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Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

The couple kept their wedding a secret from friends and family, eloping at Lower Barns in Cornwall, followed by an intimate celebration on the beach. 

Kayleigh always knew Zoe was the one, and that they would eventually get married. The proposal, although it was put together with so much thought, came at a spontaneous and authentic time. “I created a book of all the things I love about Kayleigh on the website Love Book Online, calling it The Story of Us. I knew I wanted to use it to propose but didn’t know when I’d do it, so would add pages to the book every day on my bus ride home from work. About 11 months and 69 pages later, I finally finished so I started thinking about the setting of my proposal.”

“I’m so bad at keeping surprises a secret from Kayleigh as I get overexcited and end up letting slip, so I knew organising something without giving anything away would be hard. I suggested a breakfast picnic at sunrise on West Wittering beach for my birthday, thinking with it being my birthday, she wouldn’t be suspicious of the extra effort. However, a few days before we were having one of our favourite evenings lounging on the sofa, eating and binge-watching Line of Duty and we were so happy and content that I realised that rather than try and create the perfect moment, this was the perfect moment.” 

“Whilst Kayleigh was getting ready for bed, I put the book and ring under my pillow and waited, trying to hide my excitement and not grin like a Cheshire Cat. Once she got into bed, I told her I’d bought her something and gave her the book. When she finally got to page 67, I started manoeuvring myself onto one knee with the ring in hand. She then turned the final page to a caricature of me asking “Kayleigh, will you marry me?”. Weirdly enough, and without knowing it, I started the book on 1st May 2018 and proposed on 1st May 2019. We were in our little love bubble, curled up on the sofa and I had no idea that I would be engaged by the time I went to sleep!”.

The wedding day started with breakfast brought to the couple’s room by host Janie at Lower Barns. “Neither of us were nervous, we’d kept it a secret for 14 months and were so excited the day was finally here! Our hair stylist and makeup artist then arrived and made us feel like absolute queens. As it was an intimate ceremony, with just the two of us (aside from Paul & Suz – The Twigs witnessing), there were no outside influences which may have caused any stress and the day was very chilled. Once we were married, and after some cream scones and Champagne, the four of us went on a mini road trip around Cornwall looking for places to take photos, ending the day eating burgers and drinking shakes at Hub Box.” 

The couples then arrived at Watergate Bay. “We continued to take photos, not realising it was high tide. We found a spot and started shooting but didn’t anticipate how quickly the tide would come in. For the most part we were stood on a rock so didn’t get too wet but poor Paul & Suz got soaked! As no one knew we were eloping we commissioned a Mrs & Mrs pennant and a vintage number plate saying ‘Happily Hitched’ with the idea of using a photo of them to announce our marriage to our family and friends.” 

“Just do you. It’ll be one of the most special days in your lifetime, which hopefully you’ll only do once, so it should be exactly how you want it to be. When you look back at your photos you want to be reminded of how perfect it was, rather than remember the things you had to compromise on to make others happy.” 

Suppliers: 
Photography: Twigs Branch Photography
Venue: Lower Barns
Flowers: Flourish Studio
Kayleigh’s Skirt: Sweet Caroline
Kayleigh’s Top, Zoe’s Trousers & Zoe’s Corset: Rose Savage Bridal
Makeup: Suzi Winter
Hair Stylist: Hair by Emma C
Rings: Baroque Jewellery 
Pennant: Oxford Pennant
Number Plate: Slates Plates

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Real Wedding

An Elegant Wedding at Peckforton Castle / Jayne & Richard

Inspiration

An Elegant Wedding at Peckforton Castle / Jayne & Richard

Jayne & Richard got wed at fairytale venue Peckforton Castle in January 2020. The theme was simple and elegant with neutral tones including white, grey and greens.

Photography by Madison Picture and Helen Williams Photography.

The Proposal

We were on holiday in remote Western Australia camping in our 4WD roof top camper. That day we had been snorkeling on the Ningaloo Reef and decided to finish off our day watching the turtles bob about in the sea at sunset from the top of a sand dune. Next thing Richard was on one knee proposing! We finished off our night star gazing with a bottle of bubbly and of course an aussie BBQ! 

