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You may have seen the 12 Days Of Chrismas competition prize for December 14 is a copy of Helen Dickson’s Lord Lansbury’s Christmas Wedding, plus a weekend OR mid-week break at the dreamy Dandelion Hideaway, where love is in the air and the Glamping is seriously glamorous. Here we hear from two couples, one who tied the knot at the Dandelion Hideaway last year and one who got engaged – they’re making us all extremely envious and more excited to have our own romantic Mills and Boon experience in this picture perfect setting…
THE PROPOSAL – BRAD AND CHARLOTTE:
Brad and Charlotte met at the Ilse of Wight Festival in 2011. Just over a year later, on her birthday, Brad swept her off her feet again with a very romantic proposal at The Dandelion Hideaway.
When it came to whisking Charlotte away, Brad was aware that she spent a lot time in hotels with her events job, so he wanted to find a more original experience. She had spotted Glamping at The Dandelion Hideaway online and instantly fell in love with the cosy, vintage chic interiors and the prospect of candlelit dinners and baths.
Photograph copyright of The Dandelion Hideaway
Brad booked it as a surprise and, before they left, presented her with a series of boxes inside each other, each revealing more and more of his intricate plans. She was allowed to open the first box a week before they departed – it was what to pack for the weekend – including a lovely dress for dinner and wellies!
On arrival, Bluebells (a canvas cottage just for two) lived up to her dreams. It was in the most idyllic setting in a huge meadow. There were games to play, a wood burning stove, a telescope for star gazing from the veranda and a huge wooden sleigh bed.
On her birthday, she opened the second box which revealed several more envelopes – each with a lovely excursion each day to local attractions including Twycross Zoo, a local Spa and Bradgate Park. As they sat on the veranda watching the setting sun, Brad asked if Charlotte would like to open another box? This one was small, wooden and tied with ribbon. He then went down on bended knee and asked if she would do him the honour of being his wife. Inside the box was her great grandmother’s beautiful engagement ring.
Photograph copyright of The Dandelion Hideaway
Next day was the Spa treat. On their return, Brad said he had booked dinner at a very good restaurant in nearby Market Bosworth. As they walked across the meadow and turned the corner a carriage pulled by two grey Shire horses was waiting to take them to dinner. A small crowd had gathered to wave them off, which made Charlotte even more emotional than the proposal. Once inside, Brad produced another box, this time with a pair of diamond earrings.
Photograph copyright of The Dandelion Hideaway
Charlotte said, “The Dandelion Hideaway will always have a very special place in our hearts and we dream of going back. Brad planned the whole proposal, working with Sharon and John -the owners of The Dandelion Hideaway, to make sure that everything was perfect. The whole experience was magical, with the Dandelion Hideaway playing a key role in making it a proposal to cherish!” Charlotte and Brad got married last April.
THE WEDDING – JAMES AND JEMMA:
“We had the most romantic time at the Dandelion Hideaway.
Photograph copyright of Lucabella Wedding Photography
For the blessing ceremony the best man played Cannon in D on the guitar as I walked across the beautiful green field towards my husband. He was waiting under an archway of white roses. Birds were singing in the trees and it was an unforgettable moment in time being at one with nature.
For the afternoon, the campfire area had been decorated in the most amazing way – it completely took my breath away when I first saw it and I squealed with excitement! It was perfect, with stunning white flowers on the tables and beautiful bunting along the tree lines. It was everything we had ever wished for.
Photograph copyright of Lucabella Wedding Photography
Deeply in love, we sneaked off as the sun began to set and had our first dance in a field of bluebells, just the two of us, blissfully happy. It really was a fairy-tale wedding thanks to Sharon & John.
In the evening, we cosied up together around the campfire, toasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolates under the stars, surrounded by our loved ones. I can’t imagine anywhere more special and romantic than the Dandelion Hideaway. Our guests became a real part of making the outdoor weekend so amazing. The children playing safe and running free in the fields, and the laughter around the campfire was truly magical.
Photograph copyright of Lucabella Wedding Photography
To finish off the perfect wedding day at the Dandelion Hideaway, we sipped champagne under the stars in the wood fired hot tub, surrounded by candles and flowers. It doesn’t get more romantic than that.”
Win your own romantic stay at the Dandelion Hideaway in our 12 Days of Christmas competition.
Wedding photographs copyright of Lucabella Wedding Photography – www.lucabella.co.uk