Inspiration

If you have never seen a wedding at The Bell in Ticehurst before you're in for a treat, and if you have, you're still in for a treat. It's such a quirky venue, full of character and unique decor. I don't think I will ever tire of looking at the fabulous "I will always love you my friend" neon sign. Just as I won't tire of looking at Anna and Tom's amazing style. Tom donned a fabulous tweed suit and Anna's bespoke Emma Tindley gown is simply divine. That picture of her with her best girls in front of the church captured by Lemonade Pictures shows it off beautifully. Those sleeves. That train. Just beautiful.

The Wedding

Anna The Bride: Overall we just wanted a relaxed day and a big party, which is what we got. We loved that everyone could walk from the church to the venue. The boys stayed at the venue the night before and the best man and groom got up and decorated the tables themselves the next day so I was pretty chuffed. The party continued into the early hours for a few of us and there was an after party the next day at my parents house which was great.

The Dress

I had an idea of what I wanted, I’d seen a particular dress on pinterest actually but couldn’t find it anywhere. I started trying on dresses all over the place which was great fun but I couldn’t find anything that I wanted, each one had something that just wasn’t right for me. After a number of sessions trying things on and seeing what I like and what worked and having hundreds of pictures on my phone I was at a bit of a loss as I couldn’t find the dress I wanted. Then I met Emma Tindley. I loved her, felt totally comfortable with her and decided that I was desperate for her to make my dress. Luckily I was able to get an appointment and book Emma to do the dress which is where the fun started. I loved the process, picking the fabrics, the lace for the dress, I wanted a blush colour under the dress, not bright pink just a hint and we were able to find something that worked. She took my ideas and put together the perfect dress for me. The process was so much fun, it was a little scary not knowing what the final dress would look like but I was so happy with the final result, and I think the husband approved. I wanted to have a back necklace with a pearl drop front and back but could find what I wanted anywhere so I just decided to get it made, same with the earrings I found the pearl drops on Etsy and then took them to a local jewellery shop in Tunbridge wells who put it together for me. I also had a tattoo done two days before the wedding. Tom didn't know so it was a surprise on the day. We were trying to send him a picture on the morning of the wedding as a wedding gift, but unfortunately you can't rely on reception!! It was his name and our wedding date.

Groom

Tom decided he wanted to wear grey tweed, and so the search was on for somewhere that did exactly what he wanted. He eventually found Victor Valentines who tailored the suits for the groom and the best man. They were so happy with their suits, exactly what we’d wanted and talked about.

The Venue


We knew we wanted to get married in a Church, Ticehurst Church was were the ceremony was held in a little village in East Sussex. For the wedding breakfast we wanted something informal, it was really important that it was a relaxed day, with as little formality as possible which was why the pub across the road was perfect. We could walk to and from the Bell Inn to the church, turns out on the day the weather was perfect too which meant everyone could stand outside and no umbrellas were necessary. The Bell Inn was perfect, the décor is so quirky and rustic which was exactly what we wanted so we didn’t have to do a lot. The service on the day was amazing, the groom had put a soundtrack together on the day that was played throughout which was great. One of his favourite memories is when we walked up the red carpet and “What makes a good man” by the Heavy was playing, we’ll never forget that. Our first dance was Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones. 

Colour Scheme/Décor

We did all the invites, save the dates and the orders of service, all with a rustic theme. We got ideas from Etsy and purchased the graphics from there then got them printed. The orders of services had quotes from famous people about love and marriage, one of my favourites was from Winston Churchill. The tables had jam jars holding candles all done by me and my mum. We had lots of friends and families saving these up for us, in addition we got loads of old spirit bottles from our favourite local the Ewe and Lamb and they were vases for the flowers. In all honesty we didn’t need to do a lot to the venue which was the plan, the Bell Inn fitted perfectly with what we wanted and it’s quirky additions made for some great pictures.

Flowers

I didn’t want a lot of colour just something simple and rustic, and my former babysitter Linda Booth was a florist for a while so said that she would do this for me as our wedding gift. The lavender was from my parents garden and was everywhere, and Dad found lots of corn for us which was used. I loved the vintage pink roses in my bouquet when with the dresses perfectly and was very subtle.

The Wedding party fashion

The Best man and groom had matching tweed suits, and the rest of the groomsmen had suits from Next. They doubled up as their gifts as well, they all looked brilliant and just as we’d wanted. The Bridesmaides I wanted to be free flowing, kind of hippy looking but nothing to bright, the subtle pink colours worked well and they came from a range on ASOS. The flower girl dresses were my favs, made by my Auntie Alison who did an amazing job they were beautiful, and she taught my sis Rachael to make one she made for my Niece the baby on the photos so made it even more special. 
 
 I bought little boots & shoes from next and clarks for the flower girls.
 


Beauty

All the bridal makeup and hair was done by Grace Benson she was amazing, so lovely had the best time and I generally hate my hair and makeup and she smashed it first time.
 


Ceremony

It was a traditional church service with some great hymns, I loved arriving at the church with the bells going as well. We had two readings one by my great Uncle Ken who did a bible reading and the other reading was from my longest friend Lucy Entactott who read “From the Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho which was perfect, we didn’t want anything too sickly sweet!!!

Entertainment

MP3s were amazing band, any everyone had a good time and a good drink, with a press up completion, dance off and a limbo exactly how we wanted it to go.

Food

Canapes – Ragstone goatscheese bon bons, Dorset crab and chilli bon bons, Ham and pea fitters Starter – dressed dorset crab with granary toast Main – the Bell Burger, Mayfield cheese, burger relish and triple cooked chips Desert – Eton Mess Cake – there were two, one cheese wedding cake and one cake cake made by my Mum.

Photographer

The Photography was pretty much our first decision, we found Lemonade Pictures and absolutely loved their style - exactly what we wanted. When we met Nichola she put us both at ease, and it was the same on the day. We didn’t want anything formal at all just people being themselves which is exactly what Nichola and Marcus did! They were both great and we loved chatting with them on the day! They captured everything, such amazing memories for us!

Advice

Leave enough time in the morning to get ready especially if there’s a few of you. Make sure you don’t have to be doing lots the day before try and prepared so you have some time to relax. Don’t worry what everyone else wants stick to your guns
Lorna Shaw

Written by Lorna Shaw

Dress Designer: Emma Tindley | Pearl Drops: Etsy | Grooms Suit: Victor Valentines | Venue: The Bell Inn | Beauty: Grace Benson Makeup | Bridesmaid Dresses: ASOS

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