WWW readers Tamsin and Tom are with us to share their modern romantic wedding held at Elmore Court in Gloucestershire on the 24th October 2019. Their day was so elegant and relaxed I just love it. Tamsin is the owner of White Truffle Signs so of course their day would be featuring her beautiful acrylic signage throughout, think delicate lettering and gold tones. Wow, so luxe.
They embraced the Autumn season too with seasonal blooms, I love the bouquets featuring burnt orange leaves especially. I also have to rave about Tamsin’s gorgeous gown and bridal cape, I so love the drama of a cape, didn’t she look spectacular? Tom meanwhile was suited and booted in Reiss together with his groomsmen and the bridesmaids wore silver and taupe dresses. So stylish.
Red Maple Photography has kindly shared with us these utterly beautiful captures, thanks so much for sharing them with us Alicia. What a stunning celebration.
Modern, romantic, relaxed vibe taking inspiration in the early days from the style of French château weddings with lots of soft, neutral hues and hits of copper/gold throughout.
The Proposal
We met at University in 2010 so have been together a long time and always talked about getting married. Tom finally proposed in October 2017 during a short break in Cornwall. Tamsin is originally from Cornwall (now living in Wiltshire) and we’ve visited Cornwall every year since we first met in 2010 as a couple and with family and very much love being down there and the coast. We were staying at the Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate near Saint Ives and went on a walk after breakfast along the South West Coast Path. Tom had the ring in his pocket the entire time and found a quiet spot on Porthminster Beach and got down on one knee whist we were ‘taking a selfie’ so he managed to capture the exact moment I turned around and saw him proposing. It was really lovely. We then spent the rest of the day walking around St Ives, purchased some artwork, Gin from the local area and few kitchen items to remember the area and day we got engaged.
The Vision
It all started with finding the right venue. We knew we wanted everything in the same place – ceremony, reception, accommodation etc and we wanted a wedding which combined the feel of a traditional formal event (more to Tamsin’s style and taste) with modern wedding (more to Tom’s taste) and Elmore Court was absolutely perfect for our day. Following that the vision was really a reflection of us as a couple, not lovers of colours so everything was very neutral and again just a relaxed day to celebrate our marriage.
The Planning Process
We started planning a couple of weeks after getting engaged and decided that we wanted our wedding to be held in October 2019, roughly 2 years after the date we got engaged. We felt this would give us enough time to save, plan and fit in the Hen and Stag Dos during the months of the year with good weather. We set a budget, guest list, found a venue and then started booking our favourite suppliers. Tamsin is very creative and subsequently wanted to do as much as possible like making the stationery, signage, cake and set up on the day.
Budget
£20,000
The Venue
Elmore Court
The Readings & Music
We picked readings for each other. Tom’s reading for Tam was a section from Oasis, Songbird. Tam’s reading for Tom was from Beyonce – Flaws And All. Tom was never going to go for a traditional reading, so we settled on songs!
Oasis – Songbird
Beyonce – Flaws And All
Entrance song was Nat King Cole – When I Fall in Love
Background Music was a set of acoustic covers by Blame Jones we found their album on Spotify.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Wedding Dress – WED2B
Cape – WED2B
Wedding Shoes – Freya Rose London
Hair Accessories and Jewellery – Liberty in Love
I’m not sure how often you’d hear a bride say this but putting aside a large portion of the budget for my wedding dress was not a priority. Being foodies and entertainers, we decided to spend more on these elements of our day. I knew from the start that I just wanted to get everyone together for a shopping day (my sister, mum, Tom’s mum and Tom’s nan) and find my dress that day. WED2B was the first and only shop we visited and I was thrilled to find a dress I loved that day. When trying on accessories I didn’t like wearing a veil at all, it felt fussy to me and was ruled out straight away. That’s how we went on to looking at the capes and I absolutely loved the unique look it created with my dress. I found a local seamstress through a recommendation at work who was fantastic to do a couple of alternations for me – such as changing the positioning of the cape clasp from around the neck to the bust area of my dress. I got so many compliments on the look on the day and felt great.
I actually found my shoes from Freya Rose London before buying my dress. There was just absolutely beautiful, and I wore them all day right up to Midnight when the dancing stopped.
Beauty
Make Up – Charlotte Tillyer
Hair Styling – Holly Andersen
Grooming – Savage Beauty
The Details & Décor
Acrylic Signage – White Truffle Signs @whitetrufflesigns
Tamsin (White Truffle Signs) made a hanging seating chart with 3 clear pieces of acrylic sheet with the guest names printed onto white card with gold foil text and then positioned onto the front of the acrylic. The Gillyflower (Elmore’s Reception room) has dark brown textured walls so this provided a great contrast. The back of the acrylic sheets were splattered with white, blue and gold paint to represent a very abstract wave.
All of our tables with names of our favourite beaches we have visited in the world. These were made out of circular clear acrylic with gold vinyl lettering in a modern romantic script font.
We have 2 frosted acrylic signs which hung from copper pipe frames. A welcome sign and order of the day. The order of the day had a hand drawn venue illustration of Elmore Court which was then cut out of vinyl and fixed onto the acrylic sheets. The signage was styled with lots of candles and gold and copper lanterns.
