Bride: Alyx Vinieris-Giancola, 26, Human Resources
Groom: Simon Edward Goodwin, 28, Digital Engineer
Date: May 12, 2024
Venue: Hazel Gap Barn, Budby, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
Current Residence: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
Guests: 80
LOVE STORY
Simon and Alyx first connected on Tinder, a popular dating app. She swiped right, and he responded. At the time, Alyx was in Nottingham, England, for a master’s program interview at Nottingham Trent University while Simon was working and living in Nottingham. After matching on Tinder, they chatted online and had numerous phone calls for about 5 months. In September 2019, Alyx moved to London to attend Leiths School of Food & Wine.
Simon and Alyx had their first date on September 20, 2019. They spent a weekend in Birmingham, England. During their time there, they visited some lovely restaurants, explored Chinatown, and went to an aquarium. It was a wonderful weekend that allowed them to get to know each other better and meet in person for the first time.
After 5 years of being together, Simon and Alyx cannot recall who said “I love you” first or when it happened in their relationship. Simon adores everything about Alyx, especially her kindness and beauty, both inside and out. Alyx cherishes Simon’s ability to make her laugh and brighten her days with his caring and genuine attitude towards everyone.
On November 15, 2022, Simon proposed to Alyx while vacationing at the Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort in Lanzarote, Canary Islands in Spain. He gave her a platinum salt-and-pepper kite-shaped diamond ring.
BACHELOR PARTY
In April 2024, Simon and his nine friends went to Prague, Czech Republic, for an unforgettable bachelor party. They had a great time, enjoying karaoke sessions and visiting exciting restaurants. The beer cruise was the trip’s highlight, especially when Simon dressed up as Freddie Mercury from the “I Want to Break Free” music video and stole the show. It was a weekend they will never forget!
BACHELORETTE PARTY
The bridesmaids and other close female family and friends were treated to a day of pampering at Eden Hall Day Spa on Lodge Lane in Elston, Newark, Nottinghamshire. They enjoyed relaxing massages and rejuvenating facials, followed by an incredible dinner at the spa.
THE WEDDING FACTS
THEME/COLORS
The couple desired an elegant, modern, and timeless wedding. They opted for a minimalist theme with black and white colors and natural accents. The floral arrangements included greenery and whimsical white and black wildflowers.
Abi Terry, owner of AR Weddings, was the couples’ coordinator. She helped assemble everything and sourced the final touches: plates, tableware, candle holders, outdoor furniture, games, and more.
WEDDING ATTIRE
The Alyx’s wedding attire was a customized hand-painted Tulle ball gown with a translucent corset bodice, perfect for the ceremony. She changed into the elegant Chloe for the dinner reception, a corset fit and flare all-over lace gown. Lastly, for the cake-cutting and first dance, she dazzled in a customized version of the Celine style, a strapless large textured tulle ball gown in black with a detachable skirt that transformed into a short black satin mini dress for dancing.
Alyx’s veil was a creation by Rita Vinieris. It was a hand-painted cathedral veil framed with floral clusters, including Alyx and Simon’s initials and wedding day hand-painted within the floral clusters.
The exquisite Simone Rocha crystal earrings with a delicate ribbon bow detail were added to her ensemble, perfectly complementing her look. The sophisticated Gucci – Memoire d’une odeur was her chosen fragrance for the evening. To complete her ensemble, she wore elegant Alexander McQueen white stilettos featuring a striking steel open-toe detail.
Alyx’s Something: Olde: Pearls taken from her mother’s wedding dress. Borrowed: Diamond earrings. Blue: Flower sequins with pearls taken from her mother’s wedding dress and sewn into the ceremony dress.
Alyx’s bouquet had a natural, wild look with a mix of foliage and flowers, including eucalyptus and white anemones. The bridesmaid bouquets also featured wild foliage and a mix of white flowers. Alyx asked each bridesmaid to choose a long black dress that reflected their style.
Simon looked dashing in a sleek, custom-tailored black 3-piece suit with a crisp white bow tie and matching pocket square. His attention to detail extended to his choice of accessories, including socks featuring embroidered images of the band “Queen” from their iconic music video “I Want to Break Free.” The ensemble was completed with a classic white shirt, exuding timeless elegance.
The groomsmen were dressed in 2-piece black tailored suits and black bow ties. The boutonnieres were crafted from wild foliage and white anemones.
