Autumnal Elegance for a Handmade and Vintage Inspired Barn Wedding

Dear Readers, it’s been a scorching hot summer here in the UK, and dare I say it – I’m feeling ready for autumn! It’s my favourite season anyway, as the leaves change colour and the nights draw in, and so it’s brilliant to share some of that loveliness with you in the shape of today’s wedding.

What’s extra special about this celebration is how the couple’s families came together to create many aspects of the day, from the bride’s gown and bridesmaid’s dresses to the flowers, stationery, handmade decor and more. Meet Mr and Mrs Brayson, a merchandiser and animal rescue fundraiser, and advanced customer service supervisor respectively. They wed on the 25 October 2017 at the rustic and beautiful Curradine Barns, Worcestershire.

Images by Jo Hastings Photography

Photographer Jo Hastings was on hand to capture the rustic loveliness of the day, and has delivered a stunning and thoughtful collection of images.

“We absolutely loved her and we would recommend her to anyone. She made us feel so relaxed on the day and helped out when she could. She was so friendly with the guests and got great natural pictures of everyone enjoying themselves, and she didn’t mind lying in the middle of a field to get beautiful pictures of us!”The mother of the bride runs Dresses by Julia (no details provided) and was the natural choice to design and make the bridal gown. Mrs Brayson took vintage inspiration from her aunt’s wedding dress, and knew that she wanted long sleeves and lace.

The result is truly lovely – a simple strapless A-line dress with a soft tulle skirt and a high-necked floral lace jacket to go over the top.

The bride chose funky ivory heels with hearts and bows from Irregular Choice, later changing into a second pair of amazing, bright Alice in Wonderland shoes for the evening, also from Irregular Choice.

As her wedding day fragrance, Mrs Brayson chose Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb.

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“I wanted something fruity but strong that I hadn’t used before. Earrings were my ‘something borrowed’ from my mother,  and I had a ring that was my nan’s, that I had fixed and resized for my ‘something old.'”

Family friend Alison McCoo created and supplied the florals for the day, including the wild and wonderful bouquets filled with ivy, ferns, thistles, lavender and gypsophila.

She used make-up products by Chanel, and her sister and maid of honour styled her beautiful auburn hair into curls, and added a sparkly hair vine (also made by the bride’s sister).

“The dresses for the bridesmaids were made by my mother – emerald green lace, calf-length 1950s style full circle dresses with an Audrey Hepburn style bateau neck and sweetheart style underneath the lace.”

These graceful dresses in that deep shade of green look just perfect for dancing, and the maid of honour paired hers with silver ‘Blair Elfglow’ boots with green ribbon laces from Irregular Choice. All of the bridesmaids also wore earrings, which were gifted to them by the bride before the wedding (no details provided).

“We have both always liked that sort of rustic, relaxed look. Our house has that feel, so we loved the idea of having our wedding like it. We love nature and being in the countryside, and that’s one of the reasons we chose Curradine Barns…along with amazing staff and out of this world chefs.”

Mr Brayson’s fantastic three-piece tartan suit came courtesy of Noose and Monkey. Instead of buttonholes, the groom and his groomsmen each wore handmade fly fishing hooks as a nod to his grandfather and his love of fishing – what a lovely idea!

To match the groom’s suit, the mother of the bride made matching tartan waistcoats for the groomsmen, which they wore with navy blue suits and tartan ties.

The couple first met at school and became engaged in 2014 at the Berlin Festival of Lights, with a three year engagement to plan their wedding day.

The bride was accompanied down the aisle by her dad to the song Old Pine by Ben Howard, and they exchanged vows as well as rings, with Mrs Brayson’s ring purchased at J&M Jewellers in Birmingham and Mr Brayson’s from Justin Duance Contemporary Jewellery.

The barn looked lovely, strung with twinkling fairy lights and trailing ivy, as well as handmade bunting and a table plan cleverly made from a recycled pallet, and rustic table names (the couple’s favourite places in Cornwall).

Favours were delicious Ferrero Rocher chocolates, each with a sweet thank you note fixed to them.

A favourite part of the day for the newly married couple was taking a few minutes alone together, to take everything in and watch their loved ones having a wonderful time. But it was back to the dance floor later for a first dance to Paolo Nutini’s Candy and music from DJ Baz Jones.

Following a wedding breakfast from the team at Curradine Barns, there was a gorgeous semi-naked cake decorated with fresh blueberries and flowers from The Little Pink Wedding Shop.

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Our budget was small and that’s why we did as much as we could ourselves by hand, and we had such talented family members too.”

“Make sure you do what you want and really show your personality as a couple through your wedding. Don’t just do what you think you have to do, do things you want to do. Not only will you always remember it, everyone will always remember you for it.”

“Smiling for photos can be long and a little painful (in the cheeks!), so just remember your photographer is the one you are paying, so don’t be distracted by everyone else’s flashing cameras.”

“Don’t be scared to eat…you’ll need it – it’s a long day and the food you’ve chosen for a reason so make sure you enjoy it!”

“Enjoy every moment and be grateful for what you have because you’ll want to do it all over again!”

Thank you to the happy couple for sharing their amazing autumnal wedding day. What a sweet and talented family! Thanks also go to Jo Hastings for these fantastic images. You can view more of her work on Love My Dress here.

With love,

Laura x