A Reflection on Our Magical Day

Before I got married, I had an idea of what the day would be like. I’d spent countless hours scrolling through Pinterest, saving perfect colour palettes, tablescape ideas, and dreamy photos of couples bathed in golden light. My own wedding board was an aspirational tapestry of lace, calligraphy, and rustic charm.

My name is Chloe, and I recently married the love of my life, Jon. Looking back, I can tell you that the day was nothing like my Pinterest board.

And it was absolutely perfect.

The truth is, I got so caught up in the details of planning that I lost sight of what the day was really about. I spent so much time worrying about the venue, checking everything from the location to the parking situation and overnight accommodation. I stressed over whether our friends and family would be willing to travel for us, fretting about every little detail to make their lives easier.

I focused on all the small things. I ordered flip-flops for the ladies so they could ditch their heels and dance the night away. I crafted little inspirational quotes to hang in the toilets. I agonised over the perfect song for our first dance and hand-wrote every single name tag.

I thought these little touches were what would make the day special.

And while they were nice, they weren’t what made the day magical.

On the day itself, none of those things mattered. What mattered was seeing our loved ones, our "village," come together to celebrate our unity. It was an incredible reminder that the people who love you will go above and beyond for you. They’ll travel for miles, book a hotel, and rearrange their schedules, not because you provided them with flip-flops, but because they genuinely want to be there for you. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to celebrate a marriage and support a couple as they begin their journey together. Our friends and family were our village, and they came together to support us, celebrate us, and most importantly, have fun.

So if I could offer any advice to future brides and grooms, it would be this:

Don't sweat the small stuff. Instead, focus on your partner. Take a moment during the madness to look at the person you've committed to spending your life with. Steal a quiet moment together, just to soak it all in.
And most importantly, be present. Take time to talk to people, especially the older members of your family who may not be here for long. I’m so glad I got to spend some extra time with my grandparents and older relatives. I have vivid memories of them laughing, dancing, and sharing in our joy. Those are the moments I’ll cherish forever.

Jon and I got married at Worlowbrook Hall, and it was everything we could have dreamed of and more. It wasn't because of the fairy lights or the table settings. It was because we were surrounded by a room full of people who love us, all celebrating the start of our new life together. And that, in itself, was pure magic.