Real Life Weddings: The McHendrys

Monday, December 23rd, 2024

We met in a club when we were 18, I chased Chris up the stairs to snog him, then ignored him for the rest of the night which clearly didn’t deter him! We got engaged in a lodge in York on a trip for my 30th birthday. Chris surprised me by asking my best friend and her husband to be there when we arrived.

Shortly after arriving my best friend took me to get something out of the car and for a look around the grounds. When we came back there were balloons and candles laid out everywhere, and our daughter and three month old son were both wearing t-shirts saying: “Mummy will you marry Daddy?” it was so lovely, of course I said: “Yes!” 

When it was time to look around wedding venues, we instantly fell in love with Holmes Mill. I saw it on my friend’s wedding photographer’s Instagram and saw there was a wedding fair the following weekend.

As soon as we walked into the Cotton Room at Holmes Mill we knew that was it was the one for us! We just loved the character of the room and how unique it was along with everything else going on at the venue. It was just beautiful and was exactly what we were looking for! 

Because the venue was so beautiful and there was so much to look at already, I didn’t want to detract from that, so I tried to keep everything else quite neutral and timeless.

I just wanted it to be modern, simple and fresh looking, so the bridesmaids were in white outfits that they had picked themselves, so they all felt comfortable and weren’t in the same dress that might not have suited each of them and their individual styles.

They all looked stunning on the day, and I was so happy that they’d chosen exactly what they wanted! We had green foliage bouquets, table runners and a garland hanging from the ceiling over the top table. Black and Perspex accessories and lots of candles and foliage.

We planned most of our wedding ourselves, with the help of some of my bridesmaids. CarriAnn, our venue dresser and Sam from Wildfire Floral Co just completely brought my vision to life. In fact, they made it so much better than my vision and made it become a Pinterest mood board, we loved it so much!

We made our own name cards and wanted to write all of our guests a little message with our favourite memory or private jokes with them and to thank them personally for coming along on the day. We also had an extra big top table with the majority of our bridal party and family sat with us. It was exactly how we wanted it with the people closest to us.

We wanted to keep things relaxed and so for our food we had pie, mash, mushy peas & gravy with sticky toffee pudding to follow. We chose this because firstly, the pie is UNREAL, but also because we wanted to give people a winter warmer to line their stomachs ready for the big party ahead! 

I walked up the aisle to Train – Marry Me, which set the tone for the day perfectly. We had a DJ & Sax player from Jonny Ross music. Sax was Nick Baya, and together with the DJ they were absolutely amazing everyone loved them. 

We had the McHendry’s as our photographers, they are literally the coolest couple we’ve ever met. They were so friendly we felt like we’d always known them, and they made us feel so comfortable, their photography and videography were just beautiful and so natural.

Our Wedding Coordinator Emily was amazing, she was fantastic and nothing we asked was too much. She was really easy to talk to, offered great alternatives and was very efficient. Lesley-Anne, our Functions Manager who ran our day was so amazing! She was so lovely, worked so hard, really easy to talk to and definitely put me at ease in the morning before the wedding.

The day was exactly what we’d hoped for and more, and Holmes Mill was the perfect place for us to kick-start our married life! 

Weddings at Holmes Mill

In the heart of the Lancashire town of Clitheroe stands the former textile mill, Holmes Mill, lovingly restored to proudly showcase its heritage and history while still retaining a luxurious and modern feel. With an abundance of features – a Duckpin Bowling Alley, on-site Brewery and Beer Hall, Artisan Food Hall, and the glitz and glamour of The Bar & Grill – it’s bursting with opportunities.

Full of fascinating architectural areas and details, each one contributing to a truly unique ambience and atmosphere. The photo opportunities were endless and for once, the weather didn’t need a second thought! Holmes Mill may have been restored on the outside, but it has been re-imagined and recreated on the inside.

The stunning industrial chic space that is the Cotton Room, with its exposed materials and period features, is licensed for civil ceremonies and can accommodate 150 guests during the daytime and up to 180 for your evening party – there’s no more versatile space. Or why not look at the Love on the Lanes or Bar & Grill Wedding Package?

The Bar & Grill is the ideal place to celebrate in a space that’s completely unique. The Art Deco influence makes for a stunning setting and backdrop for any special occasion – everything from the hand painted ceiling tiles to the ornate and dazzling chandeliers – there really is nowhere like it. 

The on-site Spinning Block Hotel features 39 stunning bedrooms, perfect for friends and family looking for somewhere to stay. Holmes Mill really becomes its very own little village setting, which can feel truly like home during your wedding.

Holmes Mill wedding couple Oonagh and Chris met in a club when they were 18, where Oonagh chased Chris up the stairs “to snog him” before ignoring him for the rest of the night. Playing hard to get (after the kiss!) must have worked because it led to their gorgeous winter wedding at Holmes Mill! From first meetings and engagements to their classic, neutral and timeless wedding day in the Cotton Room at Holmes Mill. 

Suppliers:

DJ & Sax: Jonny Ross Music – www.jonnyrossmusic.com

Florist: Wildfire Floral Co – www.wildfirefloral.co.uk

Photographer: The McHendry’s – www.themchendrys.com

Venue: Holmes Mill – www.holmesmill.co.uk