Sophie & Dan's Surprise Wedding

 

When Sophie and Dan first emailed us with the event description “30th/Surprise wedding”, we couldn’t have been more excited! Before you know it, we had an elaborate scheme in the works and their big day was planned in less than 13 weeks (#efficiency). Here’s how it went down.

It started with Soph & Dan having their wedding photos pre-30th and pre-ceremony so they could hang out with friends and family during the afternoon - something quite a lot of couples are doing these days! Insert wardrobe change #1 and then it was off to celebrate what everyone thought was Sophie’s 30th. We had the venue decked out with our cocktail furniture, balloon installations by Fancy Schmancy and a luxe flower wall from the Blossom Tree Co to block off the garden area as a part of the surprise…!

 
 

The guests arrived, canapés were served, the drinks were flowing and then it was time for wardrobe change #2. As the bride and groom slipped away to jump back into their formal get-up, the surprise wedding was announced! The flower wall was moved aside, revealing a stunning ceremony set up in the private garden and Dan waiting at the alter for his bride.

 
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Beautiful readings were shared, vows exchanged and life-long promises made. Hello, Mr & Mrs Prosser!

 

We love ourselves a good grazing table - French brie, truffle cheddar, assorted charcuterie, fresh honeycomb, warm baguette - perfect for guests to help themselves post-ceremony! Behind the scenes, we had our dream team flip the venue from a cocktail set up to a seated reception for 100 guests within the hour (#sendhelp!) and here’s how we went:

 
 

The guys from Lark Music kicked off the reception and the feasting continued with shared platters of crispy pork belly, braised lamb shoulder and southern fried chicken with an array of homely sides to match. And of course, a wedding is no wedding without beautiful speeches and a few tears, followed by a first dance to Better Together by Jack Johnson. Our friends from Passiontree Velvet delivered the goods (as always) with amazing passionfruit meringue eclairs, lemon tarts and dark chocolate doughnuts. So, to wrap up the evening, the d-floor got started, guests with eclair-in-hand.

What a beautiful day for such a beautiful, fun-loving couple and our last wedding for the year - we loved being a part of the journey. Congrats, Sophie and Dan! x

 
 
“Rach and the entire team at The Refinery were amazing. Rach made our surprise wedding come to life, with so little fuss, nothing was too much trouble. Not only was the food amazing the service was second to none. Thank you!”
— Sophie & Dan, December 2018
 
 

Suppliers

Venue | The Refinery
Photography | Amy Higg Photography
Balloons | Fancy Schmancy Balloon Co.
Flower Wall | The Blossom Tree Co.
Dessert Table | Passiontree Velvet
Live Band | Lark Music
Celebrant | Natasha Lewis Celebrant
Wedding Dress | Rachel Gilbert
Hair | P.S. I Love Hair
Make Up | Kate Devlin

 
Weddings at The RefineryRach Myersrealwedding, wedding