Us wedding bloggers are to a large degree known for sharing the big, the fancy, the weddings chocked to the rafters with DIY ideas galore to inspire your creative juices. And that's great – it's wonderful when a couple embrace their inner artist and get their creativity on for their wedding day, we love that! Every once in a while though, something quite different but just as wonderful comes along.
Not all weddings are elaborate, extravagant affairs – some couples prefer to do things in a much more intimate fashion, and never more has this been truer than when Aoibhlinn and her groom Hisham tied the knot. The couple who chose to get wed in Gretna Green on 13th April this year, wanted a peaceful, intimate wedding. They didn't even book their wedding photographer until a week before the event itself and approached the planning of the day in a relaxed and informal manner.
I simply love how this pared down wedding captures the only real ingredient you need for any successful wedding and marriage – love. Just look at that first shot below, says it all…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Zoe Campbell
"Hisham
and I started dating in 2012, and decided to get married within a few
months. We live in Dubai, but wanted to get married in Scotland, and so
chose Gretna Green.
We
wanted things to be as simple and peaceful as possible- to have a lovely
day with the minimum of stress and fuss. Living in Dubai, we had to
organise the wedding from abroad, so that meant a certain amount of
blind trust! However we were absolutely blessed, and every aspect of the
day was perfect.
We decided to use a version of the vows provided by the registry
office in Gretna Green. We had thought about learning them by heart so
we wouldn’t need to read them, but I think anyone who has ever got
married will know that expecting to retain anything from memory on your
wedding day is impossible! We did, however, say our vows to each other
(with a bit of help from a crib sheet) instead of repeating phrases
after the registrar. It just felt much more fitting."
"I designed my dress myself, and got it made in a little tailor’s
shop in Satwa, Dubai, called Dream Girls. I bought the fabric in Dubai.
In all of this I was enormously helped by my wonderful friend Una, who also lives in Dubai, who came to all the fittings and helped
me with the tweaking! (Not to mention calming me down when pre-wedding
nerves hit!).
I loved the fabric, especially the lace overdress. I knew when I
picked up the lace in the fabric shop that it was going to be my wedding
dress. It’s strange how you 'just know'."
"My father, Michael Hester, walked me down the aisle – he was an
absolute rock of love and sense during the whole process. I have to also
mention my gorgeous sister, Doireann Hester, who was the best
bridesmaid anyone could ask for!"
"Hisham got his suit made by a tailor in Dubai. It’s a little shop in the Bur Dubai district, called ‘Ravi Lobo’."
"Our photographer was Zoe Campbell
was our wedding photographer, and we have thanked our lucky stars many,
many times that we found her. She was absolutely wonderful- on the day
she was so cheerful, friendly and lovely- put everyone at ease- and the
photos are absolutely gorgeous.
Zoe really captured the happiness of
this very special occasion."
"We bought our wedding rings at Cara jewellers in Dubai. My
engagement ring was my late grandmother’s. It feels so special to wear
her ring, having seen it on her finger for many years growing up. Every
time I look at my left hand it’s as if I see her smiling up at me."
"Our flowers came from Vandella Flowers in Carlisle.
I was really impressed with them. I emailed them very much at the last
minute with my order, and even though it was a Sunday, Alison emailed me
and spoke to me on the phone in Dubai, sorted out all the logistics,
and even gave me advice on other details, like hairdressers! I couldn’t
recommend them highly enough."
Words of Wedded Wisdom…
"We chose the reception venue, Willowbeck Lodge, initially
because it had really good reviews on TripAdvisor. Then we spoke to
John and Liz the owners and knew instinctively that we would be in good hands.
Willowbeck itself is a beautiful setting. The rooms are sumptuous and
the food is amazing. The
whole wedding party stayed there, in their beautiful rooms. We could not
have chosen a more wonderful venue, with more fantastic hosts.
Everything was absolutely perfect. I was very fortunate to have had the wedding I have always dreamed of."
You couldn't get more pared down and fuss free. All you need really is love, love love.
Annabel
Photographer – Zoe Campbell
Venue – Gretna Green + Willowbeck Lodge in Scotby, Cumbria
Wedding Dress – Designed by the bride + made at Dream Brides in Dubai
Hair accessories – fresh flowers brought by the brides sister
Brides Shoes – 'What For'
Groom's Attire – Tailor made in Dubai
Flowers – Vandella Flowers in Carlisle
Hair Stylist – Toni and Guy in Carlisle
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