Special Touches

I wanted to bring a touch of Australia to the wedding (Rich is Australian) and love the silvery greens and smell of Eucalyptus which influenced our colour scheme. Our registrar table and top table we dressed with Eucalyptus (cut from my mums garden and beautifully placed by Thornton Events). The room in Peckforton Castle we were married in had lots of drama and high ceilings which I felt I needed to fill, so the aisle was lined with candles and blossom trees for height and looked beautiful.

The general theme of our wedding was travel as this has played a big part in our relationship (we met in Qatar) and we named our tables after our favorite places we had been together. 

The Big Day

As we had a lot of friends and family visiting from all over the world (Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, America, UK) in Cheshire for our wedding, we had a get together the night before in a local pub (Hinderton Arms) where people could meet each other, have drinks and some dinner. We both then stayed over at Peckforton Castle and got ready there in the morning. Everything went relatively smoothly, Rich and his groomsmen hit the spa in the morning while us girls got ready with bubbly and breakfast in my suite. I was a little nervous but better than I thought id be! I walked down the aisle with my Dad to ‘Here, there and everywhere’ by The Beatles. Richard and I, and our families all love The Beatles and this song seemed to go perfectly with the theme of the wedding and the story of our relationship.

Any Mishaps?

Luckily, there were no major mishaps during the day! Of course nothing went exactly to plan, and we ran late etc but we were enjoying our day so much that we were completely oblivious and it didn’t have an affect on our perfect day

Top Tips

Don’t worry! I was worried about everything, who could and couldn’t be there, trying to please everyone and make sure everyone would have a good time. But in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter… you are there to do one thing only. Just enjoy it!

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring James & Jordan’s vision to life are as follows:

Photographers: Madison Picture and Helen Williams Photography.
Venue: Peckforton Castle
Flowers: Blooms Floristry
Venue Dresser: Thornton Events
Dress: Stella York
Stationery: Handmade 
Makeup : Thomas Jack Makeup
Hair: Kate Pierce
Cake: Made by a family member
Rings: Jeweller in Melbourne

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

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Real Wedding

An Intimate Winter Elopement Style Wedding / Jess & Jamie

Inspiration

An Intimate Winter Elopement Style Wedding / Jess & Jamie

Jess & Jamie had a romantic and intimate wedding day. Beautiful elopement style photographs by Sophie Renshaw Photography were captured in the beautiful grounds of their Welsh venue.

Photography by Sophie Renshaw Photography.

The story as told by the couple. 

We decided to have a Winter cosy wedding, based in Wales at Broneirion House. It was an evening affair, everything was lit by candlelight, the fireplace was roaring and mince pies and mulled wine awaited our guests on arrival. 

The main focus of the wedding was to make sure everything was either handmade or ethical and sustainable. I made my own invites then family members and friends chipped in anywhere they could to help, hand sewing napkins, making the wedding cake, handmade soap for wedding favours, setting the tables, even two handmade sewn mice inspired by brambly hedge wedding story stood with the cake.

The food was all vegetarian, cooked by Jamie and his best man for fifty people, all prepped the previous night. We wanted it to feel like an intimate family gathering, a large scale dinner party.

Jamie wore my father’s wedding waistcoat, a dark indigo, paisley embroidered velvet waistcoat, almost Darcy inspired from pride and prejudice. I wore a Monsoon embroidered dress with a train at the back, a simple gypsophila flower crown made by Hidden Botanics, a bouquet of wild flowers with eucalyptus, white Victorian style lace up boots, then I did my hair and makeup myself. The colour scheme was based on winter colours, dark berry, greens and soft earthy tones. My bridesmaids wore Berry, with lace up boots holding a small bouquet of gypsophila.

Sophie recently took some beautiful elopement style photographs around the grounds of Broneirion. We opted not to have a photographer on the day as we wanted the whole focus to be about spending this special day with with our family, but still wanted some photographs that we could treasure forever. We headed back to the grounds of Broneirion House, where Sophie captured everything I was looking for in my wedding photos. I wanted nature to feel close, and entwine within the images. The mood, colours and feeling Sophie captured in the photos are exactly what I was imagining in my head.