CEREMONY
Simon and Alyx exchanged vows on May 12, 2024, at the charming Hazel Gap Barn in Budby, Nottinghamshire, England. The heartfelt ceremony unfolded indoors within the rustic walls of the converted barn, setting the stage for a beautiful celebration. The guest entry aisle was lined with hurricanes and candles. A particularly touching moment was when Alyx, accompanied by her parents, made her way down the aisle. Due to its narrow width, her father walked alongside her sister Ynez, a bridesmaid, before Alyx’s mother joined her for the remainder of the walk. The seamless transition symbolized Alyx’s family’s strong bond and support on her special day.
The couple exchanged vows before a grand hearth illuminated with candles adorned with lush foliage and white flowers. The atmosphere was filled with a romantic blend of wild greenery and delicate blossoms. The ceremony music, curated for the couple, featured tracks by Sleep Token and Bring Me the Horizon. The processional music included a personalized piano medley with songs: “Blood Sport” by Sleep Token, “Can You Feel My Heart,” “Drown” by Bring Me The Horizon, and “Deep End” by I Prevail. As the ceremony concluded, the couple joyfully walked down the aisle to the uplifting tune of “Take On The World” by You Me At Six.
COCKTAIL HOUR
During the cocktail hour, guests gathered in the bar area and courtyard of the venue. They enjoyed a variety of canapés, a charcuterie board, and refreshing cocktails as they chatted and waited for the bride and groom to arrive at the reception. The outdoor patio was beautifully decorated and provided a charming setting for guests to play lawn games like tic-tac-toe, lawn Jenga, and croquet during the cocktail hour and into the evening reception.
RECEPTION
The reception took place inside the venue’s barn. The barn was beautifully decorated with white anemones, green foliage, other white flowers, black stoneware, natural linen tablecloths, and napkins. There were tall white taper candles in marble candle holders, and the signage and menus were all black with off-white writing.
The dinner menu featured a variety of appetizers followed by main entrées such as top rump with chimichurri or béarnaise sauce, as well as BBQ chicken. The sides included lemon garlic roasted squash with ricotta, chili pesto, green salad with mustard vinaigrette, grilled tenderstem, chili garlic roast potatoes, garlic rosemary, caramelized sweet potatoes, Turla-turla vegetables, and cumin yogurt.
The wedding cake was a beautiful 3-tier cake with layers of carrot, chocolate, and lemon-elderflower flavors. It was decorated with sugared berries, olive branches, and black chocolate drips.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The couple, their family, and numerous guests found comfortable accommodations at The Hilton Nottingham in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
TRANSPORTATION
The bride, bridal party, and parents were treated to a luxurious black limousine to travel to the wedding venue. Additionally, a bus was arranged to transport the guests from the Hilton to the venue and back.
HONEYMOON
The couple is planning a 2025 honeymoon.
VENDORS
WEDDING VENUE & CATERING: Hazel Gap Barn @hazelgapbarn https://crippsandco.com/hazel-gap
OFFICIANT: Nottinghamshire Registrars
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rebecca Rees – @rebeccareesphotography rebeccareesphotography.com
VIDEOGRAPHER: Rob Dunlop – @prettyinwhite prettyinwhite.com
PLANNER: Abi Terry – @ar.weddings arweddings.com
ENGAGEMENT RING: Aurelius Jewelry – @aureliusjewelry aureliusjewelry.com
WEDDING BANDS: Excel Jewellery Nottingham – @exceljewellery exceljewellery.co.uk
GOWNS: Rita Vinieris – @ritavinieris ritavinieris.com
VEIL: Rita Vinieris – @ritavinieris ritavinieris.com
SHOES: Alexander McQueen – @alexandermcqueen
HAIR: Leigh Keates – The Wallgroup – @leighkeateshair
https://www.instagram.com/leighkeateshair?igsh=bTl6ZDMydzF4cmoy
MAKEUP: Emma White Turle – The Wallgroup – @ewtmakeup
https://www.instagram.com/ewtmakeup?igsh=ZGt4NXN3cmZ1ZTVt
GROOMSMEN: Moss Bros – @mossbros moss.co.uk
FLOWERS: Millefleur – Pearl Watt – @millefleurpearl millefleur.co.uk
MUSIC: Jackstar Weddings – @jackstarweddings jackstarweddings.co.uk
CAKE & FAVORS: Green Kitchen Cakes – @greenkitchencakes greenkitchencakes.co.uk
ENGAGEMENT VENUE: Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Elston, Newark, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Hilton Hotel Nottingham – @hiltonnottingham
INVITATIONS: @lolreinachew
