The Real Wedding of Claudia & Julia

Where/how did you meet?
First time round we walked down the aisle together as Bridesmaid and Groomsman at a friends/cousins wedding. We then met again 3 years later at the same couples first child's 2nd Birthday party. Jules had the only bottle of red wine at the party and Claudia was determined to drink it (and to listen to his stories).
Tell us a little bit about yourselves!
"I'm theatre director, performer and PhD researcher. I work for different companies but one in particular is the historical performance company Histrionics performing various roles including sword fighting and armouring knights. No two days are the same!" Claudia
"I am a professional Tech Support. Thats Turn it Off & Back On again. I also dabble in local politics and, instead of planning this wedding, decided to fight a local election. Much to my other halves chagrin! This resulted in me becoming a Trafford Councillor in May. As you do." Jules
Where are you both from? If you aren’t a local then why choose Lancashire?
We both live in south Manchester but I grew up in Cumbria and North Lancashire and most of my family are based there. Whereas Jules' family is split between Manchester and London. Samlesbury Hall was the perfect location in between so everyone had to travel.
What made you pick Samlesbury for your wedding venue?
Partly the WOW Factor (the look of the place), its roughly correct location between both our families. The genuinely warm vibes we got from the staff when talking about their weddings (not at all corporate, unlike some other venues) and the fact the whole organisation was a charity going towards keeping such a grand old Hall open. The staff cared about giving us the best day they could and they certainly didn't disappoint - they exceeded all expectations!
Can you tell us how you first heard about Samlesbury Hall as a wedding venue
Googled North West historic wedding venues (we are both history geeks), backed up by a friend heading their to another wedding and reporting back.
What did you eat for your wedding breakfast?
Starter - Antipasto Sharing plater of Marinated vegetables, olives, sundried tomatoes, goats cheese pearls, hummus, hand-made flatbreads.
Option of main course - Pan fried Salmon with sauce vierge - cherry tomatoes, capers, lemon, olive oil and shallots
Or Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini with pesto cream, parmesan and micro rocket
Desert - Baked vanilla cheesecake with mango and passionfruit.
Did the team at Samlesbury Hall help you in making decisions?
I didn't know where to begin with flowers, Rachel and Sasha helped with suggesting Sonje Jones Designs who were wonderful. Rachel and Sasha were exceptionally patient with all my questions and went through everything with me (my parents, best friends and Jules)
Samlesbury's Food Tasting days (book in advance) and personal conversations with the head chef regarding complex dietary requirements left us in no doubt that the food we would get on our special day would be excellent. It was, and many of the guests specifically commented on how good their meal was. The venues flexibility on swapping certain elements in/out to suit guests was especially appreciated (bacon butties replaced by veggie pizzas. helping decide to add a few extra pizzas was really appreciated as it ended up being the exactly right quantity).
What was the very best part of your day?
"That's hard to say. Of course saying "I do", but for me it was also having everyone we loved in one place sharing this day with us... Oh that and walking down the aisle with my dad to Meatloaf's 'Bat Out of Hell'... And dancing our first dance to the 'Time Warp' with all our guests joining us on the dance floor during the chorus. That was amazing!" - Claudia
"I will agree, its a tough question to say which part in a day of amazing would I single out as my best bit. Seeing my bride for the first time, by the classic car she had just arrived in (even though I probably was not supposed to see that bit) was just brilliant. She looked fantastic! - and this is after months of each of us teasing the other at how inappropriate the suit/wedding dress we had chosen was" - Jules
Anything else you would like to add?
"So, my "anything else" : I was getting the Seating Plan printed at my local printers 3days before the big day, and they asked where I was getting married. When I answered "Samlesbury Hall" they went: "Oh! The most Haunted Venue in the country!". I thought for a second, something along the line of "thats why it was such good value!" Followed by "Haunted EXCELLENT!", immediately followed by "Better not mention that to the guests"." - Jules
"The guests actually loved the haunted aspect, especially the children! More importantly though, thank you! I couldn't have dreamed of our day being in safer hands." - Claudia