Real Weddings | Donovan & Fiona

When did you get married?

21st September 2017.

The Proposal

After 17 years together we believed it was about time we made it official and two glasses of wine also help sway the conversation.

Why did you choose The Montagu Arms Hotel for your wedding?

We love the New Forest and came down to look at 4 venues. The Montagu was our first port of call and as we left to look at the others we already knew we had found our wedding venue and that didn't change even after seeing the other places. The hotel along with all the staff and with Clara looking after you makes planning a wedding so much easier.

The Dress

Fiona wore a strapless sweetheart neckline boned bodice white/ivory long dress and train. With two different pair of boots one pair of ivory satin bridal boots for the wedding at the hotel and another pair of white see through lace DM style ankle boots for the forest photos.

The Ceremony

The Reception

As the wedding party was only 15 strong we had the one oval table centre floor and the head table was decorated as the Mad hatters tea party with our wedding cake. The food was amazing and everyone had chosen the beef bourguignon for the main meal on our recommendation and they weren't disappointed in fact everyone remarked how wonderful all the food was at our wedding breakfast and also next door at Montys. The weather was on and off drizzle but it didn't dampen our day as we managed to use the inside of the hotel and out which means we got some wonderful photos of the entire place which adds to our memories of the day.

The Flowers

Groom and all male guests wore memory lane rose supplied by Marla Fiona's bouquet was handmade by her sister out of vintage brooches. Marla done a Alice in Wonderland themed central table piece of three displays

The Décor

We chose lilac as our wedding colour. And brought down our own Alice themed decor which Clara and the team did a fantastic job of decorating the room with.

How do you feel the day went?

Our wedding was time themed and that certainly was the case the day went so quick. But we was extremely well taken care of by Clara and everyone at the Montagu Arms and also Montys next door.

Any particular memories from your Wedding Story that stand out that you would like to share?

One reason we chose the New Forest is we wanted some bride and groom photos in the forest as it holds some dear memories and we got our wish that when we got there it just stopped raining and the sun came out. We live in Surrey and made everyone come down to the Montagu Arms. We wanted everyone to leave after the wedding knowing and getting why we chose the come all this way to get married and to fall in love with the hotel like we did after that first visit and they did in fact my mum and stepfather have already been back to Montys just because the food is that good.

Consider the Montagu Arms Hotel for your wedding venue in the New Forest. Pop by our Wedding Open Day on Sunday 4th March or contact Clara Earp today 01590 614981 to book your show around.