We were always referring back to Edwardian images, and english literature from Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Far from the Madding Crowd and anything poetic inspired by nature.

The golden sun was dancing through the tall grasses, and the wild flowers were growing all around the House, with the hills in the distance. Sophie captured this all, if not more!

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring Jess & Jamie’s vision to life are as follows:

Photographer: Sophie Renshaw Photography
Head crown: Hidden Botanics
Dress: Monsoon
Shoes: Marks and Spencer
Grounds in Photograph: Broneirion
Wedding favours: Jiraffgifts
Bouquet: Bloomers, Newtown

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

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Real Wedding

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Inspiration

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time. They celebrated with a small selection of their closest friends and family with an intimate ceremony at Wrexham Town Hall followed by an outdoor celebration in Aishah’s garden.

Photography by Upon The Heath Photography.

The Proposal

Paul and I got together at the end of 6th form and had been together for almost 9 years when he proposed. Even though we always knew marriage was in our future, it was still complete surprise as we’d just bought a house, so thoughts of a proposal and a wedding were far away. On a beautiful, sunny August day in 2019,  he took me for a walk in the Elan Valley. After our picnic, he told me to stand in a clearing while he set up a camera on timer for a photo of the two of us. I looked down to straighten my outfit and when I looked up he was down on one knee. I was in complete shock but after I recovered it was the easiest ‘yes’ I’ve ever said.

How did COVID affect your planning?

Whilst we’d decided to postpone our big Humanist ceremony and celebration to November 2021, we really wanted to go ahead with our legal ceremony. We thought it would just be a simple, no frills event. Just the two of us and our two witnesses. A week before the firebreak lockdown in Wales was due to lift they announced we could have up to 15 people for a sit down reception. We managed to book a table at Lot 11 in Wrexham and our immediate families, two of my bridesmaids and our photographer who is also a good friend, were able to celebrate with us.

Theme

We didn’t have a theme. But my dress was heavily embellished and the stunning all-white Playa Blanca rose bouquet our florist designed complemented the contemporary and elegant dress work so beautifully. 

Special Touches

With a week to plan, the day was made so special by everyone who helped make the day happen. I work at a General Practice and they kindly loaned us a marquee for our garden and one of the practice health care staff provided us trestle tables and lots of decorations. A family friend baked our cake, Paul’s dad set up the entire marquee and my sister did my make-up on the day. We couldn’t have felt more loved. 

The Big Day

We both got ready at home. It was such a relaxed and enjoyable morning and I face-timed with the 5 of my 7 bridesmaids who lived in England, so could not attend. They still got to watch me get ready so that was wonderful. Paul and I did a first look in our garden and then went in the same car to Wrexham Town hall. There were no nerves, just excitement. We felt so ready to be husband and wife. 

Any Mishaps?

No mishaps, just lots of belly laughs and so much love. 

Top Tips

We were able to have so much more that we thought we would on this day so there is not a single moment we regret or wish went differently. 

The intimacy of the day, how loved we were made to feel by the people who were there and kindness of all those who helped us isn’t something we’ll ever forget. 

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring James & Jordan’s vision to life are as follows:

Photographer: Upon The Heath Photography
Venues: Wrexham Town Hall & Lot 11
Flowers: Emma Jane Floral Design
Cake: Family Friend
Brides Dress: ASOS
Bridal Face Mask: Bridal Reloved, Shrewsbury
Mother of the Bride Dress: Phase Eight
Suits: Moss Bros
Rings: Vashi

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

More Real Weddings

with BOUQUET & BELLS

Browse more beautiful & inspiring real weddings.

February, 2021

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time.

November, 2020

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19.

May, 2020

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford

Eilisha and Nathaniel held a beautiful, natural wedding at the stunning Longworth Hall, Hereford in September 2019.

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Real Wedding

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

Inspiration

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan​

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19. Held at beautiful Old Palace Chester, it was the perfect setting for an intimate celebration.

Photography by Helen Jane Smiddy.

The Proposal

James proposed during a holiday in Otranto Italy in September 2019. It was on a private balcony overlooking the sea as the sun was setting. It was perfect!

