Good morning Ladies! Today we have a super traditional but pretty ceremony to share with you in the historic surroundings of Cambridge University. The couple in question, RMW reader Jennifer and her husband Andrew managed to marry this with a really relaxed reception (which you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see all the fun details for) and it just goes to show, you can have the best of both worlds!
Andrew and I were married in July this year. The wedding itself was in Trinity College, Cambridge, and our reception was on Grantchester meadow.
Gorgeous Mimi
I fell in love with Rachel Simpson’s beautiful vintage style shoes, and opted for the gorgeous Mimi. They really complemented the style of my dress. I would have them in several colours if I could!
My pearl necklace and earrings were my ‘something borrowed’ from my mum. With all of the lace detail in the top of my dress and bolero, I wanted to keep my jewellery fairly simple. In my hair I had a gorgeous hair slide from Magpie Vintage, and a long veil, also from Sassi Holford, which was cut to match the length of the train.
Sassy Divine
Having tried on more than 60 dresses between Chicago (where my mum lives) and England, I was sure that I wasn’t the sort of person that wouldn’t find “the one”. I couldn’t have been more surprised when I came across Sassi Holford’s website and saw ‘Hayley’. But that time I’d seen so many dresses I knew that it was the perfect dress for me.
The whole experience of buying a dress from Sassi Holford’s boutique in Taunton was amazing; Sassi (who’s lovely!) saw to each of my fittings herself, and her staff were also fantastic. The fit of the dress was incredible, and even though it was one of the hottest days of the year, it was really light and comfortable all day.
Natural Lovely
The lovely Zena McQuiston did not only my hair and make up, but also my bridesmaids’.
She was fantastic, and helped me to keep a really natural style for the day which was important to me as I don’t normally wear much (if any) makeup.
Green for the Girls
With the traditional setting for the wedding we went for a very classic look for the men. All of the suits were hired from Hugh Harris, and I would highly recommend them – because our men were scattered from Northern Ireland to Chicago only Andrew was able to try on his suit beforehand, and they took that in their stride. Andrew’s mum and my Grandma made the waistcoats and cravats in a similar green to the bridesmaids’ dresses.
Andrew wore the same suit as the rest of the men, but with a waistcoat and cravat in reverse colours so that he stood out a little more. He also wore stripy green and white Paul Smith socks! Our smaller ushers wore green Converse trainers with their suits – the older ushers still mention now that they were very jealous of them!
My bridesmaids were my little sister and my cousin, and I found it surprisingly difficult to find suitable dresses for teenagers. In the end the dresses came from Watters & Watters who have a huge collection. I loved the contrasting colour of the sash.
Punting Transportation
The riverside location of our two venues meant that we could transport our guests by chauffeured punt between the two. Nearly all of our guests had travelled to Cambridge, and it was great to be able to make sure they had at least one traditional Cambridge experience while they were there.
It was so special to Andrew and I to have our wedding in Cambridge where we met while at University, and it was a privilege to get married in Trinity College itself. It did give us a bit of difficulty on the reception front though, as we were a bit too worried about keeping up a traditional theme to start off with. Once we found the meadow, we knew it was right for us, and it gave us the freedom to have two quite different styles and colour palettes during the day.
Photographer – Simon Carr
Shoes – Rachel Simpson
Dress – Sassi Holford
Veil - Sassi Holford
Hair comb – Magpie Vintage
Make-Up – Zena McQuiston
Suit Hire – Hugh Harris
Maids – Watters & Watters
Grooms Suit - Paul Smith
Ceremony – Trinity College, Cambridge
And what did they do with that A.mazing looking marquee?
You’ll have to wait and see tomorrow my lovelies 
Yours Truly
Rebecca
xoxo
PS – It’s a three post day ladies 
oh how exquisite to have your reception at Grantchester… Can’t wait for part two to see your reception in all it’s glory.
I can tell this is going to be stunning. Firstly, because I love Hayley and when I tried it on I just stood and did a real Kat Deely (you know – swish swish swish – like a bell) but it just wasn’t me in the end and wouldn’t have looked right with The Boy being so slim but I always think, I would have loved Hayley. Secondly, because there was punting and Thirdly because there is a marquee and pimms in the middle of a field.
Totally right up my street. Or field.
I bet the American guests loved the punting – Hell, I would have loved the punting.
I’m thinking that because the title is pies and pom poms that pom pom’s will feature in the marquee somewhere! And I would love to see a pork pie wedding cake (a friend had one and it was weeeeird) although I think the pies are more likely the food?
