announced the cake cutting, giving family members a clear part in the final part of the celebration.