Place Names – Each guests name was cut out of white vinyl and fixed onto stones we sourced to look like those found on rocky Cornish beaches. These also served as our favours and we love now visiting friends and family’s homes after the wedding and spotting the stones positioned around the place.
The Cake
Made by the Bride and Tom’s Nan Janet. Both are regular and keen bakers and it was always something Tamsin wanted to do. It was a lovely project to work on and bond with Tom’s nan. We had 3 separate cakes some with multiple tiers with the following flavours:
- Chocolate Cake with Hazelnut Ganache, Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Icing
- Frosted Red Velvet Layer Cake and Icing
- Elderflower and Marmalade Cake with Mascarpone Frosting and Icing
- Fruit Cake
- Chocolate Caramel Macarons
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids – Tamsin’s sister Jenna, Emma, Lucy and Navada
The bridesmaids wore Eliza & Ethan Bridesmaid Dresses. We bought 2 in Silver and 2 in Taupe. I left it up to the bridesmaids to decide how they wanted to style the dresses and they suited all different body shapes and sizes (including 2 pregnant bridesmaids) which made it really easy.
The Flowers
The Rose Shed
I loved every single post The Rose Shed had shared on Instagram and that’s how I knew she’d deliver on the day. I left the types of flowers up to her but just wanted lots of neutral colours with a hit of autumn and some gold/copper elements.
Groomsmen
Groomsmen – both of Tom’s brothers, Harry and William.
They all had the same dark blue suit from Reiss, white shirt and light grey tie and pocket square. The suits were off the shelf, but they all had the waistcoats custom made. Reiss offered a great service where Tom, Harry and William were measured up and could then pick the fabrics for the waistcoat. They all chose the same front fabric, a grey/ brown tweed, but then each had a different silk fabric for the back of the waistcoat.
The Groomsmen and Groom Party were all gifted a black pocket watch by Tom. Tom ended up getting his fist every tattoo on his stag do, a crown symbol which his favourite artist J. Cole is known for. At the time he was in big trouble, but we all laugh about it now. Tamsin ended up adding the crown image in vinyl to the front of each pocket watch with the boys initials to personalize each gift.
Your Photographer
Alicia – Red Maple Photography
We were so happy, literally over the moon with our wedding pictures. We beamed from ear to ear just like we did on our wedding day as we looked at each and every one of the shots.
Alicia’s personality is superb. It was a pleasure having her there on our wedding day, like having a friend around. You are such a joyous, happy person with the ability to make anyone feel comfortable in front of the camera.
As soon as we met her it was clear she knew what she was doing and aims to please. I even had my bridesmaids whispering to me an hour after she arrived on the wedding day saying… “oh my god your photographer is amazing”. She managed to get every moment captured perfectly, without us really noticing you around. The little wedding details, jokes and moments shared by our guests, all recorded forever. It’s very clear to see the time and effort spent editing our pictures, they truly are beautiful.
The Honeymoon
Two fabulous weeks in Mauritius. We jetted off a few days after the wedding, it was important for us to go straight away (as soon as the hangovers had disappeared). We stayed at 3 different hotels around the island and loved it!
Memorable Moments
Smoke Bombs – This was Tom’s bit of fun – the smoke bombs. We had a practice on our pre-wedding shoot with Alicia and were looking forward to getting a big group shot with our bridal party in front of the venue (Elmore Court) on the day. In the morning it was a bit hit and miss if we were going to get the opportunity with drizzle around and grey skies. We were so lucky at 1pm as Tamsin walked up the aisle the sun came out and stayed put for the remainder of the day.
Sparkler Shot – We did this at 7:30pm just after all our evening guests arrived. It was a great moment to welcome everyone, get everyone together for pictures and have a laugh in an hour which tends to be a bit of a lull.
Surprise Sax Player – Our first dance played by our DJ was an Acoustic Cover of an Ibiza Classic (Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy)…. ½ way through the song the track changed to the original and out popped our surprise live sax player with her Swarovski Crystal Saxophone. It was such a fantastic moment and our guests went wild and all started joining in and jumping around.
Tamsin’s Hen Do – My sister and mum planned the most incredible week in Nice. The surreal moment… meeting The Beckhams at La Guerite in Cannes, getting papped and ending up in the Daily Mail. It’s the kind of place where after lunch everyone gets up on the tables and chairs and has a dance. Memories I will treasure forever!
Advice For Other Couples
Give yourself time to plan as much as possible well in advance. Once you’ve found a supplier you like get them booked in, as the good ones can be booked up well over a year in advance. Set yourself a task a week and slowly you will see the weeks fly by and your wedding will be here in no time. Prioritise what’s important to you as a couple and don’t feel pressured by what other people are doing.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Photographer
Red Maple Photography
Acrylic Signage
White Truffle Signs
Stationery
Made by the Bride (Tamsin)
Cake
Made by the Bride (Tamsin)
Flowers
The Rose Shed
Make Up
Charlotte Tillyer
Hair Styling
Holly Andersen
Grooming
Savage Beauty
Music
Sarah Sax
Music
DJ Luke Nukem
Venue
Elmore Court
Dress & Cape
WED2B
Shoes
Freya Rose London
Bridesmaid Dresses
Eliza & Ethan
Accessories
Liberty In Love
Suits
Reiss
Wow, so gorgeous.
Many thanks to Tamsin and Tom for sharing with us their sensational nuptials xo Lou