When I saw the first picture of Neal and Julia I knew this would be a great wedding for me to report. Neal has made a statement by choosing a bold floral print shirt combined with a very pink tie. Now, I am already a big fan of pink (maybe that’s how I ended up with the wedding blog crowd!) but it can be, shall we, say hit and miss? Essentially if you’re a bloke and you whack on some pink you are immediately inviting comments – so you’d better look good. Suffice to say, Neal looks ace!
Oh, I should probably say at this point that Julia looked pretty good too 
In fact I will hand you over to her now for the full report, exquisitely documented by the hugely talented Caroline Alexander.
Grace Kelly
I wore a gorgeous made-to-measure figure hugging floor-length fishtail gown with an asymmetric one-shoulder neckline with large satin bow detail (sounds good enough to eat!), luxurious fabric, asymmetric shoulder detail and it fitted me in all the right places. A classic ‘Grace Kelly’ gown with a stunning neckline. I felt so happy and confident especially as it was made-to-measure and fitted me perfectly. I wore my dress all day Sunday at a family party too & ended up on a big trampoline, it was just brilliant! Ellie at Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique was honest, reliable and just a great person to be around – worth every penny.
Vintage
My mother-in-law lent me a bracelet which was given to her on her wedding day by her mother. I had a stunning 1940′s style Stewart Parvin brooch which emphasised the satin-bow feature of the dress. I went to a bridal evening at Ellie Sanderson and met a local jewellery designer Nikki Leaver who made me a tiara using beautiful diamante daisies and matching hairpins (and a bracelet too).
Solid Gold
Independent hair & make-up artist Helen Bannon Rook made me feel a million dollars. I wanted a classic ‘Grace Kelly’ classy hairstyle which would stay in place all day. I have long blonde hair – Helen added a few highlights at my hairline to give me an extra boost. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing. My make-up was perfect too. Helen was so much fun on the morning of the wedding. Everyone loved her.
Keeping Up With The Joneses
Rachel Jones was recommended by our venue. My Mum and I sat in Rachel’s kitchen drinking tea and had a very easy conservation regarding flowers. I said “no orange or red” and Rachel did the rest. She was excellent at working to a budget too. We loved her – stress-free and lots and lots of fun. I ended up with antique-coloured roses in pinks and creams, lily of the valley and lots of other colourful flowers I can’t remember the name of (!) Our gorgeous table arrangements in square glass vases were given to my friends as gifts.
Seedy Gifts…
Duchy Organic vegetable seeds – everyone on the table had a different packet of seeds tied to their name tag.
We have had reports of good crops of carrots and radishes this year!
I Lurrrve The Cake…
My friend Anna offered to make our wedding cake and I was delighted to leave her to it; colourful cupcakes with lots of glitter, love hearts and marshmallow flower toppings. Everyone loved them. She piled them on a 7-tier stand and it just looked fab.
Groomed to Perfection
Neal wore a made to measure suit from ASuitThatFits.com. A Navy blue suit with cerise pink lining – excellent service and fitted like a glove.
A floral shirt (sounds awful but looked hot!) and a pink silk tie from Marc Wallace (matched the flowers which was not intentional but looked like I’d spent hours planning it!)
He looked gorgeous (sorry, but it’s true…)
Essence Captured Forever
We spotted an advert for Caroline Alexander in Brides magazine. Caroline is 100% reliable, 100% professional, 100% talented and delivered 101%. Her photography was absolutely everything we wanted and more. She captured the essence of our day perfectly.
Staying In Control
Cripps Barn did everything. They sent us a spreadsheet with all they offered and we just ticked what we wanted. Mark and his team at the barn know exactly what they’re doing but made us feel very much in control. We had lanterns in the trees and a large open fire in the garden in the evening. We hung our table plans and black and white photos of Neal and I from willow branches in the barn. I made a lot of the stationery and used a luggage label design for the Save the Dates, Name tags and Order of Service. I had lots of fun. Cardlab printed our letterpress invites – another great service.
Keep It Simple!
Don’t get stressed… keep it simple and enjoy every minute. I was extremely lucky and seemed to find one photographer, one hair & make-up artist, one dress, one cake-maker, one venue, one band and one florist really easily. I loved all the organising and was so sad when it was all over.
Neal and I had no idea how meaningful it would be having all our friends and family together to celebrate our marriage. We also loved getting to know all the people/suppliers that made our day happen – photographer, flourist, band and the staff at Cripps Barn were all so professional, helpful and fun to be around. It was an incredibly special and happy day and the blue skies and sunshine were a wonderful added bonus.
At the end of the day, none of the detail really matters, just make sure you’re marrying for the right reasons. I have known Neal for 10 years and it was well worth the wait.
