A wedding described as ‘vintage in pastels with a high tea reception’ is my idea of perfection, but that is just the start of the loveliness of today’s English Countryside inspired wedding from Jac & Heath Photography……

Add to the high tea reception, the quaintest venue, a marquee decked out in DIY bunting, a rainbow wedding cake and a bride wearing the prettiest vintage inspired pink wedding dress; and Clare & Justin’s wedding is quite simply my idea of heaven! With 2 years to plan it, and organisation skills that would rival any wedding planner, bride Clare set about creating their perfect day with a clear vision of just how it would look, the first task was finding the perfect venue…..

“We were married  at All Saints Church, Woodville a beautiful little country church. I discovered it reading a bridal magazine but it wasn’t until after I had booked it that my grandma told me she had spent many a childhood weekend at that same church! The church now runs as a wedding venue and the hall next door has been expanded to include a marquee for receptions.”

“I decided to depart with tradition and have something more permanent for my bouquet. I wasn’t sure how hot the day would be so I didn’t want wilted flowers. After much research I found Emma ‘Beaubuttons‘ on Etsy who creates custom bouquets and pomanders using vintage/vintage  reproduction buttons. I liked the idea of a pomander ball because I wouldn’t have to hold it in front of my dress and conceal any of its beautiful lace details. I sent Emma some photos of my dress and she created a pomander and matching boutonniere in complementing colours.”

“Melanie Ford designed my silver-screen inspired gown. I wanted something that wasn’t white, covered my shoulders and had a very natural flow to the skirt. When I wore it I felt like I’d just stepped off the set of an old film. It was very comfortable and a breeze to move in!”

“My mother loaned me her diamond and gold bracelet and I bought my lace mary-jane ‘Esta’ shoes from The Perfect Bridal Company. I didn’t want a veil so instead I found Element4 You on Etsy who made me a beautiful pink and white pearl hair comb.”

Remember that church she mentioned? Well here it is…. have you ever seen anything so sweet? It really does look like it should be nestled somewhere alongside some hedgerows in the English Countryside! And just wait until you see the inside…..

And whilst rain would upset many a bride on her wedding day, Clare had a different view on the grey skies “I think that the rain we had on the day actually added to the ‘English-countryside’ feeling of the church and reception.”

“My dad walked me down the aisle but it was such a very surreal moment, I only remember floating down with the skirl of bagpipes in the air. Our piper led the procession but even though he played a song I know, I don’t remember it at the time. Towards the end I saw Justin’s smiling anxious face and I knew it was all perfect.”

“We had a traditional Scottish wedding ceremony that included swearing our oaths on the hilt of a sword and drinking whisky from the quaich. We also had a hand-fasting ritual where each of our six bridesmaids and groomsmen brought up a ribbon to place over our joined hands. It was a lovely way to include them in the ceremony without putting pressure on them to read.”

“Paul Ross piped us down the aisle and back. On the way out we passed through a sword salute performed by my Highland Dancing friends.”

“After the wedding ceremony, the girls from the dance studio I go to, performed traditional Scottish Dances on the grass outside the church with our piper Paul Ross piping.”

“My sister Hannah, Justin’s sister Felicia, and my two best buds Angela and Cara did me the honour of being my bridesmaids (Felicia technically filling in as a 3rd groomsmen). I wanted them to be in a vintage knee-length dress that was modest but also flattering. For Her and For Him offered a cowl neck chiffon vintage inspired gown that could be custom made to fit each bridesmaid’s body type perfectly. I asked each girl to select a different pastel colour in keeping with our pastel rainbow theme.”

“Justin and his groomsmen wore suits from Gentlemen’s outfitters. Justin wore a charcoal suit with ivory shirt and Melanie Ford custom silk tie to match my dress. The groomsmen wore black with ivory shirts and silk ties also made by Melanie.”

“The reception was also at All Saints Woodville in the Hall/Marquee. We had a high tea so I decorated the marquee with my own vintage-fabric bunting and coloured depression glass. Each table was a different pastel colour  and I provided the crystal plates, tea cups, vintage cutlery and lily candle centerpieces. We didn’t even need any flowers, there was so much bunting and clear/coloured glass wear that the tables looked lovely without any! It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the soft rain outside contributed to a very English High Tea feel. ”

“Eva from Sweet Perfection created our two-tiered pastel rainbow wedding cake. The ganache was white chocolate but I can’t describe the flavour of the cake other than it was delicious! Eva decorated the ivory fondant with small blossoms in pastel rainbow colours.”

“We chose to have our photos after our reception by which time the rain had cleared and left the garden we visited (Albion Farms and Gracemere – 2 mins up the road) in an exceptionally beautiful state of lush green.”

Pearls of Wedding Wisdom from the Bride…..

“Allow plenty of time for photos! We did and I don’t regret it at all. And be organized – give yourself plenty of time to plan!”

Tell us a little bit about your photographers…..

“Justin already knew Jac & Heath and we both love their very natural style. They are a relaxed and friendly couple who make your day as laid back and enjoyable as possible.”

Many congratulations and huge thanks to the happy couple Claire & Justin! A special thanks also to their lovely photographers Jac & Heath who really did capture every DIY detail and magical moment perfectly – I just can’t get enough of all of the stunning portraits. If you would like to see more of their beautiful work, why not head over to their website jacandheath.com and you can find and follow them on Facebook, Instagram & Google+.

And if this romantic vintage wedding only whet your appetite, why not take a peek at this 1950s inspired city chic celebration, or this elegant garden affair and you definitely won’t want to miss this delightful destination wedding! You will find all of these, and lots more wedding inspiration, by clicking here.

Amy

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Credits

Photography ~ Jac & Heath Photography // Wedding Dress ~ Designs By Melanie Ford // Bridal Shoes ~ The Perfect Bridal Company // Bouquet ~ Button Pomander by Beaubuttons // Bridal Hair Accessory ~ Element4 You // Bridal Hair ~ Bliss Hair Artists // Bridal Makeup ~ Cathy Flanagan Makeup Artist // Bridesmaid Dresses ~ For Her and For Him // Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Suits ~ Gentlemen’s Outfitters // Venue ~ All Saints Woodville // Celebrant ~ Philip Greentree  // Wedding Stationery ~ Designed, Drawn & Printed by the Bride // Wedding Cake ~ Sweet Perfection // Catering ~ Caterforce // Bonbonniere ~ Aunty Eva’s Preserves