How did COVID affect your planning?

We ended up pulled our wedding forward due to Covid. Our original wedding date was set for the 3rd October 2020 however due to the Covid restrictions changing three days before our wedding taking the total number of guests from 30 to 15 we decided to pull the wedding forward a week! 

We originally had a wedding of 90 guests planned for 3rd October but cut this number due to the restrictions. The wedding ended up being incredibly intimate with only direct family, bridesmaids and groomsmen. 

Theme

We have our venue and florist to thank for the décor. The venue were completely amazing when we asked to move the date of the wedding with three days notice. In two days they had pulled a team together to make our special day possible. The food was sublime and the service was exceptional.  

Special Touches

I wore my mums veil which was incredibly special as I still remember my sister and I playing dress up with it when we were little. It’s a miracle it was in one piece!

The Big Day

Myself and the bridesmaids got ready at my mums house next door to the church. Smoke Salmon and Scrabbled Eggs with Champs for brekkie. 

I was completely calm in the whole lead up to the wedding and only started to feel nervous when I had the dress on and it was nearly time to leave. A few tears in the ceremony but I held is together… just about 😊 

My brother chose the music I walked down the aisle to. It was Arrival of The Queen of Sheba by Handel played on the Organ.

Funny Stories

When the cars were getting loaded for the luggage for the venue my suitcase was somehow missed off the list! So I had no clothes or makeup the day after the wedding and had to go round my bridesmaids rooms to pull together something to wear, a hairbrush and makeup! Not the most glamorous first morning of marriage but lots of laughing!

Top Tips

The advice that was given to us by my incredibly wise Mother-in-Law was be in the moment and enjoy every second. It goes so quickly and you don’t want to spend the day thinking of the ‘what’s if’s’ or dwelling if something isn’t perfect. The most important thing is marrying the person you love, everything else is just a bonus!

We have no regrets. It was perfect!

We would have loved all of our guests to be there but we are planning on holiday a celebration when it’s safe to do so. 

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring James & Jordan’s vision to life are as follows:

Photographer: Helen Jane Smiddy
Venue: Old Palace Chester
Flowers: Jacqui O
Cake: Kate Andrews (family friend)
Brides Dress: Jesus Peiro from Ellie Sanderson
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: TFNC
Mother of the Bride Dress: REISS
Suits: Moss Bros
Makeup: Lucinka Hodnett Makeup
Hair: Bridal Hair by Lindsey
Stationery: Papier
Cars: Classic Wedding Cars Cheshire
Rings: Samara James

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

More Real Weddings

with BOUQUET & BELLS

Browse more beautiful & inspiring real weddings.

February, 2021

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time.

November, 2020

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19.

May, 2020

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford

Eilisha and Nathaniel held a beautiful, natural wedding at the stunning Longworth Hall, Hereford in September 2019.

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Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Categories
Real Wedding

An Intimate, COVID Friendly Wedding / Sally & Ross

Inspiration

An Intimate, COVID Friendly Wedding / Sally & Ross

Sally & Ross held their intimate, COVID friendly celebration at Hartford Golf Club on 26th September 2020.

Photography by Richard Wilkinson Photography.

The Proposal

We’d been to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham to choose a ring together because I thought I knew what I wanted, a halo or something quite unique but more than just a princess cut diamond, but it didn’t suit me at all! Ross knew a princess cut would suit me perfectly but he wanted a more unique setting. I left the details up to him once I tried some on and delivery etc. It was a few weeks later when I called him on the way home from work when he cut our conversation really short and seemed a bit flustered because he was on the phone to the house insurance. It was then I knew that the ring was in the house! I was so excited but couldn’t tell anyone yet! The weather that weekend was looking a bit mixed and the Saturday morning was miserable but we walked out to a local café for lunch and I suggested a walk after hoping he had the ring but as we turned into the houses around us I knew he didn’t.

