I’ve got serious hair-envy with today’s bride Kirstie, who has the most stunning auburn mane imaginable. I’m sure this feature will provide bridal hair inspiration for all you red-haired brides out there, as well as any of you thinking about having your hair down or in a half-up-half down style on your big day. Kirstie certainly is one beautiful bride!
Kirstie met her beau Michael at university when she joined the Ultimate Frisbee team. After an engagement in a bluebell wood near Kirstie’s home in Chorleywood, the couple were wed in a traditional church ceremony on 2 November 2013. The reception took place at Heatherden Hall, a Georgian-style mansion set in the grounds of the famous Pinewood Studios.
“We are both Christian and therefore wanted a traditional ceremony in a church. For the rest of the day I wouldn’t say there was any particular inspiration. We chose the colour scheme and details just based on what we liked and what we thought went well. We wanted quite a traditional and authentic look with some winter touches for the day.”
Photography Copyright (c) 2015, Eliza Claire
The couple’s images were captured by Eliza Claire. Regular readers might remember Franky’s wedding, one of my absolute favourites, also shot by Eliza at Pinewood Studios.
“Eliza was really lovely and made us feel at ease having our photos taken. She chose a great composition for all our group shots and produced really good photos that we received after the day.”
Kirstie’s dress was a bespoke gown designed and made by Clem Short, a family friend.
“After looking in numerous shops I started to gain more of an idea of what I liked and what suited me however couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. I then decided to go see Clem, who is an old friend of my aunties, and after talking to her about what I liked from different dresses she drew a design that was perfect. I was also able to choose the materials from a number that Clem sourced for me. I loved the silk and lace we chose for the dress, the style and fit of the dress. I liked the traditional style and the cream colour.”
Kirstie herself hand-made her lovely hair accessories using the same lace as her dress. She opted for a cathedral-length veil by Ivory Belle, with that lovely hair styled by Carly Simmons (no website). Kirstie finished the look with shoes by Russell and Bromley
There’s nothing quite like a classic wedding car and this royal blue Rolls Royce by Lord Cars is just fabulous!
I love winter weddings in traditional ‘winter colours’ – reds, burgundies and dark greens– but it’s wonderful to see Kirstie and Michael doing something different with their white and peach scheme. Andrew Flemming was the florist behind the gorgeous flowers.
“We chose the flowers because they were classic and complementary to the colour scheme. We introduced a hint of peach just to give a bit more colour for the bridesmaids.”
The groom wore a navy suit and cream waistcoat from Grooms Southampton, with cufflinks from Moss Bros.
The ceremony was held at Christ Church Chorleywood, which Kirstie describes as ‘a picturesque church where I went to primary school’. Kirstie’s dad walked her down the aisle to I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi played on the piano.
“We said the traditional Church of England vows and chose Colossians 3 vs 12-17 as one of our readings. We felt that this passage gives a good message, especially in marriage, and we wanted to share it with our friends and family.
The couple’s wedding bands were crafted by family friend, Peter Houlgrave (no website), who also made the bride’s necklace and earrings.
“Peter Houlgrave made both our wedding rings and my engagement ring. We wanted to have the same style of ring and both prefer the more classic Gold. We went for comfort when choosing the style of the bands.”
Heatherden Hall, the reception venue, is often used as a film location – and you can see why. These shots in the formal gardens are absolutely beautiful.
“We chose Heatherden Hall because the interiors were very authentic and impressive and the grounds were really big and beautiful, there was a lot of space inside which could have been useful if it rained, and they had winter rates which brought the cost down”
“My favourite part was at the reception after the meal. It was the most relaxed and fun part of the day where I was able to chat and spend time with all my friends.”
The couple decorated the venue with subtle ‘winter touches’ including gold spray-painted fur cones, cream lanterns from Hobbycraft and gold leaf candle holders.
Heatherden Hall did the catering and the groom’s Mum and sister made this delicious-looking chocolate cake. Clearly a very talented wedding party!
“It was a three tier chocolate cake. We both like chocolate cake a lot and Michaels mum and sister felt they could make it better.”
Jake Banfield, a magician, kept everyone entertained before the meal and later in the evening, a ceilidh band featuring the groom’s auntie and uncle got everyone up and dancing.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Try on as many different dresses, not just the ones you like the look of in magazines. The style I found that looked best on me ended up being very different to what I thought I would have gone for.”
Thank you so much to Kirstie and Michael for sharing your beautiful wedding with us – I hope you’ve been enjoying the start of your married life together. Huge thanks to Eliza Claire Photography for capturing such gorgeous images for our readers to ogle today.
Love Louisa xx
Photographer – Eliza Claire Photography
Venue – Christ Church Chorleywood and Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios
Wedding Dress – Clem Short
Veil – Ivory Belle
Headpiece – handmade by the bride
Shoes – Russell and Bromley
Accessories – jewellery by Peter Houlgrave (no website)
Groom – Grooms Southampton and cufflinks by Moss Bros
Bridesmaids – Dresses by Debenhams and shoes by Next
Florist – Andrew Flemming
Cake – made by the groom’s mum and sister
Transport – Lord Cars
Entertainment – Jake Banfield and The Great Eastern Ceilidh Company
Rings – Peter Houlgrave (no website)
Catering – Heatherden Hall
Stationery – Pete Smart
Hair Stylist – Carly Simmons (no website)
