Langshott Manor Real Wedding
David & Stuart married with us in July and kindly agreed to share the details of their wedding planning experience & fabulous exclusive use wedding day with us.
How long have you been together and how did he ‘pop the question’?
We have been together for 14 years and got engaged in 2019. We were both planning on proposing to each other (without the other knowing) when we were in Cape Town. We went up Table Mountain both looking for the appropriate spot when all of a sudden Stuart got down on one knee to which my response was ‘Yes – but I was going to ask you!!”
How did you start planning your wedding? What were your first steps?
We wanted a wedding that felt like ‘us’ and we took time researching visiting wedding fares, looking at venues, coming up with ideas and concepts. We didn’t do anything in a linear way things were coming together quite organically.
What kind of things did you take into consideration when choosing your wedding venue and what made you pick Langshott Manor?
We wanted our day to ‘feel like David and Stuart’. We had already thought we had found our venue which was in the middle of the Sussex countryside – we loved it but something was not right. We discovered that that ‘something’ was the fact that we had to bring everything in from hiring marquees, to catering companyies, we even had to consider generators and additional toilets – it was just becoming a bit overwhelming and potentially stressful as well as costly.
We walked into Langshott Manor in August 2022, and we instantly felt at home. We loved the fact that you have exclusive use, and the Manor essentially becomes ‘yours’ for the day. We could picture the personal touches we could add, and we could imagine this being right for us. We loved the fact there was a package which you could tailor and very quickly we thought is ‘us’.
Describe the 1st time you visited Langshott Manor.
As mentioned, it felt like ‘home’ we very quickly got to know the staff and we could picture having the most special wedding here. It wasn’t too big; it was exclusive so there were no other guests sharing the space.
How long did you take between becoming engaged and tying the knot?
It took 4 years, predominantly due to the dreaded pandemic.
What was your colour scheme / theme? Where did you find the inspiration for your wedding day?
This was very organic for us. Our colour scheme was blue and this was subtle throughout everything we did.
Our invitations had a D&S Logo, and this logo was used on everything and became our stamp, whether that be on stationery, menus or wine bottle stickers.
We both work for an airline, so we had a subtle travel theme as well from little suitcases as favour boxes, to our table names which were countries of our favourite destinations that we have travelled together.
We also had a scent that all our invitations were sprayed with (and the envelopes were sealed) many people asked what the scent was, and the gentleman were given a sample in their favour suitcase (we LOVE this idea!), that linked everything together.
What cultures, traditions, quirks or unusual ideas did you incorporate into your day?
We found the most wonderful celebrant who created the most personal ceremony for us. This was a ceremony that none of our guests had ever seen and left guests saying, ‘That is the best wedding we’ve ever been to!’ Stewart the Celebrant’s focus is on fun, energy, the sharing and spreading of love and involving all of the guests, so that they don’t only feel like they are AT the wedding…but they are A PART of the wedding! It included:
• The ancient Celtic tradition of binding us in marriage by hand-fasting — using ribbons as a symbol to ‘tie the knot’.
• Ring warming – that involved passing around our wedding bands to all our guests. Upon receiving the rings, they “warm” them up with a wish and with love, By the time our rings made it on to our fingers they were saturated with the love of our friends and family!
• We had a string quartet that played before the ceremony during and at the drinks reception with a carefully constructed set list, that we spent hours deciding upon, listening to string quartet versions of songs.
• We also made ‘secret vows’ where we wrote down our vows to each other. We each sent them to Stewart, and then they were only heard for the very first time on our wedding day!
• A real showstopper was the Tailored Tenors who appeared half way through the wedding breakfast in the guise of a Dominos Pizza delivery Boy – embarrassing our brother-in-law before bursting into song and a set of 5 carefully selected songs to get everyone dancing, crying and finger clicking all in quick succession.
How did you find the perfect suits?
We were first looking for colours and spent many hours searching combinations. We actually got our suits from an online shop called the House of Cavani and then matched it with waistcoats and accessories. It took a good 6 months until it all came together blending with the Groomsmen and the Groomsmaids.
Tell us about the groomsmaids and groomsmen?
We had a cream / champagne colour suit with a hint of baby blue through it – it was the baby blue that we drew out for the groomsmaids and groomsman.
What menu did you choose?
We provided three options to guests. Although more work, we had several comments saying how unusual and what a ‘treat’ this was. We designed a menu card which we sent out to all guests for them to select their options and return to us – we then collated these and liaised with the hotel to give them each guest’s choice.
What was your favourite moment of the day?
Gosh – so many ‘moments’! The ceremony conducted by Stewart O Sullivan was very special, Stuart was walked down the aisle by his mum and David by his Dad. It was an emotional rollercoaster, one minute laughing… then crying…then laughing again!
The Tailored Tenors was also another highlight – the only people who knew about them was the two of us so to see the uncomfortable faces of guests thinking this delivery man had got the wrong address to the sheer joy was wonderful. A real surprise and delight moment.
What was your first dance?
We danced to Jane McDonalds “The Hand that Leads Me” Jane actually wrote this song for her Mum, but the words were just perfect for us and so full of love, we just knew we had to have it. So many people commented on the song and how beautiful it was and how perfect the words were – so I think we have boosted Janes fanbase a bit!
Any top tips that you’d like to share for future Langshott Manor couples?
Really get to know the venue, have a good look round, get to know the staff and build the day together – for us it felt very co-produced – nothing was too much trouble. If we gave feedback this was quickly acted upon. We would like to think we were a relatively easy couple to work with 😊 (they were!)
Looking back, is there anything you’d do differently?
Do you know what? – I don’t think there is.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
We had the best suppliers and we worked very closely with them all:-
• Celebrant Stewart
• String Quartet
• Danni the Photographer who is familiar with Langshott and works closely with Mark
• Mark – videographer
• Cake
• Tailored Tenors
• Annette the florist
And finally…… three words that best describe your day?
Magical / emotional / Love-filled (and looking at the photos we’d agree!).
David & Stuart, we wish you years of happiness together.
Plan your very own exclusive use wedding at Langshott Manor here.