Chris & Caroline

Elegant five course fine dining meets rustic country charm for Chris and Carolines country retreat.

Chris and Caroline Gillis, tied the knot at the stunning Wood Hall Hotel and Spa in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. The Barnsley couple chose the venue after spending a weekend away at the beautiful countryside retreat which provided a picture perfect backdrop for the big day.

The couple, who run their own nationwide security business, were married on September 30, 2016, just six months after they decided to tie the knot.

Caroline, said: “We met through mutual friends and had actually known each other a long time before becoming a couple. We have a young daughter, Evie, who at almost two was our Flower Girl and a teenage daughter, Ellie, who was one of my bridesmaids.”

“Using contacts through I Do’s wedding shows, we found organising the wedding in just six months quite easy, the hardest part was deciding on the food, wine and overall menu for the wedding reception. Together, we chose a five-course fine dining meal for our daytime guests and it was just perfect.”

The magnificent country house provided the perfect setting for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception. With 60 day guests and 85 for the evening celebrations, the day went like clockwork and the couple were full of praise for the venue’s staff and organisation.

The wedding day began with a 12noon ceremony where Caroline wore an ivory gown with diamanté trim, a corset-style bodice and train. She carried a bouquet of mixed country flowers with roses and heather in shades of white and blue.

Along with her two daughters, Caroline was attended by best friend Adele. Flower girl, Evie, wore an ivory dress with a blue sash, while the older bridesmaids wore floor-length black and white gowns and all carried similar flowers to the bride.

Chris, his best man and fathers of the bride and groom, all wore matching grey three-piece suits with pale blue ties and hankies.

The evening was brought to life by a live band ‘The International Party Doctors’, who got the dance floor filled and guests also enjoyed the ‘Capture Cab’ a white taxi photobooth.

The overall theme, which featured the colours, black and pale blue throughout, had a quirky rustic country influence. From hessian hints and welly-boot centrepieces to a milk-churn post-box, sheep breed table names and their aptly named Candy Baa’ was a nod to Caroline’s childhood, growing up on a sheep farm.

The theme continued through the reception with black sashes on white chairs, black and white favour boxes and name cards. For their wedding cake they threw tradition to the wind, opting for tiers of cheeses, stacked and decorated with hessian and fresh fruit.

The couple enjoyed photographs amidst the stunning grounds and gardens whilst guests were treated to canapés, Pimms and lemonade and enjoyed the sunny weather and rolling countryside views. Young guests at the wedding made full use of a play-bus which provided hours of entertainment.

Caroline said: “The whole day passed in a flash and we had a super day. All our guests said they had a wonderful time. I particularly loved the evening party as our young daughter was shattered and asleep by 7pm which meant we could truly relax and enjoy our time with our guests.’’

Photographs courtest of Imajination Photography, Allerton

Wedding Suppliers:

Brides dress – Casamiento Bridal, Barnsley
Bridesmaid dresses – House of Fraser
Brides Jewellery – Swarovski
Grooms Attire – Topmark Menswear, Pontefract
Wedding Rings – Goldsmiths
Flowers – Friend
Stationery – Keetley Creative Weddings
Make-up – Spa at the Hotel
Hair – Mobile Hairdressing By Jen, Wakefield
Chair Covers Chair Covers of Yorkshire, Easingwold
Band-  The International Party Doctors
Party Bus – Kidzone Party Bus, Leeds
Cake – Cheeses from the Courtyard Dairy
Photobooth – Capture Cab / Photobooth4You, Allerton