Eliza Jane Howell Glamour for a Relaxed Winter Village Hall Wedding

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I am currently rugged up in several layers and cocooned in a blanket, as we’re finally experiencing winter chills here in Oz; very apt timing as I prepare this feature of a beautiful mid-winter wedding. With glorious images by Emma Boileau Photography, I’d recommend taking a little tea-break as you read about this lovely tale of two professional medics who were teenage sweethearts. Ash is a doctor and Jess is a nurse and they tied the knot on 9th January 2016 in church, followed by a reception at Chipping Village Hall in Preston, Lancashire.

I always wanted a winter wedding, so that was the only main inspiration of the day, and both of us loved the idea of the day being more relaxed and not at an official wedding venue.”

Photography by Emma Boileau Photography

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Jess discovered her utterly glamorous beaded Eliza Jane Howell gown online and purchased it via Lulu Browns Bridal Boutique.

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

“I loved the designers’ dresses the second I saw them (literally all of them). I saw my particular dress online and knew I loved it before I even tried it on. As soon as I walked through the door at Lulu’s, I saw it, tried it on and that was the decision made. Lulu’s have the loveliest girls who work there and they made me feel comfortable from the start.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.
“We met ten years ago when we were sixteen in the same Biology A-level class at Newman College in Preston. Ash proposed on a picnic in June 2014 and we married eighteen months later.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Ash surprised his bride with a pair of Jimmy Choo heels (a move certain to earn many brownie points!) on the morning of the wedding. Jess added a spritz of Chanel’s ‘Coco Mademoiselle’, a gorgeous Miranda Templeton brow band, a short veil and special jewellery.

“I borrowed some diamond earrings from my godmother – we are very close and she had always said she wanted all her daughters to wear them.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.=

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

The bridesmaid’s floor-length gowns were from Coast and were paired with heels from Next. They were gifted with a Pandora bracelet and to keep the winter chill at bay added luxurious stoles, which made for such a glam look. The hairstyles were created by Mairead from Wedlocks Hair and I just adore the maid’s pretty plaits and cascading curls.

“Mairead was fantastic and she did my hair, the five bridesmaids and my mum and was completely calm and stress free. She settled right in with us on the wedding morning. Make up was done by my friend Sophie.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

 

The wedding party rode in a vintage Bentley owned by a family friend and guests were transported via a vintage London bus. The couple’s rings were from George Banks Jewellers and Jess was walked by her dad down the aisle at their beautiful church, to the traditional wedding march played by the church organist.

“We had Corinthians 13:4-8 – ‘Love is Patient, Love is Kind’ as our reading. This is a really popular wedding reading and the words are perfect.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Ash sported a fantastic checked Ted Baker suit with Russell & Bromley shoes and bowtie, with the groomsmen in complementary suits via Next. I love the shot of them taking a cheeky swig from their hip flasks.

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

“We cannot recommend our photographer Emma Boileau Photography highly enough. Two of our close friends got married a couple of years ago and had Emma photographing and after seeing her work she was perfect for us. Ash and I aren’t the best in front of the camera so the decision to have a ‘pre shoot’ was not easy, but after meeting her she made us feel so much more relaxed. On the wedding day it was like having an extra friend rather than photographer and we are ridiculously happy with the pictures.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

The couple and their family and friends were able to utilise the venue for a couple of days before the wedding and it was all hands on deck to transform it into the winter wonderland they wanted – with loads of fairy lights, candelabras and candles creating a beautiful, romantic ambience, greenery everywhere and even pine cones as name places.

“We both wanted a venue that we could do whatever we wanted with – Chipping Village Hall had so much potential and with one hundred and seventy five wedding guests we needed the space!”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Mother and daughter Louise and Tilly from Field and Garden Flowers grow all their own wild flowers – we weren’t particularly fussy but knew we didn’t want colours. When I met with Louise we had very similar tastes. We could only have seasonal flowers that Louise could grow so we put all our faith in her. Her hard work was amazing and she was at the absolute centre of the transformation of the hall.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

 The newlyweds had a firm favourite on the menu for their guests – good old pie and mash.

