Lucy Taylor and Jamie Bettoney
Wedding Date: June 12, 2014
Location: Babington House, Somerset, UK
THEIR STORY
Despite growing up in nearby villages and attending the same high school, Jamie and Lucy didn’t go on their first date until they were 22 – five years after they left school. It was at a local pub, relaxed and low-key, bearing no resemblance to the romance that would follow…
Over seven years later, the couple took the trip of a lifetime to the Amalfi Coast for Lucy’s 30th birthday, where they stayed in the beautiful Le Sirenuse hotel in Positano. After a relaxing day on a boat, Jamie decided, while drinking bubbly on the balcony, it was the perfect time to pop the question. “A huge contrast to our first date!” says Lucy. Everything was flawless, including the ring. Jamie paid close attention to Lucy’s style and had it specially made. He even guessed the correct ring size.
“We knew straight away that we wanted to get married at Babington House [Somerset, UK] and were initially looking at dates in June 2015,” explains Lucy. But when they found out that the only date available was June 12, 2014, they knew it was meant to be and decided to go for it. Although Jamie and Lucy only had eight months to plan, their wedding day was everything they had dreamt of and more. They invited only their closest friends and family, who stayed overnight so that everyone could celebrate their first day as husband and wife. “Everyone sunbathed around the pool drinking cocktails and we enjoyed a BBQ that evening… it was bliss!”
Jamie and Lucy’s utopian honeymoon was a trip to rival their engagement. They decided to travel to French Polynesia via San Francisco, stopping off in Los Angeles on the way home. The epic journey included the likes of Vahine Island, which was so secluded it seemed like they were the only people there, and Bora Bora, which Lucy describes as “breathtaking”.
After a whirlwind nine months of celebrating their love, they moved to Dubai to begin the rest of their lives together.
THE WEDDING
Location: Jamie and Lucy chose Babington House, Somerset, UK, as they absolutely adore the hotel and fell in love with the fact that all of their guests could stay overnight and spend the next day with them.
Number of guests: 78 – the couple wanted an intimate wedding so they concentrated the guest list to close friends and family, meaning they could chat to everyone and really enjoy their company.
Theme: Country wedding.
Dress: Mira Zwillinger. Before Lucy started dress shopping she was adamant that she wouldn’t have a strapless dress, as she wanted something with shoulder detail. However, as a testament to the theory that you always end up with a completely different dress to what you thought you’d choose, she found that strapless suited her best.
Hair & Veil: Hair slide by Gillian Million and veil by Peter Langner.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. The bride initially bought Louboutins that she’d fallen in love with before she bought her dress, which was a big mistake as they didn’t go well together.
Bridesmaids: Mismatched dresses from Saja, NYC.
Flowers: Flowers by Passion, in Bath, UK, who are the resident florists of Babington House.
Music: Cocktail Jazz Trio playing during the drinks reception, and Babington House’s resident DJ Nigel Peirce for the evening party.
First dance: Destiny, Lionel Ritchie.
Food: The couple really loved the concept of Babington House’s ‘Bring Me Food’ whereby dishes are served on large platters in the middle of the table. Guests were able to try a huge array of food, including chicken liver pate, wood pigeon, salt baked salmon, and roast rib of beef.
Cake: Babington House created a natural three-tier victoria sponge cake, which was decorated with berries and flowers.
Table favours: The bride and groom decided not to go for table favours as knew their guests would appreciate more bubbly instead.
Unique touches: As a wedding present Lucy’s mum organised for Jane Hartley, a UK fashion illustrator, to capture the special day. The illustrations are now combined in a sketchbook and Lucy is working on putting a framed montage together. The couple used one of the illustrations for their thank you cards, which the guests loved.
Honeymoon: French Polynesia, San Francisco and LA.
LUCY’S TOP TIPS
1. As the wedding drew closer I felt like my list was never-ending so every weekend I broke it down into sub-lists. This helped as each day I felt like tasks were manageable.
2. Decision-making is key to the planning process running smoothly. We found that the only time things got a little stressful was when we were umming and ahhing over a decision – as soon as our minds were made up this stress was relieved. It’s easier to make decisions if you don’t give yourself too many options.
3. Wedding planning can be stressful at times but try to enjoy the build up to your big day as best you can. You’re planning the day for much longer than you get to actually enjoy the celebrations so whenever things feel like they’re getting on top of you, take a step back and remember this is the only time you’ll get to enjoy the build up to your wedding.
LITTLE BLACK BRIDAL BOOK
Wedding Photographer: especiallyamy.co.uk
Videographer: gorgeousfilm.co.uk, (+44) 1373 812266
Make-up Artist: vickydraper.com
Caterers: babingtonhouse.co.uk, (+44) 1373 812266
Wedding Illustrator: jane-hartley.com
