FROM THE START

When Charlotte and Billy met they were only 16 years old. Long admirers of one another, the pair hit it off from the beginning but it wasn’t until they ended up at the same party in 2014 that sparks began to fly.

Just as many love stories start, they went for a ‘Cheeky Nandos’ the day after – and as they say, the rest is history. Was it medium or hot, we wonder?

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM

In 2017 they packed their bags and travelled to Asia together for a year, stumbling across a small island in Malaysia called Kapas Island – which they fell in love with. They visited the island a few times during their year away, but their last visit was something special. Billy picked up a few bits for a picnic and they headed across the island to an empty beach to watch the sunset, where Billy got down on one knee to Charlotte’s delight. But it wasn’t a bright diamond that stared back at her – rather a ring made out of cord that Billy had one of the guys from the island make, and repaid him in Oreo biscuits – but this impromptu proposal at a place the pair felt so dearly about, is something they’ll remember forever.

We hope the diamond followed, Charlotte!

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

The day after the proposal Charlotte said to Billy, “I know the venue”. She had stumbled across Woodhill on Facebook a few years prior, and fell in love with the beautiful Northumberland views, orangery and ceremony space of this iconic venue. As they were still seven months from coming home the couple had their mams go and view Woodhill and FaceTime them when they were there. Lo and behold, the venue was booked that day.

WOODHILL HAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO WEDDINGS, IT HAS A FAMILY VIBE, YOU DON’T FEEL AS THOUGH YOU’RE HIRING A HOTEL OR A VENUE AS SUCH.

WE HAD EXCLUSIVE HIRE OF WOODHILL FOR TWO DAYS, USING THE WHOLE VENUE THE NIGHT BEFORE TO HOST FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH A SINGER AND AMAZING BBQ. NOT MANY VENUES OFFER THIS KIND OF SERVICE AND IT MADE THE WHOLE WEEKEND FEEL SO INTIMATE.

I’M FROM A HUGE FAMILY, I HAVE 13 BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND MY MAM’S HOUSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE WHERE WE GATHER. WOODHILL HAD THAT SAME KIND OF VIBE.

THE VENUE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, PARTICULARLY THE OLIVE HOUSE AND ORANGERY. IT CHANGES ALL THE TIME TOO WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE EXCITING. WE WOULD 100% RECOMMEND WOODHILL!

 

CHARLOTTE, THE BRIDE

The planning process was a breeze for Billy and Charlotte, with the bride taking the reins with styling and organisation. As she used to be a wedding stationer she aced the simple and classy look, with neutrals, whites and greens throughout.

Charlotte made a mood board for each arrangement and bouquet (planner extraordinaire!) and her florist Bees and Butterflies made it come into fruition, with beautiful tones from papas, ruscus, a couple of types of white roses and orchids.

FUNNY MOMENT

In the ceremony Liam who was Billy's best man didn’t know he had to sit down after giving the couple their wedding rings (which he did in the most secretive way as if people weren’t supposed to see for some reason, says Charlotte!) so he just stood at the altar until the registrar told him it was his time to take a seat! “He’s a naturally funny person so this had everyone crying laughing, it made the whole ceremony so relaxed and light hearted.”

If you could bottle one moment of your day to keep forever, what would it be?

OTHER THAN THE CEREMONY IT HAS TO BE OUR FIREWORK DISPLAY ON THE EVENING, THAT MOMENT WAS INCREDIBLE. WE CHOSE TO HAVE A DISPLAY CHOREOGRAPHED TO ‘ALWAYS - BON JOVI’ AND IT WAS TOWARDS THE END OF THE EVENING RECEPTION WHICH MEANT EVERYONE WAS A LITTLE MERRY. IT WENT DOWN SO WELL, EVERY GUEST WAS STOOD ON THE STEPS OF WOODHILL SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT, I REMEMBER TURNING ROUND SEEING HOW HAPPY EVERYONE WAS AND FEELING SO EMOTIONAL, THE ATMOSPHERE WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

Charlotte

FIRST DANCE SONG

BRIDE TO BRIDE...

FORGET THE ‘INSTAGRAM LOOK’ AND GO FOR WHAT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU BOTH, THAT’S WHERE THE MAGIC IS.

CHARLOTTE, THE BRIDE

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