Oh. My. Days.
If there was ever a more stunning D.I.Y. wedding, you have to show me, because I don't believe you!
Martha and Ben got married at Walcot Hall in Shropshire, and it was quite an adventure to find it - a gorgeous long driveway and impressive frontage, with little hidden buildings and quirky details to be discovered everywhere you looked.
Martha and her bridal party all got ready together in the massive, airy bridal suite in the main house, whilst the boys were up the hill in the Old Chapel. There were fruit platters and there was champagne, and dress-steaming, and giggles, and lost make-up brushes...
Ben sent Martha a beautiful little elephant necklace as a nod to their upcoming honeymoon in Sri Lanka, and his lovely little note had everyone welling up with happy tears. Martha gifted her dad some sharpener cufflinks to wear - a nod to the fact she was about to become a "Sharp," and some matching necklaces for each of her bridesmaids, then before anyone knew it, it was time to make their way down the grand staircase, across the courtyard and out through the arboretum to the ceremony.
Martha's dress was spectacular, with gold jacquard detailing, and completely suited her creative character. Ben wore a luxurious deep green Paul Smith suit, and all the groomsmen were all in very cool, different grey suits, with Liberty ties and socks. Martha's friend Sam joined alongside the band, The After Hours, to sing Martha and her bridesmaids (and dog!) down the aisle, through the signing of the register and out to the drinks reception, which was a gorgeous personal touch.
But wait, this wasn't the only personal touch, and far from it! Ben's mum and dad are market gardeners and grew all the flowers, lovingly crafted the bouquets and the buttonholes, and dressed the tables, the chairs, the trees, the cake, and anywhere else you could hang a little jar or tie a little bunch. The spectacular cake complete with golden safari animals climbing their way up the home-grown flowers was created by Martha's auntie Becky; the floral watercolour illustrations across the table plan, the orders of service, the invites and the little signposts everywhere were by her auntie Sally; the fabric collage place-cards were handmade by her auntie Judy and these were tied to vintage spoons that had each been hand-stamped with names and messages by Sue, Martha's mum - that's real dedication!
The details didn't stop there though... Martha and her sisters had whiled away many, many, many hours crafting pom-pom after pom-pom after pom-pom and they were everywhere from the bouquets to the trees to the dogs' collars! The whole day was a vibrant cornucopia of colour and fun, complete with a wild Mariachi band leading a conga with sombreros around the lawn and fire pits burning in the courtyard! And when the night came to a close, the guests were able to easily make their way through the trees to find their kooky little spots for glamping - be that a gypsy caravan , a yurt, a repurposed wheelwright's shop or a more solid foundation in the stable block.
If you'd like to see more, head on over to Client Galleries, or check out another wedding on the blog. If you'd like to book me or find out what I can do for you and your big day, you can contact me here.
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