Alex and Sarah’s love story is one that proves how life’s little moments can lead to something truly special. The couple, who met while working at the same school in Kent, tied the knot on the 11th of August 2024, only five months ago. Their journey began in an unexpected but very British way, through duty rotas and tea breaks.
“We were both put on the same duty rot together and spent our days chatting away in high-vis jackets in the playground,” Sarah shares, with Alex adding, “I think the tea making was just an excuse to see each other more.”
Their relationship blossomed quickly, and after a work night out together, things took a turn from friendly chats to something deeper. From there, it didn’t take long before they were planning their wedding day.
When asked about their wedding venue, both Alex and Sarah were quick to describe how the beauty of Woodhall Manor took their breath away. “We visited and instantly knew it was the one. Every room and space in the venue was just stunning,” Sarah recalls. “It ticked every box for us. The location, the scenery – it had everything we wanted.”
Their wedding planning journey was swift. From their engagement on the 11th of November to the wedding itself on the 11th of August, they had just nine months to pull everything together. Despite the quick turnaround, the couple enjoyed every part of the process, especially when it came to curating a wedding day that felt like it was truly theirs.
“It was all about reflecting who we are,” Alex explains. “From the decor to the little personal touches, we just wanted everything to feel unique to us.”
When it came to the aesthetic, they opted for a fresh, bright, summery feel. Sarah’s love for sage green played a key role in their colour palette, with the bridesmaids donning sage green dresses. “I’ve always loved sage green, it’s all over our house,” Sarah says with a smile. “We didn’t want to stick to just one colour, though. The flowers were a mix of blues, purples, and pinks.”
Despite being particular about some details, such as the dress and makeup, the couple’s choices were, above all, about comfort. Sarah shares that she wanted her wedding day to feel like her and not someone else. “Alex loves me for me, so I wanted to feel like myself,” she says. “It was important for me to find a team I felt comfortable with.”
Sarah stayed so true to herself that Alex was even able to guess what her wedding dress looked like. “I honestly had no idea what I was going to go for,” Sarah admits, laughing. “But Alex guessed it! I was convinced someone had told him.”
Another memorable part of their wedding experience was the food. Despite both of them disliking mushrooms, the couple found themselves amazed by Woodhall Manor’s spin on them at the tasting event. “We were both dreading it but were blown away by how amazing they were,” Alex laughs. “We ended up having them on our menu for ourselves. It was incredible!”
The food became a standout feature, with guests raving that it was the best wedding food they had ever had, with many stating that they had attended hundreds of weddings.
When asked about their favourite moments of the day, Alex and Sarah reminisce about the intimacy of the event. “We spent most of the day together,” Sarah says. “Even when everyone went to eat, we had a few minutes to ourselves, sitting in the back of the manor with a drink and just taking it all in.”
For Alex, one of the most memorable moments was watching Sarah walk down the aisle. “It was like something out of a dream,” he says. “Seeing her in that moment was everything.”
However, it wasn’t just the ceremony that stood out. “We practiced our first dance a week before the wedding,” Sarah recalls. “We were nervous, but when we actually did it, it felt perfect.”
Alex advises couples planning their own weddings to “stick to yourselves and go with what you want.” He notes, “There are a lot of trends, but don’t be swayed by them. It’s your day, so make it exactly how you want it.”
Sarah adds to this sentiment, encouraging couples to be present with each other. “We were intentional about staying by each other’s side after the ceremony. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the day, but sharing those moments together was so special. We didn’t want to miss out on anything.”
Their photographer played a key role in capturing those moments, too, suggesting the couple take a peaceful walk around the grounds after their meal. “We got to experience the day together,” Sarah explains. “We saw the beauty, we reflected on the moment, and we truly lived in it.”
In the end, Alex and Sarah’s wedding at Woodhall Manor was a magical day filled with love, joy, and beautiful memories. “It was everything we had imagined and more,” Sarah reflects. “The venue, the people, the moments we shared – it was magical.”
Their advice to couples planning their own weddings? “Enjoy the day, be true to yourselves, and make it about the two of you,” says Alex. “That’s what makes the memories last forever.”
