Alex & Zoe's Wedding Story
We're not sure when we first met, but it would have been to do with rowing, around 2007. We became good friends in 2011/2012 when we rowed together for Oxford University in the Boat Race, but didn’t become a couple until 2015.
Alex proposed in August 2017 in Barbados. He created a pirate-themed treasure hunt in which I progressively dressed up like a Pirate Captain and ended with an empty box of treasure and a note that read, 'someone stole your treasure’. When I turned around Alex was on his knee presenting the ring.
The ceremony felt really relaxed and personal to us. We both wrote our own vows and Mary, our celebrant, said some really lovely words. We had three readings that were all quite different – ranging from a love sonnet, to some verses from Winnie the Pooh. We also had a short drinks reception after the ceremony serving Digby Fine English – Leander Pink Sparkling Wine. This is a special drink for us, as we both rowed at Leander Club.
The reception was held at the Ashmolean Museum, with drinks in the Atrium, dinner in the Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery, and dancing in the Vaulted Cafe.
We tried to get in lots of board games, rowing, and other geeky references that were fun for us into our wedding day. Mostly we were focused on having a relaxed environment so people could just enjoy themselves. We used our favourite board games as table names, and then had glass domes filled with fairy lights, and Lord of the Rings heart confetti on the tables. To try and keep the dinner informal, we had sharing platters for the main course, rather than plated dishes. This meant we could have a bigger range, and it encouraged guests to interact with each other whilst also being a talking point during the meal. We decided against a traditional wedding cake, and instead had a tower of doughnuts. The doughnuts were provided by Pippin Doughnuts and were stacked on a wooden cake stand made by my stepdad. The doughnuts were definitely one of the most commented on things at the wedding, and they disappeared in a flash! We also had a beautiful tower of cheese, created by the Oxford Cheese Company.
We worked seamlessly with Stacey Puffer – the Wedding Manager at the Ashmolean Museum who was an absolute star (and was one of the main reasons we chose the venue).
