I was so excited when Donna contacted me that I simply couldn't wait to share this!
Darren
and Donna met at school and lost touch for many years while their lives took
them on separate pathways! But being separated just simply wasn’t the bigger
plan for this adorable couple!
Donna
who is hard-core as far as festival goers go, had been to the Isle of Wight
festival for ten years in a row, now that’s commitment for you! However, what
she had been missing was a soul mate to ride with her as her festival buddy.
This is of course Darren! What had he been missing out on for all these
years?!
Off
they went to the Isle of Wight festival in June 2013 together and Darren caught
something...Yup, the beloved festival bug! Straight after his baptism of fire
at the IOW, the couple booked tickets for Bestival, these guys are just
insatiable!
Little
did the beautiful Donna know that Darren had something very special planned for
Bestival. As they sat under the wishing well HE PROPOSED! What better way could
Donna wish for a proposal than at a festival, I ask you?! Little did she also
know but a year later they were set to have their wedding day in style there,
and boy what a day that was!
When I
asked Donna what her inspiration was, she told me that they had started to make
plans for a traditional wedding, a wedding they thought would be the right
thing to do and that would make everyone happy. “Something was missing for us
and eventually we decided we would rather do something for ourselves rather
than the rest of the congregation and decided upon a festival wedding but back
at the festival we got engaged at - Bestival!
“We
approached the organisers and they were absolutely fantastic, they gave us VIP
backstage passes (we met lots of famous people), and transport via golf buggy
with all of our items when we arrived as we were in our wedding regalia,
wedding dress and wellies, suit and wellies, bouquet and backpacks! We were
also given a free luxury tipi in Boutique camping by Eve's Tipi's and Eve was
just amazing and very attentive to our every need.”
Initially
they had their civil service at Southampton Registry Office and wanted to plan
this as close to the actual festival dates, they only went and did it on the
morning of the festival! Both parents attended, but they wanted to keep this
part of their day very private. This was followed by champagne and Tapas at Le
Regatta…. I love this restaurant, good call you guys!
But,
come on there is always a but! Darren had been back in secret plotting
mode…No horse and cart around here…He only went and organised a private Yacht
over to the Isle of Wight! Darren, you get a massive gold star from us here for
organising that, just genius! What a way to pamper your stunning bride!
As they
arrived at the festival they were given an enormous welcome by the team at
Bestival, along with friends that were already over their waiting for them.
Clearly that had to sample the real ales and ciders just in case they were not
up to spec for the newlyweds! Off they went to explore their beautifully
decorated tipi. We think this is the perfect way to spend your wedding night,
big thumbs up!
The
following day the inflatable church awaited them for round two, (dingalinglingling)
they did all of course dress up for the occasion! Good effort you guys!
Fellow
festival goers were all amazing, congratulating them all day, taking pics and
buying them drinks. Festival goers, you beautiful people, know how to make a
couple feel special. So much so that Donna said they ended up feeling celebs
for the weekend, rightly so!
Ok, so
we plan weddings for couples over two days, most of our couple and guests leave
feeling as they should….. “partied out!”
However,
these crazy kids went for round three (dingalinglingling!) the following
weekend by having another celebration! This deserves nothing but ultimate
respect! They planned a reception at their local club furnished with hay bales.
To top of all off, Wedding Festival Company favourites ‘The Butterfly
Collective’ played a set for them! Ah you can’t fail to love these guys!
Now, I
can party, trust me, but this has almost worn me out!
Donna
and Darren…We salute you, you did good, real good! May the festival God keep
you happy for many years to come!
If you
want to share your engagement or wedding story with us, do get in touch! We
love hearing them and you get the chance to be entered into our annual
competition to win 4 STAR accommodation for FOUR at St Georges Palace in Bansko
Love out! xxx
