Good morning :) I have such a wonderful treat for you today and have been very excited about featuring this particular wedding. I just knew it would delight you as much as it did me the first time I saw it, for this is one of the most stunning weddings I think I've ever featured on Love My Dress; think Tudor style in a grand palatial setting, with a Bride of natural beauty and a passion for Sixteenth Century history.
These photographs tell the story of the marriage of Drake Lawhead and Suzannah Lipscomb, whose wedding took place on 22 May 2010 at Hampton Court Palace..."We were married in the Chapel Royal, and held our reception in the gardens, Great Hall and Gallery. I work as a curator at Hampton Court Palace, which is looked after by the charity Historic Royal Palaces, and am a historian of sixteenth-century England, so the palace has great meaning and significance to me. It was one of Henry VIII's favourite palaces, and where he himself got married! The palace was our inspiration for our slightly Tudor theme. Working at the palace also meant we had the privilege of marrying in the Chapel Royal itself, which is very exclusive.
Kent and Surrey Wedding Photographer Steven Brooks took these beautiful photographs...
Our photographer, Steven Brooks was amazing. I searched 30+ photographers to find one this good and at a reasonable price, and Steven was just incredible. He came for two site visits before the wedding, stayed for 12 hours on the day and was constantly courteous, friendly and professional. The photos are wonderful. Steve also provided a 12x10" photograph of us from a pre-wedding shoot framed in a matt border for our guests to sign at the tea reception - a wonderful keepsake and alternative to a guest book."
Love My Dress Wedding Blog ~ Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Steven Brooks
I actually met Photographer Steven Brooks at the 'Vintage Cherish The Dress' shoot I attended recently (where I also got to meet Damian Lovegrove and Chris Hanley), and I connected with him instantly. Apart from the fact he wowed me immediately with his brand spanking new iPad, he soon proved himself to be a true Gentleman, for he was exceptionally courteous and friendly. I was also quickly able to identify just how very passionate he is too about Photography. I knew instantly I wanted to work with Steve and asked if he had any weddings he could share with my readers. And honestly? I felt rather spoilt when he sent me this fabulous set of wedding photographs!
Suzannah's gorgeous dress was 'Aurelie', by Maggie Sottero...
"I saw this dress online in the only hour of speculative online wedding dress shopping I allowed myself before Drake proposed. I loved the shape - the nipped in waist (achieved through a corset and lacing, which tucks neatly away), the full skirt, and the ruching and gathering that creates such a romantic effect. I was also drawn to the fabric - an ivory taffeta. Funnily enough, I hadn't really wanted a strapless dress, and I was initially drawn to the pale gold version of the dress, but I couldn't find anything to compare with sleeves, and the ivory with gold detail suited my colouring far better than gold. I tried it in a bridal shop, but then found it being sold in exactly the right size and complete with hooped petticoat, on Pre-Loved for half the price.
"My shoes were a pair of pale gold satin shoes from Nine West..."
Suzannah also wore a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings, a pearl necklace (borrowed from friends) and a pearl bracelet...
I bought my veil from The Bridal Box in Summertown, Oxford. It has an antique-style creamy lace border, and a blush..."
"My headdress of woven faux floral vine and ivory flowers was handmade by a seller called Whichgoose on Etsy.com, and Carol added some lily of the valley from our florist friend, Lorna's garden, to sit just above the veil comb."
Isn't this just the most beautiful photograph? If I were that little girl, I'd be bursting with excitement and curiosity. Such a delightful image...
"Drake wore a navy blue tailcoat, hired from good ol' Moss Bros, with pale gold waistcoat, and gold cravat. He also bought some stunning Tan Mayfair Derby shoes from Charles Tyrwhitt for the wedding, and wore gold Tudor rose cufflinks.
Drake had six groomsmen, including my brother, and his brother as Best Man. They wore navy tails to match Drake, but rather than cravats, we had silk ties made in the UK in the same colours and material as the bridesmaids' dresses, so each groomsman's tie matched the dress of the bridesmaid with whom he processed down the aisle, before me and my father."
Bridesmaids...
"My philosophy with my six adult bridesmaids was not to
infantilise them or humiliate them by putting them in matching shapes or
colours they didn't like. I wanted them to look their best. So Drake
and I chose a palette of three colours - emerald green, ruby red, and
sapphire blue (Drake had given me a diamond and emerald engagement ring,
and the others are good Tudor colours that reflected the colours in the
architecture of the palace). We asked the girls to choose a dress they
liked, long or short, and one of the three colours. We then had them
made in silk by my mother's tailor in Oman, and give them matching gold
sashes for the day. The two three year old flower girls wore matching
ivory butterfly dresses from Debenhams.
