An Silk Bamboo, Ethical Wedding Dress for a Charming and Delightful Country Wedding

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Do you ever have days which pass by in the blink of an eye, where you feel as if you haven’t stopped and the hours have passed in a whirlwind of activity?

If you’re having a day like that today then please take a few moments to pause, relax and take some time to yourself, as you read this absolute beauty of a summer wedding. Today’s bride and groom are Major and Mrs Hammond, who married on 27 May 2017 in the leafy green gardens of the bride’s parents’ home in Somerset. Their inspiration was the English countryside, with an overarching rustic, simple theme – cue lots of jam jars, fairy lights and everything pretty-much homemade!

Pippa, a volunteer, and Andy, an Army doctor, first met at a house party hosted by the bride’s brother and his wife, but only got together a few months later. I was so delighted to see that the bride selected a Sanyukta Shrestha gown for her special day. We adore Sanyukta at Love My Dress and Little Book for Brides, and thoroughly admire her eco-friendly, ethical ethos and commitment to supporting and empowering the women of Nepal. Take a look at this Love My Dress interview with the designer to find out more. The gown’s simple, elegant design and smooth lines perfectly fit in with the pared-back country theme. Oh and the lacy cap sleeves… love, love, love. It’s actually made from organic bamboo silk, a sustainable material that looks and feels superb.

“I hadn’t heard of Sanyukta but I had walked past her shop a few times and thought I should give it a go. I went on my own as the stress of four bridesmaids having VERY different opinions was a bit much. I had such a great time on my own and loved every dress I tried on. The one I ended up picking, once I stepped into it, I started to blush. They always say that you will know the dress when you see it. It’s hard to believe until you have that moment.”

Photography Mark Leonard Photography

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“I had no idea there was such a thing as bamboo silk. It sounds absurd but it feels wonderful. This may also sound a little stupid, but you would understand if you knew me – my dress made me feel like a lady. Not a princess, a lady. I had a few dress fittings and just wasn’t happy with anything. I’m quite petite so a big meringue dress just made me look like a child playing dress-up.”

“We were both actually dating people at the time so nothing happened. It wasn’t until a few months later that we bumped into each other at the Cavalry Memorial Parade. This time we were both single and by the end of the evening he had booked in a proper date the following weekend. He was stationed in Germany at the time so he flew over to London to take me out to dinner!”

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“He proposed on Valentine’s Day 2016. He actually planned on doing it the day before (his birthday) but it rained all day. We were on a walk by the sea and there was this bench overlooking a cove. Stunning views! Then, out of nowhere, two girls started singing.”

“It really caught me off guard, then I realised I knew the song. It was ‘American Honey’ by Lady Antebellum, however they had changed the lyrics to ‘Somerset Honey’ which is where I am from. He started saying very nice things and then he got down on one knee… it all went a bit blurry then!”

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The bride’s shoes were from Sam Edelman of New York, and her blonde locks were dressed with a natural, pretty headpiece by The Artisan Dried Flower Co. I love the relaxed styled of her hair, with pretty plaits holding it away from her face. It was styled by The Hair Lodge, Langport and her discreet, natural makeup was applied by make-up artist Hannah Stuckey.

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I haven’t seen a veil like bride Pippa’s for a while – it’s exquisitely made with a smattering of floral lace applique. It’s lovely to hear that Pippa wore an old family veil that her grandmother wore on her wedding day back in August 1942. How wonderful it must be to be able to do that.

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The pair returned to Somerset for the wedding – following their church wedding with a gorgeous garden reception in a marquee at the bride’s parents’ home.

“We chose this location because we wanted a country wedding close to home.”

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The bride walked down the aisle on the arm of her father Rory, as Aretha Franklin’s ‘You Send Me’ played. Army Chaplain the Reverend Matt Coles led the service, in which the couple exchanged traditional vows.

The bride’s ring was a platinum band from Blue Nile, whilst the groom selected a custom-made wooden inlay titanium band, made by Minter and Richter.

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Their readings were ‘Marriage is a temporary madness’, an extract from Louis de Bernieres’ ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

“I’ve never heard the first one read at a wedding before, my mother actually found it online. ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ seems to be read at a lot of weddings now unfortunately, but it is a brilliant reading.”

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The bridesmaids were dressed in super-flattering, wrap gowns in a selection of nude and pink hues from Debenhams, with their hair also adorned with dried flowers from The Artisan Dried Flower Co.

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“If I had to choose a favourite moment it would have to be when Andy and I stepped out of the church, right before the confetti walk. I had tried to get someone to play the bagpipes for our wedding unsuccessfully, however the moment my feet hit the ground outside the church, with all our friends and family standing there, the pipes started.”

“Andy had found someone for us as a surprise. It was the most amazing feeling to hear such a powerful sound at such a powerful moment.”

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The groom even home-made the wedding car – an XK 120 Replica Jaguar Kit car which he built himself! Andy and his groomsmen wore Ceremonial Military uniform, changing in to morning suits after the ceremony. They look totally resplendent with their hats, gloves and swords – which later they used to form a guard of honour.

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The weather was absolutely divine for the post-ceremony photographs taken by Mark Leonard. I love his clear, natural style, and the sunset photographs with the soft, dappled light are my absolute favourites.

Back in the garden, the guests enjoyed a wedding breakfast by Caroline Gent Catering, with a towering cake of cheese, which they cut with the groom’s sword.

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The marquee was dressed with lots and lots of countryside flowers, grown in the garden by the mother of the bride Lucy Macdiarmud. The bouquets and rest of the bridal party flowers were styled by Nicky Llewellyn Flowers. Charming, personal touches came from yards of bunting made by the mother of the bride, and the couple sourced all of the wine glasses on the table from different charity shops and markets. They even designed the stationery, and the drawings of the church and house that you can see are the work of the very talented mother of the bride.

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Entertainment was put on by The Lightyears, and wedding favours were again home-made – sloe gin bottled in old school medicine bottles with a written prescription label, made by the mother of the groom, Stella Hamer. The couple’s first dance was Chris Stapleton; ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.

“When Andy first made me listen to this song, he said it always makes him think of me. I would listen to it on repeat when he was away and then one night we went to a country evening in London and they played this song. It was just so perfect, it had to be our first dance.”

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Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Do the fun shopping with mothers and bridesmaids etc but be prepared to go alone when it comes to making a decision. I went alone to avoid the pressure of pleasing everyone else rather than myself and then made another appointment for my mum and bridesmaids to come and see my final choice.”

“I wish someone had pulled me aside before I walked down the aisle to remind me that I was about to walk into a room where all eyes were on me…! I was surprised at how unnerving it was to have so many people looking, I didn’t even notice Andy’s reaction to seeing me for the first time in my wedding dress.”

“Luckily it was caught on film so I could watch it later! Note to every bride to be… ignore the eyes and focus on your other half at the other end of the aisle.”

“Also on the day, if you have a photographer or videographer… don’t be so nervous. Drop your shoulders, hold your head up high – it’s your wedding day for goodness sake! Don’t look like you’ve got your ear lobes attached to your shoulders like I did.”

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Well Major and Mrs Hamer, I’ve adored sharing your Somerset wedding today. I love the green countryside backdrop complemented by the gorgeous and natural floral styling and Pippa, your silk gown is so, so elegant. For more lovely Sanyukta Shrestha brides please take a look at these other Love My Dress weddings.

Ele xx

Credits & Thanks

Annabel

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.

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