Hannah and Matt Saturday 23 September 2023

So, how did you two meet?

Matt and I met in a really traditional way actually, at a wedding. His cousin (Mark) married my cousin (Jo). I had actually met Matt's mum before Matt at the hen do so she introduced us when we were having a catch up. We hit it off straight away and exchanged details to start a 9 month long friendship before he eventually plucked up the nerve to ask me on a data - I tried to play it cool but he'd kept me waiting long enough! We've really grown up together as a couple - we met in 2015 when we were 18 (Matt) and 19 (me) so to be almost 9 years on, married with two dogs and a house feels quite surreal.

When did you know they were 'the one'/how did they pop the question?

Matt had concocted a really detailed plan of how he was going to propose to me at Disneyworld in front of the castle, unfortunately COVID happened and we weren't able to go on holiday. Instead Matt proposed to me on New Years Day 2021 in our pyjamas. We'd just brought home our first dog Tommy and Matt asked me if I was happy, I told him I was the happiest I'd ever been and he replied "well I'm about to make you a whole lot happier" and pulled out a ring. While it wasn't the elaborate proposal he'd had in mind, I loved how intimate it was and am really glad there were no cameras around as I ugly cried for hours afterwards.

What was the biggest MUST HAVE for your wedding?

Meditation... I'm only kidding - probably the Hitched app because I was able to store all of our guest information here, it gave us a wedding website included to share information and for people to RSVP to.

Other than saying 'I do', what is the most unforgettable moment from the day?

Having our dogs there - we're huge dog people and love our dogs fiercely. Between us and groom's parents we have 4 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 2 of whom are rescues from Bliss Cavalier Rescue, so it was really important for us that they be there on the day. Being able to have photos with them and give them cuddles when it was all getting a little bit overwhelming was incredible.

Which supplier was a real stand out for you? The unsung star who deserves a special mention.

Laura, our photographer. I don't actually think I could say enough nice things about Laura - from the moment she arrived she put me at ease, making me laugh and she even helped me in my dress when I had a moment of panic that it wasn't going to fit (a flustered bride and a hot room aren't a good combination oops). The images we have from our day are absolute perfection and will give us memories to cherish forever.

What was it in your eyes that gives Rudding Park the WOW factor?

The grounds - there are so many places we could disappear to take photos and we didn't even get to them all. The courtyard next to Rudding House is beautiful for portraits but there's so much greenery and spaces for images that you're spoiled for choice.

How did you style your space? Did your wedding day have a theme?

Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted an Autumn wedding, and all the fixings that come with it, so choosing our colour palette focusing on fall colours was easy. Burnt orange was our feature colour and we built it from there. Belle Bijoux were sensational at bringing our vision of elegance while being a little rustic to life and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

What is your funniest memory from the day?

The speeches were a real highlight for me, we have a lot of natural speakers in our family so there was so much love and laughter brought into them. My brother especially, the best man, delivered a fantastic speech which opened with - "It's been such an emotional day, even the cake's in tears" and really set the mood. I also got married in the Russell room which is my maiden name which I thought was quite funny - to spend my last morning as a Russell in the Russell room.

What's the best advice you could give to couples who are about to tie the knot at Rudding Park?

Enjoy every minute of it - those moments where you can disappear and have a kiss in private or a giggle about how gorgeous you both feel really mean the world. And no matter what deadline you set for RSVPs, there will 100% be someone who forgets so allocate time for that so you're not chasing the same day you need final numbers

And finally, we'd love to hear about your experience with Rudding Park....

Matt and I had a relatively long engagement (Jan'21-Sep'23) so we were in the planning stages for a really long time, especially as we booked Rudding Park relatively early on in that engagement. Every time we visited RP the service we had was fantastic, the wedding team knew what they were talking about and were always happy to have conversations with me (and my mum) to sort things out. The perks we received as a couple were fantastic and have meant that RP was a key feature in our engagement with dinners, stays and spa visits and we look forward to celebrating our milestones in the years to come with the Rudding Park team.

Supplier Dream Team:
Photographer: Laura Calderwood
Videographer: Alan Tisch
Florist: Flowers by Colette
Styling: Belle Bijoux & Harrogate Celebration Hire
Entertainment: Trio Vivo
Makeup: Emma Denton
Hair: Amy Elliott
Dress: Little Pearl Bridal
Guestbook and sign: Just Lovett Design
Photobooth: Yorkshire Magic Mirror