Garden Wedding Photoshoot | Unique Norfolk Venues

Jasper and Elizabeth

FROM ENGAGEMENT TO THE AISLE IN 15 WEEKS: JASPER AND LIZZY KEECH’S WEDDING AT OXNEAD HALL

After 8 years together, in June 2019, Jasper Keech popped the question to Lizzy Dewsbury on a romantic spa weekend. They thought, “why wait!” and decided to get married 15 weeks later, on the 29th September 2019.

PLANNING

When it came to wedding planning, Lizzy reflects that having 15 weeks to plan made their wedding build up more exciting Choosing to get married at Oxnead Hall meant they had access to our wedding planners and event specialists. “Our appointed planner, Lucy, ensured we could get everything done in our time-frame,” explains Lizzy. “We were in constant contact with Lucy and the team, who guaranteed we did everything we needed to keep on track.”

On her wedding planning journey, Lizzy learnt that, in general, wedding dressmakers need around 6 months to finish your perfect gown. Thankfully, Prima Donna were on hand to help.

“Lisa from Prima Donna picked out the dress and I was instantly giddy!” shares Elizabeth. Three further appointments followed for minor alterations to get Lizzy’s dress dance floor ready.

Meanwhile, Jasper and his groomsmen sourced their suits from Next. Jasper showed off his sense of style by adding a suit jacket from Moss, creating a broken suit. The look was completed with liberty fabric, worn by Jasper, the groomsmen, dads and brothers.

As for styling the venue, a little bit of fate was at play. “When we were viewing Oxnead Hall, Epic Event Hire were dressing the venue,” shares Lizzy. “We decided we needed them and their canopy lighting and spoke to them straight away!”.

THE BIG DAY

An early start at 5:45am for the bride and her party to prepare at home juxtaposed with the groom’s. Jasper opted for a pint and fry up with his groomsmen and friend at a local pub to Oxnead Hall, the Recruiting Sergeant.

Arriving at Oxnead Hall at 11.30am, Lizzy was able to finalise her look in the bridal suite. It gave her a sneak peak of the guests arriving at 12.30pm, “It was so magical and made me really excited” she says.

There are lots of ceremony options, from the Fountain Room to the evergreen grounds, even the medieval St Michaels and All Angels Church.  Jasper and Lizzy chose to marry in the elegant Fountain Room.

A special memory for the couple is Jasper getting the first look of his bride from the reflection of the Fountain Room mirror. 

After a very personal ceremony, including readings from Lizzy’s brother, music from a friend and personalised vows, the wedding party made their way to the Orangery. 

The Orangery gives all weather options, with space for guests both indoors and in Oxnead Hall’s beautiful grounds. Lizzy notes the “amazing atmosphere” whilst guests enjoyed drinks and canapes in the sun.

At around 3.30pm the guests were taken to the impressive Great Barn to take their seats for the wedding breakfast. Meanwhile, Lizzy and Jasper went with their photographer, Beth Moseley, to get some pictures in the grounds. Unfortunately, the rain set in,  but  Lucy was to the rescue to collect the bride and groom in the on-site golf buggy.

The wedding breakfast was served at 4pm, created by executive head chef Keith McDowell “It was so tasty” remembers , “and it was lovely to sit at the top table and watch our guest having a great time”.

The reception was also hosted in the Great Barn (dressed with Epic Event Hire’s canopy lighting, of course!). An additional 40 guests joined the celebrations for the evening, which kicked off at around 7pm. 

Music for the evening was a mix of the Epic Event Hire DJ and the Joe Ringer Band, who alternated sets. “We danced the whole night away and everyone had such a good time” shares Lizzy “we loved it, but our feet were so sore!”. Epic Events finished the night at midnight with Take That’s Never Forget – very apt. 

Were there any surprises on Jasper and Lizzy’s big day? “We gave each other lovely presents to open on the day,” says Lizzy. Jasper received a box of goodies including wedding day socks and cufflinks, whilst the Bride was gifted a lovely locket from her soon to be husband.

It goes without saying that the bride and groom loved their time celebrating their marriage. Some stand out moments include the heart-warming speeches, Lizzy getting ready at her childhood home and the atmosphere during their first dance.

“We took ten minutes out of the evening to check in and reflect on the day” reminisces Lizzy. “We could hear amazing music and guests laughing, it was a really precious moment.”

PLANNING TIPS

Some tips from Lizzy on planning your big day:

  • Find a venue which has a wedding planner or coordinator. Lucy really helped to keep the Keech’s on track with their planning. Wedding planners are also able to recommend trusted suppliers ensuring your day is a success.
  • Find a venue that you get complete exclusivity over. Some venues let members of the public use the facilities or stay in the rooms. Unique Norfolk Venues ensure exclusivity for your day.
  • Have a mix of entertainment. A combination of a band and a DJ meant the evening had constant energy and the dance floor was full all night. Lizzy says, “it was the best night we’ve ever had – our guests still comment on it!”
  • Involve your family and friends in creating something for your day. The Keech’s had friends who made the wedding stationary and played a part in the ceremony, whilst the Groom’s mother made the jam favours. These little touches create a special and personal day
  • Do what you want to do! Try not to worry about pleasing everybody, you can’t! “Everyone will love the day no matter what, we look back on our day and there is not one thing that we’d change” says Lizzy.

SUPPLIERS

The fantastic suppliers which helped to create Lizzy and Jasper’s perfect day were:

VENUE

Oxnead Hall. Ceremony in the Fountain Room, canapes in the Orangery, wedding breakfast and reception in the Great Barn.

WEDDING DRESS

Prima Donna

BRIDESMAID AND BEST WOMAN DRESSES

David’s Bridal

HAIR

Flamingo Amy. Hair flowers supplied by Swaffham Florist (now Floral Sistas)

MAKE-UP

Leanna Stibbon MUA 

GROOMSWEAR

Suits from Next, Groom’s jacket from Moss, ties were liberty fabric

JEWELLERY

Rings from fairtrade supplier CRED Jewellery

FOOD

Oxnead Hall by Unique Norfolk Venues provided the wedding breakfast and reception hog roast

CAKE

Amber at Love Wedding Cakes. The cake included sugar work flowers and foliage which Amber had discussed with Swaffham Florist (now Floral Sistas) to make sure they reflected the flowers for the day.

FLOWERS

Swaffham Florists now Floral Sistas for flowers, chair posies and centre pieces.

VENUE DRESSING

Epic Event Hire (canopy, light up wooden letters, chair drapes, aisle runner) and some DIY pieces (candles, jars, palette).

PHOTOGRAPHY

Beth Moseley Photography accompanied by her associate Mark.

VIDEOGRAPHY

Best man’s partner

ENTERTAINMENT

Jasper’s friend Ed played keyboard in the ceremony. The Joe Ringer Band and Epic Event Hire DJ for the reception.

FAVOURS

Fudge from Rolys Fudge – vanilla (Devon/Cornwall) and grape jelly made by the Groom’s Mother, Purity. 

WEDDING STATIONERY

Bride’s close friend, Laura Rose

TRANSPORT

Taxi of mum and dad!

Has Jasper and Lizzy’s day inspired you? Contact the team at Unique Norfolk venues to discuss your wedding vision and book a viewing. Call us on 01485 500292 or email [email protected].

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