From their teenage days when friendship blossomed into romance, Molly and Craig have been the definition of love’s young dream. Their special day at Salomons Estate was nothing short of magical, graced with bursts of sunshine and a bright, colourful aesthetic to match. Molly Miller meets the happy couple to find out what made their wedding so wonderful…
Love story
As many happy couples will testify, the best relationships start off as friendships, and this was very much the case for teen sweethearts Molly and Craig. Initially meeting while lifeguarding together, their closeness then developed into a blossoming love story. However, unlike those far-fetched Hollywood films, it wasn’t love at first sight that brought this bride and groom together, but the occasional party, an old school music mix and an undeniable connection.
“We didn’t have a lot in common, however as we got to know each other our friendship grew. Word slipped out at my 18th birthday party that I liked Craig and it started from there!” Molly tells SO Magazine.
The proposal
“I remember our first date,” she continues. “Craig had picked me up and made a garage playlist for us to listen to in the car as we both had very different music tastes.” Quite the romantic, Craig didn’t spare any details when popping the question to his future wife six years later.
After dining at Brettington’s Steak and Lobster House in Rochester to celebrate their anniversary, the pair headed home to open a bottle of Champagne for one last toast. It was then Craig got down on one knee, marking the start of their 15-month engagement before tying the knot on March 18 this year.
Wedding planning
Steering away from tradition, Molly and Craig didn’t settle on a specific theme for their wedding at Salomons Estate, and instead embraced the vibrancy of their chosen season. From pastel tones to bright and bold floral arrangements, the idea was to reflect all the natural beauty of springtime.
“My bridesmaids wore three different colours: I wanted light pastels and Craig wanted green. It looked so bright and colourful all together on the day,” Molly explains.
Surrounded by the rolling gardens and lush flowerbeds, the newlywed’s aesthetic was perfectly complimented by the grounds of their wedding venue which they found on Bride Book.
“We chose Salomons Estate as we loved how spacious the ceremony and reception rooms were. They had lots of bedrooms too for our guests to stay in and let their hair down!”
Located on a private 36-acre estate, Salomons offers an utterly unique weekend wedding experience, complete with six beautifully refurbished holiday cottages.
With a history of hosting hundreds of ceremonies and receptions, the award-winning venue set the stage for Molly and Craig’s special day. The couple had the opportunity to personalise their wedding package and exchanged their vows in the spectacular Drawing Room.
Flooded with natural light, this space exudes elegance courtesy of its large arched windows and glittering lights that created a fairy tale ambiance for their walk down the aisle.
“I loved our ceremony, though it went so quickly! I was fairly nervous but as soon as we saw each other we both burst into tears,” smiles Molly.
Styled timelessly with tall wisteria canopies and fabulous draped linen, this wedding ceremony was all about the minimal effect for maximum impact.
“We were lucky to have my mum who helped with a lot of the organising. Our wedding co-ordinators were very helpful too and supplied us with a list of recommended suppliers,” adds Molly.
Overlooking incredible views of the estate’s rolling gardens, the customary confetti shot post ceremony followed on the south facing terrace before a dreamy photoshoot set happened against the backdrop of the surrounding woodlands.
Once the formal part of the day was done, Molly and Craig headed to Salomons’ Victorian Theatre where they made a grand entrance at the wedding breakfast. With napkins twirling and guests on their feet, the celebration was in full swing as the couple danced their way into the tune ‘Hey Baby’.
The venue’s theatre can accommodate over 200 guests for seated meals, with an additional 150 guests welcomed for evening receptions. With double-height ceilings and a grand stage, it sets the scene for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
The natural beauty of Salomons Estate was ideal for the happy couple’s aesthetic vision, providing an ideal canvas for their spring-inspired decor choices. From ceilings adorned with twinkling fairy lights to stunning blush and green floral centrepieces, Bows Hire, the estate’s recommended supplier, brought the duo’s vision to life in fabulous fashion.
With all their guests seated, the wedding breakfast commenced, featuring an exquisite menu that was meticulously created by the estate’s talented team of chefs.
“We attended a tasting session with my mum and dad at Salomons Estate around six months prior to the wedding where we sampled various dishes and then voted on our favourites,” reveals Molly.
Indulging in a sumptuous feast of roast sirloin of beef, roasted turkey and all the trimmings, Molly and Craig selected a guest from each table to participate in the meat carving, complete with aprons and hats for a full-fledged experience. “It was very funny to watch!” Molly laughs.
The celebrations then transitioned into a night of dancing, accompanied by timeless wedding classics performed on the saxophone. Their first dance was to the one and only ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis, with Molly saying it was the best day of their lives.
Suppliers
Venue: Salomons Estate
Photographer: Lois Brown Photography
Dress: Dress Dreams Bridal
Hair stylist: Eloise Mae Hair Mua
Makeup artist: Woolnough Beauty
Bridesmaids: ASOS
Suits: Marks & Spencer and Bluewater Bespoke Tailoring
Floristry: Paula Florist & Imogen Florist
Entertainment: Kent Event Packages
Venue styling: Bows Hire
Stationery and signage: Jemima Woolnough
Favours: Noyesalicious
