We have a real treat in store today, a stunning micro wedding held at The Secret Garden in Kent in their beautiful glass house. Introducing Louise and Jim who were wed on the 10th September 2019 outdoors in the gazebo, which was decorated so beautifully with an abundance of flowers. Wow!
Their intimate day was just so relaxed with a gathering of their loved ones, 24 in total, they had a really special afternoon tea together to celebrate. The glass house didn’t need much decoration, but what they did add worked so well. They added touches of hessian to the tables and chairs, hanging flowers, wooden heart place names and fudge favours. It all looked really gorgeous and I especially love the tree carving cake, oh so pretty.
Louise and Jim both looked amazing in their chosen attire, hello lace gown and rustic style waistcoat, and would you just look at that bouquet?! Whoa! Huge thanks goes to Nicola Dawson Photography for sharing these exquisite images with us.
The Proposal
A surprise proposal whilst on holiday in the Maldives in 2016.
The Vision
Afternoon tea with close family and a few friends, relaxed and informal with a little bit of tradition.
The Planning Process
Find a venue that catered for an intimate wedding – maximum 24. I ideally wanted to be able to have the ceremony outside (inside if wet).
I wanted a venue that would serve afternoon tea only as we didn’t want to extend into the evening, I didn’t want a venue that felt too big as there was only going to be a few of us. I wanted somewhere pretty and informal for a relaxed wedding.
The Venue
The Secret Garden, Mersham, Ashford.
The Details & Décor
I wanted to keep everything to a minimum, the venue was perfect and didn’t need much else added. We had the glasshouse which had beautiful vines growing inside so plenty of greenery, the flowers from the pew ends were added to the table and the garland to the floor to create a flowerbed. I had an old white stepladder and added LOVE letters to the steps with a white rose, my bouquet was added to a jug on the top of the ladder. Hessian garland was hung on the walls with a hessian table runner and a few flowers added to the end, for a rustic look.
A few light bulbs hung from the ceiling with flowers placed inside.
For the wedding favours I made small boxes with heart cut-out showing the word Love, tied with twine and filled with fudge. A few heart shaped bubbles were placed on the table for the guests and a gift bag was filled with toys and sweets to keep the ‘little man’ entertained throughout the afternoon.
The Flowers
We kept the colours to white flowers with lots of green foliage, the aim of keeping it simple, elegant and natural. A garland decorated the Gazebo which was removed and used to decorate the floor in the glasshouse during afternoon tea, flowers placed in jam jars on the pew ends these doubled up as table decorations. I chose light bulbs hanging from the ceiling in the glasshouse with a few flowers placed inside. Florist was Karen at Anemone Blue who is based at The Secret Garden – karenanemoneblue.
The Cake
I wanted a rustic cake to fit in with the venue and vision so chose a log effect cake with a few fresh flowers added. The cake was made by a friend Beth Bignell-Hare bethyy16 – baked.by.bunny.
Beauty
Hair was done by a friend Lois Hall loishall.hairdressing, make up done by myself.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Wedding dress from Confetti and Lace, Thurrock – I knew I wanted a formal wedding dress, something fitted with a small train and covered in lace. Confetti and Lace was recommended by a friend.
Jim’s outfit was something smart but not formal, we chose trousers and waistcoat with no tie rather than a formal suit as this fitted the venue and wedding we wanted to achieve. The trousers were from Hugo Boss, waistcoat and shirt were from Next and shoes Oliver Sweeney.
The Readings & Music
Entrance – Stand by Me, Ben E King
Signing of register – Perfect, Ed Sheeran & Andrea Bocelli, Make you feel my love, Adele, Can you Feel the Love Tonight, Elton John
Exit – The Best, Tina Turner
No readings
Your Photographer
I nearly didn’t have a photographer but my daughter felt I would regret not capturing the day professionally.
Nicola came highly recommended by a friend whose wedding she photographed the previous year. I wanted someone who was able to capture the day without the formalities of having a photographer. Nicola was the perfect choice, she made us feel so relaxed and we didn’t feel we were ‘posing’ for the camera. The photos definitely reflect our intimate relaxed Wedding Day that we wanted.
Nicola Dawson Photography – nicoladawsonphotography
The Honeymoon
Back to the Maldives where it all began.
Memorable Moments
The whole day, not just one memorable moment. We wanted a small intimate relaxed fun-filled day and we managed to achieve that and so much more. I wouldn’t change anything.
Advice For Other Couples
Go with what you want and not what you feel you should do.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Photographer
Nicola Dawson Photography
Venue
The Secret Garden
Wedding Dress
Dando London, Confetti and Lace
Groom’s Trousers
Hugo Boss
Waistcoat & Shirt
Next
Simply gorgeous. I just love a rustic wedding.
Louise and Jim, thank you ever so much for sharing your super special day with us xo Lou