“We wanted pie and mash at the wedding from the start – we both love our food and wanted a good meal. Tim from Country Kitchen Cafe in Waddington and his team did the catering for the whole day, everything was just as we asked and the pies went down a treat.”

 

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

“The cake was made by my aunt Angie – she worked so hard on it and the result was perfect. My cousin (her daughter) is getting married this year and she has agreed to do it all again!”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Agent Smith is hands down the best wedding band ever. The dance floor was packed all night – if you are local to Lancashire/Manchester then you must book them!

We also had string quartet The Dotted Crotchets play during the drinks reception for a couple of hours. They really got the day off to the best start and played songs that Ash and I had chosen before the big day – our guests loved them.

We didn’t want a first dance on our own on the dance floor so chose to have everyone join us. We had Kodaline’s ‘The One’ – the lyrics were perfect for us.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“I probably ruined my hen do for myself a little bit, as I was so worried about people having a good time. For the wedding day I didn’t want that to be the case again and I know it’s probably the same advice from all brides, but be sure to enjoy yourself. It’s over in a flash and as long as you’re having a great day everyone else will too.”

Jess wears an Eliza Jane Howell dress for her winter village hall wedding. Photography by Emma Boileau.

I remember thinking the exact same thing as Jess and worrying that my guests weren’t going to enjoy themselves. I became obsessed and completely convinced that no one would dance to the songs we’d picked for the DJ to play, but my worry was wasted as the dance-floor was packed all night and it was because my family and friends could see that I was thoroughly enjoying myself and soaking up all of those happy emotions (and giving it my all with funky interpretive dance moves!).

Sending loads of thank you’s to photographer Emma for sharing these wonderful images – and be sure to view more of Emma’s work we’ve shared on the blog here. And to Jess and Ash – you created so much warmth on a chilly winter’s day and I wish you both the most beautiful future together.

Love Jo -x-

 

Photographer – Emma Boileau Photography
Venue – Chipping Village Hall, Preston, Lancashire
Wedding Dress – Eliza Jane Howell via Lulu Browns Bridal Boutique
Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Headpiece – Miranda Templeton
Perfume – Chanel’s ‘Coco Mademoiselle’
Accessories – Diamond earrings (borrowed from bride’s godmother)
Groom – Ted Baker suit + Russell & Bromley shoes
Bridesmaid’s Dresses – Coast
Bridesmaid’s Shoes – Next
Bridesmaid’s Accessories – Pandora bracelets
Groomsmen – Next suits
Pageboy – Monsoon
Florist – Field and Garden Flowers
Catering – Country Kitchen Cafe
Cake – By the bride’s aunt Angie
Entertainment – Agent Smith + The Dotted Crotchets
Transport – Bentley (owned by a family friend) + vintage London bus
Stationery – Vistaprint + handmade table plan, place names and order of service
Rings – George Banks Jewellers
Hair Stylist – Wedlocks Hair
Makeup – By the bride’s friend Sophie

Jo Singletary

Jo Singletary View all Jo's articles

Jo hails from and lives in sunny Australia, is currently working towards her dream of being a career coach and a few of her favourite things are watching the sunrise over the ocean, morning walks on the beach, butterflies, and supporting the guide dogs charity.

3 thoughts on “Eliza Jane Howell Glamour for a Relaxed Winter Village Hall Wedding

  1. Jess’ dress is absolutely perfect for her she looks so beautiful. What a gorgeous day! I do so love the bridesmaids luxe stoles too x x x

    1. Me too Emily! This is a beautiful example of a stylish, winter wedding. The seasonal flowers show what a beautiful, non-Christmassy, bouquet you can have at this time of year. You would actually never guess that this is a village hall. All the decorations and twinkly lights have turned it into something very special. Congratulations you two on your beautiful day and future together xx

  2. I’ve absolutely loved reading through this! It’s brought back so many memories from such a brilliant day with Jess and Ash. What a wedding to start the year on :). Thank you so much for the feature x

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