Luckily the Sunday was glorious, I’d had some girlfriends for a sleepover so as soon as they left we went out for a walk, this time down to the river nearby. Ross hadn’t walked the route before but I hoped he had the ring! We had lovely conversation and were saying so many nice things to each other, we stopped a few times to admire the view of the woods too. I thought he was about to propose when we had stopped on a bridge but I found out later that he bottled it at the last moment, so we moved on. Just before we got to the river, he mentioned his feet were hurting and unbeknownst to him there was a bench just a few meters away. I immediately went to it and sat for a few moments with him still discussing our relationship and how much we cared for him. He then said “I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else…. And on that note…” getting down on one knee,” Will you Marry me?” Pulling out a travel ring box from his pocket and presenting me with the beautiful ring we’d chosen together. The box was so discreet I had no idea that it was in his pocket!

Theme / Colour Scheme

I wanted to be as sustainable as possible, all the stationary I did myself and all with recycled card and paper. Plus we did all our invites by WhatsApp with a picture of us and all the details, we had a wedding website with all the accommodation listings, wedding list and how the day would run etc. and I sent out a Google form for RSVP’s and menu choices for all the guests which made things really easy when giving the venue all the details!

It was also really helpful for any changes we made due to COVID it was just a case of sending out a new message rather than more postage!

Special Touches & Unique Ideas

My maiden name is Casey-Markwell, I pulled both my parents’ names together as my mum kept her own name when they got married and the dress that by happened to be “the one” is called Casey!

I roped in friends to help dress the venue and even asked them all to make a wreath as a table decoration which we did the week before with some instruction form my mum and they all got to take them home for their own tables after the wedding too!

Ross is a firefighter so he bought a watch which features recycled fire equipment especially for the day and I bought him a matching wallet for the occasion. I asked my mum for something old so she melted an old silver necklace down and made a clock charm for my bracelet with our initials and date stamped on the back. Plus I’m originally from Sheffield (we now live in cheshire) and Ross’s ring is a Sheffield Steel Ring which is named after a park i used to go to a lot when I was growing up.

The Big Day

I had my bridesmaids over the night before for fizz and a chippy and fortunately I had enough rooms for them all to say over which was just lovely! I was up first at 6am as I just couldn’t sleep but my hairdresser was coming at 7am to give me a curly blow and pin up so I got to have a nice long shower and wash my hair which just felt like a nice relaxing start to the day!

In general everyone was quite calm, I’m really organised so I’d done a spreadsheet of which order everyone was going in, especially as everyone had to wear a mask to have their hair done before make up! I also did a Tesco order for breakfast items croissants, crumpets etc. and I’d organised a buffet lunch from a local sandwich shop which everyone was really grateful for!

I felt like I had a few hours to kills but I kept myself busy pressing and steaming the dresses with the girls and not really sitting down much! My parents and friends were helping to dress the venue and set up video camera’s for a zoom call with all our guests who weren’t able to make it, I think this was the most complicated and stressful element of the day so I’m glad I wasn’t involved.

The tears started to come as the flowers arrived, they were so beautiful and the emotions of the day really started to sink in! from then on everyone was trying to distract me from my emotions to stop me from crying especially when I was having my make up done including conversations about bird food and chimney shapes! The randomer the better.

One essential element before we left the house was the father of the bride moment, my dad loves that film and he’s always wanted me to have bridal stairs as he calls them, where he’s able to stand at the bottom and watch me come down, we managed it with an immense amount of tears!

I managed to hold it together when I got to the venue until I saw the back of Ross and the opening bars of “Here comes the sun” then chivied along by my dad I only let a couple of tears escape as I made my way down the aisle, focusing on Ross really helped me make it down!

Funny Stories

My brother-in-law as a police inspector is quite a character and wanted the best of us in every way on the day including making sure any golfers on the course behind where we got married weren’t in photo’s or their equipment, hearing him debating with them was quite funny especially when one called back that he was in a competition!

Top Tips

My top tip for being organised is to imagine yourself as one of the people dressing the venue, what information would you want and make sure to provide it.

We always enjoy hosting and wanted to make sure our guests had a good time and were occupied, I’d ordered some dames like snakes & ladders and connect 4 to put in kids activity bags but as most of them couldn’t come I put the games on the table which everyone loved! We even had a word scramble and match the couple game for each household on the tables.

