Hello my lovelies! Is everyone still enjoying this fabulous weather? What did we do to deserve all this sun this year?! I, for one, am still basking in it and will be taking full advantage up until it disappears again and we’re subjected to another long winter.
On a slightly a different note, today’s wedding takes us way back to February, during said long winter earlier this year. Writer Alyson and wedding photographer Jonny tied the knot on 17th February 2018 during a ceremony at St Andrews church in Chew Magna, followed by a reception at walled garden restaurant The Ethicurean in Bristol.
“We found St Andrews nearby the reception venue and just thought it perfect for us. We chose The Ethicurean because we really love the food and space there. It was just right for the number of people we wanted at our wedding, and the guys who run it are really lovely people!”
Images by Green Antlers Photography
The bride chose BHLDN bridal separates to wear on her special day, including a sleeveless lace crop and ethereal floaty tulle skirt, the perfect bohemian inspired look to suit the day. Her gorgeous nude shoes from Capezio complimented the simple yet WOW outfit, and accessories were kept simple with a delicate BHLDN hair piece and pearl necklace.The gorgeously rustic church was the perfect setting for the couples documentary style portraits, all shot by London-based husband and wife photography duo Sam and Diana from Green Antlers Photography. A wedding photographer himself, Jonny had high hopes for the duo who didn’t disappoint with their alternative, bohemian style.
“Jonny first met Sam and Diana at a Way Up North social following a workshop he took with Nordica Photography. He instantly connected with them as he had just started following them on social media. They kept in contact and he just had a feeling that they would be a perfect fit for our wedding. They have a natural documentary style and have a similar approach to his own work. We couldn’t recommend them enough!”
“I really wanted something quite simple for our wedding flowers and arrangements, and Lizzie at Flowers by Alison immediately understood the look we were going for. She created my bouquet and the buttonholes and Jonny’s mum arranged all of the flowers in the church.”
St Andrews church provided the perfect dreamy backdrop to the couple’s vows and, as Alyson was accompanied down the aisle by her father, Pachelbel’s Canon in D provided an angelic soundtrack to the start of the ceremony, led by Jonny’s own uncle.
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“We wanted to keep things really simple on the day and focus on only keeping traditions that were meaningful to us as a couple. It was important to us to have our marriage blessed by God, so we opted for a religious service that included various family members and close friends. For our reception we wanted to celebrate with good company and enjoy an amazing meal!”
The groom wore a two-piece tweed suit from Ted Baker paired with a crisp white shirt, black suede shoes, socks from Stance, a floral bow tie from Etsy and buttonhole made by Bristol-based florist Flowers by Alison.
The couple first met whilst Jonny was on a work trip and using his brother’s house as a place to stay whilst there. It turned out Aly was her brothers new housemate and the rest, as they say, is history…
“It was love at first sight but it took a month (and lots of encouragement from his brother!) for Jonny to pluck up the courage and ask me out. Jonny’s siblings surprised him with plane tickets to an undisclosed location for his birthday. He colluded with his sister to send us both to Copenhagen but kept me in the dark.”
“Convinced I was at the airport to return home, Jonny managed to get me through security and onto the plane before the captain ruined his second surprise – we were headed to the Faroe Islands! After a bit of exploring on the islands, Jonny proposed one evening in a really remote location; a seaside cabin surrounded by candlelight. We were only engaged for 3.5 months before the wedding! It didn’t give us much time to plan but we did it.”
The couple chose two of their favourite bible verses as the readings during the ceremony before swapping rings to seal the marriage; Jonny’s a bespoke ring made by a friend and Alyson’s a ring passed down to her from her grandmother.
When asked what Jonny’s favourite part of the day was, he lovingly describes it as spending time with Alyson during their wedding portraits.
“It was so nice to be able to take a walk around the walled garden and let it all sink in.”
Words Of Wedded Wisdom
“Don’t feel you need to include everything or incorporate something into your day just because it’s become the norm. It’s possible to have a low-key celebration that still feels incredibly special, if that’s what you want to do.”
Sometimes simple is better and Jonny and Aly’s wedding just proves that theory. A big thank you to the newlyweds for letting us in on their special day and to Green Antlers Photography for sharing these images with us.
Until next time…
Holly x
Credits & Thanks
- Photographer - Green Antlers Photography
- Venue - St Andrews Church and The Ethicurean
- Wedding dress - BHLDN
- Head piece - BHLDN
- Shoes - Capezio
- Groom - Ted Baker, Stance and Etsy
- Catering - The Ethicurean
- Florist - Flowers by Alison
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.
