Hexham House and The Beaumont Hotel host 'intimate' wedding

Grace Nyamugunduru, 30, married Philip Lawson, 32, in what she described as a 'small simple way that felt right to us', on March 16, their 10-year anniversary. 

The couple in the grounds of Hexham House (Image: Chris Parkinson)

Grace is a performance manager for an international humanitarian organisation, while Phil is a principal talent acquisition partner in technology.

The pair, who met more than a decade ago while studying politics at the University of Sheffield, tied the knot at Hexham House and had their reception with 13 guests at The Beaumont Hotel.

Grace walking in the Sele park (Image: Chris Parkinson)

This included Grace's parents, Godfrey and Elaine Nyamugunduru, Phil's mother, Marian Lawson, and three small nieces and nephews among others.

They live in New Ridley, Stocksfield, and got engaged when Phil popped the question in the gardens of Grace's favourite vineyard in Franschhoek, close to Cape Town, South Africa, while they were having a picnic beneath a large canopy tree.

Cutting the cake, designed by Wynyard Cake Co. with final fruit details added by staff at The Beaumont Hotel (Image: Chris Parkinson)

This place is special to both of them, as it has been a regular holiday destination over the last 10 years.

Grace wore two dresses for the wedding, which were an off-the-shoulder dress from ASOS and a high-neck dress from Pretty Lavish.

The couple married on their 10-year anniversary (Image: Chris Parkinson)

Phil wore a tuxedo from supplier Moss. 

The couple's ring bearer was their three-year-old nephew Ivo, while Grace's sister, Anna, wore a peach dress from ASOS and Phil's niece, Philippa, aged five, wore a dress from Fenwick. 

The bride and groom with their guests at Hexham House (Image: Chris Parkinson)

Flowers for bouquets, button holes and table settings were all designed and provided by India Iris Foraging Florist, a small, independent one-woman florist in Stocksfield.

Grace said that after the wedding at Hexham House, they walked back to The Beaumont for an 'intimate evening of dinner and drinks'.

Grace and Phil at The Beaumont, where they enjoyed an intimate meal and drinks after the ceremony (Image: Chris Parkinson)

"The Beaumont were incredible from beginning to end, especially John who supported us exclusively throughout the night," Grace said.

Wynyard Cake Co. created the wedding cake while staff at The Beaumont added the final touches of fruit.

Walking down the aisle (Image: Chris Parkinson)

Their honeymoon was a romantic getaway, as the couple drove to Scotland the morning after the wedding, where they spent several weeks exploring beautiful areas and staying in places including Gleneagles, The Torridon, Uig Sands, and Lewis and Harris.

Chris Parkinson captured the day in photography.

Grace and Phil (Image: Chris Parkinson)

Grace said: "We chose to get married in a small simple way that felt right to us - close to home, surrounded by our immediate family, on our 10-year anniversary. No frills, no wild expenses, just an intimate day filled with all-consuming love.

Confetti for the happy couple (Image: Chris Parkinson)

"Chris, the photographer, is from the same tiny village that I grew up in, only a few doors down. The florist lives a few doors down from where we live now. It is these small details that made every aspect of the day special to us, with the smallest details being carried out with love.

"If a wedding is measured in size then ours would lose on guests and price, but if that size is measured in love, then ours would be over and above," she added.