Wedding Celebration at Orchardleigh House
Among the green rolling hills of Somerset, stands the resplendent Orchardleigh House, a Victorian stately home. In this realm of English elegance, we find Sandra and Daniel’s matrimony, an exquisite blend of Polish and Irish traditions.
Orchardleigh House and Estate
- Nestled within 500 acres of parkland and lakes, this 19th-century estate boasts an unrivaled setting for wedding celebrations.
- The venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages, accommodating up to 400 guests, making it a fantastic option for grand celebrations.
- With 41 opulent rooms available for overnight guests, the estate caters to friends and families from near and far.
- The venue is accessible for disabled guests, ensuring every person can partake in the joyous celebration.
- For a delightful touch of elegance, Orchardleigh offers a helipad and even a church on an island.
- Their in-house catering, which we’ll touch on later, is simply to die for.
- Free parking is available for guests, removing any transportation worries.
- The estate also features a golf course for those needing a break from dancing.
- Guests can enjoy post-ceremony cocktails at the estate’s fully stocked bar.
- According to rave reviews, the staff at Orchardleigh are exceptional, ensuring a smooth day from dawn to dusk.
Flowers and Décor
The unique colour theme incorporated Sandra’s Polish heritage and Daniel’s Irish roots. Tones of deep forest green, interwoven with the emblematic red and white of Poland, harmonised beautifully, each representing a culture while telling a unified tale.
- The flowers, sourced from local Somerset suppliers, mirrored this colour scheme.
- Arrangements included the traditional Polish poppy and the Irish clover.
- For a touch of English charm, roses and foxgloves were scattered throughout the bouquets and table arrangements.
- The tables were adorned with handcrafted Polish lace and Irish linen, a thoughtful representation of their roots.
- Greenery and fairy lights were elegantly draped around the reception hall.
- Personalised touches included Polish and Irish blessings printed on the wedding stationery.
- The couple’s cake, a traditional Polish ‘tort wisely, was beautifully decorated with Irish shamrock details.
- In addition to the Polish-Irish colour palette, gold accents added a touch of luxury and warmth.
- Traditional Polish paper cuttings, ‘Wycinanki’, were subtly incorporated into the décor for a unique, personal touch.
The Ceremony
The ceremony, held at the Estate’s St. Mary’s Church, situated romantically on an island, was a heartfelt mix of both Polish and Irish customs.
- The day started with the traditional Polish blessing given by the bride’s parents.
- The couple chose a late-afternoon ceremony to make the most of the golden Somerset light for their wedding photography.
- During the ceremony, the couple incorporated the Irish tradition of handfasting.
- Guests were treated to a performance by a local choir, singing a mix of English, Polish, and Irish hymnals.
- They also included the Polish tradition of the sharing of bread, salt, and wine.
- The couple exchanged traditional Irish Claddagh rings, symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship.
- As per Polish tradition, the parents of the bride and groom presented the newlyweds with two glasses of wine.
- After the vows, guests threw coins – a Polish tradition for wealth and good luck in marriage.
- The wedding photographer from Bath captured the ceremony, ensuring every cherished moment was frozen in time.
Reception and Evening Party
The reception, held in the grand Ballroom, featured a fusion of Polish and Irish entertainment and in-house catering.
- Traditional Polish dishes like pierogi and bigos were on offer, alongside classic Irish staples such as corned beef and cabbage.
- The catering team at Orchardleigh ensured a seamless dining experience, even catering to specific dietary needs.
- A Polish polka band and an Irish fiddle band took turns filling the air with music, enticing guests to the dance floor.
- The Orchardleigh wedding photographer captured the joy and merriment of the evening, the laughter and twirling shapes immortalized through his lens.
- The couple incorporated the Irish ‘singing supper’, where guests serenaded each other.
- A vodka and whiskey-tasting station featured popular Polish and Irish spirits.
- At the stroke of midnight, the couple cut their tort wisely, a moment captured beautifully by the wedding photography Frome team.
- As a nod to Polish tradition, a late-night ‘wedding afterparty’, known as ‘poprawiny’, kept the party going until dawn.
- The evening ended with a spectacular firework display, providing a perfect backdrop for the Bath wedding photographer to capture unforgettable images.
Wedding Photography
The wedding’s photo narrative was beautifully crafted by Michael from FX Works, a seasoned Orchardleigh wedding photographer.
- With an unobtrusive style, he documented authentic and natural moments throughout the day.
- Known for his creativity and eye for detail, Michael produced a rich tapestry of the wedding’s colorful journey.
- His familiarity with the venue and its landscape resulted in remarkable shots, utilizing Orchardleigh’s magnificent features.
- His years of experience and awards speak to his talent and dedication.
- He navigated the day’s timeline with expertise, ensuring key moments weren’t missed.
- His state-of-the-art equipment captured crisp, high-quality images.
- Reviews reveal that Michael is not only an excellent photographer but a friendly and calming presence on such a busy day.
To conclude, planning your wedding is an exciting journey. Resources like The Knot, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, and WeddingWire provide a wealth of ideas and inspiration. Make sure to utilize them, and above all, enjoy the process. Happy planning!
