Pretty, Real Weddings

14.09.2011

The details and décor in this wedding are so thoughtful and beautiful. The purple ribbons, the books, the table names, the stunning purple bloom, the totally fun cake topper and the cute guest book…

Thanks so much to Shell De Mar Photography for sharing her amazing work today.…

Your Photographer….

The amazing Shell de Mar. She concentrated on us on the day and not making me look awful. She also arranged for a second shooter, Anushe Low who photographed Seb and the best men on the morning, as well as the guests. I was very nervous about having my picture taken but Shella took us on an engagement shoot a couple of months before the wedding, which was included in the package, and when I realised that I didn’t have to pose and that half the time I didn’t even see her, it became fun. It was also a good way of knowing how she worked and getting to know her as well. The pictures are brilliant – she really captured the spirit of the day as well as so many little details. I never realised that she was taking pictures constantly!

The Dress + Accessories…..

The dress was a Cymbeline Dubai from Blackburn Bridal Couture, in Blackheath. I wore a cathedral length veil adorned with Swarovski crystals; shoes (patent cream peep toes) from House of Fraser; gold earrings – a gift from my parents.

I went to 3 or 4 bridal shops in Canterbury (where I live) and London, first of all by myself — to get used to the idea that I was buying a wedding dress! – and then with 3 honest friends – no more than 2 at a time. It wasn’t easy – I had originally thought I wanted something non-traditional but then felt the designs didn’t feel right. I also knew I didn’t want strapless.

When I first tried on the Cymbeline, I really liked it but didn’t have the ‘aha’ moment. But I knew I liked it more than the others, especially when it was the one that stayed in my mind and became the dress against which I compared every other dress. There was just something about it. I do think you should try on as many dresses and styles as possible to work out what suits you best and what feels the most comfortable. After I bought the Cymbeline and tried it on again, I knew that I loved it and that I had made the right choice. The people at Blackburn Bridal were really lovely, encouraging and full of good advice. It’s a great shop as well and they have the loveliest seamstress – Jan.

The Flowers…

The amazing Andri and the lovely Jane Haskings (my mother’s neighbour) put these together. We went to Covent Garden Market at an unearthly hour, 2 days before the wedding, and also Tom Brown’s in Lewisham. We had our colour scheme, thanks to Andri who had created a mood board for me – all shades of lilac, lavender, purple, blues and whites. We bought sweet peas, and ranunculas, spray roses and all the other ones I can’t remember! Andri also decorated little jam jars with lace and ribbon for Jane to fill and these decorated the church, hanging off the pews, and Andri and her assistant Helen then took them to the Reception to put on little tables in the   canapé room. We also had a huge vase of around 100 irises by the altar. Andri had the great idea of taking these to the reception after the ceremony was over and putting one flower on each place setting.

The Details+ Décor….

That was all Andri. After we finalised the colour scheme, she made the little paper flowers and wrapped all the books for the table decorations, had the idea for the irises on the table, found me the company which provided the party bags for the kids and babies, put purple ribbons round the napkins – you name it; she did it. We named each table after famous Argentinian footballers. Seb found photos of all of them and Andri printed them out and made them into table names. She also made the Table Plan by spray painting pictures frames.

The Cake…

My aunt made this – it was chocolate. We had originally planned to have real flowers on it but the ones we wanted (blue hydrangeas) weren’t in bloom, so she made them out of icing. Seb found the figurines for the top of the cake on the internet. He painted the groom’s shirt in the colours of his Argentinian football team (San Lorenzo) and we found a picture of the team to stick on the toy TV.

Memorable moments…

My father making it out of hospital in time for the wedding; putting on the dress that morning and knowing for sure that it was the right choice; my mother giving me away; Seb’s face when he saw me walking down the aisle; a surprise vintage Rolls Royce from my cousin Becky to take us to the church and venue; seeing all my friends and family; the most brilliant speeches from my oldest friend Antoinette, Sebastian and Will (one of the three best men); having a great dance all night; just feeling happy; all of it – it really was a fantastic day.

Advice for other couples…

(1) If you can, get a wedding planner. If you do, hire Andri. I wish I could use her as my personal PA (2) Try and do as much as possible in advance so you don’t panic nearer the time (3) Be as organised as possible (that’s where the planner helps) (4) The more personal you make it, the better and more intimate it is (5) Get a good photographer. I didn’t think that photos mattered but Andri convinced me otherwise and she was right – it’s a great reminder (6) Sort out the bridesmaids’ dresses early (as well as your own) – it’s a nightmare trying to find one dress in different sizes/colours. It’s much better to have everyone wearing different dresses/ colours – whatever suits them best.

The Honeymoon….

Incredible. We saved up and were lucky enough to go to the 5* Royal Plantation hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had personal butlers! a Jacuzzi in our bathroom and a veranda overlooking the ocean. It was sheer bliss and we’re dying to go back once we’re millionaires.

Thanks so much to Anne and Seb for sharing thier gorgeous day with us today, how beautiful was their Iris inspired day?! Which flower would you use as wedding inspiration? Mine would have to be a peony ;-) xoxo

Credit where credit’s due…

Ceremony venue: St Nicholas Church,  Tooting
Reception venue Grand Connaught Rooms,
Photographer Shell de Mar
Wedding Planner: Andri Benson of Always Andri Wedding Design
Cake:  Anne’s Aunty Jeyanthi
Church Flowers:  Jane Haskings (family neighbour)
Bouquets, Buttonholes, & top table: Always Andri
Stationery: Always Andri with bespoke shield of arms designed by friend of Anne’s
Transport: Carol’s Classics
Chair Covers Heading Up The Aisle
DJ Steve Leslie from the Mobile Music Company

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Tags: Purple, Real Weddings, Spring Wedding

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