Breathtaking views steal the scene at Wolds wedding

When Caroline Holmes and Steve Goodwin were dating at East Yorkshire’s Market Weighton School back in the 1990s, they didn’t seriously think they’d be swapping marriage vows over 20 years later. Indeed, the youthful romance was only fleeting, but maybe there’s something in the saying that you never forget your first love as the flames were rekindled in 2010 and have continued burning brightly ever since.

In 2014, Steve whisked Caroline away on a surprise trip to Paris, where he turned the romance dial all the way up to 11 by proposing to her on St Valentine’s Day. A wedding date was set, but an even bigger (and very happy) surprise led to it being cancelled. Caroline explained: “I found out I was pregnant with our son Charlie, who’s now three, so we had to change all the wedding plans and set a new date.”

Friends and family couldn’t quite believe it when the couple asked them to scrub the rescheduled date out of their diaries for a second time, because they were now expecting another baby! “Harry, who’s now aged one, put paid to those plans, so we were starting from scratch once again,” said Caroline.

Naturally, everyone teased the pair that things come in threes so the next wedding date would no doubt be scuppered by a third baby, but Caroline knew nothing would get in the way of their nuptials this time around. She laughed: “Two children is quite enough!”

Friends of the family, Chris and Kaye Stephenson, made the couple a generous offer to use their scenic farm grounds in Goodmanham, East Yorkshire, on the edge of the rolling Yorkshire Wolds for their wedding venue. Caroline said: “Chris and Kaye were really close friends with my mum and dad. It was such a kind and generous offer and as dad was a farmer himself and loved the Wolds, it just felt really right.”

The next step was to book a marquee. Caroline said: “I sourced quotes from five marquee companies and Village Farm Marquees stood out, I really liked their approach. I knew I wanted some hand-holding and I definitely got that reassurance from them. Whatever questions I had, they had all the answers and seemed to know so many suppliers.

“It was clear they genuinely cared, too. Chrysta shared all the emotions I was going through and even shed a few tears!”

The couple chose to add a decked veranda extension with comfy seating, a clear wall at the end of the marquee, and a starlight roof. “I loved the starlight roof,” Caroline added. “It really helped set the dancefloor apart.”

A day to remember

The church ceremony took place at 12.30pm, followed by a drinks reception until 3pm then dinner and speeches, with musical accompaniment from The Gold Ring Duo. Evening guests arrived at 7.30pm, with the newlyweds taking to the floor for their first dance just after 8pm. The band, Atlantic 45, kept the dancefloor busy until 1am with a hip-swaying mixture of live music and a disco.

The bride wore a stunning princess-style Maggie Sottero dress in pale blush, with lots of organza layers. “It was a very hot day but I felt fine as my dress was strapless and had hoops under the skirt,” said Caroline. “I was able to keep cool by using a silk fan, and we provided lots of paper fans for guests to use.”

One thing almost everyone agreed on was the most memorable aspect of the day – the spectacular vista across the Wolds. Caroline said: “When we were planning the wedding and visited the site, it was always raining so we didn’t really appreciate it. On the big day the skies were a clear blue and everything was bathed in glorious sunshine, and that’s when we realised the view was out of this world!

“When we had drinks on the lawn it was absolutely wonderful to see everyone’s reaction to it. We were able to put up the full side of the marquee which opened onto the view, because the weather was so good. The top table was in front of the open side and so all of our guests had a perfectly framed picture-like view of the beautiful countryside.

“In the evening we watched the sun going down, which was just stunning. Tony the photographer spotted a great opportunity for some amazing sunset shots in a nearby cornfield, that was another magical moment for me.”

Expertise on hand

As part of the Village Farm Marquee service, Caroline received a free one-hour consultation with wedding planning expert Helen Davies, and she quickly realised how much value Helen would be able to add thanks to her extensive knowledge, experience and contacts.

“I have a background in corporate event planning but that’s very different to planning your own wedding! I knew I wanted someone to run the day, who could arrange all the timings with suppliers and make sure everything was set up on time,” Caroline explained.

Helen said: “Chrysta realised Caroline would benefit from my support as she was juggling a busy job and family, and she had some amazing aspirations for her wedding. Caroline had a clear vision and had plenty of event management experience, but she also knew she wanted to fully enjoy both the planning process and her big day without having to take on all the responsibilities by herself. That’s where I could step in and support her.