My present to
each of my bridesmaids was a gold necklace or bracelet, which they wore
on the day. All wore gold shoes, and I encouraged them to
choose a style that suited them..."
"I walked down the aisle with my father to Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze, and we processed out to Mozart's Overture from The Marriage of Figaro. We chose hymns that meant much to us, and the Choir of the Chapel Royal even sang an anthem, Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day, by John Gardner. Everything was played by the talented Chapel Royal organist, Rufus Frowde.
"Organising the wedding was very hard work for both of us, but the
day was incredible, and just what we had hoped for. The bit it's easy to
overlook in the run-up to the wedding is the ceremony, and it's the
most important part. Ours was intensely moving. The sense of joy I felt
on seeing Drake waiting for me will never leave me - he looked gorgeous!
And words can't describe the emotion on vowing to love and cherish him,
and hearing him vow the same.
I was also really touched by the speeches he and my father gave."
Peek-a-boo - one pretty little Bridesmaid just can't resist taking a little look at the newlywed's making their way back down the aisle...
English Country Garden
Flowers...
Possibly the most lovliest 'getting ready' shots I think I have ever seen, so beautifully captured by Steven Brooks - and I'm just blown away by Suzannah's style statement!
I'm posting this wedding over 2 parts, as there are so many wonderful photographs. Pop back around 2pm to see more of the stunning palatial setting and detail that made this day so very special.
Annabel xXx
♥
Luuuurve it
Posted by: Becca | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 07:48
Where in the hell do you find these weddings, this is amazing! I should think the Bride felt like a Royal Princess, it is all so incredible. Gorgeous photos!
Posted by: I just ate cake for my breakfast! | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 07:53
Wow I LOVE this dress!!!! :) What an incredible, beautiful wedding! The photos are stunning!
Posted by: Alex Beadon | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 08:24
This is just incredible! I love Hampton Court and can't wait for part 2!!
Posted by: Antonina | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 08:41
Wow, just stunning - and everything goes so so well with the venue. How amazing to get married at Hampton Court. And I love the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses - that blue is especially wonderful.
Posted by: Emma | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 10:11
Totally gorgeous, what a beautiful wedding and wedding photographs. Utterly inspiring!
Posted by: Jules C | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 10:56
She really looks like an ethereal princess - absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: The Tea Drinking Bride | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 11:12
What an absolutely gorgeous wedding. Nothing short of beautiful.
Posted by: Sarah Vivienne | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 11:42
Just gorgeous! I can see why you've been so excited about this beauty. x
Posted by: Lisa | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 12:30
I couldn't agree more with 'The Tea Drinking Bride' - ethereal and fairy like! The Photographer has done an incredible job!
xXx
Posted by: Ellie | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 12:36
that is too beautiful. it's so hard to pull off a historical theme without going panto, and this is an amazing example of how to do it right. Loving Suzannah's hair, floral wreath and veil - beautifully combined.
Posted by: Naoise | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 12:53
Hi Everyone!
Thanks so much for all the lovely lovely comments. I am sure Suzannah and Photographer Steven will be delighted to read them :)
And 'I just ate cake for breakfast' - I had to laugh at your name! :)
Watch out in 30 mins or so for Part 2, it's beautiful and so inspiring :)
Many thanks again,
Annabel xXx
Posted by: Annabel - Love My Dress Wedding Blog | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 13:36
THAT IS SUCH A STUNNING VEIL! love love love it!!!!!
cant wait for part 2!
MrsJKD. XX
Posted by: Mrs Jon Keith Diamonds | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 14:14
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL!!! What a gorgeous bride too!!
Posted by: Shaneen- Rosewarne Cox Photography | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 16:10
It seems like a wedding took place in heaven.I loved the shape of the bride's dress - the nipped in waist and full skirt, and gathering that creates such a romantic effect.Possibly the most lovliest couple I think I have ever seen.
Posted by: antique wedding rings | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 16:44
What a great wedding, and we're a real fan of Steven Brooks' photography!
Posted by: Mark | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 17:45
What a beautiful dress and beautiful photography.... I married in less than one month now and all those beautiful pics make me dream....
Posted by: Eve | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 16:33