Every so often Rebecca and I have the “If you could get married again right now what would you do differently?” discussion. That’s not to say we would necessarily change anything – otherwise then it wouldn’t have been our Big Day.
But let’s be honest here, there are of course certain things we would worry about less and a whole bunch of things we would make the effort to do, one of them being D.I.Y, no better way to stamp your unique seal of approval on W-day is there?
Well…. Aisling and Phil’s reception was packed full of We-Did-It-Ourselves pretty and it’s carefree garden charm makes the RMW team literally sigh with the loveliness of it all……
So if you are stuck for an evening venue or you are working to a tight budget consider a back yard soiree, Rebecca and I certainly would.
Home Grown
We live in a gorgeous little (read: teeny tiny!) cottage in the country, that, thanks to ridiculously old Land Laws has an ENORMOUS garden with a stream…all very lovely. Also very weather dependant, cue much worrying/praying/hoping/finger and toe crossing that the sun would shine on the 5th June! We didn’t really have a ‘back-up’ plan, I think in my deluded Bridezilla state I thought that if we put effort into finding a second venue then it would rain just to annoy me! Thankfully, our faith in the great British weather paid off- one sunny, warm and bright day, as ordered.
Family and Friendship Florals
Our wedding only came together because of the crazy talented bunch of people we’re lucky enough to be friends with and related to. Our florist was one such friend, well, the mother of a school friend of mine, actually. We’ve stayed close, and when we told people about the wedding, she was one of the first to phone and offer her services. This was especially lovely as she retired years and years ago and was offering her time and expertise for free, we still can’t stop thanking her!
I tore out a picture from the first wedding magazine that I bought last October, that seemed to encapsulate the exact ‘feel’ I was looking to achieve. It was a garden table, decorated with a lace tablecloth and huge bunches of gerberas, daisies and anemones in tin cans. I loved it and thought it would be a brilliant way to display the flowers in our Country Garden wedding. A few people, namely my future Husband, thought I was insane, but I got my own way and along with a few jam jars I thought our flowers looked awesome in their tin cans!
The way we did our flowers meant that I got to be a part of the whole process, including going to the wholesalers and picking the flowers I wanted-was so much fun. My 7 year old goddaughter and I wandered round saying ‘I want some of those, and those, and those….oooh and those!’ for a morning-great for relaxing 2 days before the big day! I don’t like foliage particularly, so we had single displays of stock, spiky crysanths, gerberas, gysophilia, tulips, spray roses and so much more.
At the end of the night we were able to give some of our guests the flowers to take home and we also gave a bunch to each of our neighbours to say thank-you for putting up with the noise!
The setting up and carving of the Hog Roast was such a spectacle, and smelled so incredible, it was almost like a form of entertainment in itself! We had garden games and countless bat’n’balls for the kids, which needless to say ended up being abused by the adults in the stream! For music, we kept it simple-plumbed in the speakers to various points in the garden and plugged in the iPod. I couldn’t just let it shuffle though, we spent a whole day at my parents’ using my Dad’s iTunes (all the classics!) and put together an 11 hour playlist with all our favourites. It was fab because it’d go from JayZ to David Bowie to Abba and everyone was singing along at some point! We had a hog roast (nom nom nom….) with loads of salads, fish and pasta dishes and initially we weren’t sure we wanted a ‘proper’ wedding cake. I saw a ‘dessert table’ in a Real Wedding feature in a bridal mag and loved the idea-it fit in well with the ‘all hands on deck’ theme we had going on! Phil loves to bake and my mum and aunties are all awesome at….everything really…so our dessert table had brownies, lemon meringue pie, strawberry cheesecake, tiramisu, 3 different trifles and countless loaf cakes. It seemed like every time a guest arrived they bought another dessert! Yummy! The crowning glory of the table was the totally stunning sponge tower that my best friend’s Mum made us. Beautifully soft sponge with buttercream decorated with strawberries, raspberries and red roses. Gorgeous. Myself, two friends, my Mum, Godmother and Aunt decorated our house and garden on the Friday before the wedding, while Phil went to the beach with his friends! I didn’t mind this at all, he had a lovely day and so did I, his face when he saw the garden when we got home on