Leanne and Paul were both volunteers on the tall ships. They didn't know each other at the time and were both doing different jobs on the ship. One evening they were both up top (but not working) admiring the view on the Thames when they met for the first time. From there, their love of all things ships and numerous other passions and hobbies their friendship grew to love and after a long distanced relationship, Paul ventured into the Land Locked Midlands to spend the rest of his life with Leanne. This was their "I do" day.
That was the start of something great, its amazing they found time to meet up both living at opposite ends of the country and Leanne with a list of hobbys the length of her arm. Which was really funny as Paul had listed them all in his speech and we were all gobsmacked at all the ology's and passions that she had. How the hell they managed to get together and create a life in East Leake is amazing.
Their journey started on a ship, so it was so natural that their wedding included this theme and with Leanne an avid crafter it everything was done by themselves. Leanne is a geologist so naturally loves maps, maps featured at their wedding on their tables, origami being one of Leanne's hobbies!
The Tables all featured a ships knot made by them both, recyled pots with lace made by Leanne and a home grown plant and lanterns for the evening of course.
The Church was decorated with the neckers of troups past and present with Paul in the scouting world and Leanne in the brownies it was a lovely "nod" to their interests and of course Baden Powell would have been pleased! I liked it, so different to the normal flowers, lace or pew ends. This is what I love about weddings everything is unique.
They had both chosen a service in gods house and the service was very personal as it included not 1 or 2 but 3 vicars all with a link to their homes and past, including a brother in law. No arguing they all had their responsibilities and it worked perfectly.
And the Church? Of course, it was near a river Normanton On Soar Church where the steeple can be spotted by any keen swimmer or boating enthusiast. It was one of the hottest days this year with temperatures at an all time high so we were all very grateful for the shade of the trees to keep everyone cool. Just lucky the bride didn't jump in as she is a real adventurer with wild swimming on her list of "I do's".
With Leanne being a barn owl (it may be tawny owl I'm sure she will remind me!), several of her Brownies were present giving out little trays of hand dried petals for their guests to throw, another lovely touch.
This wedding was very local, so photos in the church grounds followed by a quick nip over the road to Normanton On Soar Village Hall, which isn't very old, so the facilities were fabulous a lovely bright room, with doors that opened up on the playing fields providing a great outside space for everyone in the afternoon sun.
Thats the greatest thing about village halls, they are brilliant value for money and when you hire them its normally for a weekend, giving you access the day before to create your styling and the day after to clear out.
Stand out moments for me were the speeches, were we learnt about the many hobbies, passions and interests of Leanne and Paul, Leanne's "hens gift" a wildswimming suit with Pauls face on and for a couple who are not extrovert their dance. It was the best merging music from their favourite decades and era's this quietish couple really went crazy and we all just loved it. They laughed we laughed too, just lovely!
Happy Adventures ahead guys, me thinks life just won't stand still to much with these two!