“I created a timeline, was the main point of contact for all the suppliers, and I was present at the wedding to make sure everything ran smoothly.”

Helping people have the time of their life is what makes Helen tick. She laughed: “Sometimes it’s hard to believe this is what I do for a living! I always feel so passionate about playing a role in these unforgettable events.

“Caroline and Steve’s day was very much a family occasion, full of warmth and love and sincerity, and the setting was absolutely breathtaking. It was such a pleasure to be involved.”

Caroline added: “I wouldn’t have managed without Helen. I didn’t want any stress on my big day and it was lovely not having to think about anything other than enjoying myself.”

A very stylish do

Beverley-based venue stylist Cherry Williams says she loves working with marquees. “There’s something very English and special about them,” she added, and Caroline’s was no exception.

Cherry said: “Caroline had a strong idea for her overall look – lots of gentle neutrals accentuated with a wonderful pop of vibrant colour. We chose ivory table linen to match the drapes and carpets, and then used a selection of jewel colours through the flowers and accessories to really make them stand out.

“The tables featured a combination of tall and low candelabras, they looked lovely. Caroline had a clear vision, and I helped to guide her with pieces that would work. It all worked together brilliantly.”

Cherry has worked both with Village Farm Marquees and Caroline’s florist, Louise Pepper, many times. “We all felt as if we were perfectly in tune with Caroline, we gelled so well. It was a wonderful wedding in a beautiful setting,” she added.

Caroline’s exquisite styling included making 100 napkins from fabric bought specially to match her bridesmaids’ emerald green dresses, and using escort cards with shots of jewel-coloured gin for guests to find their seats instead of a conventional table plan. Wooden laser-cut place names were sprayed in gold to match the gold chargers and the gold chairs.

“We made willow hearts to hang in the entrance, and we had an Irish band playing during the drinks reception,” Caroline said. “My dad farmed willow and my mum was Irish, both have passed away now so this felt like a small but special way of including them.”

Fine dining feast

Driffield-based premium catering company, Finer Catering, made sure all guests feasted on a sumptuous meal. Owner and chef Lisa Anderson prepared all the food herself, and although she spent the majority of the day in the kitchen, she managed to appreciate the fine view that was taking everyone’s breath away. “You just couldn’t paint it,” she said, “It was absolutely stunning.”

Canapes were served on the sun-drenched lawn and included baby Yorkshire puddings with horseradish and slivers of fillet steak; sticky sausages tossed in honey and mustard; miniature cottage pies topped with root veg mash; smoked salmon on lemon buttered bread; and baked bruschetta with smoked mackerel pate.

The seated meal comprised hearty slabs of chicken and ham pie (with a vegetarian option of feta and spinach filo pies) with new potatoes, glazed carrots, beans and peas. Lisa said: “It was a big meal for a hot day but people must have liked it as all the plates came back clean!”

For dessert, guests were treated to a trio of elderflower fruited jelly; mini fruited pavlova; and a slice of tarte au chocolat, then helped themselves to tea, coffee and mints.

“It was a really lovely wedding, I was struck by the amount of time and care Caroline had put in,” Lisa added. “The attention to detail on everything was superb, there were so many special touches such as the carved wooden nameplaces.”

Kim Hickson Events provided refreshing arrival drinks on the lawn and wine during the meal as well as a bar, which Kim created specially to match Caroline’s colour scheme. In the evening, guests enjoyed a hog roast provided by Piglicious plus an ice cream van from Lucy Rook.

Sue Long, Caroline’s late mum’s best friend, made her wedding cake. Caroline said: “It was a beautiful chocolate cake which just about held up in the heat!”

Village Farm Marquees Co-director Chrysta Newman can’t help herself when it comes to weddings, she always wears her heart on her sleeve! “Naturally we work with a lot of couples,” she said, “but it’s true that every single one is special in its own way. Caroline and Steve’s wedding was a truly perfect day that I’m sure they’ll remember for the rest of their lives, I’m so glad we were able to play a part in it.”

Photos courtesy of Photography 34 www.photography34.co.uk

To talk to Village Farm Marquees about your marquee needs, email info@villagfarmmarquees.co.uk or ring 01262 468160.