An 1950’s Rockabilly wedding with a Psychobilly twist
Our Wedding for the Weekend is a very exciting one, not just because this wedding was downright awesome but also because this gorgeous couple have also featured on one of the best UK Wedding blogs – Rock’ N Roll Bride. Claire and Lee live only a few miles from the Forest of Dean in Cheltenham so we felt it was only fair that we got to feature them too – Big Smiley Faces!!
“We’re both very much in to the whole rockabilly and psychobilly scenes and have been for quite some time, so it only seemed natural to extend this to our wedding day.”
“One thing we set out to do from the very beginning was to make our wedding day for us. It seems all too often that people try and tailor their wedding day around their family and other guests, whereas for ourselves we tailored it around us and guests had to fit in; which they did wonderfully.”
“We sourced everything ourselves to fit our style perfectly ; the clothes, cars, venues, music and decorations had to be just right; and although at times it was a nightmare of a challenge to get everything perfect (antique teapots are notoriously hard to find) we managed it and wouldn’t have changed anything for the world.”
Claire was the ultimate bespoke bride, in order to customise her outfit for the ceremony, she hand sewed 500 pearls on to her skirt as well as dying her perfect style shoes a gold colour to match. She personalized these further by adding handmade lace ivory bows and attached them at the front of the shoe using cluster pearl clip on earrings. Her earrings for the ceremony were a bargain bagging them for a fiver in an antique shop; we love a girl who knows how to budget.
“All of the decorations for the reception I made myself, including 80 meters of bunting and the green and purple polka dot table cloth centres. Bunting ran diagonally across the room and was coupled up with strings of blinking fairy lights, which came together to form a heart on the wall directly behind us. We made our wedding favours cheaply and effectively by buying plain cupcake boxes and decorating them with ribbon, gold glitter spray and then wrote ‘Claire and Lee’ and a heart in glitter glue on the lid and filled them with retro (Veggie friendly) sweeties.”
“The table decorations were antique tea sets, with flower arrangements being set in the teapots and the tea cup and saucers had floating tea lights in them. There was also antique styled miniature glass candle sticks holders and candles.”
“As Lee is a Morris dancer he had arranged for the Gloucester Morris Men to be waiting outside the venue ready for when we walked out as husband and Wife, their sticks raised in an arch for us to walk through. They then preformed a few dances for us, including Ladies Pleasure and a one man jig. Lee also joined the side for one dance.”
“Music for the ceremony was all in keeping with the 50s style of the wedding with Claire walking down the aisle to Eartha Kitt’s ‘just an old fashioned Girl’, signing the register to Gene Maltais’s ‘The Raging Sea’ and exiting the ceremony hall to Screamin jay Hawkins’ ‘I Put a Spell on You’.”
A Massive Congratulations to Claire and Lee on their absolutley rocking wedding and thank you for sharing it with us
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A bit about the Venue: Manor by the Lake:
Manor by the Lake in Cheltenham is a remarkable wedding venue that offers couples a truly unforgettable experience on their special day. Situated amidst picturesque landscapes, this stunning manor house provides a romantic and enchanting setting for weddings. The venue boasts elegant architecture, beautifully manicured gardens, and a serene lake, creating a perfect backdrop for wedding ceremonies and capturing breathtaking photographs.
The team at Manor by the Lake is dedicated to making each couple’s dream wedding a reality. From the initial planning stages to the execution of the event, their experienced and attentive staff go above and beyond to ensure a seamless and memorable celebration. The venue offers a range of versatile spaces, including elegant reception rooms, stunning outdoor areas, and a luxurious bridal suite, allowing couples to tailor their wedding to their unique vision.
One of the standout features of Manor by the Lake is its commitment to culinary excellence. The in-house catering team crafts delectable menus using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. From canapés to multi-course meals, each dish is expertly prepared and beautifully presented. Couples and their guests can indulge in a culinary journey that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
Now, let’s hear from some real-life couples who got married at Manor by the Lake:
- “Our wedding at Manor by the Lake was absolutely magical. The venue itself is breathtaking, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. The gardens provided a stunning backdrop for our outdoor ceremony, and the reception space was beautifully decorated. The food was exceptional, and our guests couldn’t stop talking about it. We can’t thank the team enough for making our special day so incredible.” – Emily and James
- “Choosing Manor by the Lake for our wedding was the best decision we made. The venue’s beauty speaks for itself, but it was the exceptional service that truly set it apart. The staff were professional, friendly, and attentive throughout the entire process. They took care of every detail, allowing us to relax and enjoy our day. The food was outstanding, and the entire atmosphere was filled with love and joy. We will forever cherish the memories we made at Manor by the Lake.” – Sarah and David
- “We had the most perfect wedding at Manor by the Lake. The venue exceeded our expectations in every way. The team was incredibly helpful and accommodating, ensuring that every aspect of our day was flawless. The setting was simply magical, and our photos turned out like a fairytale. Our guests were blown away by the venue’s beauty and the impeccable service they received. It was truly a day we will cherish forever.” – Laura and Michael
Credit where credit is due:
Photography: Simon Walden at Film Photo
Ceremony Venue: Manor by the Lake, Cheltenham
Reception Venue: The Lower Lode Inn, Tewkesbury
Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Fairy Goth Mother (Corset)
Bride’s ceremony Head piece: Euphoria Couture
Brides Reception Dress: Forever Unique
Brides Reception Shoes: ‘Melissa’ at Vivienne Westwood
Brides Reception Head piece and Jewellery: Clutterfly
Grooms Ceremony Outfit: ebay
Grooms Ceremony Waistcoat: custom made by Janet Steward
Grooms Ceremony Shoes: retro shu
Grooms Ceremony Cufflinks: Tie Rack
Grooms Reception Outfit: Moss Bros
Grooms Reception Tie: custom made emerald angel
Grooms Reception Cufflinks: Custom made Clutterfly
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: eBay
Cake: Melissa Oakley
Flowers: Petite Fleur in Tewkesbury
Hair: Charlie AntiGirl from Loxx Hair
Ceremony Entertainment: The Gloucester Morris Men
Band: Luna Vegas
Wow what a super cool couple, great to see they topped off their Wedding with one of America’s classic cars, the “Cadillac” simply beautiful.
This couple were the epitome of cool huh?