Saturday was priceless! I’m very lucky to work for a company that develops a lot of ‘props’ for things like store window displays and marketing shoots, from Christmas up until the wedding I was collecting pretty bits and pieces here and there and storing them in what became known as ‘Wedding Corner’-I filled the whole conservatory! The garden ended up looking colourful, mismatched and super pretty just as I had hoped it would. My favourite bits were the glass teardrops hanging from a dead tree in the garden that normally has a swing on it! They caught the light beautifully and made for some gorgeous pictures. I should also say that we borrowed every garden table and chair that our unsuspecting friends and family were kind enough to offer-thank you guys! I say unsuspecting, my friend Jen leant us some chairs and when her husband Steve came into the garden he exclaimed ‘Hey Jen, they’ve got chairs like ours!’ Our wedding was the most perfect day of our lives so far. It was without a doubt so ‘us’ and the fact that there is no bride out there who will have my dress or their reception in the same place makes it all the more special. I would agree with other ‘Old Marrieds’ however, that regardless of the dress, venue, family involvement, amazing weather etc etc…what made it perfect was simply the fact that I got to marry the man of my dreams. It all looks so simple from this side of The Day! As for advice for future Brides-to-be, I think the fact that you’re reading this and on this beautifully marvellous blog means that Your Day will in fact be done Your Way. My advice would be slightly different to the usual and I don’t know that everyone will agree with me but here goes! Just enjoy your day. If things don’t go to plan (ie. Kittens at 5am) or if people are late (bridesmaid #3 arriving at the house 10 minutes before we left for the ceremony) don’t stress-you’ll look back the next day and it just won’t matter. Similarly, don’t feel you and your new husband need to spend every minute of the day together. You’re likely to be pulled in so many directions-his friends, your friends, family, photos…the list is endless. And when your eyes do meet over the garden/ballroom/restaurant, the feeling is INCREDIBLE. After all, you have the rest of your lives to spend together… I LOVED putting this wedding together and I think there are so many snippets of inspiration and good advice amongst both the beautiful imagery and the Brides heart felt account of the day. With a huge great Rock My Wedding thanks to Aisling, Phil and the very talented Simon Fazackarley for sharing with us. We love you lots so we do. Big Back Yard Charm Love Charlotte xxx
Garden Games and Water Sports
Stawberries And Dream
Colourful Mis-Matched Pretty
Your Day Your Way
Ahh – so lovely xx
This whole wedding is so lovely that I don’t mind admitting I cried when I read the final part. My mantra has always been that as long as James and I get married the day has been a success but recently as time has got shorter, I have started to stress about various things and I started to feel like I was loosing perspective. Reading what you wrote about your wedding gave me back some much needed clarity. I am getting marry the man of my dreams and we get to spend the rest of our lives together. That is the most important thing!
Thank you
Congratulations again. You both look gloriously happy and you sound it too.
Serena
I want to be Aisling. Total girl crush.
Question – the round long tubey things. DIY? DIY manual?
Wow – love the fantastic flowers, love the parasols and decorations in general. What a strawberry cake. Lovely lovely wedding – wishing you flowing streams at the back of your garden of congratulations.
Absolutely gorgeous – this has been my favourite wedding on here by far. Almost makes me wish we were getting married again!
Morning you lovely lovely people! Thank you again for your gorgeous words!
Serena I’m so glad you feel a bit better after reading my ramblings, I know you’ll have an incredible day so Good Luck!
Rebecca….it’s early so forgive my being dense, but which long round tubey things?! I’ve kept all the decorations we used, obviously a lot of them are very specific to the backyard theme, but I’m happy to lend/give them to anyone-give me a shout at aislingbromleigh@live.co.uk
x
OMG ok stop – this is too much fun for words… major DIY, cottage country garden, dressed down fun, mish-mashed pretty, wimbledon cake,… this is exactly what weddings should be about. I want to send this to everyone on our gust list and say ‘take note’! I really want to do a garden BBQ party after our wedding but alas no garden means the pub instead!
Aisling – you are my idol and you rock – p.s if you decide to re-affirm your vows can I come to the party?
One of the ladies in that last picture is wearing a maxi dress I just bought from Noa Noa!
