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Early days…
Victoria Ralph and Alan Culf met at church, where they were training to provide an outreach service called Whots.
"It runs on a Saturday, and people come if they have physical pain, and we pray for their healing," explains Victoria. "Alan and I got along instantly, and every time we saw each other it was like meeting up with an old friend. The turning point was when I needed his help moving into a new place, and to my surprise he kept coming over to fix things for me week after week."
Alan adds: "It was after a friend's wedding, when she gave me a lift home, that I really felt myself falling in love with her. She made jokes on the journey back and was such a character, I couldn't help falling for her."
The proposal…
Five months after the pair got together, Alan popped the question at Aldenham Country Park, just as the sun was setting. After recovering from the shock - and asking Alan to repeat the question so she could answer him properly - Victoria said 'yes' and the date was set for 9th May, 2009.
Alan and Victoria share the story of their special day.
The venues…
Victoria: We chose Whipsnade Tree Cathedral for our ceremony, as we both loved the idea of an unconventional wedding that was in a beautiful outdoor setting. We wanted somewhere informal, where people could be at peace. We had a quick legal ceremony the day before, and on the day we had a blessing. Alan's mother went scouting around the local villages in search of a hall where we could hold a hog roast and barn dance. She found Potten End village hall and came back with pictures. When we saw it, we fell in love with it.
The dress…
Victoria: My dress was from Monsoon, and the second I tried it on I knew it was for me. The wellies I bought from Homebase a week before the wedding - I thought the leaves on them matched the Tree Cathedral, and I loved the idea of wearing them down the aisle. We got Alan's shirt, jacket and hat from Spitalfields market.
The flowers…
Victoria: For the flowers, I wanted something delicate with a country style, so our florist suggested lilac-coloured freesias and ivory roses. They seemed to go really well with the general feel of the day.
The transport…
Alan: Victoria arrived at the ceremony with her dad and maid of honour, Rebecca, in a Cadillac. I remember wondering when she was going to show up, when all of a sudden the silence was shattered by the rumblings of the V8 and the sound of all the birds flying away!
The decorative touches…
Victoria: Our favours were the generous gift of three of my friends and my mum, who all went about making fudge. We had a 'wrap the fudge' session with tea and cake which, of course, involved eating a lot of the sweets!
The best bits…
Victoria: We had a 'first limbo' together outside, before pegging it back into the hall to join in the do-si-do with everyone else.
Alan: Neither of us wanted there to be lots of speeches, so we decided to say a few words about one another ourselves.
Useful Contacts:
Entertainment
Dancing Bear
www.dancing-bear.org.uk |
Flowers
Bunches Florist, Bushey Heath
www.bunchesfloristbushey.co.uk |
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Photographer
Peartree Pictures
www.peartreepictures.co.uk |
Venue
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
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