Michael and Lucy - The Proposal

Real Weddings, Summer, proposal, The Lake District, Loughrigg The Proposal

Photographer: JMJ Photography

Lucy and Michael met through friends on a night out in the student union bar. Michael surprised Lucy with a proposal during a trip to The Lake District. “We arrived that day and Michael suggested that we walk up Loughrigg,\" says Lucy. \"He proposed when we were at the top overlooking Lake Windermere. It was a surprise, as we’d been together so long.  It took me a while to say \'yes\' because I was so shocked.”

Michael and Lucy - The Venue (church)

Real Weddings, Summer, ceremony, Studley Royal, Ripon Cathedral The Venue (church)

Lucy fulfilled her childhood dream of getting married in Studley Royal. “I had been visiting Studley Royal since I was little, and had always said that I would like to get married in the church. It\'s amazing, as there are no buildings near it – just a straight driveway and you can see Ripon Cathedral in the distance,\" says Lucy.  \"The church isn’t in general use, so we had to get permission from the Arch Bishop of Canterbury’s office,” she added.

Michael and Lucy - Wedding Breakfast

Real Weddings, Summer, Yorkshire, Wedding Breakfast, Pearls Wedding Breakfast

“We wanted a ‘classic’ theme, which also reflected the location in Yorkshire, with white roses and Yorkshire puddings at the wedding breakfast,” says Lucy.

Lucy also used pearls as inspiration for the wedding theme, “Myself and the bridesmaids wore pearls, and stationary items were hand decorated with pearls and the flowers decorations had pearls interspersed.”

Michael and Lucy - The Ceremony

Real Weddings, Summer, Ceremony, Bread of Heaven

“The ceremony was relatively informal – the vicar kept it lighthearted and relaxed, which we felt reflected us as a couple,\" says Lucy. \"My husband is a rugby fan and has many Welsh friends, so of course Bread of Heaven featured in the hymns and got everyone singing!

\"I felt surprisingly relaxed during the wedding ceremony. The last couple of days in the build-up to the wedding had been quite busy and stressful, so it was nice to just relax and enjoy the day,\" added Lucy.

Michael and Lucy - The Bride (dress)

Real Weddings, Summer, Suzanne Ville, wedding dress, bride The Bride (dress) “I wore a Suzanne Neville dress and pearl jewellery,\" says Lucy. \"My Dad had given me my earrings about 20 years ago, so they are really special to me. My necklace and bracelet were a wedding gift from my sister in law (and bridesmaid).”

Michael and Lucy - The Flowers (bouquet)

Real Weddings, Summer, flowers, bouquet The Flowers (bouquet)

Lucy wanted her flowers to be simple, classic and informal. “My bouquet was a hand tied ‘posy style’ had white roses, freesias, eucalyptus with some pearls dotted throughout,\" says Lucy.  \"We had a centrepiece on each table containing the same flowers and a candle in the middle.”

Michael and Lucy - Wedding Reception (venue)

Real Weddings, Summer, reception, wedding, venue, marquee Wedding Reception (venue)

The reception was held in a marquee in Lucy’s parent’s village. “It was actually a small campsite, not that you’d have known – it looks like a traditional walled piece of land,\" says Lucy. \"I grew up in the village, so the location meant a lot to me. It’s nice being able to see where we held the reception every time we go back to my parents.”

Michael and Lucy - Wedding Reception

Real Weddings, Summer, sugared almonds, venue, wedding breakfast Wedding Reception (layout)

”Each table had a centre piece of a church candle surrounded by ivory roses, lisianthus and ivy,\" says Lucy. \"We had favours for the ladies – icing hearts shaped into a bowl, with a pearl glow containing five sugared almonds for tradition.  There were also small icing hearts dotted all over the table and the menus, which I had made along with all the wedding stationary and decorated with pearls,” she added.

Michael and Lucy - Wedding Cake

Real Weddings, Summer, Yorkshire, table, fruit cake Wedding Cake

“Lucy and Michael chose a local caterer, who used local produce for their Yorkshire inspired menu,\" says Lucy. “The meal was based on traditional Yorkshire food, like roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

We selected one guest from each table and dressed them up in a chef’s hat and apron for carving of the beef. The caterer also made our cake. I wanted something simple and classic.  It was three stacked tiers of fruit cake, with small pearly dots iced over each tier and decorated with fresh flowers and ivy on the base,” she added.

Michael and Lucy - Post-Ceremony

Real Weddings, Summer, Fountain Abbey, venue grounds Post-Ceremony

Lucy’s highlight of the day was having photos taken throughout Fountain’s Abbey and grounds. “It was obviously still open to the public, so it was strange wandering \'round in my wedding dress, but we received lots of congratulations,” says Lucy.

Lucy enjoyed this time to catch up with her new husband. “This was especially nice, because we had chance to spend some time together and actually talk,\" added Lucy. \"In the meantime the guests went to the reception for Champagne and canapés. The photos actually overran because there were so many gorgeous places to take pictures! It was so perfect.”