Thrumpton Hall, just south of Nottingham, returned to it’s glory days last weekend, when my daughter Lisa married Leonardo Lopez Wain. I should have known that there was a Byron connection. A more romantic setting it would be hard to imagine. And indeed, a former owner of the Hall, Frederick the 10th Baron Byron, was married to Lady Anna Fitzroy, sister of the 10th Duke of Grafton, and a direct descendant of King Charles II.
An engraving of Thrumpton Hall by Wencelas Hollar, 1600s (Creative Commons)
The Cavaliers would have felt quite at home at last Saturday’s reception. My daughter loves period costume and the wedding guests were invited to indulge in the same. Many of her friends are role players and were delighted to partake. As one of the guests remarked to me “I just love dressing up, don’t you?” I had to confess that it was my first time, but that, yes, it did feel good.
I had already survived the drama of arriving at the wrong church just 15 minutes before the ceremony was due to begin, and a panic stricken scurry through country lanes to collapse into my seat a bare 5 minutes before the bride. My reading from Song of Solomon was delivered with an impassioned throb in my voice and knocking knees as I struggled to find my place in the bible. After that, everything felt good.
The Hall was magnificent. We gathered in the library, around an open fire. The books and the furniture were from a bygone age. The reception rooms were lavish, and the Jacobean cantilevered staircase, carved in wood from the estate, an object of real beauty. The guests mingled as good guests should. The atmosphere was as warm as the fire.
All too soon it was over, and Lisa and Leo stepped briefly out of character to fly BA to their honeymoon in Venice. Costumes donned again, they were off to Carnaval and a masked ball. May they always be as happy as they are today.
To see the dress and bouquet in more detail, please visit my Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post : On going. You can click on any of these individual photos to see them in gallery form. Happy Valentine’s Day everybody.
restlessjo 
It looks fantastic!!! congratulations 🙂
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It was an amazing day. I have a few Venice pics of the honeymoon too (no, I wasn’t there 🙂 ) Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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I found them! Spectacular including the Queen herself !
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Thanks 🙂 It was a fabulous occasion, and not one to forget.
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How wonderful that all looks! The best to the happy couple.
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Yes, it was a very special occasion. Many thanks, Rebecca.
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I am very belatedly doing some blog catching up. I am pleased for all that the wedding went well.
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Thank you! I do appreciate your time. It’s not easy fitting everyone in, even though it’s very enjoyable.
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wow! what a fun wedding to have! the dressing up in costume must have been so unusual, and made for great and unforgettable pictures I am sure. And that cake is awesome! and your daughter made her own dress!!!????? just amazing!
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Yes, it was a pretty amazing occasion. Lisa and her friends are used to dressing up as they go to role play venues, but it was a very enjoyable first for me.
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What a beautiful wedding – your daughter’s dress is magnificent, and I love her hair, and the car! Such a great idea to invite the guests to play dress up in that historical setting.
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Doing these in reverse order, Rose, as I should be doing the tea, and can spend more time later. The effort she put into sewing and creating for the wedding was amazing! Thanks for visiting.
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Your daughter sewed her own dress! wow!
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The dress, Leo’s frock coat and waistcoat, bridesmaid’s frock, waistcoats for the grooms, the bouquets and made the cake with a little help from Jema, the maid of honour. A one-woman wedding outfitter. A couple of my posts give details and close ups. Off to look at your daughter’s now.
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