Hello everyone! It’s so good to be back after a little break that has allowed us to rest and refocus. Thank you so much for your patience.
Our first wedding in over a week is that of couple Sophie and Craig, who tied the knot on 19th June 2021 at the breathtaking Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Chiddingfold in Surrey. This beautifully restored building provides the most romantic and elegant backdrop, particularly for romantic, intimate days like this.
This charming wedding had a real family focus and is full of sweet detail. Enjoy these beautiful images by photographer Imogen Xiana.
Venue & Location
We knew we wanted a small intimate wedding and when I heard about Louisa’s beautiful Glasshouse, lovingly restored at the bottom of her garden I knew we had to take a visit. It ‘s a three minute drive from our family home and it felt perfect the moment we walked in.
Being a bricklayer, Craig has a keen eye for old, traditional brickwork. We both love anything old, rustic and unique. The Glasshouse fit the bill perfectly. It was quirky yet stylish, lots of reclaimed rustic items.
Our venue stylist was Peggy from What Peggy Did Next.
The Dress
I bought my dress from Etsy and found the wonderful Nini to fit it perfectly to me. I wanted something pure and simple. I wore Barefoot sandals from Etsy and a floral crown from Sophie & Luna.
We could only have thirty people present on the day, but actually, for two introverts, it was a great excuse for a small romantic, intimate wedding.
It was disappointing that my dad and brother in Australia weren’t able to fly home to be part of the day but we live streamed them in for the whole day
The Ceremony
My Mum Penny walked me down the aisle as my Dad couldn’t get over for the wedding as he lives in Australia. He asked my Mum to do it and she was really pleased to oblige. We did this to the sound of Grow Old With Me, by Tom Odell.
Celebrant Helen Nobel led our ceremony and we wrote our own vows.
My wedding band was made from my grandma’s old rings. My engagement ring was chosen by Craig from Art d’objet in Haslemere – with a sapphire gemstone.
Before the Ceremony, Craig lit a candle for his Mum who passed away when Craig was 15. He didn’t want to do it with an audience but our celebrant mentioned it has been done to our guests. After my Mum walked me down the aisle she then gave me my last kiss as a single women on behalf of herself and Nina (Craig’s Mum).
Craig and I lit a unity candle after the ceremony, each of our three children also lit some lovely smaller candles from our main unity candle.
Walking back down the aisle hand in hand with Craig was my favourite moment from the day.
Photography & Videography
Imogen Xiana is a magician with the camera. She took some brand photos of the venue and I knew she would be able to capture the most perfect photos of our wedding day.
She certainly did not disappoint. She is also the loveliest person and instantly makes you feel at ease. Her photography is to die for.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Stay true to yourself and your partner – don’t get caught up in what everyone else thinks a wedding should be. We decided to wear what we felt comfortable in, so on the day we would feel relaxed and at ease. The same went for our family (bridesmaid, best man etc) – we let them wear what they liked.
Spend money on the experience and the memories. We wanted to ensure the food was delicious, the drinks were flowing and that we had the very best team to capture the memories in still and moving form so we could relive the day over and over again.
Our original budget was £15,000, but we spent £17,000.
Love My Dress was my go to source of information for weddings during the pandemic. I started following the account for that main reason but then I realised what a wealth of advice, guidance and knowledge it was.
I would highly recommend to anyone planning their wedding
Discover more beautiful wedding venues here…
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.
