Grace + Adam at Budle Hall | July 2026
“Sarah was such a beautiful part of our wedding. From our first get together a year before the wedding, Sarah’s friendliness won us over. ”
Grace and Adam’s beautiful big day was held at Budle Hall which, strictly speaking, isn’t a wedding venue but a B&B. So they hired everything in themselves to turn it into an epic occasion: bell tents and flowers and food and cocktails and - most importantly - all their favourite people.
We held the ceremony outside, which was fun, in the grounds of the house, the only downside being a mega summer’s breeze on their July day.
Windy weather helped with cinematographic veil drama…but it wasn't great for the decorations. The wind kept threatening to blow over the floral hoop arch, on display at the top of the aisle. I didn’t mind if it knocked me unconscious, I just didn’t want the bride or groom to lose their head mid-ceremony.
Photos by Lily Kate Photography
In the opening welcome of the ceremony, as the bride and groom contained their nerves and excitement at the front, I talked about the things that are important to them as a couple. That connect them. That made them realise they were meant to be.
Like their joint passion for being out in nature: hence having their ceremony outdoors.
Another shared love is food (Adam is a chef): I assured guests that great eats would feature later on in the day.
But their greatest love is their beloved dog Dexter. And he was ever-present, being looked after by dog chaperone Paws at the Altar (great name, eh!?).
Love Grace’s happy face in every photo! What a babe
I must have said Dexter’s name 15 times in the ceremony - he featured in many stories, including their engagement, but he was good as gold and didn’t come bounding up mid-love-story.
In the engagement story, I recounted to friends and family how Dexter was the ultimate wingman (wingdog) to Adam. Dexter did a well-timed poo on a walk, just before Adam wanted to propose, so he was able to get the ring out of the rucksack, surreptitiously, at the same time he was reaching for a lil poo bag at the dog poo bin.
For some couples their dog features because the engagement ring is attached to a collar. Or it’s a romantic dog walk to the top of a cliff. Or the doggy is carrying a note. But a poo-bag-poo-bin scenario is so much funnier. And their assembled guests agreed.
We did a surprise ring bearer moment, which is always fun. Although at Grace and Adam’s wedding I think the person who had the surprise of finding the ring under her bench seat - Kelly - was possibly the most surprised surprise ring bearer I’ve encountered yet. She was a great sport, shaking with shock as she came up with the wedding rings, bless her.
We ended the ceremony with a champagne pop and I need to remember that removing the top foil bit can mean an energetic cork could potentially pop out straight away. Which it did. I yelped and nearly got the poor mother-of-the-bride, on the front row, in the face. ‘Nearly’ being the vital, operative word. My liability insurance remains intact and unclaimed.
I will smile whenever I think of Grace and Adam’s day: the wind blowing through the garden as we all laughed and laughed and celebrated a happy trio. A family of three. Grace, Adam and wingdog Dexter.
“Sarah understood the dream for our wedding and made our ceremony so personal to us. Everything was so lovely and we had so much great feedback from all the guests. ”