Despite attending the same school, Chloe and Luke never shared more than the occasional chance meeting at the time. It wasn't until a mutual friend encouraged Luke to join him at an Explorer Scout meeting, which Chloe was leading, that the pair started to get to know each other. They quickly hit it off and were out on their first date a couple of months later.
Although they'd discussed the idea of getting married at some point in the future, when the proposal did come it was nevertheless a surprise for Chloe. "We were on holiday in Suffolk and visited Eye Castle where we ventured to the top of the viewing platform. I spent five minutes trying to read a plaque there, and by the time I turned round Luke was on one knee," Chloe remembers. Fortunately, his joke over breakfast about her having something sparkly by the end of the day had completely passed her by!
After viewing almost every venue in West Sussex, the couple agreed that Fitzleroi Barn was the one. “We loved how it felt like home and the barn itself is absolutely beautiful,” Chloe explains, and continues, “It was also important to us that we had full access the day before, as we knew we wanted to do a lot of the decorating ourselves.”
Join us as the bride shares her account of their autumnal big day…
The couple regularly holiday in Brittany, France, where they love nothing more than sampling the local cider. So, as well as having wine on the tables, an accompaniment of this cider was a clear winner. Chloe tells us, "In Brittany, it's drank from traditional cider cups, so we decided we wanted to gift these to each of our guests to use at the wedding, and take home afterwards."
Being avid board gamers, the pair took their on-the-day stationery inspiration from one of their favourites – Ticket to Ride. The game involves train trips between cities, so they decided to name each table after a journey they'd taken together. Chloe owns a wedding stationery business so the stationery was designed by her, featuring the table plan designed to look like the game's board. She also designed place names for each guest, with the menu inside. She then finished each one with a handmade ceramic leaf to complement the day's theme.
A mutual friend, Emma, made the big-day bake, which boasted three different flavoured tiers – spiced apple, salted caramel, and lemon. It was finished with mini macarons in teal and copper, and decorated with flowers. Another friend, Laura, from Malthouse Ceramics, made a bespoke cake topper in the form of the classic MG Midget, with the bride and groom sitting inside. "We were both absolutely blown away when we saw the finished cake," Chole remembers.
The venue furnished the couple with a list of approved caterers, and they eventually settled on Good Taste Catering, who created a three-course meal for the wedding breakfast. "We just wanted cosy, homely food, because we were expecting the weather to be fairly cold," the bride explains. The meal began with sharing antipasti platters, which were followed by either pork in cider sauce, or beef carbonnade. They finished with a trio of desserts, including sticky toffee pudding, chocolate tart and a meringue topped with rhubarb and ginger. In the evening, guests were treated to a barbecue.
Given they'd be on show all day, the shoes had an important role to play. Chloe says, "I decided I wanted two pairs, so I wore a glittery teal pair to complement the bridesmaids' dresses, and then changed into a pair of Irregular Choice heels for the evening." The look was completed with a teal faux-fur stole that she slipped on for warmth during the outdoor photos.
Luke wore a blue herringbone three-piece suit, while the groomsmen complemented him in navy suits, teamed with herringbone waistcoats. All of the gentlemen, including the groom, went tieless, and wore pale blue shirts, instead of white, for a casual and comfortable look.
Cake topper
Catering
Cutlery and barrel hire
Dress alterations
Entertainment
Flowers
Hair stylist
Make-up artist
Photographer
Stationery
Suits
Venue
Wedding rings