Just wish I could wear my wedding dress again.
x
Photography – Caroline Alexander
Venue – Cripps Barn
Flowers – Rachel Jones
Dress – designer Sassi Holford “Stella”
Boutique – Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique
Shoes – Rainbow ‘Hattie’ in Satin Ivory
Jewellery – Nikki Leaver
Suit – www.ASuitThatFits.com
Right, I’m off to buy a floral shirt. Just got to decide whether to go for the one that Neal wore… or the one sported by the little red furry chap!
…oh, and more brides rocking it on trampolines please!
Adam.
You are so right with the Fresh. Beautiful bride with a smilee to die for, these pictrues really tell a story x
What a lovely start to Friday!!
Such gorgeous photos and lovely shirt!!
I especially love how happy they look!
Love the broach!
Hello Friday!!
x
What a gorgeous bride, dress, brooch and loving the floral shirt on the groom! x
So pretty and great photography! I really need to get thinking about decorations for our barn reception. Anyone know where the bag in the first picture is from?
Loving the shirt/tie combo and what a lovely venue!
Trampolines?! Where?!
Bride looks beautiful. Would love to see a picture of her hair and a proper one of the flowers, beautiful colours and would love to see the shape of the arrangements.
Wishing you both a happy and healthy marriage!
J’adore the shirt & tie combo.
What is it about these images that’s so… well… fresh? They are super light, bright and white. The brides smile is stunning and the feel of happiness really seeps through the photography!
I love EVERYTHING about this one.
Oh and a little bit of blogfather love too. xo
Love love love <3
That dress is serously lush! What a beautiful bride!
Do you have a contact for the Hair/Makeup lady?
xxx
The bride’s dress is DIVINE.
Stunning images xoxo
Gorgeous! Like Emma please can youlet me know where the bag is from in the first pic!
xx
What a lovely venue and decor, very romantic!
x
Love Carolines work – also love old man dancing photo!
Love that pic of the ‘dad dancing’. And point those fingers!
xx
As a guy myself…we see so many weddings where the Groom has worn pink to blend in with the colour scheme and it doesn’t work! Neal, however, pulled it off! Loving the shirt!!
Oooo, Adam we are being spoiled by having 2 posts from you this week!
Am loving the florals in this – both real ones and of the shirt variety also!
xoxo
That is surely the best “you may now kiss the bride” moment I have EVER seen.
I want a kiss like that. Right Now. Feel like marching round to Mr K’s office and planting one on him in the midst of all his co-workers!
I never realised it was Adam until the end!
I love this. I agree with Anna K. That “kiss the bride” moment is a bit special but my favourite picture is the “I can’t believe you just said that” picture. I love the composition.
I also the marquee lights. I am having a wobble about the marquee at our venue. I can just about get over the carpet (just) but I hate the side window things and I want some of those lights. Does anyone have any idea how to go about getting some? I tried googling “marquee sparkly lights” but didn’t get much joy. Is it worth it for summer do you think?
Rebecca – Snap! I’m having major marquee wobbles. I’m having less success “getting over” the carpet, and am seriously lacking inspiration about how to decorate such a vast expansive space.
I love the lights in this wedding too, and would love to know where to hire them from. I nearly fell off my chair when I was quoted £900 by the venue to hire a “chillout sofa and light-up coffee table combo”. Surely I could buy one for less than that, non? I am starting to feel just a little bit panicky!
What a beautiful wedding! Fantastic ‘capture the moment’ photo’s!
My groom refuses to wear floral, might have to show him this! Floral can be manly!
I have a sneaky suspicion the bag may be fom Accessorize……?!
Fab week thankyou RMW x
Absolutely gorgeous! I’d like to second Sarah B’s request – would love a photo of the bride’s hair from the back, and a clearer pic of the flower arrangements – so beautiful, and I’d really like to sneakily steal some inspiration to show my hairdresser and florist… What a lovely post to start a Friday morning (this is my second visit today, couldn’t resist coming back in my lunch break to steal another peek). x
Loveheart cupcakes? *steal*
Frankie, I think you’re right! Thank you so much
It’s out of stock online, looks like I’ll just have to go shopping tomorrow – it looks like it would be perfect with my dress!
Must be going mad, it now appears to be in stock
Thanks again
Thanks so much for the feature, I love seeing my work here
And thank you everyone who has left such lovely comments, I know Julia and Neal will really appreciate them (as do I).
A couple of you have requested more photos of Julia’s hair and also of the flower arrangements. Well I’ve just posted a few more of these on my blog so click here and take a look
Loved this wedding when I first saw it on Carolines blog, the floral country feel is lovely
I love the look of this wedding and in fact I am I am getting married at the sister venue to Cripps Barn in July so I hope it will turn out just as perfectly! One question, I am struggling with a hair and make-up artist (I live in London, getting married in the Cotswolds) and I wondered whether you could provide contact details for the indpendent hair and make-up artist Julia mentioned, Helen Bannon Rook? Thanks x