A note from us…
We first met Megan and Tom at one of the Oh Happy Day Fairs we hosted, they were obviously very in love with the venue and each other! Working with Tom to book the venue without Megan knowing when and where he was going to propose was something very different for us. As soon as they were engaged, Megan took over the planning and her vision for the venue was clear. It was lovely to work with them to watch this vision come to life and see them share their special day with those that meant the most. Thank you to Megan and Tom for allowing us to share their story and of course, Caitlin + Jones for these beautiful images…
Why did you choose the Pumping House for your special day?
I was browsing on Instagram one day and a Oh Happy Day Fair post popped up with The Pumping House as the venue. We weren’t even engaged yet but we were talking weddings so I asked Tom if we could come along and have a look. It was quite a way from where we lived and driving over I thought, this is too far away, I hope we don’t like it but driving down the winding lane to The Pumping House, and through the trees to see a peak of the building, I just fell in love. We both did. We’d said we wanted an industrial feel to the wedding and the outside just captured that perfectly. Then we headed inside and honestly, I was blown away. We walked around all of the perfect little rooms of curiosities and every single one peaked my interests even more than the last. I wanted my wedding here, I wanted my guests to be as blown away as I was. But we weren’t engaged yet! So we waited and had a chat with Lian and because of how incredibly popular the venue was, dates were scarce. We jotted a few down and headed home buzzing with excitement at the prospect of holding our wedding somewhere so incredible. We eventually settled on a date – 18th October 2019. Still not engaged but definitely getting married, at The Pumping House, the first and last wedding venue we visited.
Every love story is unique – tell us yours?
I was a single Mum, I was a wild romantic growing up and firmly into the idea of a fairytale ending but it just hadn’t happened for me. I had given up and was completely content on being alone. I’d seen Tom a few times before, I always noticed him because he’s a giant – 6″5! He had never even looked my way so I gave him up as a bad job. Then one day a group of mutual friends had a day out at Chester Zoo and I got put in the same car as Tom! My best friend knew I’d noticed him and made sure we got chatting. He was just awesome. He didn’t talk much…still doesn’t and I talked for literally everyone in England! He made it so easy, I felt so at ease with him. We eventually organised a date and I remember thinking, I talk too much. He doesn’t talk at all! And I was determined that we wouldn’t have another. But we did! And then another and another, I can remember asking him why he didn’t talk much and he said, I like listening to you. And that was it, I was gone! Head over, I know I fell in love first, I was completely smitten. I saw how he loved my daughter, how gentle, kind and funny he was and I knew he was the real deal. I was made to be this mans wife. Tom was more cautious, I was actually his first girlfriend so when he (finally) said I love you, I knew he meant it. And we were completely inseperable, me, Tom and Darcie. It wasn’t long until Darcie started to call Tom Dad. The first Dad she’s ever known and loved. And every day, watching them together and seeing our love as a family grow just deepens my love everyday. A true fairytale beginning, he gave me everything I never thought I could have.
What was your highlight of the day?
Aside from saying “I do”, my bridesmaids and I stayed over at The Quarters the night before and honestly, it was the best night and morning. It was so relaxing and wonderful to just be there at the venue. I felt so calm in my surroundings. It was such a big space so I didn’t feel overwhelmed with how many people were getting ready and knowing our morning photos would look great because how lovely the room was. It set me up for the rest of the day. Other than that, Tom and I kept taking time out, in the rooms upstairs through the meal and the night, just to be together and soak it all up. We even nipped into one of the rooms to practice our first dance to make sure I could twirl in my dress! But really the whole day, I feel like I remember every detail of the day perfectly.
What advice would you give to couples planning their special day?
Use people around you to ease the pressure on yourself. I made so much for the wedding that the week itself was a blur. Looking back, I would delegate more jobs to more people. And more greenery and I’d plan more photo ideas outside.
What was on the menu?
Antipasti Platters
Selection of cured meats, Parma ham, Mortadella, Napoli and Milano salami
Selection of cheeses, buffalo mozzarella and manchego
Selection of olives, sun blushed tomatoes and grilled peppers
Selection of breads including focaccia, sourdough and rye bread
Main Course
Albondigas – Homemade pork and beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce
Patatas Al Infierno – Pan fried potatoes tossed in paprika with peppers, onions and chorizo
Pinchito – Chargrilled chicken and pepper skewers
Gambas Pil-Pil – King prawns with olive oil, garlic and chilli
Patatas bravas
Arancini – Sun dried tomato and mozzarella
Baby leaf salads
Tapas! And it was INSANE! Completely our favourite food and everyone raved about it for weeks after. There was sooooo much food and something for everyone.
What was your inspiration for the day?
I didn’t have a theme other than I wanted no specific colour, I wanted white and greens (no flowers) to be my staple. Sort of botanical, simple and industrial. I wanted the venue to be the heart of the wedding so I tried to accent the room to wedding so we complimented the building, I didn’t think it needed much decorating. So greenery on the tables and tonnes of candles with a great cake table!
The Dream Team…
Photographer – Caitlin + Jones Essex Wedding Photography (https://www.caitlinandjones.co.uk)
Florist – Botanics Florist (https://botanicsflorist.wixsite.com/ellena) – just the most incredible florist! Local to The Pumping House so she dropped my bouquets off in the morning, she specialises in the unique bouquet and it was everything I could have imagined.
Styling – Save the Date Event Stylist (https://www.savethedateeventstylist.com) for all the cake stands and our extra bits just made it for me. So stunning.
Cake – Me! Crumbs. I wanted to make my own cake. As a baker, it was all about what cake I’d be having.
Wedding Coordinator – LIAN! For patience and a very calm head. She was our saving grace in those last few weeks.
Breakfast – Fig and Ginger (http://figandginger.co.uk) For a gorgeous breakfast delivered and set-up to The Quarters.
Dress – Jesus Peiro (https://www.jesuspeiro.com/en/) For sending me the extra material to add my own sleeves to make my dream dress.