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring Sally & Ross’ vision to life are as follows:

Photographer: Richard Wilkinson Photography
Venue: Hartford Golf Club
Flowers: Hannah Williamson Flowers
Brides Dress: Wed2B
Bridesmaids & Flower Girl Dresses: ASOS
Hair Stylist: Hair by Stacey Smith
Makeup Artist: Sophie Bruno
Transport: A friend from Bentley
Cake: A friend
Rings: The Diamond Centre Birmingham

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Share this Article

The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

More Real Weddings

with BOUQUET & BELLS

Browse more beautiful & inspiring real weddings.

February, 2021

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time.

November, 2020

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19.

May, 2020

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford

Eilisha and Nathaniel held a beautiful, natural wedding at the stunning Longworth Hall, Hereford in September 2019.

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Real Wedding

An Intimate, Rustic Themed Wedding / Shannon & Sam

Inspiration

An Intimate, Rustic Themed Wedding / Shannon & Sam

Shannon and Sam held an intimate and rustic themed wedding in their family home in Great Budworth on 28th August 2020.

Photography by Sarah Brookes Photography.

The Big Day

I got ready alongside my mum, dad, sister, little boy Alfie and best friend Becci at my Mum’s house in Great Budworth. It was all very calm and relaxed, as was the whole day. The groom, Sam got ready with his best man at our home in Barnton.

I was walked down the aisle by my dad, to the traditional ‘here comes the bride’ to meet Sam, holding our baby boy Alfie. The ceremony was short and sweet , due to Covid but everything we could have wished for. We walked out as ‘Mr and Mrs Didsbury’ to ‘At Last’ by Etta James, as it seemed appropriate as we had two wedding cancelled previously. We shared the ceremony with close family only, less than 30 people. After the ceremony we had our pictures, where we shared our very special news WE ARE PREGNANT with baby number two and Sarah captured the shock on peoples faces, which is a lovely keepsake. After this we went to the local pub, across the road from the church for a relaxed meal, followed by a reception in our gorgeous tipi located in my mums back garden.

The wedding was very small and intimate, just what we had always wished for, after waiting such a long time for it to go ahead.

Top Tips

Take it all in, it goes so fast.

All the little things you worried about don’t matter on the day.

It’s not about the money you spend on a wedding, it’s all about the people who are there and the memories that are made.

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring Shannon & Sam’s vision to life are as follows:

Photographer: Sarah Brookes Photography
Tipi: Tipi Unique
Flowers: House of Cheshire
Brides Dress: Wed2B
Grooms Suits: Peter Posh
Transport: Classic Wedding Cars Cheshire
Makeup: Lucinka Makeup Artist

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Share this Article

The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

More Real Weddings

with BOUQUET & BELLS

Browse more beautiful & inspiring real weddings.

February, 2021

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time.

November, 2020

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19.

May, 2020

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford

Eilisha and Nathaniel held a beautiful, natural wedding at the stunning Longworth Hall, Hereford in September 2019.

Sign up to our Mailing List

Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine!

Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.

Categories
Real Wedding

Roxanne & Carl’s Wild Autumnal Wonderland Wedding Celebration

Inspiration

Roxanne & Carl's Wild Autumnal Wonderland Wedding Celebration

Roxanne & Carl held their magical wonderland wedding at Dodmoor House in Northamptonshire in October 2019.

Video: 4LW Video Productions
Photography: Shoot It Momma Photography

The Proposal

The proposal took place on the 11th January 2017. It was our 4th anniversary as a couple and an extremely cold, miserable January day. It was a Wednesday and I was supposed to be at University for the day (in my second year of studying to become a primary teacher)… but my partner told to take the day off as we were going out for the day to celebrate!

We are keen water-skiers and love being by water. When we first met, we joked that we’d be an old couple one day who would live on a canal boat. So for our day out, Carl surprised me with a day out on a canal boat! It was freezing!!!! But about an hour into our journey, as we came around a corner, there was a bridge. And on the bridge was a huge ‘will you marry me’ sign. I didn’t put two and two together and commented on how cute it was. Only when I turned to face him, he was down on one knee, asking me to marry him… trying to steer the canal boat at the same time!

