Real Weddings
Every wedding is different, but the goal never changes: a day that feels effortless for the couple and unforgettable for their guests. These are some of the weddings I have had the joy of coordinating, from grand country houses to intimate celebrations at home. Behind every photo is a timeline, a team of brilliant suppliers and a few quiet moments that never made it onto the schedule. I have shared a little of that here alongside the images.
Harlaxton Manor, Grantham
Brian & Bianca Gorman · August · 115 guests
There are venues that need dressing up and then there's Harlaxton Manor in Grantham. With its Grade I listed Jacobethan architecture, sweeping approach and grand interiors, the manor does much of the storytelling on its own. My job was to make sure the day around it ran so smoothly that Brian and Bianca could actually enjoy it.
The brief
Brian and Bianca wanted a day that felt elegant and timeless without losing the warmth of having their family and friends together. Every detail needed to feel like it belonged at Harlaxton Manor rather than sitting on top of it.
What I coordinated
Working closely with the venue team and a brilliant set of suppliers, I looked after the full running of the day: the timeline, supplier arrivals and set-up, the ceremony flow, guest movement between spaces, and the small moments that never make it onto the schedule but make all the difference. Bianca's arrival by horse and carriage was choreographed to the minute and the evening built towards a finale of fireworks and a champagne tower, timed so all 115 guests could gather, toast and watch the sky light up over the manor.
A favourite moment
Bianca was getting ready at the venue and the plan was for her to arrive at the ceremony in a horse and carriage with her brother. Getting her from one to the other without anyone seeing her took some quiet planning. I slipped her into the back of my car, drove her down to the main entrance and handed her over to her brother and the carriage, so that when she arrived, the reveal was completely intact.
Behind the scenes
A venue this size rewards careful planning. Between the carriage arrival, coordinating the fireworks safely with the venue, and moving 115 guests smoothly through the day, the goal was always the same: Brian and Bianca never having to think about anything except each other.
In their words
"On the big day, at our wedding at Harlaxton Manor, everything ran smoothly thanks to Lorna's behind-the-scenes magic, we didn't have to worry about a thing. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding planner" - Brian & Bianca
Photography by Rachael Connerton Photography · Cake by Louise Bolland Cake Design · Carriage by DK Carriage Horses · Fireworks by Illuminatus Pyrotechnics
The Fleet ICA, Peterborough
Stephanie & Luke Burks · October · 124 guests
A church ceremony followed by a celebration at The Fleet ICA, with a Mariachi band, a curry feast and bacon baps at the end of the night. While Stephanie and Luke were married at the local church, my focus was making sure everything at the venue was ready and running perfectly when they and their guests arrived.
The brief
Stephanie and Luke wanted a traditional ceremony followed by a party that felt like them: fun, relaxed and full of personality. It was an adults-only celebration, so the evening could be built around good food, dancing and a lot of laughter.
What I coordinated
While Stephanie and Luke were being married at the local church, I was at The Fleet ICA making sure everything was ready and running perfectly for their arrival. With 124 guests to look after, I managed the flow of the celebration from the first arrivals to the last bacon bap. That included the couple's grand entrance, with the Mariachi band announcing them in as guests formed a tunnel of waving flags. It also covered the drinks tokens, the curry feast from Stephanie and Luke's favourite restaurant, the bouquet toss, and the sausage and bacon baps that sent everyone home happy.
Favourite moment
Watching Stephanie and Luke walk in through that tunnel of flags, with the Mariachi band announcing them, was pure joy. It set the tone for the whole night: fun, relaxed and completely them.
Behind the scenes
A celebration that feels this relaxed takes a lot of moving parts working together behind the scenes. On the day, I was coordinating several suppliers at once: the venue decor, the catering setup, the evening band and the photo booth. Each one had to be ready at the right moment, so that when Stephanie and Luke arrived, everything simply flowed. I also organised the bouquet toss, making sure it happened at the right point in the evening, when everyone was gathered and in the mood to join in.
In their words
Lorna was professional and discreet. She ensured everything went to plan communicating with all parties, she was such a lovely presence on the day yet a whirlwind behind the scenes!! A thorough, no nonsense Irish beauty 😄 she has an eye for detail and I embraced her suggestions - nothing was too much trouble! She went above and beyond for us on the day and I can’t thank her enough! - Stephanie & Luke
Photography by Ian Whitwell Photography - Mariachi band The Mexican Way - Catering by Everest Kitchen - Photobooth by Lunashot