Avatar for Louise Baltruschat Hollis

By Louise Baltruschat Hollis

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Smoke Bomb Photo Portrait

As we approach the changing of the clocks on Sunday, it’s lovely to look back on the summer of 2019. WWW readers Philip and Ella are joining us with their gorgeous Colville Hall wedding held in Essex on the 10th August 2019. Their wedding vision was very laid back and relaxed with a country rustic barn wedding style. It was all so perfect too! Think giant helium balloons, greenery everywhere and seriously stylish attire.

Ella chose to wear a lacy fit and flare gown, Philip and his groomsmen donned blazers with mix and match trousers and ties and finally the bridesmaids wore vibrant mismatched pastel dresses. They all looked so wonderful! Be sure to look out for rustic wooden touches, a semi naked cake and smoke bomb portraits.

GK Photography thank you ever so much for sharing with us these epic shots of a really fun wedding party.

Bride Bridal Make Up Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Bride Bridal Bridesmaids Dressing Gowns Robes Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Bridesmaids Bridesmaid Dress Dresses Multicolour Pastel Rainbow Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Dress Gown Bride Bridal Made with Love Lace Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Proposal

We were on holiday in Vietnam, Phu Quoc. One night after dinner we were walking back along a secluded path beside the beach, lined with lanterns, listening to the waves and animals around, when Phil stopped and got on one knee.

It was the most magical (and unexpected!) moment <3

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Vision

We wanted a relaxed, party atmosphere, where our guests felt at ease. Living in London at the time, we were craving our country roots, and wanted a beautiful rustic country venue for our wedding. Our vision was to keep the theme β€˜natural’, with lots of pastels, greenery and floral decoration.

Wooden Pallet Sign Signs Signage Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Aisle Ceremony Decor Pew End Flowers Petals Barn Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Planning Process

Lots of spreadsheets! We both enjoy being organised, so were on top of the planning from the beginning – we enjoyed the ride!

Aisle Ceremony Decor Pew End Flowers Petals Barn Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography  Sign Signs Signage Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Budget

We weren’t very good at sticking to our budget…

Flower Girl Page Boy Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Bridesmaids Bridesmaid Dress Dresses Multicolour Pastel Rainbow Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Venue

Colville Hall gave us everything we were looking for in a venue. A beautiful barn set in North Essex provided the perfect backdrop for our special day! It was also a great, convenient location for our guests to travel to.

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The Readings & Music

Ella’s Grandpa read β€˜The Art of Marriage’ by Wilfred A Peterson during the ceremony, which was very special and emotional.

Our brother in law played the piano during the ceremony – processional song was Nick Cave, Into my arms, a very special song to the bride and groom; and Arcade Fire, the suburbs, for the exit song to give a vibrant and upbeat feel at the end.

Flo Collective played for us in the evening, and they were a real highlight of the day. We highly recommend them to get the party started.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Your Outfits & Accessories

Bride: Made with Love Riley Luxe dress. Ella fell in love with Made with Love brand early on – the designer has a fantastic selection of boho glam dresses, which just seemed a perfect fit for the vibe we were after on the day. Also matched with delicate gorgeous hair accessories from P.S With love.

Groom: Navy Hugo Boss blazer paired with Reiss light grey trousers and a floral tie. In keeping with the relaxed theme of the wedding, Phil didn’t want to go for a full suit and therefore decided to mix and match.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids chose their own dresses – our only direction was that they were long and different, pastel colours. We wanted them to feel at ease on the day!

Bridesmaids Bridesmaid Dress Dresses Multicolour Pastel Rainbow Colville Hall Wedding GK PhotographyGroom Groomsmen Navy Blazer Grey Chinos Ties Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Groomsmen

Groomsmen: (slightly different styles to the groom) Navy Hugo Boss blazer, grey trousers and navy tie, to match the groom.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Beauty

Kirsty Alger did an amazing job on the bridal party! We requested a natural/boho look, and she absolutely smashed it. She made everyone look and feel beautiful and she was a pleasure to have with us in the morning.
She did hair and make up for the bride, and make up for the bridesmaids and mother of the bride.

Table Plan Seating Chart Wooden Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Barn Venue Reception Giant Balloons Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Details & DΓ©cor

The venue itself was beautiful so didn’t need too much decoration, and our florist was able to add the perfect floral and foliage touches. Ella’s sister is a talented calligrapher and provided the Order of the Day beautifully written on a stained pallet. All decoration kept to the rustic theme we were after.

On the tables we had giant white helium balloons, attached to the tables with transparent thread, so they looked like they were floating. These really helped to fill and emphasise the beautiful high ceilings. These were provided by Tiffany’s Balloons, who did a great job at making our vision come to life.

Cambridge Dining Company provided the catering for the day – the food was 5* and absolutely delicious.

A friend of the groom provided a glitter station in the evening, which was a real hit and helped transform everyone from day to night!

Barn Venue Reception Giant Balloons Table Centrepiece Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Flowers

Rebecca Avery did our wedding flowers and she was just absolutely amazing! She provided the most perfect rustic feel – we had so many compliments about the flowers on the day.

Barn Venue Reception Giant Balloons Flowers Centrepiece Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Centrepiece Flowers Table Name Number Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Lavender Place Setting Decor Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Polaroid Guest Book Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Wooden Crate Decor Flowers Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Flower Installation Barn Decor Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Wooden Card Box Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Honeymoon

We wanted to do something different for our honeymoon, so we settled on Safari in Masai Mara followed by relaxation in Zanzibar. Neither of us had been to Africa before, so this was a wonderful treat and experience. Now we are trying to find an excuse to go back!

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Bouquet Flowers Bride Bridal Greenery Folilage Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Smoke Bomb Photo Portrait Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Smoke Bomb Photo Portrait Dress Gown Bride Bridal Made with Love Lace Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Your Photographer

The best there is!! Greg at GK Photography captured the day perfectly. He has such a talent for capturing wonderful moments and he has collected a series of memories we will never forget. We can’t recommend him enough.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Dress Gown Bride Bridal Made with Love Lace Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

The Cake

One of the bridesmaids is a very talented cake maker, and offered to bake the cake for our wedding day. It was perfect – just what we were after. A rustic, naked style cake decorated with numerous sugar flowers, in keeping with our natural and floral theme. Plus it was delicious!

Semi Naked Cake Tower Flowers Log Slice Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Memorable Moments

The day itself is a magical blur – we both remember laughing a lot and having the most fun with the people we love the most. Every moment was perfect, we wouldn’t change a thing. It’s a day we’ll never forget.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Advice For Other Couples

The day goes so quickly, make sure you and your partner steel a few moments so you can take it all in.

Try not to let everything get on top of you – whatever happens, it will be the most perfect day, so just relax and enjoy it.

Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography Colville Hall Wedding GK Photography

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Photography
GK Photography

Venue
Colville Hall

Hair Accessories
PS With Love

Dress
Made With Love Bridal

Hair & Make Up
Hair and Makeup By Kirsty

Florist
Rebecca Avery Flowers

Balloons
Tiffany’s Balloons

Caterer
Cambridge Dining Company

Band
Flo Collective

Wow, such fun!

Philip and Ella thanks so much for sharing your really special wedding story today xo Lou

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1 Comment
  • Avatar for Asheville Wedding Photographer

    Asheville Wedding Photographer

    I enjoy seeing the groom and his groomsmen wearing fun socks during the wedding. We shot a wedding in Michigan where the groom and hs groomsmen wore socks with their favorite college football team on them.

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