I sat finishing this feature from the rooftop of Soho House in New York on a truly beautiful, warm and sunny Autumn afternoon. At exactly the same time back in London, Love My Dress was winning two awards at the annual Wedding Magazine Wedding Blog Awards. Our lovely Tamryn was in attendance to collect the ‘Best Bridal Style and Fashion’ and ‘Best Social Media’ awards, which I’m so thrilled about. So many, many thanks for every one of you who voted for us.
By the time this feature goes live, we’ll be heading back to England across the Atlantic Ocean, where my husband and I are desperate to get back to our girls after a fantastic week in New York for bridal market. It will be good to get back into the usual routine of work and weddings – despite the crazy excitement of The Big Apple, I do miss being sat at my desk in the beautiful North Yorkshire Countryside. This particular wedding reminds me of home too as it happened to take place not all too far from our home. Emma and Kev tied the knot on 16th May 2015 at The Treehouse, Alnwick Gardens, Northumberland.
Photography by Sarah Jane Ethan
The couple let their venue make a statement and kept everything else relaxed and fuss free.
“We went with what we liked, natural, not too fussy, earthy colours to match our venue. We gave Christine our florist and Dawn our cake lady ideas of what we had in mind and let them do their thing. I’d created a scrapbook with loads of different things in to show and give ideas.”
Bouquet by Lavenders Blue of Morpeth
“Dawn at The Master Cakesmith made our cake. Again we decided we didn’t want anything too fancy and had a few ruffle ideas and went with what she recommend. Dawn was recommended and after an initial meeting with her and a tasting we knew she would be great.”
Emma’s pretty tea length gown was a design by Sincerity, which she purchased from Brides and Grooms of Lincolnshire.
“I knew I wanted a tea length dress from the start. I’d tried lots of different styles but long ones didn’t feel right. I absolutely love my dress it isn’t too big, it’s simple but with a little detail with the belt and flower and I felt like snow white with the little collar on. When I tried this one on I didn’t want to take it off, I couldn’t stop twirling around in it.”
“Kev and I were friends for a little while as we met through mutual friends and things just progressed from there 9 years ago. We got engaged three years ago in York, we went for a chilled weekend at the beginning of December before the mad Christmas rush.
I was desperate for him to propose that weekend but we’d already had a night away and no question was asked and no sign of a ring either, so it was a total surprise when he asked me. Kev’s excuse for no ring was ‘ I knew it wouldn’t be right so we’ll pick one tomorrow ‘. He knows me better than I do and it was lovely doing it together.”
“My Mum walked me down the aisle to the sound of Pachelbel’s Canon played on solo harp, though I can’t remember hearing the song! I was just so wrapped up in the moment and trying to concentrate on my heel not getting stuck in the decking.”
“We both selected vows to one another from suggestions made by The Registrar.”
“Kev was struggling to find the perfect bow tie and handkerchief and felt like he would never find the ones he was looking for but Stephanie Kate helped us out spotting a headscarf at a local vintage market which she transformed for him to a bow tie and pocket scarf. His suit was from Next.”
“In terms of decor, we used recycled jam-jars, twine and tea lights. Our table numbers were cardboard numbers from Hobbycraft wrapped in brown string. Two crates and parcel tags were used for the seating plan along with a couple of our pictures from our pre wedding shoot with our photographer.
We also used pictures from our Grandparents weddings to decorate the cake table as it was important to us that the ones that couldn’t be with us weren’t forgotten and are still loved very much. Our wedding was very much family and close friends that are in our lives.”
“Christine from Lavenders Blue of Morpeth. We liked succulents and wild flowers. Nothing that looks to perfect and neat. We liked her work and also went on recommendations. We were delighted with her and the flowers were beautiful. On the day Christine secured a special locket with photographs of my grandad into the bouquet, this meant so much to me.
The flowers were so beautiful we even gave some as gifts to our guests as we didn’t do favours, we have also planted some at home too, which is a lovely reminder of such a special day.”
“Our photographer Sarah Jane Ethan is fabulous – she had been recommended and once we saw her work we fell in love with it. She captures great relaxed pictures which is exactly what we wanted. Capturing fun, laughter, tears and lots of the little details we’d not even noticed on the day.
Her pictures really take us back to the moment. She is so relaxed and bubbly, we feel like we have made a friend.”
“Our catering was provided by The Treehouse at Alnwick Gardens. We were able to offer our guests a choice of three starters, mains and puddings plus vegetarian options so great for everyone’s taste. From the canapes to the cheese board everything was just perfect. We can’t thank Wendy, David and their team enough. The service was friendly and attentive, never intrusive, and flowed so well.”
“We decided against favours however most people took their place name home and some took the flowers arranged in pots, this was a lovely suggestion from Christine our florist and great mementoes from the day.”
“Kev says that his favourite moment of the day was seeing us get out of the car and sensing the reality that we’d so0n be husband and wife. I haven’t got any one particular favourite moment, the whole day was perfect. I Loved walking to meet Kev with our little girl (Elsea) and my mum, loved that we both had a tear saying our vows, the goosebumps as we’d got married and walked past our guests and knowing there wouldn’t be any more public speaking (For me at least). We laughed cutting the cake as Kev wanted me to do it as he didn’t know how, The Vernon Sisters were amazing. (EVERTHING)
The venue was perfect for us, Wendy, David and his team were fantastic, everything from the food to the flow of the day ran so smoothly.”
“Our first dance was to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’. We’d both heard the song separately and had been speaking about it. The next time we got in the car together ‘thinking out loud’ was on the radio. It was meant to be.”
“Having seen The Vernon Sisters perform before, we knew they would be perfect for our wedding from the classical pieces played during the ceremony to the Motown set in the evening, they have such charisma and certainly know how to get a party started.
They were a big hit with Elsea who danced from their first note to the last, and the disco in between.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Let your mum and partner help they know you inside out and it’s pressure off your shoulders. Don’t let anyone talk you into or out of anything. Invite friends and family that are close to you, that way it’s much more relaxed and you are not on edge trying to impress, as those around you know you and your partner well. Don’t worry about the last minute drop outs, everyone gets them. Don’t get too drunk! It’s the best feeling just been merry and remembering one of the best days of your lives starting your own little family
Enjoying the day from start to finish and waking up with the biggest grin next to your new husband.”
Such a lovely, elegant and laid back affair. Huge, huge thanks to photographer Sarah Jane Ethan for sharing these charming photographs, and our love and congratulations to you both Emma and Kev.
Brides, you can enjoy more weddings photographed by Sarah-Jane here on Love My Dress.
Have a very lovely Friday all,
Love Annabel xx
Photographer – Sarah Jane Ethan
Venue + Catering – The Treehouse at Alnwick Gardens, Northumberland
Brides Dress – Sincerity via Brides & Grooms of Lincolnshire
Headpiece – January Rose
Brides Shoes – Mimosa by Rachel Simpson
Accessories – earrings via Coe and Coe Scunthorpe
Grooms Suit – Next
Flower girl dress- Stephanie Kate
Florist – Lavenders Blue of Morpeth
Cake – The Master Cakesmith
Transport – Alnwick Cars
Entertainment – The Vernon Sisters + a local DJ
Rings – Fillans and Sons of York + Fraser Hart
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.
