A moody Midlands day set the perfect romantic scene for Sarah Brocks and Duncan Fryer to tie their Celtic knot. Thank you, Sarah and Duncan, for sharing your special celebration with Harrington House and for letting us share your story.
Our tree canopy served as the outdoor Chapel for the ceremony of the Midlands wedding. Each chair was adorned with a bell, with a personalised message from the couple. The use of bells dates back to Celtic tradition when wedding bells were rung to welcome the newly married couple after the ceremony (much like most weddings use some form of confetti).
At 3.30pm, Sarah was escorted across the lawn by her 10-year-old son, Jay, to the haunting strains of the bagpipes. Her 15-year-old son, Brodie, met her along the way, and the three of them walked down the ‘aisle’ – an adorned pathway under the tree.
Sarah wore an elegant, embossed coat and dress with Celtic-inspired detail made by Cathy Hutton. The bride wore her hair in plaits, a Celtic tradition symbolising the inter-connectivity of the two families.
Blending in with the natural surroundings, the ‘aisle’ was demarcated using wood chips and shepherds’ crooks made by the groom. The aisle had white rose petals and grey penny gum (in keeping with the colour scheme) strewn over it, and bottles with little fairy lights inside them hung from each shepherds’ crook. The subdued lighting looked simply magical under the tree. The tree was also festooned with glass balls holding tea lights, which were lit just before the guests arrived.
Another Celtic symbol incorporated into the decor were horseshoes places on the aisle with two displayed in the tree. The horseshow is a sign of good luck, wishing the couple well in their marriage.
After a beautiful ceremony, the couple and their guests headed to the reception venue subtly decorated in a natural and rustic look with shades of black, white and grey.
Dave Dixon’s sumptuous spit braai was an undisputed highlight, along with the happy, heartfelt atmosphere of the entire day. Another wonderful wedding in the Midlands!
Wedding details:
- Marriage officer: Mark Parlsey – a very close friend of the groom
- Food: Dave and Paula of Dave Dixon Catering
- Dress and Coat: Cathy Hutton
- Tree Decor: Linda Stone of Brylin Flowers
- Flowers: Wendy Dobson of Dare 2 B Different
- Bouquet and buttonholes: Wendy Dobson of Dare 2 B Different
- Colour theme: Black, white and shades of grey, natural and rustic
- Theme of wedding: Scottish/Irish Celtic
- Cake: Nicky Palmer
- Groomsman: Sarah’s sons walked her down the aisle – 15-year-old Brodie and 10-year-old Jay
- Entertainment: Colin McKay – bagpipes
- Special attractions: Dave Dixon’s spit braai.
Turning wedding dreams into wedding days
At Harrington House, it’s our goal to make your dream wedding theme come true. With our expansive lawns, established trees and brand new, stylish venue, Harrington House is the ideal canvas on which you can paint the picture of your perfect wedding day. We’d love to meet you to show you around and find out more about your dream day: https://www.harringtonhouse.co.za/contact/.
