I’ve got to say, Monika and Jason’s wedding is one of the most laughter-and-joy filled we have ever featured. Not only are there a million zillion decor ideas for you to steal (I’m having a moment over the Cath Kidston table runners right now) but if you read the full report it is testament to the fact that some of the most significant and heartfelt moments of W-day cost nothing but a bit of thought and effort.
And although I may be biased, you can’t beat a big day full of music and dancing.
Oh and cake.
Obviously.
Firm Favourites
We had some members of the UK Gospel Band sing a version of ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ by Guns n Roses as I walked down aisle, followed by Great Day by Take That during the Ceremony, and All You Need is Love to end the Ceremony.
An Artisan Lunch
We initially thought about having a cake made out of a stack of different cheeses, but as we decided to have an ‘Artisan Lunch’ for our wedding breakfast (a more elaborate version of a ploughman’s lunch) we decided to go for a selection of cupcakes and different types of fruit muffins in stead. The colourful cupcakes went really well together with our multitude of colours, and looked super cute!
We had a huge individual cupcake on top of the cupcake tower to cut in to, but we shared one of the cupcakes between us (my dress couldn’t fit anything more!). The apple, pear etc muffins were a real hit as well and a good alternative for those who preferred something a little less sweet. We did not serve any dessert as we thought that it would be superfluous as the cupcakes were served straight after the wedding breakfast. Instead we served an evening bite consisting of a selection of pies, flaps and quiches, which were a complete hit after a spot of dancing. The cakes and the evening bite were all provided by Kays Country Kitchen.
D.I.Y Favours
I spent weeks and weeks painting little wooden hearts to use as a place name for each guest, and that also worked as a favour, as I had the date and our names on the other side of the heart.
Colour Me Pretty
We decided to use the lovely Jennifer Sue from Jennifer Sue Weddings to help us decorate on the day, and she really was worth her weight in gold. I prepared a mood board before meeting with her to show her the look I wanted to go for, and together we bought the bits and pieces required to create the look, which started with the purchase of paper lanterns in various sizes and colours, and then built from there, and ended up including a lot of Cath Kidston and just lots and lots of colours.
I also decided to make our own lanterns for the evening which were made out of dog food tins which we pierced with holes, and then put multi coloured electronic tea lights inside that lit the way back to the guests’ cars (or taxis) at the end of the night. It looked stunning in the warm summer night!
The Written Word
We really wanted everybody to feel special at our wedding, and we used this as the ‘theme’ when planning. We decorated the outside and the entrance to the marquee with photos of all the guests and our times together over the years, and each guest got a letter written personally for them talking about how much they meant for us, and quoting some funny anecdotes. We didn’t know quite how much this would mean to people, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
Rock Chick Chic
For the evening’s entertainment I agonised for days over two bands that I had narrowed my search down to. In the end we picked the one which had a broader repertoire of songs as I wanted to make sure they would play something to satisfy all age ranges. We certainly didn’t play the ‘usual suspects’ at the wedding, but in stead had some Kings of Leon, Killers, Bryan Adams (Summer of 69) and U2, along with a few older songs from the 50s and 60s.
The Evening’s band was called The Child and we found both bands via Alive Network.
I had different types of music pre-programmed in to my ipod for throughout the day, and when the band was done playing I got on the DJ decks and started to DJ myself! After this some of our guests got on and it was all worked out really well!
Everybody On The Floor
Jason and I had agreed to dance to Groove is in the Heart by DeeeLite, but he chickened out in the end, so we ended up dancing first to ‘Where the Streets have no Name’ by U2 which I had picked as the band’s first tune as it just has such an amazing intro, and then to Keane’s Chasing Cars straight after as people thought it was meant to be our song… meanwhile we wanted everybody on the floor.
It ended up being romantic nevertheless, and as we are both in property and had lots of references to our industry in the wedding, having ‘Where the Streets have no Name’ as the first song was actually quite funny! I really wanted to do a funny dance to Groove is in the Heart, but we’ll just have to save that for our 5 year anniversary instead…
It’s All In The Atmosphere
Our advice to all future brides and grooms is: it is not how much money you spend on decorations, food etc, it is all about the atmosphere you create, so think about how you can best do this, and make sure there is music playing at all times!
Band – Alive Network
Wedding Stylist – Jennifer Sue Weddings
Cakes and Bites – Kays Country Kitchen.
Photography – Annamarie Stepney
There it is again. Total and utter EUPHORIA.
A Huge thanks to Annamarie, Monika and Jason for gracing these pages with a perfectly RMW type Wedding.
Big Euphoric Love
Charlotte xxx
What a lovely atmosphere that wedding seemed to have! Is there anyway of knowing where the bride sourced the glass drink dispensers from? I’ve been looking everywhere, but every stockist seems to be in the States. They look so pretty!
What a gorgeous looking wedding – beautiful!
Agree with Harriet though… where are the drink dispensers from please?
