A seriously chill, joy-soaked bash at The Mill at Elstead with Chloe and Michael
How it all started (a.k.a. “That Fresher Week bar crawl”)
Picture Durham Uni, 2012. Two strangers, one cheesy scavenger-hunt task: “Get someone’s phone number.” Chloe spots Michael, Michael spots Chloe, numbers are swapped, and 13 years later we’re here talking about their wedding day.
They’ve since survived house moves, GP training, accountancy exams and a global pandemic, so honestly, planning a party felt like a walk in the park.
THE HIGHLIGHT
Enjoyable… Stress Free… Not Staged… Not Awkward…
The almost-forever-delayed proposal
Michael bought the ring the very next day after their “just-browsing” trip in November 2023, then life shouted “Plot twist! – house move, Christmas chaos, busy season. Fast-forward to Good Friday on a walk overlooking Frensham Little Pond:
Michael (sweaty palms): “Can I ask you a question?”
Chloe: …big grin
Not the smoothest line, but the yes was instant. Ring finally deployed, parents finally exhaled.
THE MOMENTS
The Dream Locations
Ceremony: St Edward’s, Sutton Green, a private, tree-lined, storybook-cute church.
Party time: The Mill at Elstead, a 16-century mill with cosy pub vibes, basically their natural habitat. Rolling over the wooden bridge on wedding day felt perfectly “them.”
LOL-Worthy Moments
The bow on the wedding car yeeted itself off en-route. Quick roadside tie-up, plus friendly honks from passing cars.
Mid-ceremony phone ring coming from the priest’s pocket. Ice officially broken.
Setting the scene (Pinterest, but make it real)
Rustic beams? Check. Riverside backdrop? Check. Add Mo-the-family-florist’s burnt-orange and deep-green magic and you’ve got instant wow.
Michael hunted down the ultimate dark-green suit (after roughly one thousand online returns) while Chloe rocked a minimalist gown with subtle side cut-outs and a detachable train.
Pro tip: do not store said train in a plastic bag near a hot iron – Mum learned that one the hard way.
Food & Drink
The Mill handled everything, because pub equals pros. Guests inhaled epic plates, pints kept flowing, nobody had to decipher a forty-two-item canapé spreadsheet. Bliss.
Tunes & Moves
Live band or bust. The Tourists smashed it, the dance floor never emptied, and Chloe and Michael secretly took one salsa lesson. Faces in the crowd during the first-dance reveal were priceless.
Highlight Reel
Michael: “Seeing jaws drop during our surprise dance. Biggest buzz ever.”
Chloe: “Crushing nerves with a post-ceremony fizz and listening to the best-man absolutely slay his speech.”
Pro Tips From The Newly Weds
- Walk slowly down the aisle. Blink and it is gone.
- Sneak away together for mini “we actually did it” moments.
- Scared to dance? One lesson equals game changer.
Photographers… ‘there’s too many to choose from, but Chloe stumbled across Studio Enso on Instagram…’ ‘choice confirmed’…
Our Wedding Day
FAVOURITES
VENDOR MENU
The Mill at Elstead
A 16th-century water-mill-turned-pub where ducks judge your dance moves and the ale flows faster than the river.
Let’s Make Epic S**T!
Fancy your own Cwtchy Smoochy Session?
If you’ve booked your venue, locked in your date, and you’re now hunting for the right wedding photographer, this one’s for you.
We offer a no strings attached Cwtchy Smoochy Session to couples who are at that stage, because let’s be honest, you’ve got to vibe with your photographer. It’s the best way to see if we’re a good fit (and get some cracking photos while you’re at it).
We’ve only got three spots a month, so if you’re keen, pop your details in the form and hit that Let’s Talk button to join the waiting list.
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