Theme / Colour Scheme

‘Wild Autumnal Wonderland’ is the words I would use to describe our theme… leaves and white pumpkins everywhere! Our main colour was powder blue but with rose gold detail here and there.

Special Touches & Unique Ideas

  • Instead of a bouquet, I chose to have a ‘hoop’ bouquet; within it was feathers from our pet bird (cockatiel) Doolin who sadly passed away the year before we married.
  • Our little dog Jude was our ring bearer! Who stole the show by making a run for it during my moment to walk down the isle… very funny!
  • As a nod to my husband being an electrician, we had LED lights within our moongate of flowers.
  • Our boat which we waterski behind was a part of our wedding day.
  • We had a sparkler walk with all our guests.
  • As a morning gift, I gave Carl a Captain ‘sailor’ hat and cufflinks: one which was a boat propeller and the other which stated our wedding date.

The Big Day

I stayed with one of my bridesmaids (Catherine) the night before. The morning we woke, she made me my favourite breakfast (Egg’s Benedict) and for the first time, I couldn’t eat it all! She also painted my toenails and soothed my nerves the best she could (which was hard!). My other bridesmaids arrived and Catherine drove us to the venue. I felt sick the whole journey and kept wanting to cry!

When we got to the venue, our decorators (Helen and Marion) were there and made me feel much better! Once we started having our hair and make up done, we felt much better… up until about 3:30pm when I was supposed to be walking up the isle and still not ready!

I walked up the isle to our live musicians (Daniel Giardiello) who played acoustically ‘Everlong’ by Foo Fighters. ‘A Million Dreams’ played as we signed the registrars and for when we walked back down, they played ‘Love you ‘Till the end’ by The Progues… as the first film Carl and I watched together was ‘P.S. I Love You’.

Funny Stories

Favourite story is Runaway Jude! Two of my bridesmaids were walking Jude down the isle (the first to enter the room), when he decided to slip his collar. The girls panicked and kept walking, but one of our guests grabbed Jude and ran towards my husband, giving him to him. As I was coming down the isle, that guest was coming up the isle and I didn’t even realise all that had gone on until after! It was very, very funny!

Top Tips

I wish I stood at the bottom of the isle for a little longer, just to take the moment in… but I was way too eager to see my husbands face! I couldn’t wait any longer!

Suppliers

The wonderful local wedding suppliers that helped bring Roxanne & Carl’s vision to life are as follows:

Venue: Dodmoor House
Photographer: Shoot It Momma Photography
Videography: 4LW Video Productions
Cake: Melody Cakes
Flowers & Venue Dressing: Honey Bees
Stationery: Papier & Handmade by Rose
Brides Dress: Serendipity Brides (By Sottero & Midgley, called ‘Jasper’)
Bridesmaids: ASOS (We chose to have powder blue dresses because our favourite colour is blue and we thought it was very delicate and gentle and would compliment the white pumpkins).
Grooms Suits: NEXT
Hair: Wedding Hair By Kate
Makeup: Beauty By Amy
Rings: Marlow’s Diamonds (Birmingham Jewellery Quarter)

We hope this special feature gives you inspiration for your wedding or event.

Want to feature your wedding our blog? Please contact claire@bouquetandbells.com.

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Share this Article

The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

More Real Weddings

with BOUQUET & BELLS

Browse more beautiful & inspiring real weddings.

February, 2021

A Last Minute Wedding Day / Aishah & Paul

Aishah & Paul organised their wedding in just one week so it was all hands on deck to get everything ready in time.

November, 2020

A Small Celebration at Old Palace Chester / James & Jordan

James & Jordan brought their wedding forward due to looming tighter restrictions due to COVID-19.

May, 2020

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford

Eilisha and Nathaniel held a beautiful, natural wedding at the stunning Longworth Hall, Hereford in September 2019.

Sign up to our Mailing List

Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

Sign up to our mail list and get 15% off your first
order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine!

Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.

Categories
Real Wedding

A Beautiful Natural Themed Wedding at Longworth Hall in Hereford