Magdalena has worked at Berwick Lodge for 8 years front of house and more recently as the elopements coordinator. You may be surprised that Mags chose her workplace for her wedding, a lot of people wouldn’t, here’s what she says..
“We knew we wanted an intimate wedding for around 30 guests that would let us personalise our wedding to include some Polish traditions, as half of our guests were Polish, half were English.
We looked at other venues when we got engaged and despite trying not to, I couldn’t help but compare them to Berwick! The fact that the venue is naturally beautiful meant I didn’t need to worry about styling it and knowing how well the staff run the day meant I would feel relaxed and stress free.
The owner Sarah made sure I felt 100% detached from work responsibility and enjoyed it as any other couple would. I couldn’t have chosen anywhere else”
MEETING
Mags and Adrian met at work 14 years ago in their native Poland, where they built a friendship. When Adrian moved to England they kept in touch but it wasn’t long before they realised their destiny was to be together and Mags moved to England with her daughter Emilia, to start a new life together as a family.
THE PROPOSAL
After 8 years together, Adrian popped the question one evening at a beachside restaurant when they were on holiday in Cuba. It came as a shock to Mags but not to her daughter Emilia, 14, who had been in on the secret with Adrian
“I told Emilia that I was going to propose and immediately wondered whether she’d be able to keep it to herself and not blurt to her mum!” She came up trumps though and this 14 year old managed to keep the exciting news quiet until the proposal on the beach".
THE DATE
Their anniversary date is 21st June so they decided that June was the special month for them. With Emilia having exams at the end of June, they brought it forward to early June in 2 years’ time. Thursday 6th June 2019.
EMOTIONS
“On the day I felt extremely laid back and relaxed about it all” says Mags “but when I first saw him waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs I have to admit I felt choked with emotion!
“I was feeling very nervous to begin with but as the day went on and I relaxed into it, it was the most fantastic feeling” says Adrian “I knew Emilia was nervous too, I was so proud of her when she read the poem ‘This I Can Promise’ during the ceremony”
The most momentous moment was when Adrian announced at the wedding breakfast that he and Magdalena are expecting their first child together!
“Apart from my mum and the groomsman, no-one knew, so it was a huge shock to everyone. Almost as much as it was to Adrian and I! We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming a little one into our lives and Emilia is so excited to be getting a brother or sister” Mags
COLOUR SCHEME
Magdalena chose navy, blush and white as their colour scheme.
FLOWERS
“I’d seen the most beautiful bouquet of peonies, roses and hydrangeas delivered to Berwick Lodge once for someone else’s wedding. It fitted perfectly with my colour scheme and style so I took the florist’s details there and then”
Flowers by Roots
FAVOURS & DECORATIONS
Homemade ‘bitki’ – a Polish biscuit with poppy seeds and rose marmalade were the guest favours. The original plan was for Emilia to make chocolate brownies as favours but the night before the wedding they were made and didn’t quite go to plan! Mags’ mum who was over for the wedding, helped Emilia make the bitki for favours.
Magdalena wanted to DIY some of her wedding so she made the seating plan, place cards and table centre flowers.
CAKE
A friend of Mags’ recommended cake maker Joanna Pyda who made them a beautiful 2 tier cake finished with blush and ivory buttercream. The bottom tier was chocolate sponge with chocolate buttercream (for Mags) and vanilla sponge (for Adrian). It was set on a log slice and decorated with blush and ivory roses.
Cake by Joanna Pyda
THE THREADS
Mags was certain she wanted a blush wedding dress but having tried on 7 and none of them looking right, went for a stylish ivory gown with a deep V front and back. She wanted something with simple lines and subtle embellishment. Her dress, from the wedding boutique at Monsoon, had pearly beads and sequins in the form of stripes and intricate flowers.
Emilia chose a navy lace and embroidered bridesmaid dress, also from Monsoon.
“It was the first dress I tried on and I said to Mum “this is the one, I don’t need to even look at any others” says Emilia
Adrian chose a navy suit from Dyfed Menswear in Westbury on Trym.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Berwick’s friend and recommended photographer Charlene from Morlove Photography was chosen to capture their special moments. You can see more of the photos below in the gallery.
“It was easy for us to choose our wedding photographer. Charlene has a way of making you feel so relaxed and at ease, it felt so natural to be photographed all day and the photos are fantastic, we are so chuffed with them!”
MUSIC
Pianist Travis Glover played piano during the ceremony and drinks. Mags, Adrian and Emilia walked down the aisle to instrumental of A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. Lionel Richie’s Endless Love and Destiny provided the background music for their signing of the register and Your Song by Elton John as they left the ceremony.
HONEYMOON
Immediately after the wedding they went to St Ives in Cornwall for a 5 day break, ahead of their long holiday to Poland in July where they’ll celebrate with friends who couldn’t make it over.
For more information on weddings at Berwick Lodge, get in touch with our wedding coordinator Simone on 0117 450 7605
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