05/10/2025
đ¶ Tea for two and two for tea, Can't you see how happy we could be? đ¶ Wayne and Gemma are certainly our cup of tea - so blatantly in love and they clearly hold their family at the core of all that they do. It has been our honour to get to know them all and watch them create the perfect blend.
There is nothing our lovely couple donât take calmly in their stride and not even storm Amy could detract from their wonderful wedding day. Luckily Wayne doesnât need a hairdresser and Gemma had an amazing bridal squad to take great care of her. The outside ceremony we so dearly hoped for was blown away but so were we by the scheme that their friends and family had created inside the barn - it looked so stunning maybe it was always meant to be?
As the rain started to fall our bride and her entourage took the incredibly short drive from the Cartshed Lodge to gather inside the barn. Friends and family had brought their warmth and calm making the perfect environment for their ceremony to take place.
Hazel was chosen to be their celebrant and had taken the time to meet with our couple under the Garden Rotunda earlier in the week to make sure their ceremony reflected everything that was so important to them and it still did albeit inside the gorgeous barn. The fairy lights glowed, oak pedestals sported stunning flower arrangements and the chairs were decorated with sashes in the perfect shade of pink.
As David Boyce Saxophonist played âUntil I found youâ Gemmaâs bridesmaids began the ceremony escorting little ones along the aisle where petals were carefully scattered. As their congregation rose to their feet Gemmaâs mum Julie and her daughter Morgan escorted our bride down the aisle to Wayneâs side. As guests took their seats memorial candles were lit for a much missed brother, Scottie, and Dad Barry while Hazel shared that they would say their vows with love in their hearts and in loving memory of those so loved.
The wedding began with a little story - it was once a custom that every monkey would carve itself a wooden heart and the heart the love monkey carved was the most beautiful of all. Your heart is the only true gift you have to give and so should always be cherished.
For Wayne and Gemma their love story began in an unusual place! They soon found they shared the same work ethic, pastimes, passions and love for their children and families. They became the best of friends. Hazel reminded us that Dr Zeus once said âwe are all a little weird and lifeâs a little weird and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdnessâ.
Accepting one another for all that they are it was soon time to share their I Doâs. Gemma gave a very certain yes and pumped the air with her gorgeous bouquet showing she was most definitely ready for their journey to continue to the next station of life together. As the bouquet was then handed to daughter Megan Wayne placed a ring on her finger. Wayne delivered his personal vows leaving no one in doubt just how much he cares about his new wife, his best friend, partner and soulmate. Although you never know what life may hold Wayne promised to hold Gammaâs hand through all of it đ„°. Some promises were more important to a harmonious everyday life than you may think and we hope you keep them all Wayne!
Gemma followed with her own beautiful words acknowledging their journey to date and the fantastic kindness and selflessness she sees in the fantastic father she is marrying. We love that Gemma now believes soulmates arenât just found in books or films - they are found later in life , when weâre wise enough to recognise them đ„°. She loves how he has dealt with challenges faced with kindness and truly admires the man he is. Whoâd have thought they would end up with a life sentence!
Their ceremony continued with family at its core. Hand fastening and traditionally tying the knot and so their two lives together. We loved the groomsmenâs efforts in crafting ingenious coloured strands earlier in the day. Their hands were joined and so were their hearts and futures. The coloured chords were so representative - red bound their love while Morgan, Caitlyn, Evie & Dawn were invited to add their own strands tying their families together. Mum made sure they were never slipping out from their ties wrapping her strand completely.
Now was the perfect time to share their first kiss as our Groom was assured his bride couldnât run away đ. We didnât think their ceremony could get any more family focussed but Evieâs emotional words have everyone in tears as she warmly welcomed Gemma to their family and making her Dad so happy. As our newlyweds returned up the aisle they jumped a beautifully carved broomstick on exit before heading towards their first sambuca shots of the day.
As family and friends followed suit jumping over the broomstick confetti was thrown. Little Arthur loved the confetti gathering from Gemmaâs dress and covering her over and over again.
The barn was soon transformed into their reception space where once again the efforts of their family and friends could be seen. Mumâs flowers adorned willow hoop baskets filled with stunning dusky pink roses while Gemmaâs sister had created stunning balloon displays floating above to mark each table. Cute favour boxes had been carefully placed and the children had personalised activity boxes of course impeccably matched the their scheme. Acrylic name tags were completed with dusky pink ribbons that matched the cheesecloth runners on each table.
