Samantha and Andrew’s journey to their wedding day is a tale of love, laughter, and (as with all weddings) a sense of fate. As they exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends at Owston Hall Hotel in Doncaster, the warmth and joy in the room was palpable.
A Double Marriage Proposal
Samantha and Andrew’s story began with a blind date orchestrated by mutual friends, a classic setup that sparked a romance neither could have foreseen would endure, but it did. In the coming months and years, Samantha and Andrew enjoyed milestones in their relationship, including moving in together. But it was Andrew’s 2011 proposal in Bruges during a Christmas getaway that Samantha recalls so fondly. She said, “It felt like a spontaneous gesture. Andrew bought a ring for me and proposed there and then!”
For twelve years, Samantha and Andrew remained devoted to each other. But it wasn’t until they attended a friend’s wedding that the wheels for their own nuptials were set in motion. Prompted by a guest’s innocent enquiry as to their marital status, Andrew seized the moment and – egged on by his friends – once again got down on one knee with a traditional marriage proposal! From then on, the wedding plans came together in a heartbeat.
Choosing Owston Hall Hotel
Selecting Owston Hall Hotel as their wedding venue was a no-brainer. Both Samantha and Andrew hail from Doncaster, having grown up less than five miles apart. Today, they live near the hotel where Andrew is a regular visitor, calling in for casual drinks after work.
Samantha said, “Owston Hall’s countryside setting is really impressive. The manor sets off goosebumps when you first arrive down its long, winding driveway. It has a lot of history to it, but it was so much more welcoming than I perhaps had anticipated. For a long while now, we’ve loved visiting the restaurant at Owston Hall because the food is stunning and the staff are always amazing and welcoming; we’re particularly fond of restaurant supervisor Toon.”
“After being engaged for so long,” Samantha continued, “we just decided to get on with the arrangements. Everything came together in just four weeks. We had help from the wedding team at the hotel and some fantastic local suppliers that made everything straightforward. It just goes to show that a brilliant wedding doesn’t have to be over-organised.”
A November Wedding Day in Doncaster
The couple’s November 2023 wedding day soon arrived and the weather was wonderfully autumnal, with a low sun stretching lazily across the manor and a warm welcome waiting for everyone inside. Guests travelled from near and far, including from Guernsey, and there was a real buzz of excitement. Around 30 of the 58 guests opted to stay overnight, ensuring the party celebrations lasted into the early hours.
Samantha and Andrew chose a late afternoon wedding ceremony in the De Lacey Suite – up the grand, winding staircase to the first floor. The east-facing Georgian windows offered guests views over the lush landscape and adjacent golf course. To complement the surroundings, Samantha chose a stunning cream, forest green and gold theme for her wedding. A large display of cream roses and eucalyptus laid across the registrars’ table, which echoed the large, floral oil paintings that adorn the De Lacey Suite’s walls. The hotel’s cross-backed ceremony chairs were draped in forest green satin sashes and were later reused in the couple’s wedding reception (repositioned quietly by the hotel team to the Marlborough Suite whilst wedding photos and drinks were taking place).
The civil ceremony lasted around 20 minutes. A fun mix of classical tracks and ‘You’re Welcome’ from Moana played as the couple signed the register. Samantha said, “Having a later ceremony worked well for us. We went straight from the ceremony for drinks and photos, and then it rolled nicely into the evening party.”
Photos were taken on the steps of Owston Hall and around the grounds; Barnsley photographer Emma Leach made good use of the ancient trees and the Hall’s patio area as backdrops.
“For the reception,” Samantha continued, “we opted for a mixed hot and cold buffet with hot meat sandwiches. We wanted a relaxed wedding where everyone felt at ease and we definitely got that, it was perfect”.
The Marlborough Suite was set with tables dressed in crisp white linen and forest green runners. More fresh greenery and large-headed roses were arranged in a collection of vases and jars to complement the simple glass candle holders that created a soft ambience in the room. The table plan adopted the couple’s favourite holiday destinations, with table names including Malham and Alcudia,
The top table faced the guests and space was left as the dance floor for when the evening turned into night-time celebrations.
Memorable Moments
Amidst the fun of the day, certain moments stood out vividly to Samantha: the couple’s daughter and son’s sweet homemade gifts; the first dance to ‘Just You and I’ by Tom Walker.
Samantha said, “The whole day was so lovely, the staff were super friendly, and everyone was smiling and laughing all day long. Restaurant Supervisor Toon even put pearls in his hair to look his best to announce us. We wanted Toon to be our Master of Ceremonies as we just love him so much! We’re very glad he obliged!”
In an unforgettable moment as the evening party ended, Andrew was lifted above his firefighter friends’ heads in a display of camaraderie and like the iconic scene from ‘Dirty Dancing’.
Doncaster Wedding Suppliers
The stunning floral arrangements, bridal bouquet and hair accessories were by The Flower Shop in Askern, which Samantha said ‘brought her tears of joy’ when she saw them.
Flowers also adorned the delicious creation of Jen K’s Cakes: a three-tier naked cake that matched the earthy, floral theme perfectly. Two additional cakes ensured there was plenty to share out to guests.
Samantha’s beautiful, fitted, long-sleeve lace gown was supplied by Be Envied Bridal of Doncaster. The dress’ long train pooled beautifully on the ground and showcased her red-soled Louboutin shoes. The maid of honour and bridesmaid wore forest green multi-way bridesmaid dresses, with tulle over the skirt. The groom and best man’s brown tweed suits were from Suit Direct at the Designer Outlet at Junction 32. Additional children’s suits and flower girl dresses were from Tickled Pink in Doncaster.
Samantha said, “I did my own make-up, and my hair was done by my usual hairdresser Justine, who has been my hairdresser since I was 5! I wore my hair down and curled, with the top pinned back. My hair flowers were by our florist, which added a lovely natural feel to the theme.”
Advice for Future Couples
Reflecting on their whirlwind planning process, Samantha and Andrew offer sage advice to future couples: “Have fun and fill your day with personal touches that reflect your own story, like a quirky song choice. Embrace the opportunity to make your wedding truly your own.”
As Samantha and Andrew embark on the next chapter of their lives together, they carry with them the memories of a day filled with joy. And for Owston Hall Hotel, it was an honour to be part of their unforgettable journey.
Thank you to Samantha and Andrew for letting us share their story here and for the kind use of their photos.
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