Friends and family members pitched in to help Sarah Jane and Luke create a highly individual day, from her graphic designer brother who helped with the stationery to her sister who runs a craft business and assisted with the decorations. "We didn't really want to have too strict a theme, but I love vintage jewellery, styling and interiors so that definitely spilled over into the day," says Sarah Jane. "Colour wise, we had lots of gold to tie everything together, pale green for the stationery and beautiful brightly coloured flowers everywhere."
Sarah Jane chanced upon her dress in a sale and, by enlisting a dressmaker to add some sleeves, gold trim to the waistband and bling to the shoulders, she created her dream dress. "I absolutely loved wearing it," she recalls. Luke, meanwhile, looked dapper in a Reiss suit and a pocket square by Peckham Rye.
Sarah Jane walked down Huntsham Court's beautiful staircase for the "amazing" ceremony. "Luke was in tears the moment I walked in to 'Toothpaste Kisses' by The Maccabees, while I got the proper giggles, both of which had everyone laughing," she recalls. Sarah Jane's Dad then whisked the newly-weds off to the chapel in the grounds in his classic Daimler for a blessing.
Croquet, lawn games and divine canapes ensured guests were amused and appetites whetted for the wedding breakfast: scrumptious platters of continental meats, roasted vegetables, breads and olives followed by beef fillet with horseradish cream and all the trimmings. A show-stopping cake table, brimming with the sweet handiwork of the keen bakers in the family, made for a fitting finale to the foodie couple's feast.
"We are both big music lovers, so we spent a lot of time putting together playlists of our favourite music for each different part of the weekend," explains Sarah Jane. The evening saw a friend take to the decks and a packed dance floor into the small hours, while the unveiling of a fancy dress rail proved a roaring success. Sarah recounts one of her fondest memories of the day: "We will never forget the moment everyone stormed the dance floor near the end of our first dance, 'Love is in the Air' By John Paul Young. It was really special to have everyone up there with us."
Sarah Jane has some sterling advice for brides and grooms-to-be: "Make some time to meet up with your guests the next day if you can. Spending the Sunday breakfast and barbecue chatting to everyone about their experience of the day before was one of our favourite things." She adds: "And get someone to video the speeches!"
Photography Nova Photography www.novaweddingphotography.co.uk
Venue Huntsham Court www.huntshamcourt.co.uk
Catering Food 4 You www.food-4-you.co.uk
Dress Monsoon www.monsoon.co.uk
Bridesmaid dresses Next www.next.co.uk
Groom's outfit Reiss www.reiss.com
Flowers Earth Gallery www.earthgallery.biz
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
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