Oh, how we love a winter wedding, especially when there’s a light dusting of snow. Rebecca and Ben’s wedding, held on 17 December 2022, was the ultimate picture-perfect winter wedding.
To create their perfect winter wedding, the couple planned an extravagant Maggie Sottero gown and heirloom winter cape, country tweeds inspired by Peaky Blinders for the groom, snowy-white florals and for a finishing flourish, the grounds of Healing Manor sprinkled with snow. For extra festive feel, there was mulled wine, sparklers and a traditional roast dinner.
“We have been regular visitors to Healing Manor Hotel for a number of years and have always loved the food and atmosphere the Manor. There was no other venue that even came close for our wedding day. We had a barn reception with all our family and friends, and had a traditional Healing Manor carvery and lots of cake.”
“I wanted a winter wedding as the day was our special date that I had been waiting for for ten years. My favourite colour is green so we had winter touches of snow confetti and winter florals and greens.”
Rebecca and Ben met at secondary school, and were engaged ten years to the day before their wedding.
“Ben is definitely my first and true love! We had a break, then met again at 19 and have been together for 16 years. On the 17 December 2012, Ben took me to New York to propose and joked the engagement needed to last 10 years. It was winter and Christmas-time in New York, and was so romantic. I decided to hold Ben to his joke and booked the wedding for the exact day ten years later so we would always remember that special time.”
The couple planned their day with the weddings team at Healing Manor, and worked with some wonderful local suppliers to create their winter dream.
“We worked closely with several very talented suppliers and want to give special thanks for all their help and patience. Kirsty, our wedding co-ordinator, was in regular contact throughout the year. She was amazing, very reassuring and helpful and made the day run as smoothly as possible.”
“The Enchanted Garden created beautiful flowers, venue styling and table centrepieces. Raspberry Rose Designs provided venue styling and table favours and The Lincolnshire Bubble provided venue styling, an arch for the ceremony, signage and a gorgeous bell tent to keep the children entertained.”
For her wedding day, the bride chose a detailed Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero gown with a blush under-layer and rich appliqué detailing.
“My dress was a Rebecca Ingram design called ‘Hattie’. I have always been a big fan of Maggie Sottero and when I tried it on, I knew it was for me. I didn’t want a white gown but something slightly different so the blush tones and little sparkle under the dress was perfect. The Proposals Bridal Team in Grimsby created some sleeves to go with my winter theme and I had a ‘something old’ and ‘something borrowed’ from my Auntie Rachel who gave me her fur-hooded cape she wore 25 years ago on her wedding day. It was very special to have this.”
Rebecca added sparkly heels and a short veil from Proposals Bridal Room.
“I borrowed my mum’s pearls and wore my sister’s hairpiece from her wedding day so I had lots of elements of family with me on the day which was so special.”
The bride’s make-up was applied by Kate Atkinson MUA and the hair stylist was Robyn of Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing.
“They both came highly recommended and 100% lived up to that recommendation. They made me feel like a million dollars and like a true princess. I loved having them both there on the morning, making my family all glam too.”
Ben selected a heavy tweed suit, along with flat caps, inspired by Peaky Blinders.
“Ben, my dad, our son Alfie, Ben’s best friend Nath and his brother Jack all wore House of Cavani suits. They looked so smart.”
These wonderful photographs, which so beautifully capture the wintry December day, and the love between Ben and Rebecca, are from Beth Hunter Photography whilst Blue Moon Films was their videographer.
“Beth is so talented and her pictures are so natural and beautiful. We weren’t wanting anything too formal and Beth captured some beautiful moments during the day. It couldn’t have been more special;, my dream came true that the snow fell.”
“Marea at Blue Moon Films was amazing throughout the day and captured all the special moments which we get to keep forever.”
The bride carried a full yet delicate bouquet of flowers from Gina of The Enchanted Garden.
“Gina was so kind and helpful throughout the process. She created the most beautiful flowers with the winter theme that I wanted. The centre pieces with the floating candles were so clean and crisp.”
The couple wed in an informal and relaxed ceremony in the historic Wedding Barn.
“My dad gave me away and I walked down the aisle to ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ by Prince – one of my favourite songs by The Philharmonic Orchestra. Ben and Alfie were waiting at the end of the aisle for me! It was very special to have our children with us at that moment for us to officially be a Searby family.”
“Ben’s favourite instrument is the saxophone so Sweet on Sax came to provide a set while drinks were flowing after the ceremony.”
The newly-weds and guests gathered in the Barn for the wedding breakfast, a full roast dinner from the Healing Manor kitchens.
“We had a carvery for our wedding dinner. A traditional roast dinner on a cold winter day was gorgeous. We also had Campbell’s Cakery to supply a cake buffet for pudding. Brownies, blondies, cheesecake and cookies are all my favourite things – these went down so well with the guests.”
The two-tier wedding cake was supplied by Helen’s Cake Boutique and decorated with fresh flowers from The Enchanted Garden.
“Ben and I chose a flavour each. I chose white chocolate and raspberry, and Ben chose lemon. Helen is amazing and her cakes are absolutely gorgeous.”
Sweet on Sax provided a soundtrack for the evening party, and the couple kicked off the dancing with a first dance to ‘Far Away’ by Nickelback, ‘their’ song.
“Callum of Sweet on Sax was fantastic. All our guests loved hearing him play and he definitely got everyone on the dance floor! We had A Booth and Beyond photo booth for the evening do and all our guests had the best time taking photos. It was brilliant.”
“Our favourite part of the day was walking around the snowy grounds with Alfie and Rose and taking in how beautiful it was. Seeing all our family and friends in one room having the best time with us was a highlight too. We want to do it all over again; it truly was everything we could have wished for.”
Advice for other couples
“Take the time to enjoy the day. Everyone says it but it really does go far too quickly. I spent all morning so, so nervous and when I finally got to Ben and through the ceremony it all fell into place and was so special. There was no need to be nervous as it was the best day of our lives, barring having the children.”
“We would like to thank the staff at Healing Manor and all the talented suppliers who came together to make the day everything we wanted and more. We would love to give them a shout out and a big thank you.”
– Photography – Beth Hunter Photography
– Videographer – Blue Moon Films
– Venue – The Wedding Barn at Healing Manor Hotel
– Styling + Favours – The Lincolnshire Bubble & Raspberry Rose Designs
– Florist – The Enchanted Garden
– Caterers – Healing Manor Hotel + Campbell’s Cakery
– Wedding cake – Helen’s Cake Boutique
– Dress + veil – Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero via Proposals Bridal Room
– Groom – House of Cavani
– Hair & MakeUp – Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing + Kate Atkinson MUA
– Entertainment – Sweet on Sax + A Booth & Beyond
