In our story A new chapter - Bury St. Edmunds Guildhall
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The Guildhall was perfect for a socially distanced wedding
A new chapter
in our story
For Carolyn (nee Kirkpatrick) and Phillip Heslop, 2020 will
be a year to remember for something happier than a pandemic
– they tied the knot at The Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds
Words: Carolyn Heslop u photos: Ellie Gillard Photography
104 Suffolk: February 2021
SUFFOLK WEDDING
The wedding bubble captured in the perfect photo setting in the sensory garden
I
knew as soon as we stepped would mean for their business, for us, whatever the season.
into The Guildhall it was so we were up in the air on pretty We asked when the soonest
where we should have our much every aspect of planning, date was that we could say
wedding. High ceilings, from catering to decorations. “I do”, having already given
rustic wooden floorboards, a Then, other things began to notice (something Phillip
balcony entwined with ivy and impact our wedding plans. Phillip thought I was mad for doing
a stage to stand on as we said runs a cinema, which had to be so early, but ultimately paid
our vows (the amateur dramatist closed, then put into hibernation dividends). December 12
in me was delighted). It had until March 2021, meaning was free, and I will admit
everything we needed. finances got a little tricky. His that imagining 12.12.20
Phillip and I originally planned mum isn’t well, then my mum monogrammed onto anything
a 2021 wedding, choosing July for got sick too. To top it off, I had that would stand still in my life
the warm weather. We sent out helped with our decision.
save the dates, inviting around 58 “We plan to come back It is no mean feat to plan a
guests across both our family and to The Guildhall in 2021 wedding for any number of
friendship groups. However, as for a party to celebrate guests. Don’t be fooled by those
things with Covid-19 progressed, our wedding and that tell you it’s easier with a
it became harder to plan and Phillip’s 40th birthday” smaller guest list, because if
arrange suppliers. No one could you’re anything like me, you’ll
be sure what the restrictions sold my house in February, but just give yourself more work by
the buyer pulled out in August, crafting personalised items for
so our move to Bury St Edmunds everyone. Our theme was ‘stories’
had to be put on hold. It all felt a because I am obsessed with
bit doom and gloom. A wedding books, and Phillip plays video
looked like a bridge too far. games but loves the character
Both Phillip and I are quick and world-building aspects
decision makers, if a little most. This meant each guest
different in our approach. I am all got a Penguin Classic book
about ‘going with your gut’, while with a dedication inside.
Phillip is the logical brains behind Timing was tight, so calling
our schemes. We were so keen in favours was necessary. Luckily,
to be married and do something I have many disgustingly talented
joyous in this year of everything friends who are also the kindest
not going quite to plan that we people, so we had custom masks,
decided to pull it all forward, to cakes for each guest to take
December 2020. home with them, and even
Carolyn chose a story theme for the day, this quote from I called Jill at The Guildhall, a stunning flower arch to say
Jane Eyre embroidered into her veil because we knew it was the venue our vows under, all provided 4
Suffolk: February 2021 105
SUFFOLK WEDDING
Carolyn and Phillip said their vows under a stunning flower arch
“The venue will
well within our deadline. recently come out of shielding,
With the restrictions changing so she felt more comfortable.
always have a
rather regularly, we decided Decorating the venue with
pretty soon after our initial choice books and dried flowers made it
special place in
for a December wedding to only feel truly magical and so many
have family at our reception. The of our guests said how beautiful
our hearts”
limit on guests was 15 (including the building is. There are gardens
bride and groom), but we had for outdoor photos, and we had
only seven of us for a meal at some taken in the walled sensory
The Weeping Willow in Barrow. garden, which smells divine all
The Guildhall was perfect year round.
for a socially distanced wedding. We plan to come back to The
The Georgian Courtroom is Guildhall in 2021 for a party
large enough to spread out chairs to celebrate our wedding and
and we even used the balcony Phillip’s 40th birthday. We loved
to place a friend who had only everything about the venue and
it will always have a special place
in our hearts as it’s where we
promised to spend the rest of
our lives together.
I spied a grand piano in
the Regency Banqueting Hall,
opposite The Courtroom, which
we could certainly put to use.
Hopefully, this time around we
can make the most of the kitchens
for storing drinks and party food,
not to mention those beautiful
wooden floors for some dancing. u
For more information about
Guests received Penguin weddings at The Guildhall, visit Carolyn and Phillip can look back on 2020 for
Classics as favours burystedmundsguildhall.org.uk something other than a pandemic
106 Suffolk: February 2021
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