Dream wedding give away

William Reeve, of Leadenham House, was gearing up for a Spring Festival and Wedding Fair, launching the country house and its amazing grounds as a venue when lockdown poured cold water on his plans.

However, although it has been postponed until the same weekend in 2021, his wedding planner, Amy Bailey of Amy Lauren Weddings, hatched an idea with photographer Sarah Pask and her family to convert the event into a virtual wedding fair and venue launch, getting 53 of the suppliers on board to feature in interviews and guides on Instagram and at www.leadenhamestate.com.

Out of the wedding fair they have been inspired to launch an NHS Giveaway, from an idea by Sarah to invite nominations for deserving NHS staff who may be looking to get married to have a fully paid-for wedding at Leadenham House, on April 17 next year.

William said: “I was thrilled because my girlfriend had just been saying to me we ought to do something for the NHS frontline staff and we were racking our brains as to what; Sarah’s idea was perfect. Our very first wedding ‘booking’ is for this wonderful cause.”

A special tented wedding space on the lawn would be provide by supplier Tipi Tribe, along with contributions from 26 different suppliers, from caterers, to clothiers, stylists, a florist, planner, jeweller, stationer, video and photography. The whole package is worth £35,000 and the winner will be selected by the organisers.

Nominations need to be submitted by May 26 to: www.facebook.com/leadenhamweddings/videos/519186582083918 and they are already flooding in. Full terms and conditions are available at www.leadenhamestate.com/nhs, too, which includes small refundable deposits for breakages.

“William commented: “I struggle to think of a more beautiful occasion than two people professing their love and commitment to each other, surrounded by friends and family, in an event awarded to them in recognition of their heroism and contribution to a cause uniting everyone.”