The wedding of Christa Padmore and David Stephens

By Shropshire Life on January 26th 2012

The Bride
Christa Connorton Padmore, of Worcestershire, had a successful career in sales and marketing after attaining the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Diploma, before joining David to help out at his companies in Shrewsbury.

The Groom
David Gareth Stephens, born in Kent, but living in Shrewsbury for more than 20 years. A Master of Science, David owns and runs his two companies, Kingsland Polymers Ltd and Kingsland Plastics Ltd, in Shrewsbury.

The Parents

Bride’s parents
Christa is the 3rd daughter of Mr John Connorton Padmore and the late Mrs Sheila Ann Padmore

Groom’s parents
David is the eldest son of the late Mr & Mrs Richard Colin & Valerie Joan Stephens.

Flowers
A mix of ivory spray roses mixed with David Austin Juliette roses, arranged by Simply Flowers of Ledbury

Cake
Three cakes in Victoria sponge, chocolate sponge and traditional fruit, made and decorated by Cake Creators of Frankwell, Shrewsbury

Bride’s dress
Enchanting in ivory, by Suzanne Neville, purchased from Shropshire Country Brides, near Much Wenlock

Suits
Hinstock suits and waistcoats from Peter Posh, Battlefield, Shrewsbury

Honeymoon
Hotel Martinez, in Cannes on the French Riviera

Photos: Steve Evans

David & Christa had a chance meeting at a local gym in Shrewsbury in 2006, when Christa was visiting the area. “Neither of us was looking for love; we had both been committed to our work and had been through tough times,” said David. The relationship developed over the next three years until, on Christa’s birthday in December 2009, David popped the question.

Christa recalls: ‘I remember thinking how lovely all the gifts were that David had bought for me. He cooked me a wonderful evening meal, and told me I had one last present in the lounge. Being the big kid that I am, I raced in to find a small scruffy cardboard box. Inside was a small box from Fabricius Green, in Shrewsbury. Inside that was a smaller box, handmade in oak. On opening that, I found inside the most beautiful platinum, diamond solitaire ring with an inscription that David repeated to me on bended knee...of course there were floods of tears, all from happiness!”

The couple wanted a traditional white wedding and chose Eastnor Castle, in Herefordshire; a place  Christa had fond memories of visiting with her late mother.

Said Christa: “On the morning of the wedding, I was so terribly nervous. I had my youngest sister Clare, her husband Sean and my niece, Jade, on hand to help calm me down. It was a really warm day and I was late to the castle so almost bumped into David, but disaster was averted!”

Christa recalls completing her make-up routine and then being overcome with a wave of emotion. “I think this was partly down to the fact that my late mother was noticeably absent. Steve, my friend and photographer, caught the moment on camera and it’s a special photo to me. Despite my mother’s absence, I knew she was with me, but I secured her locket with her photo inside to my bouquet, just to make sure.”

The church ceremony was held at St John The Baptist Church, Eastnor, conducted by the Rev. Paul Dunthorne. The St Michael’s Singers and The Pax Singers accompanied the congregation during the service. The couple enjoyed a ride around the village in a horse drawn carriage provided by Fabulous Occasions.

Christa and David both wanted a “small but perfectly formed” celebration. They appointed a silhouette cutter, Alison Russell, to create mementoes for guests, with copies in the wedding guest book.

Christa’s niece Jade Ormsby, 11, and nephew Samuel Edwards, six, were bridesmaid and pageboy/ring bearer.

Other special guests were Peter James and Jan Lize, who together with David remembered their days as “the three amigos” jet-skiing in Cardigan; and Christa’s grandparents, Reg & Lilian Padmore, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last October.

Catering was by Vine House Catering of Ledbury. The Belle Ties and DJ Sammy provided the evening entertainment, which also featured a fabulous firework display over the castle lake by MLE Pyrotechnics, set to the couple’s favourite John Williams film themes.

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