Inspiration

Jess and Paddy sent their guests a wedding invitation before they even announced they were engaged! It completely set the tone for their fun-filled day with a humanist led ceremony, Karaoke sing-song and colourful DIY decor. As well as a constant smile, Jess wore a bridal jumpsuit, applique veil and carried a green foliage wedding bouquet. She looks incredible! And I defy you not to want to smile along with her and Paddy during their celebration. I, for one, cannot wait to party like this again.


Smiley bride in a jumpsuit and applique veil holding a green foliage wedding bouquet for a colourful DIY wedding.

We really wanted our friends and family to feel like they were there to have an all-out celebration of our marriage. To make sure we had maximum time with our guests at the bar/on the dancefloor, we had a couple of photos taken before the ceremony. This was actually the perfect way to calm our nerves and spend some quality time together. We waited upstairs out of view whilst the guests arrived and downed a couple of drinks to ease our nerves! We walked into the room together to ‘This Will be Our Year' by The Zombies and felt a wave of love as we looked around at our friends and family. This set the tone for the day and got us off to a great start! The Humanist ceremony was interjected with a karaoke-style sing-a-long to Motown classics, and my parents did a joint speech before we said our vows. All of this and the enthusiasm of our friends and family made for an amazing laid back and lighthearted ceremony. Exactly what we'd imagined!

Jess & Paddy

INSPIRATION & STYLING

We wanted colour and lots of it! The Bowdon Rooms is a beautiful Assembly Hall dating back to 1903. Karen the venue's Wedding Coordinator was on our wavelength and agreed to remove all the curtains so we could let all the light in and reveal the beautiful windows. We spent hours, days even, making bunting from crepe paper and twine. Enlisting the help of friends and family along the way to complete nearly 200metres! We wanted the place to feel like one of our favourite bars, choosing lots of plants in terracotta pots rather than flowers. Our friends even created our own wedding beer label from their Brewery, which blew Paddy away.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS

We sent out surprise invitations with the details of our wedding before we even told anyone we were engaged! We hired a fabulous Elton John tribute act for the evening's entertainment and did a grand unveil just after our first dance. This was such a great moment for us both as we watched everyone hit the dance floor donning their glowing glasses. I think it was then that we looked at each other and felt a sense of relief that we'd pulled it all off!! I'll never forget the unique sensation of walking into a room full of our nearest and dearest and knowing that we had the whole day to spend together.

Jess and Paddy chose a green foliage wedding bouquet and buttonhole to complement their stylish wedding outfits.

Choose suppliers carefully and go with your gut instinct. We knew straight away when someone understood where we were coming from. It can be really easy when planning a wedding to get pushed into making decisions based on 'what people normally do.' So, if your vision is a little different, stick to your guns because there will be people out there who will be able to cater for you! It's a cliche, but don’t sweat the small stuff! We ended up not even using a huge box full of decorations because in the end, what's important is that you're getting married, and no one is really going to notice if you're a tassel short here, or a balloon missing there.

Jess & Paddy

The decor may have been colourful but real bride Jess kept her green foliage wedding bouquet understated but exceptional. Just like her bridal look with a wedding jumpsuit and applique veil. If you need advice on finding your wedding outfit and accessories listen to our Podcasts with Becky and Charlotte. The bridesmaids you never knew you needed!

Lorna Shaw

Written by Lorna Shaw

Photographer: Lucy Little Photography | Wedding Venue: The Bowdon Rooms | Videographer: Lara Elliot | Vanessa Cocchiaro: The Tina Wrap Effect Matte Satin Jumpsuit | Veil: The White Closet | Grooms Suit: Moss Bros. | Peal Hair Slide: & Other Stories | Camelia Bow Heel with Ankle Strap Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Food: Vaso Kitchen | Bouquet: Chloe Robinson | Hair & Makeup : Faye Bala | Entertainment: Absolutely Elton! | Table & Chair Hire: Rustic Hire | Celebrant : Katie the Celebrant | DJ: Wedding Jam | Lightbox: Rustic Edge | Wedding Cake: Taste of Portugal Warehouse

Inspirational articles you may also find useful