I am head-over-heels for this fun DIY wedding this afternoon. Laura and Ste don’t take themselves seriously and planned a wedding with a focus on fun. They used in Laura’s words, a mishmash of ideas and style. I adore Laura’s dress, a Monsoon creation and See’s relaxed wedding day style.

The images in this feature are sublime and really capture the essence of the day. Thanks so much to the amazing Chester based wedding photographer, Claire Penn Photography for sending these images over to me, here is what she had to say about the day;

“This wedding was a dream to photograph. I’ve known Laura for a few years as we used to work together and she has to be one of the most chilled out brides ever! It was so lovely to finally meet her childhood sweetheart and share their wedding day. I was so pleased that she asked me to be her photographer! Ste and his mates decorated the venue themselves on the morning of the wedding – metres and metres of bunting and all the table decorations including sunflowers and goldfish bowls (complete with goldfish!) – unique DIY touches. Also this wedding wins the ‘most fun/talented guests’ prize – they provided music throughout the drinks reception and a jamming session after the meal! Andrea Ellison who came to second shoot for Claire was also fantastic, we were really lucky to get her as well”

Wedding date… 10th September 2011

Venue… Heaton House Farm, Macclesfield, UK. It was one of the first venues we visited. As soon as we got there we knew it was right for us. The location in the Cheshire countryside is stunning and there’s a really relaxed atmosphere about the place. We even had some guests camping overnight in one of the fields and as we’re all regular festival goers it was perfect!

The Dress… Monsoon bridal. What made you choose that dress? I wanted something quite simple and elegant… I looked in bridal shops but didn’t find anything I really loved. So I decided to check out the high street offerings, starting with Monsoon and I found the perfect dress.

Shoes.. A pair of old faithfuls from Office

Photographer… Claire Penn Photography Claire and I worked together many moons ago and have kept in touch because I also love photography. As soon as we started planning I knew I wanted Claire to photograph our wedding, I adore her work and wouldn’t have had anyone else! She made everything so easy for us and was just brilliant on the day.

Hair and make-up… My super talented friend Victoria did my make-up (the girl with bright pink hair!) and another friend Stephanie Merriman did my hair. Victoria has just qualified – Victoria Thomas Make-up Artist (Manchester) – http://www.facebook.com/VictoriaThomasMUA. victoriat.85@gmail.com.

Grooms Suit… No suit, too stuffy for Ste. Just the waistcoat tie and pants. Not sure where he got them sorry! ‘Toms’ shoes. (For every pair they sell they will donate a pair to a child in need.)

The Flowers… Because we’re going on honeymoon for 3 months we had to move out of our flat… the DAY before the wedding. So the lead up was quite stressful. I ended up getting my flowers at the last minute from a small local florist in Manchester.I always wanted hydrangea, they are my favourites – I love the simplicity.

Cake… Again, a last minute thing! Ordered on the Monday before the wedding, I wanted cupcakes in polka dot cases but nothing too ‘girly’ cos that’s just not me really. They were delicious – especially the Terry’s chocolate orange! I can’t remember the name of the place – everything is in boxes packed away.

Rings… Ste sorted these out! Very simple platinum bands.

Catering… The venue – hog roast – fab.

Entertainment... We had a lot of friends at our wedding and many of them are really talented singers and musicians. We had music played for us throughout the drinks reception and an ecoustic jamming session after the meal which was totally amazing.

In the evening we had a brilliant funk and soul band called the Jay Bees. We saw them perform at a local pub earlier this year and knew we wanted them for the wedding. They are so incredible and no one was sat down all night during their set!

Decor… A friend made us a LOT of bunting to decorate the venue with. We bought sunflowers and goldfish bowls complete with goldfish for the tables! Ste and a gang of friends arrived at the venue early and decorated the entire place. It was amazing. The goldfish were set free at the end of the day in Heaton House Farm’s pond!

First dance… Waterloo Sunset by the Kinks… one of our favourite songs and bands

Advice to other couples… Don’t move out of your flat the day before the biggest day of your life! And do it how YOU want to. Despite all the stress leading up to it, the wedding was perfect.

What inspired the style of your day… No real style – just a bit of a mish mash of things I like and ideas I thought would be fun! Me all over – scatterbrain.

The proposal… We met back when we were in high school. Before we got together I used to hide under the stairs at the local nightclub when he walked past… then I persued him and eventually he gave in! Steve proposed to me on a magical husky ride, sledding through Norway in the snow. It was, I have to say, very cold… but very romantic.

Thanks so much to Laura and Ste for sharing their beautiful wedding with us today, aren’t these two so fun?!! :-)) xoxo

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