So Lovely this by far one of my favourite weddings and this could be my wedding as some of the elements are so similar, we are having a back garden vintage country theme with afternoon tea and hog roast in the evening. Love all the decorations and details so very pretty and the colours are so vibrant and fun. Its making me excited about mine now! …
xxx
Oh my….as amazingly gorgeous as part 1 and part 2 were, they didn’t prepare me for the gorgeousness oozing out of part 3! Aisling your wedding day looked amazing and you look so happy. Thanks for sharing with us all
xxx
This is a seriously beautiful wedding and I’m sad that this is the last post
But thank you for sharing it! I’m sure lots of the bride to be’s on here will take HUGE amounts of inspiration from this wedding! Congrats! x
Girls, this is one gorgeous wedding! Beautiful bride in a beautiful dress. Love the parasols, the flowers in tin cans and the guests playing in the stream… such a relaxed and fun affair, how weddings should be! I think, in the end, it was a good job the other photographer disappeared, the photos may not have been this beautiful otherwise
This is just how I have dreamt that my wedding will be – chilled and full of fun, love and laughter. Oh, and nommy food!
Those Vivienne Westwood shoes are just the cutest, sexiest thing this year – my baby sis is planning to wear the lilac ones with her bridesmaid dress.
I said it yesterday but need to say it again today, I love love love LOVE this wedding – huge congratulations and thanks for sharing it with us and for oodles of inspiration xxx
Truly inspirational. I had a little cry at the end there. Thanks Aisling for sharing such a special day xxx
Second day in a row post from me – it looks even more beautiful today! (oh and a secret boo hiss to my parents for selling their house and thereby not allowing me to get married there, I want a garden wedding *stamps foot*) He he he! Congratulations to you and your new husband, Aisling! x
Totally stunning…….this has put a smile on my face ready for the day ahead.
Oh Sarah – I am right there with you on the boo hiss front!
LOVE. IT.
Aisling I can’t show enough love for your wedding. I can see a hint of RMW inspiration in your day but ultimately it’s a total representation of you guys as a couple. It’s imaginative and ‘real’ and totally unpretentious, and it’s everything I only hope I can acheive with my own wedding to Mr O.
I also think you made a beautiful bride, I bet your husband can’t take his eyes off you – well done on creating such a beautiful day and may your marriage be happy and everlasting xx
Thank you Jenny! That’s so sweet of you.
Roll on September when your wedding will turn out be utter perfection-everything you dreamed of, planned for and more.
And that goes for everyone else too-getting married to the man who loves you is the most fun in the world and I’m so glad that has come across in the last couple of days!
x
What a beautiful wedding! Completely different in style to what mine was but you can just see the fun and love oozing out of every scene. I hope you had a fab day Aisling and that you’re enjoying the newlywed glow
Absolutely beautiful! I’m sad there’s no part 4…..damn I wish we had a garden, your wedding looks amazing and so much fun! x
i love it all, love the parasols and love the things hanging from the trees – would you sell any of this???
emsx
I think that thing that makes this wedding extra (x10) special is the fact that Aisling is a RMW bride/poster so I feel like I know you a little bit
I’d just like to say to Aisling, this wedding has restored my faith in the fact that there are the kind of weddings out there that we really want to show on RMW but sometimes despair of finiding… more on this from me in the coming weeks.
You really did it your way and I salute you for that… and thanks from the bottom of the RMW collective heart for letting us share and inspire everyone too.
Huge RMW love to you and your dishy husband
xoxo
I’ve never posted on here before, although being an avid reader! But I just had to for this wedding…just completely gorgeous..all of it!! I think I may have welled up just alittle at part 3! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness xxxx
Gorgeous wedding and SO creative. Your words were lovely Aisling and totally heartfelt. Huge congratulations and long may your back garden, summer BBQ soirees continue! xxx
Simply gorgeous!! So different to what I’m planning, but I just love the personal, and unique touches – I wish there was more to see!!! Congratulations Aisling!! xxx
Ah this wedding looks so beautiful, I really wanted to get married in a back garden – but sadly no-one has one big enough. Sad to admit I welled up when I read this – beautiful!
