Daniela and Matt - a cosy and intimate winter wedding with a Bavarian twist
Daniela and Matt got married at one of our very favourite venues - Thorpe Manor in Oxfordshire - in November last year.
When we first met Daniela and Matt back in the summer, we instantly knew their wedding was going to be full of love, laughter and great food! And we weren't wrong.
Tradition - or not!
With Daniela being German, the couple wanted a strong emphasis on this, using special touches such as traditional Bavarian dress for the small wedding party, Schorle served on the guests' arrival (no, we also had no clue what this was to begin with either - it is a German tradition of wine mixed with juice, I think?!) and firepit piglet with traditional Bavarian salads the day after to nurse those hangovers.
They also knew from the get-go that they weren't going to follow tradition, with no official first dance or cake to cut. The couple ended the speeches themselves, which meant lots of laughter and tears. This all made for a lovely, relaxed and intimate day, unbound by the ties of trying to keep to a strict schedule.
The Perfect Gift
Daniela and Matt aren't just foodies, they also really know their wines. So instead of gifts, they asked for a bottle of something to add to their collection. The guests then added a handwritten luggage tag to their bottle with a personal message, which we absolutely loved.
All the pretty
The couple opted for a colour palette of greens and white flowers, displayed in gorgeous glass vases and milk bottles provided by the florist, Chirpee Flowers, and lots of candles, which worked perfectly on this cold wintery day. We loved setting up their tables - the dining room looked absolutely stunning.
Thorpe Manor itself is the perfect venue for both Summer and Winter weddings, with acres and acres of outdoor space but also gorgeously decorated intimate rooms such as the Bar, with its comfy sofas and velvet chairs, the Cinema Room and the incredible entrance hall which was used for the drinks reception, with it's grand staircase showcasing a stunning hand painting of plum blossom on silk by de Gournay as the focal point - the most perfect entrance for a bride.
Dogs at weddings - Yes!
We can go no further without a special mention of the beautiful Bruce, Daniela and Matt's gorgeous dog. He completely melted our hearts and was the BEST wedding guest. Thorpe Manor even have a special little dog bed in the Bridal Suite for wedding pooches!
And to end...
As it got dark, the many candles were lit and guests were free to mingle whilst drinking Daniela and Matt's favourite cocktails - classic G&Ts, Dark and Stormys and Negronis.
The amazing London Swing Band played in the Dining Room which had been transformed into a dance floor. and as we said our goodbyes and went into the cold November night, we left Daniela, Matt and their families to party the night away with the brightest of smiles and happiest memories.
