1930’s and 1940’s Inspired Bridal and North Yorkshire Country House Elegance

I’m so delighted to be sharing this wedding with you this morning lovelies – the couple are Sarah and Davie, and I know Sarah a little because she’s sisters with one of my friends – so up until 22nd April this year, I’d been hearing all about their wedding plans through my friend and have been looking forward to seeing these lovely photographs for sometime now.

Sarah, a Dance Teacher, tied the knot with Davie, an Electrical Design Engineer with a ceremony at Saint Mary’s Church, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, followed by a reception at the elegant Rudby Hall in Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire. The whole day was a lesson in bridal and country house wedding elegance – a look and vibe that was inspired by the bride’s love of a bygone era.

“I’ve always loved the 1930’s and 1940’s so wanted a vintage inspired feel but a wedding that was still very much current and timeless.”

Images by  From The Smiths Photography

“Our photographers, Sarah-Jane and Simon of From The Smiths Photography were amazing. We couldn’t have wished for better photographers. They made us feel relaxed. They were friendly, fun and professional. We loved their style and would recommend them to anyone looking for beautiful creative photographs.”

“Davie and I first met in 2004 when I was 15 and Davie was 17. It was bonfire night and my friends invited me to go to a bonfire on the local field. After going out for about six months, we lost touch for about two and a half years before Davie got in touch with me just after I started university. It turned out neither of us had ever stopped thinking about the other.”

“Davie proposed on the 4th May 2015. We have always enjoyed walking and a favourite place is Guisborough Woods and a particular path called ‘Lovers Ledge’ which is often home to butterflies. In the months before he proposed I had asked to go to the path a number of times but Davie had always said we were in the wrong part of the woods. I later learned this was a ploy.”

“On the day we set out as usual and took a route via High Cliff where you can see for miles. When we got to the path two butterflies flew in front of us and it all looked so beautiful. We made our way to a bench and Davie asked if I would like some water and went in his bag. I looked away and when I looked back he was on one knee with the most perfect ring.”

“I immediately started to cry and almost forgot to say yes, I was so happy. We were engaged for just under two years when we got married.”

These beautiful shoes by the way are by Benjamin Adams and were purchased from Debenhams.

“Our florist was Leven Flowers. As my bridesmaids were wearing green I wanted to use my flowers to pick out different colours. I got a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and selected the shape and the bouquets and my centre pieces from there. I went for a textured look.”

Sarah’s bridesmaids wore beautiful gowns from Dessy with shoes they picked themselves, by Jenny Packham and Pink by Paradox.

They also wore headpieces by Jon Richard and emerald green earrings that were handmade by one of the bridesmaids.

“We were married in Saint Mary’s Church in Nunthorpe – this is where I was christened, confirmed and where my older sister Amanda was married too.”

Sarah was accompanied in to the ceremony with her dad, followed by her three bridesmaids Julie, Helen and Jess, to the sound of the traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner.

During the ceremony, there were two readings, which included a variation of a poem by Deborah Bridea read by Davie’s sister Carly…

You belong in each other’s arms
Finally, you have found a place
Into which you fit Perfectly, Safely
And securely with no doubts,
No fears, no sadness, no tears.

This place is filled with happiness and laughter
Yet it is spacious enough, to allow you
The freedom to move around,
To live your life and be yourself.
This wonderful place, which you never believed really existed,
You have found finally
Inside your arms, inside your hearts, inside your love.

“The other readings included an extra from The Song of Solomon, read by my sister Lauren.”

“My engagement ring was from Reid and Sons in Newcastle. Davie chose it himself and I couldn’t have done better myself, it is so me. Our wedding rings were both from H Samuel – Davie had his ring made as a special order. It’s a rose gold band. He always said he wanted something different and there was something about the rose gold that caught his eye.”

“We both agree that the ceremony was our favourite part of the day. All the nerves and excitement beforehand and then just feeling the happiest we have both ever felt.”

“It went by in a flash but from speaking to our guests, Sarah-Jane the photographer and then seeing the pictures; we just looked so happy to be finally getting married and starting the next chapter of our lives together.”

The couple hired a 1930’s style Beauford & Mercedes limousine from Elite Wedding Cars to be transported between their church and reception venue.

“Our reception was at Rudby Hall in Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire. We looked round several venues; many of which ticked all the boxes on our wish list but none that felt right.”

“From the moment, we walked into Rudby Hall we got ‘that feeling’ and knew it was the perfect place for our wedding.”

“We bought our personalised ‘Mr & Mrs Melluish’ sign from Made with Love and Sparkle. Lace chair sashes were provided by The First Class Wedding Company.  We got a bargain on white photo frames from Tesco. We borrowed vintage suitcases off family friends including Annabel from LMD and my sister made the cards sign the night before the wedding.”

“We had goodie bags for the children, teacup candles for the ladies and whisky for the men. The whisky miniatures came from drinksupermarket.com. I sourced the teacups myself from charity and antique shops as well as ebay. My bridesmaid Helen made them for me as she has experience making candles.”

“Davie and I made most of the stationery ourselves with help from friends and family. Our guest book and place cards were from Paperchase.”

“I love Bettys fondant fancies and can’t go past a tearoom without buy a box, so when I found that I could get a fondant fancy wedding cake I couldn’t believe it.”

“I always liked the idea of individual cakes and the fact we could choose the flower decoration to go on top was brilliant. We went for the sweet pea design to match the pink flowers on the day.”

“During the day, we had a saxophonist to entertain our guests, and in the evening, we had my maid of honour Julie singing and playing acoustic guitarist. We also had a DJ from Magnum Entertainment.”

“We chose an acoustic version of  ‘Use Somebody’, by Kings of Leon as our first dance track – it’s ‘our song’ and the only song Davie has ever sung to me when other people were around, as we slow danced to it in the middle of a nightclub. My maid of honour sang it to us, accompanied by a guitarist. She also sang three other special songs to us and a surprise song which was amazing.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Focus on each other throughout. That includes the planning and the day itself, as the most important thing is that you two are getting married.”

“We had the most wonderful wedding party and couldn’t have wished for better support from our family, best men and bridesmaids in the lead up to our big day and throughout. We owe them all a massive thank you.”

“Our original budget was £17,500 but we did exceed this. We wouldn’t have changed a thing though.”

A true lesson in bridal elegance. Sarah and Davie – thank you so much for letting us share your beautiful wedding day. Sending you love, best wishes and huge congratulations from us all at Love My Dress,

Annabel x