Real Weddings is a blog series where we interview real couples who have booked their wedding music through Encore.
Up next on our Real Weddings series are the happy couple Adam and Charlotte. The newlyweds had a small but elegant wedding. While COVID meant they couldn’t go to a French château as they planned, they got the next best thing – a stunning venue in the Cotswolds. Complete with lake, thatched oak boathouse, manicured gardens and ornate neo-gothic architecture, Euridge Manor is up there with the most beautiful wedding venues we’ve ever come across! And using Encore, the couple were able to add an appropriately sophisticated soundtrack to their day by booking an outstanding pianist.
If you’d like to know more about their special day… keep scrolling!
Fact file
- Number of guests: 13
- Budget: £10,000 – £25,000
- Location: Euridge Manor, Chippenham
- Wedding themes: Small; pandemic; manor house; traditional; pianist; outdoor; elegant; timeless.
Contents
Thank you so much for taking the time to share the story of your big day with us, Charlotte!
To start off, please introduce yourself and your partner!
“My name is Charlotte and my partner’s name is Adam. We met for the first time online on a dating site almost ten years ago now, in 2012. We went on our first date in Covent Garden.”
The Music
Ceremony: Encore’s Pianist Michael Raggatt
Michael playing at Charlotte and Adams beautiful winter wedding! Check out more of Michael here!
“We were unable to have a ‘party’ due to COVID so we chose a great pianist to play at our ceremony and small reception”
We hired Michael! Everyone said he was really good and the music was lovely… He was great, I couldn’t fault him in anyway!
- Bridal entrance: Feels Like Home by Edwina Hayes
- Notable highlights: Song Bird by Eva Cassidy, Your Song by Elton John, You Make My Dreams Come True.
- Sparkler send off: Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
Why book Michael Raggatt?
“Because we were having a really small wedding, we knew we just wanted the one musician. We thought a pianist would work best for our day”
Michael was really flexible and accommodating throughout. It was especially important to us that we were able to have the songs that are special to us played on our wedding day, so Michael agreeing to learn these songs for the day was really important to us when booking him.
“Michael also sent us recordings of the songs we had requested which was really helpful so we knew we would be getting exactly what we wanted on our wedding day. He even agreed to play outside for our ceremony in the middle of December, thankfully the sun shone!”
Thinking of hiring a pianist for your wedding? Have a look through Michael’s repertoire! Listen to more here!
Why did you choose Encore for your wedding music?
Using Encore for the booking process was really easy and super straightforward.
“I would definitely recommend Encore to anyone looking to book musicians”
Charlotte and Adam’s dedicated Encore Booking Specialist for their wedding: Perrine
THE SUPPLIERS
Venue –
Ceremony and Reception: Euridge Manor and Orangery
Charlotte and Adam had hoped to get married in France. However, with an unexpected pandemic popping up in the equation, things didn’t go accordingly. So, they opted for the next best thing… Euridge Manor and orangery helped them bring the elegance and class of a French Château to England! It’s simply stunning…
Decor –
“We didn’t feel the need to add much décor as the venue was so beautiful and our ceremony intimate. We added some simple flower arrangements (blankets and hot water bottles!) for the outdoor ceremony and flowers and candles for the table arrangements at the reception.”
Flowers – Flowers by Passion
Catering –
“We had a short drinks reception in the beautiful Orangery at Euridge served by JL Bar Services, along with the cutting of our wedding cake, followed by our wedding breakfast at the amazing Circus Restaurant in Bath where the food and service were second to none.”
Wedding breakfast – The Circus Restaurant
Wedding outfits –
Dress:
Designer – Justin Alexander
Store – Isabella Grace
Bridal shoes – Christain Louboutin
Brides jacket – The White Company
Groom’s suit – Hugo Boss
Groom’s shoes – Russell and Bromley
Photographer & Videographer –
Photographer – Imogen Xiana
Videographer – Baxter and Ted Films
ADVICE FOR COUPLES
Do you have any advice for future couples?
“Be prepared for things to not to go to plan, but remember whatever happens, it will be the most perfect day”
What was your favourite part of your wedding?
“From a couples perspective walking down the aisle to see each other for the first time on our wedding day was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. I am also very close to my dad so to have him walk me down the aisle to my future husband was really important to me and a really special moment. Being such a small wedding also meant that we were able to spend quality time with all of our guests at the reception and dinner, one small positive from having a Covid-wedding!”