Part 2 is amazeballs!!! Monika you look so pretty
@Harriet and @Sarah – me 3
Where can we find these?! Been searching for ages!
What a gorgous wedding! Looks so much fun xx
Another great post and we love the fresh and clean colours. So crisp! The mention of the little wooden hearts reminded me of the ones we made for my wedding to decorate our marquee and other areas. We also gave them to guests to take away as a reminder and it’s great to see them hanging in your friends home when you visit. We can also make them for our clients if requested! x
Check the link below to see one….
http://philosophyflowers.co.uk/little-bits-of-love/little-details-from-my-own-wedding
more grinning, I love it!!
I love how the colours really pop in the photos (and is it just me or does monika have the thickest, lushest eyelashes ever?!)
mrs r.now x x x
Wow, what great comments!
I loved working with Monika on the decor details, it took 2.5 days to set up as there was so much detail. Her and Jason’s friends and family were amazing at getting involved in the set up. When i returned the next day to take down – Monika was on the decks rocking it up!
We got the 11L pimms jars/drinks dispensers on Ebay. Around £30 each. I think ‘Jamie at Home’ has launched a range too.
Jennifer Sue Weddings xx
Another amazing table plan!
@Shirley – I know isn’t it?! how will you ever choose!
Charlotte xxx
Thank you everybody for your fabulous comments!
Eyelashes – hmmm… I have to confess they were individually added for the day by my lovely make up artist Danielle Kingham… Although long my lashes would struggle to look so thick!
Re the drinks vats: these seem to be firm favourites with everybody. I found them on ebay, there were various companies selling them when I bought them in February, don’t know whether they have any now though. They seem much easier to get from America, so worth a search online, and as they are cheaper there importing might also be a good idea.
Rebecca – your wooden hearts are really cute!
Finally – we DID have an amazing time, the atmosphere really was electric, we have the most loveliest family and friends who all made it so special, thank you all!!!
And good luck to all of you new aspiring brides!!!!
Monika x
*swoon*……. I too want some drink vats please
Sx
We’ve got Monika’s hearts in our kitchen too! It truly was a wonderful day
xxx
Fabulous to see Monika and Jason’s wonderful wedding gracing the pages of the fabulous Rock My Wedding – I have to say it was an absolute pleasure to capture the fun and laughter that rang out all day long, and it was a pleasure to photograph so many beautiful bits and bobs lovingly collected and put together by lovely Monika and Jennifer Sue – her stylist – and good luck to all you up and coming brides – whatever you do, just be true to yourself and fill your day with lots of love and fun stuff =>perfect ingredients for a truly memorable day!
x
I am totes in love with that fabulous table plan! Brilliant!
Monika, you look stunning – your eyes look fab!
Gorgeous, happy wedding! x
@MrsA-to-be I love “totes”
is someone going to have a table plan similar? Adam and I were just admiring.. for about the fifth time!
Charlotte xxx
Monika, please please pleeeeease tell me where you got the table plan from! Me like…………
So happy to see Monika and Jason’s day captured and described so wonderfully on the fabulous Rock My Wedding blog.
Loved working with you Monika and hope we can work together again soon.
Tina xxx
butterfly flowers
http://tinyurl.com/6b944qf
Love the hair and make-up and the lashes!
I too have admired the table plan numerous times! its so clever and pretty! hmmmmmmmm what to do what to do now………
Vix
xx
@ Jennifer Sue, thank you will look into getting drinks dispensers, they’re so beautiful. Two and a half days, that is dedication! Monica, your friends and family are wonderful! I’m hoping my loving team of volunteers yet to be appointed will be able to do it in four hours or so! x
That table plan is A.mazing! Love it!
The whole decor is fabulous! I love those drinks dispensers too, and the straws.
You can tell this wedding had such a wonderful sense of fun through the fab pictures. I love how happy Monika looks!
xXx
Good Afternoon Monika
Congratulations!
You looked stunning and the whole day looked like it was styled beautifully, all my kind of thing 
Do you still have the cath kidston table runners and if so would you be willing to sell them to me?
Send me an email if so on jilsno1@hotmail.com.
Also I know that Jamie at Home does do a similar drinks vat for £28 as this was something I am also looking at for my wedding
Absolutely love this website, some gorgeous weddings!
x
Hey Monika just got a chance to view..I love the part about Jason’s suit ‘we picked it together’ and then convincing him that Tom Ford after shave/scent is not remotely effeminate?? My favourite photo is the ‘pure euphoria’ and I totally agree that ALL of your guests were made to feel special and your attention to detail was far and beyond anyones exceptations, you truly have amazing skills. The band were brilliant and where did you find that sexy Sax player Georgie? Hot or what??
Another lovely take on the shabby chic, vintage look. I like the use of different colour chinese lanterns. Keeping the marquee simple with no linings and a matting floor is a good way of keeping costs down, and as this theme proves – it can look fabulous.