Planning a Wedding in Rome? You’ll LOVE This Radiant Wedding at Norwegian Embassy in Rome
A Laid-back & Handmade, Backyard Wedding: Sarah & Mark
I realise it is now autumn and the days of tipi’s and garden parties are just a distant memory, but today’s wedding is just too darn pretty to not share right away! Firstly I adore the bridesmaids two pieces! The blush toned maxi skirts and lace tops are a gorgeous combination, something I could definitely see myself wearing. Second the brides 1920’s inspired gown is totally dreamy, it shimmers from head to toe and I am in love with the statement sleeve!
It was all about imagination for Sarah and Mark, two talented creative business owners who were passionate about injecting their own personality and talents into their day. To reflect this they pretty much handmade all their details including the stationery, decor and favours with a little help from friends and family! Lets not also forget to mention the delicious array of handmade beverages from lavender lemonade and ‘Sham-pagne’ to every girls favourite – lots and lots of Pimms!
Over to Sarah to tell you more…
“We got engaged on Christmas Day 2013 and we set a date in July 2014, which gave us six months to plan! We decided to have a registry office ceremony followed by a reception in giant tee-pees on the lawn at my parents’ house. We wanted the day to be laid-back, imaginative and personal to us. We’re both very creative people and run separate jewellery and illustration businesses, so making as many things as possible was a must. On top of that, we both love old things and we really wanted the day to have a vintage feel. That immediately meant a 1920’s inspired dress, vintage china, wild flowers in jam jars, croquet on the lawn, afternoon tea and lots and lots of Pimms!
We made as much as possible for the day. Mark had designed some gorgeous invites and made some blackboard signs that were dotted around everywhere to help guests find everything from the car park to the bar. I created a chicken wire seating plan board, table number signs and colourful name cards, which were suspended between two twigs tied together with string. We also made the wedding favours, which consisted of a cellophane bag containing a piece of homemade coconut ice, lemon cream and fudge. Mark made cute little labels with hand-drawn illustrations of the two of us on them that tied in with the invites. My oldest friend made the cake for us and I made the bunting and a miniature tee-pee for the top of the cake. Mark made and painted two mini clay statues of us and one of our beloved dog, Totoro!
My bridesmaids and I were up late the night before creating jam jar flower arrangements for the tables along with a floral terrarium centrepiece for the guest-book table. And in the morning they squirreled away making mock-tails and lavender lemonade to fill three huge glass drinks dispensers while I was slipping into my 1920’s inspired Eliza Jane Howell dress and fixing my upcycled 1920’s hair comb to my barnet!
We have so many favourite moments from the day. Mark and I stood back at one point and looked at all our guests in the garden laughing, drinking, playing lawn games, stroking the various dogs that were running around and laying on the lawn looking over the fields in the midday-sun. All our friends and family looked so relaxed and happy and that made us smile, A LOT. Then followed the speeches and afternoon tea. The speeches were fantastic and the afternoon tea was hands-down the best either of us had EVER had. Then ensued a mini adventure to the farm next door with our incredible photographer Sally. The two of us messed about in a barn full of hay, posed alongside old farming machinery and played in fields of corn. As the night drew in, the rain came and we all danced like idiots to David Bowie and the Sugar Hill Gang and cosied up around the fire-pit. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!
Two pieces of advice for couples tying the knot. Firstly, do what you want and make it personal to you. So often, weddings become exercises in pleasing other people, but they shouldn’t be. This is the one, single day in the whole of your life that is for the two of you, so do it your way. Secondly, take half an hour out at some point during the day. If you’re having a fair amount of guests to your wedding, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Everyone wants to talk to you and get photos with you and if you’re not careful you can feel like you’ve barely spoken to your new wife/husband let alone had time to sit back and enjoy the day you’ve created together. So find a quiet spot and retreat together. Moments like that are precious.”
Super Suppliers – Photographer: Sally T Photography// Dress: Eliza Jane Howell Collection at Sasso, Leeds// Suits: Next // Flowers: Twigs Florist, Barwick-In-Elmet// Caterer: Julie Wilcock// Teepees: Papakata// DJ: Club Class//
I am so glad that Sarah and Mark took the time to stand back and enjoy the day that they had created, I can only imagine how amazing they must have felt in that moment!
Have a great weekend everyone!
xxx
What a perfect day which beautifully represented this couple. I will remember this day forever.
Congratulations!! It only took ten years!!!
xX
Just wanted to say a huge thank you for featuring our wedding on your gorgeous blog. Your write-up is just lovely and it took me back to the day which seems like a dream now! A thousand thank yous! Xx
Hi Sarah! So lovely to hear from you and thank you so much! It was an absolute pleasure to share your awesome day with our readers! Congratulations xxx
So rustic and unbelievably pretty. Congratulations.
What a fab look for a wedding. Ive seen a lot of these country weddings lately but this one look great.