A Classic + Elegant Suzanne Neville Dress + Bridesmaids in Dove Grey Tulle Skirts

My goodness, I have the most elegant English country wedding to share with you today, and it also has an abundance of joyful spring flowers and an exquisitely graceful wedding gown.

Georgia, who is studying to become a vet, and David, a tennis coach celebrated their marriage on the 7 April 2018 at the Church of the Blessed Mary in Upham, Hampshire followed by a reception held in Georgia’s parents’ lovely garden. It meant a lot to Georgia to be married in her home village and in the church next door to where she had grown up.

“We met through tennis – a mutual friend suggested we played in a doubles tournament together. David proposed last April in a field with stunning views near my house back home. We had been sat in the field chatting and then as we were leaving, David said he had something in his shoe so I stopped and turned around and he was on one knee with a ring! I was so shocked I couldn’t even say yes! We were engaged for exactly a year.”

Images by Beard + Mane

Georgia chose a magnificent off the shoulder dress with a classic ballgown silhouette by Suzanne Neville, which she purchased from one of our brilliant and highly valued Little Book members, Brides of Winchester.

“When I was trying on dresses, this one was the one that made my mum and younger sister gasp when they saw me – that was when I knew! Every time I went for a fitting, I just didn’t want to take it off and I really missed it when I had to leave it in the shop!”In her glorious, pre-Raphaelite hair, Georgia wore fresh blooms, including traditional waxflowers. Hair styling and pretty, fresh make-up came courtesy of Abi Lane at Dune Hair and Beauty.

Georgia wore earrings borrowed from her mum, ivory court shoes with a silver glitter trim from Rainbow Club via John Lewis, and for fragrance, her everyday perfume – Eau Dynamisante by Clarins.

Georgia’s delicate floral crown of hellebore and waxflowers was created by talented florist Catherine Coombes, who worked to the couple’s brief of seasonal spring blooms.

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Georgia’s bouquet was a beautiful celebration of the season, with more of those spring green and blush pink tinged hellebore, along with pink ranunculus, waxflowers, white grape hyacinths and greenery.

The bridesmaids wore romantic tulle skirts in a soft dove grey paired with white lace tops from The Boutique & Co. On their feet they wore silver pumps from Dune, with flowers in their hair and a bangle each from Cabbage White – gifts from Georgia.

“I gave each of my bridesmaids a personalised bangle on the morning of the wedding to thank them for everything that they had done and so that they could have a little piece of the adventure with them every day.”

David wore a classic morning suit from A Suit That Fits and shoes from Loake. He and his best man and groomsmen wore matching blue ties from Moss Bros, with the groom’s party also wearing blue waistcoats from Charles Tyrwhitt.

Georgia walked to the village church with her bridesmaids, father and pageboy, who wore an incredibly sweet outfit from Amelia Brennan.

To the sound of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, Georgia walked down the aisle with her dad to begin the ceremony.

Orders of Service were printed by Sarsen Press, and the church was adorned with the most incredible floral displays from Catherine Coombes, including an arch around the door of spring cherry blossom, created so cleverly and organically so that it seemed to be growing from the ground. Inside the church there were more wonderful pedestal arrangements and blossom everywhere, even on the pew ends.

The couple chose to say traditional Church of England vows to one another, and exchanged rings purchased online from Wedding Rings Direct. For their readings, they chose two Bible passages that they both loved, and felt said much about the nature of love and marriage – Phillipians 4:4-9 and Ephesians 3:14-21.

Georgia and David were delighted with their choice of photography team – Kerry and David of Beard + Mane, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a light, natural and elegant composition to all of these beautiful images.

“Kerry and David were amazing from the first minute we met them at the pre-wedding shoot. They made us feel so comfortable and we actually enjoyed having our photos taken! They were always very relaxed and never demanded us for anything on the day – they just got on with it and worked so hard.”

“We are so thrilled with the photos – each and every one is perfect and the quality is amazing. The package with the USB, some photos and even marshmallows with our pictures on was so personal and lovely! They are such a creative pair that are very talented at what they do. We would definitely recommend to any couple getting married.”

It was over to the garden at Georgia’s parents afterwards, and a beautiful marquee had been set up there, with garlands of cherry blossom hanging from the ceiling canopy and long wooden tables filled with more breathtaking seasonal flowers and bulbs.

Place settings were luggage tags with lovely calligraphy and blue and white napkins with embroidered labels with the couple’s name and wedding date – such a thoughtful detail. The marquee looked particularly atmospheric as it began to get dark and the candles and lanterns were lit as everyone sat down to a feast prepared by freelance chef Nicholas Ruthven-Stuart.

Later in the evening there were brownies, cheese and biscuits and a magnificent three-tier cake by Karen Young (no details provided).

“We had a three-tier fruit cake with white icing in layers (so it wasn’t smooth) and Catherine decorated between the tiers with flowers. We wanted a simple, yet beautiful, cake and I love fruit cake!”

Georgia and David chose the song I’m A Believer by The Monkees for their joyous first dance – wanting something that everyone could join them on the dance floor and enjoy. Live music came courtesy of band The Fabulous Hurricanes.

“It was so amazing to have all the people we love most in one place with us and we just loved seeing them all and having a good party!”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Just try and enjoy all of it! I found some parts of wedding planning really stressful and I remember my older sister (who is married) said to me one day, ‘Georgia this is all going to go so fast so try and embrace it whilst you can!'”

“On the day, just relax and soak up every minute of your perfect day. Don’t worry if things go a little wrong in the days leading up to it or even on the morning of your wedding as there will always be someone who can correct them and no one else will ever notice.”

“It is very tiring and if you can go on a relaxing honeymoon straight after the wedding I would definitely recommend that. We went abroad to a lovely beach resort where we could just charge our batteries and enjoy some precious time just us two – without a wedding to plan!”

Huge thanks Georgia and David, it’s been an absolute pleasure to write about your enchanting spring celebration, and I’m in awe of those incredible floral arrangements! Many thanks also go to Beard + Mane for their wonderful images. You can see more graceful Suzanne Neville brides on our blog pages right here, too.

Until next time.

With love,

Laura