Meaghan and Oliver

We met about 10 years ago and went on a failed first date, only to re-meet again 3 years later on Tinder when we both swiped right!

Oli proposed in Austin, Texas where Meaghan lived during Uni on a trip back to Texas for Christmas in 2019.

When we were visiting venues for our wedding, The Manor House really stood out to us for its exceptional service and homey feeling. We felt incredibly well looked after and that was important to us with so many Americans flying in from abroad. Everyone felt special on our wedding day, for which we are incredibly grateful.

We knew we wanted some personal touches and for the meeting of British and American families to come through. Alongside exceptional suppliers that made the venue look even more elegant, Meaghan knitted Texas flags and Beefeaters for the respective guests as favours and The Manor House kindly flew the Texan flag alongside the Union Jack for the day. We also had a local Frome artist, Donnah Sarah, sketch houses and buildings that meant a lot to both of us either growing up or living together in for our table plans.

When we got engaged in Texas, Meaghan’s mom booked every dress store in Dallas. It was incredibly lucky because we didn’t realise at the time it would be the last time we’d all be together in person before the big day almost 2 years later due to Covid.

THE dress was in Dallas, but Meaghan managed to find it second-hand in Gloucester. After a very muddy journey up with Oli’s mum (a bit of a bonding experience when Meaghan had to push the car out of the mud when they got stuck on a farm track!), we had THE dress.

Alison Miles altered it with great care and even came to The Manor House to steam and get Meaghan in it so everything was looking perfect on the day!

We were both overwhelmed with so many of our loved ones together in one place after being apart for so long. The love in the room when we walked in for dinner was incredible. We were also impressed by some of the dance moves from our respective families (high kicking from some aunts and a row boat!) and everyone coming together on the dance floor.

Once family started to arrive from America the week before the wedding, it became real for us. After having postponed the wedding and with so much Covid travel uncertainty, it was a huge relief to have them in our house (if not a bit hectic!).

Collecting all the little bits of stationery was also very exciting to see it start coming together, especially because we had so many hand drawn elements.

There will be a point when you feel like you have to make a million decisions. Prioritise what means the most to you and focus on those decisions, but don’t sweat the other ones. It’ll all come together brilliantly on the day, especially if you trust your suppliers and The Manor House, they know what they’re doing!