Lakeside Wedding & Black 'Lusher' Dresses

Photography by Harry Michael Photography

The beauty of this botanical lakeside wedding is all in the details. And oh boy were there a lot of details. From the 'Lushers' (Lady Ushers. Come on, don't say we never teach you anything!) to the olive leaf confetti in honour of their rescue cat Olive, every element was thoughtfully planned. Tish, Mike and their families created countless things by hand to make their day as unique, personal and meaningful as possible. Once you see the photos captured by Recommended photographer Harry Michael, you'll have to agree they did a pretty stellar job...

Lakeside wedding in West Sussex with black 'Lusher' dresses and DIY wedding decor.

Fun, love, music and good drinks were the vibes of the day! We wanted it to be as aesthetically pleasing so we went for a botanical theme. We foraged as much from the surroundings we're so lucky to be blessed with here. But really, the inspiration for the vibe was more about people coming together to have fun!
Tish & Mike

Two bridesmaids with curled ponytails in matching blue satin celestial pyjamas steaming Vagabond wedding dress

Botanical wedding bouquet with white flowers, fern and mixed green foliage

Laughing bride sat in white leather armchair wearing long blue satin pyjamas with celestial print and fluffy slippers holds white card

Dark wooden framed sign with poem written in white text and black background for her father

Two lushers in black strapless dresses and curled ponytails help bride into Vagabond wedding dress for lakeside wedding

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress laughs and clasps hands at lusher in black strapless dress and curled ponytail

Lusher in strapless black dress holds face in her hands smiling at bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress hugs father in grey suit whilst wedding dress in floral dress and pink jacket stands in the background

Smiling bride with long curly hair wearing strapless Vagabond wedding dress looks over her shoulder

Smiling bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress walks down driveway with maid of honour in black strapless jumpsuit holding bride's train

Groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with matching waistcoat and yellow tie with orange pocket square stands in front of wooden triangular wedding arch decorated with palm leaves and pampas grass

Wooden folding wedding chairs on grass with leaf name labels

Flower man in blue blazer with pink details and black trousers walks down carpeted aisle throwing confetti at lakeside wedding

Maid of honour in strapless black jumpsuit with curled ponytail holding green and white botanical wedding bouquet walks down the aisle at lakeside wedding

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress holding green and white botanical wedding bouquet walks down carpeted aisle arm-in-arm with father in grey suit and waistcoat with yellow tie and orange pocket square

Groom stands laughing at the end of the aisle with father-of the bride and groomsmen all in matching grey Hugo Boss suits, waistcoats and yellow ties

Maids of honour in strapless black jumpsuits and father-of-the-bride in grey suit sit on wooden folding chairs watching wedding with white and green botanical bouquets at their feet

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress holds hands with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with waistcoat and yellow tie stand holding hands at the top of the aisle

Wedding guests including father of the bride in grey suit and maid of honour in black strapless jumpsuit sit laughing at for lakeside wedding ceremony

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress with celestial hair clips laughs at the altar with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress and groom in grey Hugo Boss suit kiss under a wooden triangular wedding arch with pampas grass and palm leaf decor

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress and groom in grey Hugo Boss suit stand holding hands under a wooden triangular wedding arch with pampas grass and palm leaf decor

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress with train walks into woods arm-in-arm with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit at lakeside wedding

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress holding white and green botanical wedding bouquet walks arm-in-arm with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit and yellow tie as guests throw olive leaf confetti

DIY DECOR

Their family and friends came together in force to decorate this lakeside wedding by hand. There were foliage-hunts, hand-lettered suede jackets, and what was probably a very fun day bottling the tequila wedding favours. The beautiful decor and hire they didn't make was provided by Recommended supplier Rent Event, which complimented their DIY work to a T. They sprinkled petals from their legal ceremony a few weeks before, and had a cake stand sliced from a tree that stood in Tish's grandparents garden. Speaking of cake, the four tier margarita, champagne and Jack Daniels flavoured beauty has our mouths watering. Tish and Mike, we're not saying you should go into wedding planning, but if you fancy a career change...

MUSIC

Tish walked down the aisle to The Greatest Showman's A Million Dreams (you have permission to tear up now) and their first dance was to Dario G's Sunchyme. Tish had a video of the exact moment Mike chose it as their song, as they were driving through a valley in New Zealand travelling together (yes, more tears). They had a confetti cannon explode as the beat dropped and the crowd went wild, with everyone joining them on the dance floor. (Okay, now we're crying. And dancing. And wishing we had been invited). The night was topped off with Alive Band, found through Recommended suppliers Tailored Entertainment. If the photos are anything to go by, they were pretty well received!

