A wedding day created by Gift of a wedding Made by Kent wedding suppliers

First dance captured by Dover media group.

Wedding planning and preparation

wedding Team assemble.

The coming together of Kent wedding professionals to create something beautiful.

I want to start off with there were so many more suppliers that we just didn't meet on this day because our times and paths just didn't cross. but know every single one of you were amazing! hair, makeup, dress, flowers, when I find out who you are ill add you in! but a pre heartfelt thankyou for being brilliant!

Wedding secrets and the cause

From the off there is a lot I can't say about this kent wedding. (confidential agreements we all have to agree too) but its a story that must be told. Many of you may have seen a recent appeal we shared among groups from the brilliant charity that is Gift of a wedding. Gift of a wedding or GOAW as we've come to abbreviate it too is a charity who's main aim is to ''bringing joy, love and happiness to those with a terminal or life-shortening illness. We do that by gifting wedding services and vow renewals to people regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation with the help of the generous UK wedding and hospitality industry and gifted volunteers all around the UK. '' to us a beautiful charity cause in something we can actually help with. So we stepped up, offering wedding photography and videography to this beautiful couple at a time when they need it most. Now I don't want this to be about us. I wanted to be about the retelling of the story from a beautiful day with some amazing suppliers.

Building a wedding team in one week

As soon as I posted this call for help from GOAW to one of the groups I moderate '' Kent weddings'' on on the big old social media I knew our professional suppliers around us would step up too. lets walk and talk.

Choosing a Wedding venue

Being a short notice wedding time was of the essence in building a team and as we are quite well connected in our area we may have assisted in making sure they heard our call for help with the posts also landing in their in boxes. Sorry not sorry. So within a week of seeing the appeal the day was here. set in a stunning location I'm not sure if we are supposed to mention Lympne castle, but its my story so here they are. Through their complete generosity didn't just come up with a room to have the ceremony in, they gave this couple half the castle! and wow what a castle it is! what looks like strait out of refurb The carpets were all like new. they provided the venue, the staff, the food, and the views. although we couldn't see the view as it absolutely poured it down for the entire day. but none the less they couldn't have been more pleasant and brilliant.

Venue tick. Upon arriving to the venue we were greeted by a diamond lady I forget her name it could have been the wedding planner Joy but she lead the day throughout. She was so so helpful and a pleasure to work with, anyway she showed us around then we got on with getting in what seemed like an entire production crews equipment and got set up.

Bride arrival in her beautiful wedding car

In rolls a friendly face.

Right on time 3:30 while Jo and I sheltered under the trees in the rain we saw the glint of headlights turning into the long immaculately presented driveway of the castle. It didn't take long for me to say to Jo ''That's Johns car!'' The start of the team assembling. John we've met many times over the years and has become a highly recommended supplier by us for very affordable wedding car hire. With his beautiful blue Bentley. Every time bringing the champagne and glasses along for the couples in his pristine car. We are well accustomed to working with John as a rummage through our albums shows. Through posing, portraits and of course delivering our couples, he is always just so lovely. So, jumping out the car John strait round to brides side equipped with an abundance of umbrellas he helps them in doors. If i could have guessed first who would be there with their car bearing in mind John polishes the life out of his car every Sunday morning and hides it from rain, I could have guessed he would have been in the list of names to volunteer their time at a time of urgent need.

Brides arrival with John in his immaculate Bentley

In we go to meet our celebrant for the day. Smartly dressed in burgundy the beaming smile of Katie of @Trueblueceremonies.co.uk with a good handshake introduced herself donned my mic of shame so I can hear all the small talk, and then proceeded to give the most perfectly presented ceremony for our couple. With speeches literally from around the world, professional excellence throughout. Although we've never as yet come across Katie on our rounds we couldn't have been happier and honoured to be part of the team with her on this day.

wedding singer raises the roof in beautiful rendition of classics

Following the ceremony it was over to the west wing bar for drinks and music. What started as a relaxed quiet drink quickly got the uplift it needed with the start of @georgiektaylor omg a quick Instagram stalk and I've just realised where we've met her before twice. So Georgie is a singer. Not just any solo artist she is absolutely brilliant! Having been the wedding singer and band at a few weddings we've been at we know just how good she is. Starting with a bit or older stuff graduating into full on Queen. Much of the guests were of the older generation here but it was a joy to be part of watching them go from the quiet pint to being part of the hole room singing along to the best performance from Georgie hands waiving singing at the top of their voices in a joyous moment of togetherness. Not just singing quietly in the corner but a full on audience participating performance. his is your hint to book her for your wedding because you wont forget it!

The Brilliant Georgie in action.

Evening entertainment from the best DJ in the Kent ( our view)

After a quick room turn around and a good heartfelt sing along it was back to the evening.

Introducing one of our best friends in the wedding industry, Jo and Andy of Sugar promotions. Were quite commonly bantering hard with these guys among the groups. Always taking the micky out of each other. ''My photobooth is better than yours'' etc etc etc. anyway. The first to respond to our call to help, and as always came to the table with the full works. Evening DJ master of ceremonies, and an atmosphere that kept the bride, groom and so many guests on her feet all evening. From leading the cake cut, to introducing the most perfect first dance for this couple they were as always on point in delivery and brilliant. There's good reason why we recommend them so hard. Not just as deer friends but top of their game in mixing, variety equipment, lighting, wedding dancefloors light up letters you need it they've probably got it. (although our photo booth is still better) The last member of the team going above and beyond through kindness.

Set up from Sugar promotions featuring thier DJ booth, light up letters and lighting.

Ooh, I forgot to mention the only distraction of the day. @Idooccasions from Instagram. We've met her on the rounds too. Another great supplier to the table. So why the distraction? Its human instinct that if someone leaves a giant Ferris Wheel full of sweets in the middle of a room humans will naturally be drawn to it. With guests keeping sneaking off from the group shots for a sneaky little handful of sweets. Before returning munching away. Proof that if the sweets are good it doesn't matter what your age your drawn to it like bees to the honey jar. Jokes aside thankyou to ''I do occasions'' for your generosity and time to be part of something so precious.

Rounding off nicely.

The biggest congratulations to such a beautiful couple. on creating such a beautiful memories and trusting a team of brilliant suppliers to handle your day at the most valuable time for you both. With time being something you will be appreciating every second in a new way right now. we wish you the very best in your battle against every day in the most uplifting way that you do. Surrounded by your friends and family for your ceremony creating memories was a privilege for us both.

Gift of a wedding thankyou so much for the work you put in to bring together such an amazing team of professionals. and the work you as a team put in to creating precious memories for so many beautiful couples.

and to our friends, suppliers and network.

Just Thank you, you know we love you all.

Simon and Jodie

#wedding day Gift Kent wedding suppliers