Jamie & MattJacaranda Weddings: 20-09-19

Date of your wedding? 20 July 2019

Where did you hold your wedding and why did you choose this venue? I have always known Jacaranda are the very best from my many summers working there (well over a decade ago now!) so there was no question when it came to choosing the caterer for our wedding reception. Not long after we got engaged I brought Matt to see Ramster Hall – always my favourite Jacaranda venue – and it didn’t take him long to agree that it was perfect so we never even looked anywhere else!

If you had to sum up your wedding in one sentence, what would it be? The best day of our lives!

How many guests did you have? 120

Were there any notable speeches/music/readings or particularly memorable moments? Music is a big part of our lives so this was a real focus of the day. Our organist in the church, Michael Wooldridge (http://www.michaelwooldridge.co.uk/), was exceptional and we were both delighted to walk out of the church at the end of the ceremony to Widor’s Toccata – a real favourite of ours. We booked Steve Barnes (www.pianoman.uk.net) to sing and play during our drinks reception in the beautiful Ramster courtyard. The speeches were all wonderful but several guests have told me Matt’s speech was the best Groom’s speech they’d ever heard. Finally, we booked a band called The White Keys (http://www.thewhitekeys.co.uk/) to play during the evening reception. We had seen them at a friend’s wedding and knew immediately we had to have them too as they are by far and away the best band we’ve ever heard. They did not disappoint!

What did you choose to have on your menu? The butterflied legs of South Downs lamb was always my favourite main course so, even 15 years later, there was really no doubt that this would be on our menu! A number of guests complimented the food generally but many said the White and Dark Chocolate Torte was one of the best desserts they’d ever eaten! All the canapés were delicious and beautifully presented.

What was your favourite part of the day? Too many to choose just one! I spent months making our confetti so the confetti line outside the church was particularly special for me, the food and drinks were all delicious and the flowers (by Michelle Rust: http://michellerust.co.uk/) in the church and the halls were stunning. Dancing the night away surrounded by all our best friends and the sparkler exit from Ramster were definitely highlights too!

How did Jacaranda help make your day special? Jess was a total pleasure to deal with throughout – she was always helpful and friendly and made the whole planning process very straightforward. On the day itself Jess and her team managed the unfortunate changes in timings seamlessly and effortlessly; Jess was always there whenever we needed anything (usually before we even knew we needed it!) and so much care and attention went into the preparation and presentation of the food. All the waiters and waitresses were brilliant, the canapés were beautiful (and tasty!) and no one was left with an empty glass all day. We were also very impressed by how stunning you made our cheese cake look – you really went above and beyond there!!

Photographer: Steph Newton Photography (http://stephnewtonphotography.com/)
Florist: Michelle Rust (http://michellerust.co.uk/)
Band: The White Keys (http://www.thewhitekeys.co.uk/)
Cake: The West Country Cheese Co (https://www.westcountrycheese.co.uk/)
Drinks: The General Wine Company (https://www.thegeneralwine.co.uk/)
Hair and Make-Up: Bex Standing Smith (https://rstandingsmith.wixsite.com/bexssmith)
Bride’s dress: Jesus Peiro 7014 from Miss Bush (http://www.missbush.co.uk/)