Black acrylic wedding welcome sign with white writing and pampas and palm leaf decor

Interior of wedding marquee with brown and black striped carpet, wooden table and chairs and foliage table decor with candles

Botanical wedding tablescape with wooden plates, foliage table decor and Hendricks gin bottle with white candle

Wooden wedding plates with green leaf table names, foliage decor and cork stopped tequila wedding favours

Four tiered wedding cake with white and gold detailing atop a tree slice cake stand with white and green floral decor

White wedding doughnut wall with pampas grass and palm leaf decor

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress holding white and green botanical bouquet stands outside by pampas grass being kissed by groom in grey suit at lakeside wedding

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress and long curled wedding hair holding white and green botanical wedding bouquet holding can of Pimms walks with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit and yellow suit

White and green botanical wedding bouquet with roses, palm leaf and foliage

Three thin glass corked tequila wedding favours with typewritten labels on wooden table

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress with long curled hair holding hand with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with waistcoat and yellow tie and brown shoes in front of neon wedding sign

Laughing bride with long curled hair and celestial hair pins clasps her hands sat at top table whilst father in grey Hugo Boss suit with waistcoat and yellow tie talks into microphone

Groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with waistcoat and yellow tie holds arm over face as he reads speech

Shocked wedding guests sit with bride wearing celestial hair pins and curled hair holding her hands over her face in shock

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress wearing celestial hair pins swigs from white bottle at lakeside wedding

Bride in white strapless Vagabond dress and leather jacket stands under neon sign with maids of honours and lushers in personalised suede jackets

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress wearing celestial hair pins holds hands with elderly wedding guess in floral velvet jacket

Bride in white Vagabond wedding dress with train and bridal leather jacket hugs groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with orange pocket square and brown shoes outside

Bride in Vagabond wedding dress and personalised leather jacket flicks curled hair over shoulder at lakeside wedding

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress and leather jacket holds green and white wedding bouquet in the air whilst sat in pink wheelbarrow being pushed by groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with yellow tie and orange pocket square

Bride in white Vagabond wedding dress and bridal leather jacket walks with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit with yellow tie as he holds her train

Bride in white strapless wedding dress dances with groom in grey Hugo Boss suit inside marquee at lakeside wedding

Confetti cannon exploding over guests in marquee at lakeside wedding

Bride in strapless Vagabond wedding dress kisses groom in grey Hugo Boss suit in front of neon wedding sign

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress holding train and glass of sparkling wine dances to wedding band in marquee at lakeside wedding

Bride in white strapless Vagabond wedding dress with train kisses groom in grey Hugo Boss suit and brown shoes outside at lakeside wedding

Getting your family and friends involved in your day is a great way to make it even more special! Having 'Lushers', Flower men, three maids of honour and people chipping in on DIY saw everyone come together for an incredible lakeside wedding full of love.

Favourite moment? There are too many to list! Mum popping a bottle of champagne at 9 in the morning. Dad walking me down the aisle. Seeing Mike at the end of the aisle with a smug look ono his face. The laughter during the vows. Mike's emotional speech, followed by Dad's hilarious speech. Dad and I having a very drunken Father Daughter 'sway' (you couldn't call it dancing at this point) to Faithless' Insomnia which is one of his favourites. A lot of the guests have been friends since high school, so it was an emotional love-filled reunion as much as a wedding!
Tish

Tish and Mike's lakeside wedding was the epitome of 'Your day, your way', and we're so here for it! Feeling inspired by the botanical theme? This woodland wedding with botanical greenhouse reception is not to be missed. DIY decor looking tempting? We've got a whole podcast episode full of ideas. Happy listening!

Written by Helena Milsom

Photography: Harry Michael Photography |

Videographer: This Modern Revelry |

Wedding Band: Alive Band |

Entertainment: Tailored Events |

Food: The Piggery |

Cake Maker: Clairseybelle Cakes |

Hair Stylist: Grace Hair & Beauty |

Make Up Artist: Georgie James |

Wedding Dress: Vagabond Bridal |

Bridal Boutique: Heart-A-Flutter |

Maid of Honour Jumpsuits: Missguided |

Black Lusher Dresses: ASOS |

Accessories: Victoria Percival |

Groomsmen Suits: Hugo Boss |

Flowermen Suits: ASOS |

Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo |

Planner/Stylist: Olive Styling |

Stationery: Olive Styling |

Decor & Hire: Rent Event |

Marquee: Party On The Grass |

Wedding Favours: Cazcabel Tequila |

Engagement Ring: Timothy Roe |

Wedding Ring: Anna Sheffield |

Bridal Leather Jacket : Muubaa |

Maid of Honour/Lusher Suede Named Jackets: Homemade |

Neon Sign: Neon Poodle |

Gold Doughnuts: Westbourne Bakery |

Wedding Website: Bliss & Bone via The Neon Collective

Real WeddingEnglandSouth EastSummerMarquee / TipiBotanicalBespokeBohoContemporaryRusticOutdoorBotanicalWhitesGreensNeutralsOranges£20k - £25k