Inspiration

Weddings come in all shapes and sizes, and Emma and Ned's nuptials are proof that if you don't want to do things the 'traditional' way, you don't have to. This wonderful wedding, shot by RMW recommended photographer Johnny Dent, boasts some of the best DIY décor we've ever seen - just take a look at the homemade Edison bulb floral installation - and a ceremony which involves beer. Yes, beer. Find a groom, and a bride for that matter, who is not on board with that. Cheers!

Quaiche Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Emma & Ned: We had a celebrant-led service, conducted by the fantastic Jane Gower. Our ceremony was in the quaiche style, using beer brewed for us by our friends at Three Hills Brewery. We aren’t a mushy couple, so the traditional wording for the ceremony wasn’t our cup of tea. Over many home visits, Jane created a personal and meaning ceremony, ending in an epic Ozzy Osborne quote! We chose two readings - The Giraffe and the Monkey, and Be With Someone - and both felt like they had been written for us. Both our ceremony and reception were captured flawlessly by Johnny Dent, our fabulous photographer, whose laidback, reportage style fitted with us, our vision and our expectations perfectly.  

Epic Venue Styling - Including Edison Bulb Floral Installation

Kingsthorpe Lodge Barn is a lovely, chilled out space, so we wanted the décor to be opulent and ‘extra’, to go against the usual rustic look of a barn venue. Luckily my Dad is very DIY savvy and helped me make the 22ft Edison bulb floral installation to hang over the top table, converting two ceiling lamps and heavily adorning a ladder with fake flowers and foliage. We had long vintage banquet tables, set with vintage glassware, napkins and mix matched plates to add further interest. I sourced so much second hand from different Facebook selling sights over a year, but the person who really made the difference and bought my vision to life was our incredible florist, Cat from Rockabilly Rose. She really took on board my brief of 'drama, drama, drama' - and delivered. She spent the entire Friday at the venue creating 120m of fresh garlands for the tables and painstakingly adding in moss, succulents, flower heads and little resin skulls. She also created huge floral baskets to adorn our chill out area, as well as the outdoor arch we were married under.

Sassi Holford Wedding Dress and Vivienne Westwood Shoes

I always knew I wanted a dramatic, strapless, sweetheart lace gown, and found the perfect dress - Amaris by Sassi Holford - at Courtyard Bridal Boutique, Kettering. I teamed this with Vivienne Westwood's Melissa shoes, which I sourced from Facebook for a bargain price. My bridesmaids wore full-length pink lace halter dresses from Dessy. Ned was very specific about his outfit, and chose a burgundy three-piece tweed suit. Our groomsmen wore baker boy style waistcoats and trousers from Moss Bros. We also decided that we wanted some unique button holes and opted for copper skulls, feathers and twine created for us by I Heart Buttons.
Processional Music: Today by The Smashing Pumpkins First Dance: Nothing Else Matters by Metallica Budget: £40,000, including honeymoon to Mexico
We love this wedding for so many reasons, not least the fact that Emma and Ned have managed to make it extremely personal to them, whilst also thinking about their guests throughout. Oh, and have you spotted bride Emma's outfit change? Her sparkly floor length ASOS kimono is just perfect for the evening celebrations. Rock on.
Victoria Honan

Written by Victoria Honan

Venue: Kingsthorpe Lodge Barn | Dress Designer: Sassi Holford | Bridal Boutique: Courtyard Bridal Boutique | Bridal Shoes: Vivienne Westwood | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy | Event Management, Styling, Catering and Cake: Devine Bettys | Florist: Rockability Rose | Videography: Neon Trifle | Table Hire: Anthology Vintage Hire | Wedding Transport: Campervan Celebrations | Celebrant: Jane Gower | Event Styling: Beau Bright Event Design | Buttonholes: I Heart Buttons | Ceremony Beer: Three Hills Brewing | Evening Food: Event Crepes | Evening Dress: ASOS | Groomsmen's Suits: Moss Bros. | Groom's Suit: Men's Tweed Suits | Furniture, Chairs, Lighting and Bar Hire: McGee's | Vintage Dinnerware and Glassware Hire: Crockery Corner | Props and Event Styling Assistance: Wildflower Styling | Hair and Makeup: Kollective

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