Inspiration

There's something so charming about a rustic wedding. Recommended supplier, Caswell House wedding venue in particular with its high ceiling, exposed beams and stone walls was the perfect location for Zoe and Ben's summer celebration. They got creative, DIYing signs and stationery, and even choreographing a surprise first dance! Luckily for them, and us, Recommended supplier Laura DeBourde Photography was on hand to capture all their moves and the crowd's reactions. Priceless!


Summer Caswell House wedding with pink bridesmaid dresses and giant balloons

We wanted to inject bits of our personalities into every possible moment. I am a creative person so I designed and created all the wedding invites and save the dates. I even painted cartoon versions of us on the save the dates! I designed all the table names, printed the menus and made all the place setting names too. We also have very talented family members! My mum made the "awesome couple getting married this way" sign, and Ben's stepdad made our guest board, which is now on the wall in our living room.

Zoe & Ben

CASWELL HOUSE WEDDING

Caswell House wedding venue is such a beautiful barn and didn't need many decorations. We added a few rustic elements to complement the space, letting its natural shine. We added a few balloons to the ceiling of the entrance barn giving it the wow factor when guests arrived.

Wedding Decor

We're very proud of the things we created for our wedding. I'm extremely proud of the welcome and order of the day signs I made. We desperately wanted a Colin and Connie The Caterpillar wedding cake, because why not? It is the best kinda cake you can buy in my opinion! But as M&S has stopped making the wedding version, we bought a couple of large celebration cakes and I added a small veil and top hat cake topper to them.

First Dance

We started began our first dance to Michael Bublé's Everything, but midway through the band interrupted with one of our favourite songs - Think about Things by Daoi Freyr. (If you don't know the song check it out, it's annoyingly catchy!) During the interruption we broke out into a surprise routine we'd rehearsed for everyone. It is one of my favourite moments and captures of the day. Our guest's reactions are priceless!

There's nothing more personal than a surprise first dance. Zoe and Ben nailed it!

I know you hear it all the time, (we certainly did), but it's YOUR day. Do what YOU want and invite who YOU want to be there. One of our friends gave us a great bit of advice. Fill the room with people who you want to be in your future, not the people from your past who you hardly see anymore but feel you have to invite.

Zoe & Ben

As well as the incredible surprise first dance, at this Caswell House wedding, we're also crushing over Zoe's embellished gown. Handcrafted by Recommended suppliers, Made With Love Bridal, with a flattering A-line silhouette, low back and spaghetti straps. For more information on shapes, trains, and necklines read our wedding dress guide to find the one.

Lorna Shaw

Written by Lorna Shaw

Featured suppliers

Photographer: Laura DeBourde Photography | Venue: Caswell House | Wedding Dress: Made With Love Bridal | Gift List: Prezola | Videographer: Songbird Wedding Videos | Band: Soho Collective | Singer/Guitarist: Andy King | Florist: Haze Lea | Catering: Indulgence Boutique Hospitality | Cakes: M&S | Graze Boxes: Thyme & Date | Hair Stylist: Katie-Jane | Makeup: Maxine Wilson | Grooms Suit: Dress 2 Kill | Balloons: Bubblegum Balloons | Fairy Lights: Oakwood Events | Live Illustrator: Cat Faulkner

Inspirational articles you may also find useful