Adam & Sarah

Rustic charm meets Star Wars for a beautiful and emotional May the 4th Wedding.

When Adam and Sarah Smillie planned their wedding day earlier this year in May, there was one thing that Sarah was praying for – that her father would be well enough to walk her down the aisle.

After finding the perfect wedding venue at Waterton Park Hotel on the outskirts of Wakefield, the couple decided on a Thursday wedding and because it was quieter midweek, were able to enjoy the full facilities of both the hall and the lake area.

Sarah said: “My dear dad Ronald Wood had been suffering with pancreatic cancer for about a year and was receiving palliative care at the time of the wedding. All he and I wanted was for him to be able to walk me down the aisle and give me away. We made arrangements so he could be at the wedding service. It was very emotional but I was very proud of him.’’ Sadly Ronald passed away a couple of weeks later.

Despite mixed emotions, the wedding day could not have gone any better with great weather and even a Star Wars theme.

Sarah said: “There was a twist to the wedding as May 4th is known as Star Wars day (May the 4th be with you). Adam is a real fan and we had Star Wars names on each table and little figures in the bridegroom’s buttonhole. We even had a Stormtrooper appear in time for the photographs.’’

Adam, a Yorkshire Ambulance Service call handler and Sarah, who works in community dental care service, had known each other 13 years before they decided to tie the knot. After an emotional wedding proposal aboard a horse and carriage in Central Park, New York, they set about making plans and after about a year of searching, decided to choose Waterton Park Hotel for their venue as it had a real countryside feel.

The couple, who live in Whitwood, Castleford, originally met through work.

For the wedding ceremony, Sarah wore an ivory lace dress, featuring a hint of blush pink, and had a pearl and floral corsage on her wrist. Her three bridesmaids wore pale green dresses and her flower girl wore an ivory gown. All carried bouquets of cream flowers mixed with greenery.

A wedding theme of Hessian, lace and green decorated the venue for the wedding breakfast along with the added extra of large bubblegum balloons. Some 60 guests attended the day-time celebrations and enjoyed a traditional wedding meal before the party continued into the evening.

“Everyone at the hotel was great and very supportive, particularly as it was a day of very mixed emotions. We managed to get some lovely photographs and we couldn’t have asked for more from the hotel. We did a lot of the wedding planning ourselves and although sometimes it was hard, because of what was happening with my dad, we managed to get everything done and the venue looked lovely,’’ said Sarah.

“Despite a mishap with the wedding cake, the hotel staff quickly sorted it out and everything else went to plan. We finally managed to tie the knot after 13 years together.’’
Adam and Sarah are planning to enjoy a honeymoon in the not-too-distant future and are hoping to travel to Hawaii. They have also booked a family villa holiday for next year so all the family can relax together after the emotional roller-coaster of recent times.

Photography supploied courtesy of Blue Lights Photography

Adam & Sarah’s Suppliers

Brides dress Abigail’s Bridal Boutique, Leeds
Menswear Top Mark Suit Hire, Pontefract
Flowers Melanie’s Florist, Castleford
Weddings Rings Neil Stuart Jewellers, Wakefield
Photography Blue Lights Photography, Barnsley
String Quartet Southdene Strings, Sheffield
Chair Covers Cushty Chair Covers, Barnsley
Stationery Handmade by Ella
Table Names Harknett Prints on Etsy
Flower Crowns BeSomethingNew on Etsy
Photobooth & Dancefloor Party Pics Photo Booth Hire
Cake Amayesing Cakes
Balloons Bubblegum Balloons
Hair & make-up Gel Bridal Style