Today's episode of Real Weddings, Replayed is a particularly special one for me!

May I introduce Lorraine (my childhood best friend) and her husband Jon.

Lorraine & Jon asked me to play piano at their wedding all the way back in 1999 when we were all not long out of university.

Little did I know I'd still be playing weddings to this day!

Let's take a deep dive into how weddings have changed since the 90s, and how much has stayed the same! You might be surprised!

I sit down with recently-married Anna, to talk about her wedding at The Dodford Inn near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

We discuss:

• One vital thing to check when you book a wedding photographer
• A failsafe way of choosing your wedding suppliers
• A handy hint for choosing your florist
• How to avoid awkward moments between strangers who are sat together at the wedding breakfast

Anna recommended the following:

Venue: The Dodford Inn www.thedodfordinn.co.uk

Photographer: Sarah Higginson www.sarahhigginsonphotography.co.uk

Florist: Roses & Ribbons, Halesowen www.rosesandribbonsflorist.co.uk

DJ: Lee Dyson www.facebook.com/djleedysonuk

In this first ever episode of Real Weddings, Replayed I sit down with Helen & Andy who got married at the Blakelands Estate near Stourbridge in August 2025.

We cover:

• The one thing that made their wedding planning stress-free
• What to consider when choosing an outdoor wedding
• What helped them find the perfect suppliers for their day
• How to keep children entertained during the inbetween moments

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Here are the suppliers Helen & Andy would recommend:

Venue: The Blakelands Estate https://blakelands.co.uk/

Photographer: Joe Singh https://www.jpsinghphotography.co.uk/

Content creator: Bridal Sky https://www.instagram.com/bridalskyxo/

Catering: Hagley Deli, now part of Hagley Cafe https://www.hagleycafe.co.uk/

Zoe's Coffee & Cakes https://www.instagram.com/zoescoffeeandcakes/

Pianist:

Me! www.christahugopianist.co.uk

(I performed with Dan O'Brien on cello for the ceremony)