Ellie and Craig’s Cantley House Hotel wedding, with its gorgeous florals and vintage feel, was a day to remember. This was that perfect mix of a cool and relaxed wedding day, with full-on party in the evening. So relaxed in fact, the first dance didn’t take place until 10pm! I wish these guys so much happiness for the future. Check out their amazing day below.
First names: Ellie Jones and Craig Bills
Ages: 27 and 36
Wedding date: 21st April 2018
Venue: Cantley House Hotel
How did you guys meet, tell me all?
During my nurse training, I had a placement at a unit in Nottinghamshire and Craig and I met on my first day as a student on the ward. The place came with quite the reputation of a rather testosterone-fuelled environment with many men, well who were rather full of their own self-importance, and my first impression of Craig was very much that! On the other hand, he thought I was rather pompous and someone to avoid! However, something about the bushy beard and infectious laugh made me really rather like him and after many years of working together, I soon realised I had found someone I very much had fallen for.
As part of the development of our ward Craig and I were nominated to attend a conference in Windsor and after one cider too any and in the most beautiful setting we decided that we had found something in each other that would last forever. After a long walk around Windsor Great Park, it became very apparent that I was one day going to marry this man.
How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
We got engaged on Christmas Eve 2016, Craig was rather naughty but equally romantic and planned this fantastically lovely way of proposing with a personalised Emma Bridgewater Mug! I had finished a rather pants shift and came home in the evening to Craig who had popped the kettle on, not the gin and tonic I fancied but he was adamant I needed to have a coffee. Unbeknownst to me, his grand plan was to propose with this beautiful mug and a well-positioned ring in his back pocket!
What made you choose your wedding venue, did you look at many?
We very much stumbled across Cantley House as a venue! My Gramps is a Rotarian and his gentlemanly lunches are held there so this was our introduction. After realising that one of the biggest appeals to us was being able to have all of our family and friends with us to share our day we knew Cantley House would be perfect. We found its rustic charm and almost untamed manner something very alluring, the appeal of the barn which its beautiful beams drew us in and the space to make it what we wanted just seemed perfect.
What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
Our inspiration has derived from a very floral theme, with scented herbs, pretty delicate flowers and lush green foliage. We have both grown up with a huge focus on greenery and the outdoors so it was integral we incorporated this somehow. After finding the perfect florist it all seemed to fit into place. The ideas of something very natural intertwining with the rustic look of Cantley House really fits the venue and the nonuniformity and organic nature of the table decorations makes it the perfect setting for us.
What is your first song and why?
Keep Me in Mind by Zac Brown – Prior to being together, it is the song that Craig always said reminded him of me. We love the words of the song and feel it sums up a point in our lives when we very nearly could be together but not quite!
What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding?
Make sure you make time for yourself as a Bride and Groom, initially we got so caught up in the whirlwind of planning we lost sight of what we really wanted. I think our number one tip is to make sure that your decisions reflect what you truly want and you find time to celebrate how very magical it all is, as the memories you make are yours forever and should be guided by YOU.
Check out Ellie and Craig’s Cantley House Hotel wedding below.
The photography: All images captured with two Fujifilm X-Pro 2’s.
Lenses: Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 R WR, Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 R, Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R
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Other awesome suppliers at this Cantley House Hotel wedding.
Make up artist/Hairy Stylist: Liz Patey
Website: https://www.lizpateymakeup.co.uk/
Brides dress: Laure de Sagazan
Website: http://www.themewsclifton.co.uk/the-designers/laure-de-sagazan/
Bridesmaids dresses: Ghost London
Website: http://www.ghost.co.uk/flower-girl-dresses
Suits:Marc Darcy
Website: https://marcdarcy.co.uk/
Florist:The White Horse Flower Company
Website: http://www.thewhitehorseflowercompany.co.uk/
Cake: Cheese Cake and Pop up Patisserie
Website: https://www.delilahfinefoods.co.uk/ and http://milkstreetkitchen.co.uk/
Caterer: Cantley House Hotel
Website: http://www.cantleyhotel.co.uk/
Band/DJ: David Grinham
Website: http://www.the-experience.co.uk
Stationary: Feel Good Wedding Invites
Website: http://www.feelgoodinvites.com/
Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Would you like someone who photographs it in an alternative, fun and natural way? Fancy seeing your wedding pictures on my Instagram and on other cool wedding blogs? Get in touch and let me know all about your day! I need to know the date, ceremony and reception details and most importantly all the ideas you have!
Let’s chat about your day!
I am a Kent wedding photographer who has been featured within Your Kent Wedding Magazine, Rock n Roll Bride and Your Sussex Wedding Magazine, with images also published in the The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Independent, The News Of The World and many other large newspapers and magazines.
Cantley House Hotel wedding | Berkshire Wedding | Kent Wedding Photographer | http://www.rosshurley.com | Ross Hurley Photography
