It's so hard to pick a specific favourite moment of the day, however, one part truly stands out. Just after the meal, the wedding party went out onto the street in front of the venue to have pictures and videos with smoke bombs. That 20 minutes of unstructured time with just our nearest and dearest, having so much fun and laughter on the street, was incredible. One of the groomsmen unexpectedly bought a box of fireworks from a shop on the corner of the street, we held up the traffic for 5 minutes and stood with our parents and wedding party, watching them explode in the Sheffield sky. It was something we will never forget!
Hayley & James
Hayley & James wanted the vibe of their day to be modern and stylish with a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Hayley works in fashion, so she wanted the day to be visually exciting. Colour and textures were important, so choosing bright flowers to pop against the autumnal backdrop in a beautiful industrial setting like the Mowbray was essential. Highlights of texture came from the use of pearls, through bridal styling and the cake, and disco balls across name settings and styling props! Who doesn't love a disco ball?! Hayley & James worked closely with the florist to maximise the budget for the day. The couple re-used flower stands and the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets by including them as reception decor and styling pieces. Most bouquets don't tend to get used after the ceremony and after pictures are done, so rather than let them go to waste, Hayley & James arranged for vases through the venue to be ready for the bridal party to drop them into. It’s more sustainable and helped the couple stick to their budget.
Having a mixture of classic wedding traditions with a fresh modern take was important to Hayley & James. The couple always knew they wanted to marry in a church and that the ceremony part of the day would feel very traditional. But that’s where they wanted tradition to stop! For the wedding breakfast, Hayley & James chose, The Mowbray, a modern and restored industrial venue in Sheffield city centre. The newlyweds also chose to ditch the top table. They sat amongst best friends and family. Food was served as a feasting menu across the tables so guests could have as much or as little as they wanted. Two of Hayley’s besties were the 'masters of ceremony' so there were female voices in the day alongside traditional male speeches. The party didn't stop at midnight either! The bride and groom arranged a wedding afterparty at a bar! A wedding newspaper was printed and placed for place settings, which was one of the most photographed things of the day from guests’ perspective!
The best thing we did while planning everything in a short space of time, was go with our first gut choice. If you love something - an idea, a dress, a supplier, a venue - go for it! Don't give yourself a chance to second guess and stress by exploring loads of additional options. We went with our gut feel and first choice on everything we planned for the wedding and it came together wonderfully on the day. You can't go wrong if you trust your gut!
Hayley & James