Real Weddings

Terésa and Chris.

Chris and Terésa’s love story got off to a dramatic start – quite literally.

“We met at Frome Memorial Theatre,” says Teresa. “I was vocal-coaching for a youth group, and Chris was working backstage as crew. Chris didn’t notice me at all, despite me making a ridiculous effort to stand out. It wasn’t until a mutual friend told him that I quite liked him that he took the hint; a few weeks later we started chatting on Facebook.”

Once Terésa had won her man, the rest was easy. 

”The proposal was perfect. Chris surprised me with a week away for our anniversary, taking me to Cork where my Nanny had been born and bred. She had been such a huge part of my childhood and early adult life, and I’d always wanted to see where she’d grown up. On our anniversary, Chris planned a day trip to Blarney Castle. We kissed the Blarney Stone, then took a long walk around the lake, where he chose the perfect spot and got down on one knee.” 

Terésa and Chris were married at St John’s Church in Trowbridge, with a reception held in a marquee at Seymours Court, an idyllic 15th century manor house outside Beckington. “We’d been to view other venues, but didn’t want to be restricted by their menus or selection of wines, and we knew that a marquee wedding would give us more control and freedom over the food and drink. We’d been to a marquee wedding at Seymours Court a few years before, and fell in love with it. 

“We had about 90 guests at the ceremony and breakfast, and another 40 or so in the evening, so it was quite a big wedding. The marquee was in the orchard, and had the lovely farmhouse as a backdrop.” 

On the day of the wedding, Terésa and Chris were faced with the kind of problem that makes the blood of any bride- and groom-to-be run cold.

“Our wedding band cancelled at the last minute. They had their kit stolen the night before, after a gig. I was gutted. As we waited for a friend to find our first dance on Spotify, we tried to calm down our very tired 18-month baby, who we so desperately wanted to share our first dance with. Then suddenly, everyone started singing Wind the Bobbin Up. I’m a singer myself, and many of my friends can sing, so it sounded beautiful; sung in four-part harmony, and captured by our amazing videographer from CWM weddings. It was a truly special moment. 

“We used local mobile bar company Celebration Bars for the entire day, and all the guests told us that their selection of drinks were brilliant. They hardly ran out of anything – and we drank a lot. 

“We did our speeches before the meal, which worked well, as Chris, his best (wo)man and my dad could just enjoy the food. I’d really recommend that, if you have a nervous bridal party.” 

As a general tip, Terésa recommends a philosophical approach.

“Don’t put too much expectation on your wedding day. Things will go wrong, and if you put too much store on them it can ruin the whole day for you, and you’ll regret it. As I said, our band didn’t arrive; they’d been the first thing I’d booked, and we had our hearts set on them, but there was nothing we could have done about it; so rather than let it ruin the day we just cracked on with the evening and enjoyed our time talking to our guests. Just remember that the most important thing is that you are marrying the love of your life. Just breathe, and enjoy every second. 

“Oh, and also, if you go for a marquee wedding, be prepared for the extra stress and tiredness. I didn’t actually sit down until about 9.30 the night before the wedding…”

Images supplied thanks to Louisa Jane