Tell us about where and when you first both first met and What were your first impressions of each other when you first met? I first met Lee through a mutual friend back when we were in our late teens. As far as introductions go, it could have been better! The conversation was coming from one side as Lee seemed to have lost his words, which was most unusual for him! That quickly changed as he invited me on a number of dates - The most memorable being taken up in a plane as Lee flew me over our homes and local area (despite me having a slight hangover and not being a huge fan of heights!). Our friendship quickly became more and it didn't take long before we became inseparable!Â
Tell us about who proposed to who and where did it happen? Cassie had been hinting for some time before I asked the important question. I had carefully taken note of her ring size during numerous visits to Tiffanys throughout our time together, carefully ‘not getting the hint’. During a trip to Dubai, I had booked one of the best restaurants in the city for dinner and, with the ring in my pocket, was ready to pop the big question (having requested approval beforehand). The problem started here; The food took over an hour to arrive, I was a sweaty mess, the waiter only had eyes for my soon-to-be fiance, and we spent dinner time moaning about how bad the experience was - Not a great start! So we left the restaurant, ring in my pocket, where I suggest we go for a moonlight swim, underneath the stars. This idea was swiftly discarded and we went to bed. The ring still in my pocket.
Flying back the next day, I woke up early to arrange a sunrise surprise - A walk along the private beach, returning to a room transformed by the hotel. I woke Cassie up, and we headed downstairs. The beach was beautiful, and it was almost the perfect time to ask the question. Just before Cas looked at me, advised that I looked like a sweaty mess, my top had gone see-through and we should go for a swim - She then continued off to the pool and jumped in. The ring still in my pocket.
Still oblivious to my intentions, I spent a while throwing excuses as to why I couldn’t get into the pool, before we both went back upstairs to change in preparation for our flight home. We walked into the room that our hotel had decorated as a result of the previous conversations (fortunately, Cassie thought this was a standard experience) and walked straight past onto the balcony to watch the sunrise. And it was here, that I finally gathered up the courage to do a short speech and ask the important question. She said yes, and we are here today.
Give us three words each to describe each other and what they mean to you? Bride: Beautiful / Loving / Inspiring Groom:Â Thoughtful / Trustworthy / Caring
How did you find and choose your wedding venue, Northbrook Park, Surrey? We initially set out on a trip to Italy, with visions of a beautiful Tuscan wedding. However, many venues on the trip felt like they were missing something or were quite challenging to get to - Nothing to do with the fact that Cassie was pregnant at the time! We came back to the UK and scouted a number of venues before finding Northbrook Park - A stately home in Surrey that appealed to us both and still had the theme and style that we were looking for.
Tell us about your wedding dress; the designer, how long it took you to find the one featured in your Surrey wedding video?
My wedding dress was designed by Maggie Sottero. I had a particular style in mind when planning the day, but as we visited each store I started to move towards something that I hadn't initially thought I would like. On my fourth store, I found the one. As cliche as it sounds, I knew as soon as I saw it on the hanger in Proposals, that this was the dress for me. The dress was everything I could have hoped for and more - I felt amazing and could move without feeling like a penguin; An important factor for the evening, and for looking after our two-year-old son at the same time. I wanted to be able to still feel like me but also able to feel relaxed so I could pick my son up and dance the night away without a worry.Â
Tell us about what the Groomsmen wore featured in your Surrey wedding video? The groom had a three-piece tuxedo made for the occasion, with his groomsmen joining him with a two-piece black tuxedo.
Was there any surprises? Tell us more.. The Maid of Honour gifted a very special bracelet to Cassie on the morning of the wedding - A personal gift that that meant a lot.
The bridesmaids had also created an art canvas with drawings of the girls to celebrate the special day.
Did you have any readings in your Surrey wedding video and if so, why did you pick them? Two guests were asked to provide a reading during the service, by the maid of honour, and the mother of the groom.
Val (Mother of the Groom): The Art of Marriage, (Wilferd Arlan Peterson).
Laura (Maid of Honour): I Love You Because...
What was your favourite part of your wedding day at Northbrook Park wedding venue, Surrey? It has to be the big moment of 'I do!'. It was the moment that we had spent so long planning, and to finally have that ceremony in front of our closest family and friends really did mean the world to us.
As we started to walk down the aisle as newlyweds, Lee could hear Leighton at the front asking for his parents and swiftly ran back to pick him up and join us walking out as a family - A really special moment!
Was there any funny moments that you will always remember featured in your Surrey wedding video?Â
Having one of my bridesmaids step on the veil during the confetti shot - Having my head pulled back and almost falling over wasn't so great at the time, but looking back we definitely see the funny side to it.
The evening certainly brought light onto some dancing talents that we had not witnessed before - Some good, others not so great. But watching another close couple attempt the dirty dancing classic so gracefully before introducing each other to the floor one of many highlights from the evening reception. Why did you choose us, West Sussex Videographers, Ground Films to film your wedding and what did you think of your experience being filmed? Having worked in the media industry, Lee was extremely fussy about he would trust to film what we would say was one of the most important days of our lives.
We wanted the videographers to be great storytellers, not to just turn up and film. To be able to capture emotions across the room throughout the day, and help create a very special memory that we could look back on for the rest of our lives. Ground Films had a great portfolio - Their incredible story flow and creative style really stood out, and the decision was made when we had our first introduction meeting. James and Ellie were both full of positivity and creative ideas, whilst giving us a real feeling of confidence. This was reflected on the day itself, with both James and Ellie going above and beyond to help ensure everything went to plan - From keeping us both relaxed throughout the day, to getting a careful balance of film-time and celebrating with our guests. The moments we had to capture on film were done so effortlessly, and we just knew that Ground Films were there at every moment throughout the day, without intruding.
Any advice for future wedding couples thinking about having their special day filmed by West Sussex Videographers, Ground Films? Do it. They say a picture speaks a thousand words - Well, times that by 24 and you have just one second of a video that you will look back on for the rest of your lives.
When the cake has been eaten, the guests have left and the dress no longer fits … the memories of the day will always be there to look back at those precious moments.