I am a real modern elegance fan though – they are by far my favourite category and I can tell this one is going to be a real corker.
Who did the photography?
I am so in love with the Sassi Holford collection!
And this bride wears it well!
Gorgeous images
How much do I wish I had the means to have to have the punting!
I actually did a bit of a “awwww” out loud in a really envious in awe way (cue strange looks and a few other nurses looking over my shoulder to see what it was about and then them omitting the same sort of noise!) of the photo of the two of them in the punt..so romantic and they look so content!!
Cant wait to see the rest, beautiful dress and hair!
It has brightened up my monday morning already thanks! x
I love this so much! It looks stunning, Cambridge is the most beautiful backdrop for this gorgeous couple- the bridesmaids dresses and Hayley go so well together with the sashes- and I love the relaxed riverside vibe- the colours of the traditional bit remind me of “Wind in the Willows” all cream and green. Can’t wait for part II….
also… I would do ANYTHING for that weather! x
booo – waiting til tomorrow for part two
yaaaay – a three post day
I am loving the lovely Hayley, that sash is awesome!
big ‘monday morning love’
r.now x x x
Right. No cars, camper vans or buses for me, ever again. Punting it is. I’ve half a mind to whip my wedding dress on and leap into the nearest boat with Mr K, just to get that “emerging from under the bridge” shot.
Poor Mr K does end up in some random situations, doesn’t he?
That dress is such a beauty! Elegant, timeless, and I’m having a total sash moment. And WHAT a backdrop – Cambridge University. Super-smart AND stylish. Should be illegal! x
Also, on the bridesmaids. Its really rare (I’ve found) to find a satin that isn’t puckered on the seams or really hiddeously made. So far the only other brand I’ve found is Jim Hjelm (whilst lovely, eye wateringly expensive) so am definately going to check out Watters.
Le sigh to the punting and That Dress. That is all. xoxo
Everything about this is so, so beautiful – what an amazing setting! x
LOVE the dress – the bride looks gorgeous! I am very envious of this wedding as my man went to Cambridge and we lived there for 1.5 years together but he was really didn’t want to get married in his college. I will now tell him that we’ve missed out on those punt shots!
Really looking forward to the Granchester reception details – it’s such a romantic spot. xx
Oooh those canal boat photographs are just delicious!
This is beautiful. Tradition at it’s best.
Very excited about P2.
PS – that hair slide is gooooorgeous!
xx
How cool is punting!!??
Love it…
Can’t wait for the next installment
x
I Loooove Cambridge, its my dream home city! I love those shoes, exactly what im looking for!
cant wait for the next instalment!
PS beautiful bride, beautiful dress xxx love lace
Thank you for the lovely lovely comments! You’ve all made my morning
)
Rebecca, the photographer was Simon Carr (www.simoncarrphotography.com). He was absolutely brilliant – the pictures speak for themselves really.
Jx
Total gorgeousness-and what a BEAUTIFUL day!
x
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Jenny – your dress is absolutely beautiful – you look gorgeous! All of the photographs are wonderful but I particularly love the stunning shot of bride and father walking through the courtyard.
Oooh I do love Cambridge, I did my A levels in a sixth form college there and used to spend lunchtimes just wandering around gazing at all the beautiful buildings etc so this brings back lots of happy memories.
As much as I loved my wedding (tiny informal wedding in Italy) I do wish we could have had punts!
Jennifer and Andy – This bought a tear to my eye !
Amazing pictures reminded me of the fantastic day that you guys put together !
It only gets better in part 2 !!!!
xxx
Love the sash detail – Sassi H has just made it to my list of “must sees”. Is that an integral shrug or a separate piece? Lovely.
I had to stop by and look at these pics again just because there so eye wateringly beautiful. Congratulations!
Pining for a puntified wedding day,
Alex
x
The dress is delightful, but the whole day too… it all has that soft, timeless elegance of the English countryside! What wonderful photos.
A sign that you’ve tried on too many wedding dresses when you spot the designer AND KNOW THE NAME OF THE DRESS from the very first glimpse.
You do wear Sassi so well!
Lovely lovely photographs and a beautiful wedding. Hurry up part 2! xxx
That was my dress too; I loved wearing Hayley, the only difference was I got them to make me a 3/4 length lace bolero.
Gorgeous wedding & photos too, the bride is stunning.
Beautiful photos and the dress is stunning….Quick question, I’m considering the Mimi’s and wondered if they were comfy on the day???? Many Thanks!
Great location on Grantchester Meadows, does anyone know how to organise the use of the Meadows?