Lucy & Johnny

Private Marquee, Cheshire

For the very first time I was asked to help plan another wedding planner’s wedding; not only was she a good friend but also, I had worked with her husband-to-be for over 10 years, as he also worked within the wedding industry. Some might say that must have been a lot of pressure, but to be honest, it didn’t feel like that; it felt like an honour. They trusted me, to be the one to look after their special day!

You might also be thinking why would a wedding planner need another planner’s help? Well it is simple; as an experienced planner Lucy knew that in the run up and on the day she needed to be able to relax and focus on being the bride and not be worrying if the marquee company had turned up! It also helped that I knew most of her suppliers and she and I could communicate in short hand to get things done! Though she did admit they were doing all the things that she advised her clients not to do!! So this was going to be interesting…

I met Lucy and Johnny in the January before their wedding, they had all the key suppliers booked, but it was clear they both had strong thoughts on certain aspects and they didn’t entirely align. So part of my job was to focus them both and get decisions made. With them both being so busy it was easy for their own wedding plans to take a back seat and with the complicated day they were planning they needed to have someone to keep them on track; and help them prioritise what was important to them both and make comprises along the way… very much like a marriage!  

Something that was clear was how personal this wedding was going to be, it was full of touches that reflected their love for the outdoors, their consideration for others and their love of music and family, with their children all playing a role in the day. As well as Netty, Johnny’s beloved dog and Johnny’s equally beloved Land Rover!

The setting couldn’t have been more idyllic, the marquee was set amongst rolling fields on Johnny’s farm, with views to their favourite spot. I of course worried about parking and guest and supplier access and what the field would be like if it rained lots, but these were all things we could overcome with careful planning (and a pinch of good luck).

In the marquee they created a fabulous, raised VIP area for some of the older guests that would be attending and with the addition of rugs and lamps (plus Daniel Craig and Keira Knightley cut outs; I did say it was VIP), this area looked amazing and guests loved it. We also had gorgeous draping installed in a beautiful sage green colour, which not only created the reveal curtain, but also elegantly framed the windows, softening the look of the whole marquee.   

Johnny and Lucy also compromised on long tables but with the addition of white table cloths, so the whole thing didn’t look too rustic. They knew they wanted some ladders suspended above the tables which would then be decorated with foliage and flowers and after a late change of heart Lucy changed the colour scheme from a classic white and green to a stunning colourful palette that worked beautifully with all the eclectic vases and candle sticks she had collected.

One thing Lucy was adamant about was she was going to walk down the aisle of the church alone; she didn’t need anyone to give her away! Another thing that was important was the secret surprise we were keeping from Johnny and the rest of the guests as part of the ceremony!

After they had exchanged rings and signed the register, the organist began and then the choir started to sing The Beatles ‘All you need is love’ before being joined by a trumpet and saxophone which were hidden in a secret pew overlooking the aisle. I then opened the church doors and the trombone player walked in, with the electric guitar emerging from the choir room at the back… the perfect Love Actually moment, created right in front of Johnny and all the guests. What a way to start the wedding!!     

After the ceremony and as Johnny and Lucy were showered in confetti, they made their way to the waiting Land Rover (which we had decked in ribbons whilst they were in church) back to the farm for some private photos; before guests joined them, serenaded by a piper standing on the hill leading to the marquee.

At the marquee guests were greeted with drinks and lots of canapés, with the fabulous singer and keyboard player from church joining us to entertain them. Johnny and Lucy were introduced into the room by the bagpiper before Lucy and her Dad completed a joint emotional and meaningful speech! Then it was over to the best man, who just happened to be Johnny’s 20-year-old son. He then proceeded to give his Dad a very good humoured and affectionate ‘roasting’, which had Johnny burying his head and the guests in fits of laughter… as well as yours truly!

As another 100 guests were arriving in the early evening, Johnny and Lucy had decided to have a simple but delicious two course lunch. As they were enjoying this I was setting up the early evening DJ out on the decking, converting our earlier gift table into her DJ booth! Plus ensuring we had plenty of welcome drinks ready for the new arrivals.  

As the meal drew to a close and guests steadily arrived, everyone made their way outside to enjoy the Ibiza lounge vibes from the DJ. Then as Johnny made his speech and entertained everyone, we busily opened the curtain to reveal the very impressive nightclub space and quickly dismantling tables; so the photo booth and cheese table could be set up. It’s amazing what can be done in 15 minutes!

When I say impressive nightclub space, this was on a whole other level! The theme for this area was ‘kitchen disco’ something many of us were familiar with from lockdown and it was a real passion for Johnny and Lucy; so they literally  created their very own ‘kitchen disco’ nightclub! The bar was dressed to look like a kitchen complete with tiles on the wall behind, with a clock and shelves full of (my) cookbooks and kitchen utensils. We also had a raised area with a washing machine and dishwasher lit up from the inside and being used as poseur tables and above the dance floor was a wire frame full of pots and pans, strings of onions and of course a giant silver glitter ball! Behind the stage the back wall of the nightclub was a huge video screen which had a kitchen setting on it, it looked beyond sensational! And this was all before the band had started!

The evening started off with a bang as confetti canons accompanied the first dance and that was it… we were in full on party mode! And boy did these guys party, the band had the place jumping and the bride and groom up on stage, the atmosphere was electric! It was so good to see my friends having the best day of their lives!!