Purple patch: Rachel and Mike opt for lavender theme at traditional wedding

By:
Content Team
/
Updated on: March 17, 2022

Not many prospective fiancés can say they received a round of applause when they popped the question, but groom-to-be Mike’s proposal at a tourist hot spot was always going to attract attention.

Mike, 27, had whisked away long-time love Rachel to Florence when he decided the time was right in December 2015.

“After going out to eat we wandered around the city, finally stopping at the Ponte Vecchio,” Rachel, 28, recalls.

“Mike got down on one knee and presented his great-grandmother’s ring, to the applause of a tour group that had turned up behind just at that moment.”

The Twyford pair had planned a longer engagement, but after finding the Royal Berkshire Hotel, they decided to set the date for the traditional wedding in summer 2017.

Sixty family and friends attended the traditional ceremony at St Mary’s Church, Twyford, before they jumped on a big red bus to head to the picture-perfect reception venue.

“We loved the gardens and hoped against hope for good weather so the guests could enjoy them. We were very lucky in the end,” Rachel says.

The couple opted for a lavender colour scheme for their August 27, 2017 celebrations, and the bride says the focus was on having a good time.

“Our main priority was for everyone involved to have a good time; ultimately that was what mattered to us,” Rachel says.

“We made sure there were plenty of drinks for the guests, and little touches like the photo booth helped to create a fun atmosphere.”

Photos courtesy of Moritz Schmittat Photography.

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_003 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_004

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_006

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_002

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_009 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_010

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_016

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_014

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_015 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_017

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_022

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_021

Claire Nicole created elegant up-dos for Rachel and her bridesmaids. While the bride wore a figure-hugging lace gown, her favourite ladies kept with a lavender theme in dresses from The Dressing Rooms.

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_019

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_014

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_015

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_024

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_025

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_026

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_027

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_028

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_029

“We met for the first time at university where we attended the same course. We got together within the first few months of first year, and by third year we had moved in together,” Rachel says.

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_021 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_022

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_033

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_031

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_034

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_035

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_036

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_026 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_027

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_001

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_040

For their wedding favours, the couple opted for something a little bit different. “We asked friends of ours who distil local Newbury Gin to make us a bespoke flavour. They did, and we gave each of our guests a small bottle of their own,” Rachel explains.

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_039

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_030 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_031

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_034 Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_SBS_033

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_046

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_047

Rachel_Mike_Traditional-Wedding_Moritz-Schmittat-Photography_048

Featured Suppliers:

Bomboniere Bomboniere: Newbury Gin

Brides Gown Brides Gown: Pronovias , Windsor & Eton Brides

Brides Shoes Brides Shoes: Rainbow Club

Bridesmaid Shoes Bridesmaid Shoes: ASOS

Bridesmaids Dresses Bridesmaids Dresses: The Dressing Rooms

Caterer Caterer: Royal Berkshire Hotel

Ceremony Music Ceremony Music: Playlist

Ceremony Venue Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Church

Entertainment Entertainment: Berkshire Events

Flowers Flowers: VFB the Florist

Grooms Attire Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss

Grooms Shoes Grooms Shoes: Office

Groomsmen Attire Groomsmen Attire: Moss Bros

Groomsmen Shoes Groomsmen Shoes: Office

Hair Hair: Claire Nicole

Invitations Invitations: Not On The High Street , Your Wedding Post Box

Makeup Makeup: Claire Nicole

Photographer Photographer: Moritz Schmittat Photography

Reception Venue Reception Venue: Royal Berkshire Hotel

Rings Rings: Pravins , Goldsmiths

Transport Transport: Berkshire's Big Red Bus Company , Charismatic Cars

Wedding Night Venue Wedding Night Venue: Royal Berkshire Hotel

Wedding Planner Wedding Planner: Royal Berkshire Hotel

Photos courtesy of Moritz Schmittat Photography.