Gemma herself had created a magnificent sketch of the barn ready to be completed by fingerprint balloons added by their guests. We are not sure if they did so knowingly but they created a wonderful heart shaped balloon cluster over the barn that our couple can cherish.
Mr PG tips himself once said "Good tea unites good company, exhilarates the spirits, banishes restraint from conversation and promotes the happiest purposes of social in*******se." The best teas pick only the finest leaves and so Southwood was the obvious choice for Gemma and Wayne where their family was blended to perfection.
Pots of tea were soon delivered to the tables as it was time for guests to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Tiered stands were filled with generous sandwiches, sausage rolls, Victoria sponge cake and cream filled scones alongside brownie bites. Friendly chatter was heard as guests enjoyed the wonderful warm setting and celebrating with Mr & Mrs Smith.
Our groom began the speeches by sharing how much it meant that everyone had gathered together for their day and of course his biggest thanks were for Gemma âthank you for saying yes, not just today but everyday when you agree to do everything with meâ. What is love he wondered? Itâs what you have found in Gemma Wayne and your three beutiful daughters were so proud of the words that you shared. đ„°
Life has taught him to build people up and not to tear them down. To spend time with the family he adores and to make the most of everyday. Thanks were shared for those that mean so much - so many people had helped them on their wedding journey. The flowers and centrepieces were stunning and well deserved the gifts they presented to those offering so much help and support. The way that their family came together for them was so heart warming - he finished with a toast to love, laughter & everything in between đ.
Morgan was next to the microphone as she shared the love she has for her mum, the bond created as mum gave her everything she could have wished for. Papa Wayne consistently showed up with love, patience and âbloody good foodâ. He gradually supported without over stepping and earnt a place deep in her families hearts. A toast to new beginnings, lasting love and all the happiness that the two lovely people next to her deserved.
Finally Darren was ready to complete his best man duties with his speech. A great friendship that has spanned over 20 years and become a brotherhood. He proposed a toast to their hosts, bridesmaids, groomsmen and those sadly no longer with them. He congratulated them both for being in the very small group of people that met their other halves in prison without serving any time đ. Darren called upon son Noah to present our newlyweds with a little present - remember that sharing is caring as you build the magnetic models together.
Our best man concluded by surmising that Wayne had gained a wife - loving, caring & gorgeous but Gemma has gained a gorgeous dress and a stunning bunch of flowers đ He is proud that his dear friend told him âWhen you know you knowâ and from their engagement in Northern Island to yesterday there was no need to wait.
Excitement built as Adele approached the microphone - was it Adele coming to sing or was it that Adele is a bingo caller extraordinaire and ready to complete Gemmaâs perfect day indulging in a great game of bingo? 89 and 68 caused laughter all round as guests were taking this much more seriously than Adele! After the first prize was claimed the washer dryer on offer for two lines took the concentration to new levels!
A bonus ball drawn left guests searching for a hidden symbol on the base of their favour and two lucky finders where then challenged in a race to fetch a coloured pen (not blue or black), an item of clothing from a different table and then completing the task by posing like a statue that Gemma could guess. The Statue of Liberty was inspired but alas Christ the Redeemer (in full cape - well suit jacket) was guessed as the statue of the north - obviously our bride has porogative but really? đ€
For a full house an IPad was on offer!!!! Such concern was shown that guests didnât notice the light fading outside and the fairy lights bringing a whole new romantic vibe to their gorgeous reception space. The moment summed up their perfect day - warmth, togetherness, fun, support, love and romance đ So wonderful to watch a couple so relaxed and enjoying their day amongst their guests with laughter surrounding them all. The iPad was won! The iconic Apple box contained a notebook with the image of an eye but we guess itâs the thought that counts. đ
With arriving guests welcomed through the gorgeous fairy light curtain our House DJ was ready to increase the energy and start the party. Once a gorgeous three tiered cake from The Vegan Baker had been cut our couple headed to the dance floor where they could share the dance they had mastered. Guests were impressed by the dancing skills on display but they had no idea that a Flashmob was donning sparkly gold jackets to entertain them more. Dancing is clearly a family passion and the đ¶ carry you home đ¶ mash up provided the perfect track to share their skills and the fun that continued the whole night through.
Wayne and Gemma you have been so lovely to get to know, just our cup of tea đ„° We truly believe your dreams have come true as you have found the perfect monkey in each other. We hope you hold one anotherâs hearts in your warm hands as you enjoy life together hand in hand. From our family to yours - we wish you all the happiest of futures together.