Ah another post from me Aisling- congrats! I think the way Jenny described it is exactly how I would! So lovely. Can I just say as well, how utterly amazing to have a stream in your back garden, I would LOVE that. In fact, I would just love your whole wedding, it is perfect. You all look so happy and relaxed, a day never to forget!
People keep asking me how wedding planning is going etc, and look at me weirdly when I say ‘oh it’s ok, not really too worried to be honest, I just want a relaxed day with my family and friends…’ They look at me like I’ve just broken some wedding-rule, and then I panic that my day is not going to be ‘serious’ enough. Now that I’ve seen your wedding, I know I am doing the right thing and hopefully everyone will enjoy being there as much as your guests did
Thanks so much for submitting this, I hope you have a very happy future together,
Ashley x
P.S. The flowers in the tins look brilliant- who’d have thought tin cans could look so good!
I know alot of you lovely lot are keen to see more from Aisling & Phil’s wedding, So I’ll be putting more of their pictures on my own blog shortly! Let’s say tomorrow!!
I love this wedding! I think its because everyone (esp Aisling!!) looks so happy, and lets be honest that and the fact that you & your hubby are happy are going to spend the rest of forever together are the only things that really matter on W-day. And this site has really helped me realise that. So thank you ALL so so much.
Now, I suggest a BIG RMW party in Aisling’s garden, Simon (yes,I still love you!) can take lots of delicious photos of us all.
Yaye!
Fantastic news Simon! So we can all live the dream that we were actually there! And satisfy our nosiness…I for one am dying to see more of the garden!
This really reminds me of the wedding in one of my fave movies “in her shoes”! So relaxed and you can feel the love vibe…
Totally fabulous – and how brave is the garden decision with no back up plan. I’m not sure I would be brave enough so well done aisling! I personally think the weather issue in this country makes it much more difficult to be creative on a budget as there are just not as many options… Oh to live in a hot country….!
Rachie xo
Oh my giddy Aunt….what a fabulous idea! You’re all invited to a RMW party in my garden! Yay!
And to all the lovely ladies who’ve e-mailed me today, I’m going to settle down now with a cuppa and get back to you now!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to EVERYONE who has not only said lovely things about our lovely day, but also wished us well on our journey growing old together. It means so much and makes me soooo happy-I’ve been grinning from ear to ear a la the wedding pics since 7.30am yesterday and it’s not subsiding!
Love you all very much indeedy!
Aisling xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I love the simple use of cans for the table flowers which are both effective and eco friendly! Traditional seasonal flowers work every time, especially when they’re chosen out of love and not aesthetics.
Everything looks absolutely stunning, and everyone so happy to be there.
Fuchsia Christine
Lovely lovely lovely. Have so enjoyed this beautifully natural and pretty wedding and part 3 was a real bonus
I didn’t want it to end…x
A fun and fresh wedding stunningly captured by the super Simon Fazackarley. Everything happens for a reason and all that! I LOVE the makeshift table centres and beautiful floral touches.
Wow!! I have just sat down and read all 3 posts together and loved them. This is the kind of wedding I would have loved to be a guest at. Loving the total laid back aproach and that everybody is so happy.
To Aisling & Phil…many congratulations and I hope you will continue to be very happy together. Thankyou for sharing your special day with us all and if there is a RMW party at yours can I come please? x x x
If this was a book I’d buy a copy and read it before every wedding I attend. It’s the pinnacle of wedding beauty, both in how it was all done and how it was photographed.
wow these UK weddings are certainly giving the US ones a run for their money now!
Mr Phill – aren’t you just the sweetest? x
Firstly, I have to say a huge thanks to all of you!! 100 comments, I love all of you!!!
Secondly, as promised Aisling & Phil’s wedding is up, in full, on my blog today! So if you’d like to see more, come on over!!
omg I LOVE THIS. every single shot is so beautiful and the words were wonderful to read! i’m itching to know about their full playlist though hehe
Hello there – first time poster but avid reader of this fantastic blog!
I’m getting married in October and have been scouring blogs for inspiration – this post (and the preceding two) has definitely been the one I have drawn the most inspiration from!
The whole laid-back theme, the beautiful bride, stunning photography and vintage diy feel to it is perfection.
Aisling – check your inbox – I’m emailing you now!
=) kjp x