Real Weddings – Hayley & Mike
Hayley and Mike held their wedding reception at Hampshire wedding venue Careys Manor in August 2021. The couple choose an elegant theme with blush tones and thoughtful personal details threaded throughout the day.
Hayley and Mike met through their brothers at Hayley’s brother’s birthday party. Although not admitting it initially, Mike and Hayley took an instant liking to one another. Fast forward to Valentine’s Day, three years later and Mike finally plucked up the courage to strike up a conversation with Hayley and arrange their first date. However, to this day Mike still claims Hayley stood him up, a statement Hayley denies – but they got there in the end! We catch up with Hayley to talk about all the details from their beautiful New Forest wedding.
The Proposal
“We had been together for four years when Mike began asking me what engagement ring I might like (Mike is useless at keeping secrets!) and after many questions he arrived home one day with a spring in his step. He called me upstairs to our newborn Son, Roman’s, room where he went down on one knee and popped the question. Despite the questions about the ring before hand, I certainly wasn’t expecting it on that day. It was such a sentimental, private occasion shared with Roman in our home which we had bought together eighteen months prior.”
The Venue
“We both loved the feel of Careys Manor when we had both visited prior to our search for a wedding venue in the New Forest. Once we were engaged we came back to the hotel for an appointment with Françoise who was so accommodating, talking us through the different wedding packages and answering all our questions. She gave us exactly the feel we wanted for our Special Day.”
The Flowers and Décor
“My Mum and I hand made all the décor, stationery, balloon arch as well as the floral centre pieces. We choose simplistic, elegant flowers in cream and blush pink tones using mainly roses and freesias as they were my late Grandma’s favourite.”
The Food
“We chose to have a three-course meal for our wedding breakfast and gave our guests a choice of two or three dishes per course. In the evening we had an American themed buffet. All of the food was delicious and we felt it gave the guests plenty of options which we tailored to their tastes.”
The Photographer
“Mike and I are family friends with photographer Jessica Hayman. We both love the style of her photos as well as the quality so it was a simple decision to pick her. We felt so comfortable having her mingle amongst the guests, knowing she would be getting the perfect photos.”
The Outfits
“I had my eye on a dress by Stella York from Anya Bridal Couture since the moment I started looking; it was sleek, elegant and modern and I was able to tweak it slightly to make it my own. The dress actually broke during the reception but thankfully my Aunt whipped out a sewing kit from her handbag and fixed it on the spot! The bridesmaids wore blush floor length dresses by Chichi London and the men wore blue chequered suits from Next.
The Cake
“Our wedding cake and the sugar flowers were all handmade by my Mum – it was stunning!”.
The Car
“Mike and I travelled in the same 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that my Aunt did on her wedding day which was very special.”
To start planning your day at Hampshire wedding venue, Careys Manor Hotel, contact us to book a personal show around with one of our Wedding Coordinators.
