Today’s beautiful bride Sophie has given me some of the best quotes to use on the blog – and this is an all time favourite. The best thing about being married? “The feeling of completeness, being absolute in the knowledge that you love one another unconditionally and that you are fully committed towards each other regardless of what life may throw at you.”
Wonderful words and a heart-warming perspective – today’s wedding just happens to be deliciously pretty as well as meltingly romantic. I know you’ll love it as much as I do. This is a fabulous English country vintage wedding with oodles of inspiration and DIY ideas. Shilstone House even tried to buy Sophie’s handmade bunting after the big day… but the happy couple are keeping it for other family occasions (and what a lovely memory to have!) – that’s how lovely they made their day look!
Images are by Devon wedding photographer Paul J Andrews, and Sophie and Chris’s full wedding report is at the end of the blog feature today. Enjoy it, be inspired and join me in shedding a little tear as you read all about their magical day.
Sophie and Chris’s utterly charming English country vintage wedding – Shilstone House, Devon
Your names:
Sophie and Christopher
Your wedding photographer’s website:
http://www.pauljandrews.co.uk/
Wedding venue:
Shilstone House, Modbury http://www.shilstonedevon.co.uk/
Can you describe your wedding in a single sentence?
Our wedding was the single most incredible day of our lives, it represented a joint vision that defined who we are not just as individuals but as husband and wife.
What was your reaction to seeing your wedding photos for the first time? Were you pleased with your wedding photographer?
The only thing that can come close to the magic of your wedding day is to relive the day’s events through the photos which captured it all.
Your wedding style and theme:
English country vintage.
Any happy tears on the day?
There were tears of joy but also tears of sorrow – for those close to us that sadly couldn’t be there in person to share in our special day, namely Chris’ mum Gerry and Sophie’s dad Kevin, whose birthday it would have been on our wedding day.
How long did you spend planning your wedding?
The quickest 6 months of our lives!
Best bit of budget advice?
Spreadsheets to manage cash flow and be-brave-bartering!!
Wedding invitations and on the day stationery:
Wedding Day Invitations and RSVP’s: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/abirdandabee/product/petal-wedding-stationery-range
Chris designed the Evening Invitation Post Cards and Thank You cards.
Shilstone provided place setting cards, which Sophie used to write personalised messages for each guest.
Did you fall in love with your wedding dress?
Yes – both of us!
Wedding dress designer and bridal boutique:
My dress was Elliana by Maggie Sottero, bought from Prudence Gowns bridal boutique in Plymouth (Looked after by Sonya).
My shoes were from Uno Boutique in Ivybridge, and I accessorised with Claudia Bradby pearl earrings, bracelet and pearl hair pins. I carried a memory photo charm of my dad tied to my bridal bouquet.
The groom wore:
Light grey lounge suit with pale pink waistcoats and pink cravat to match the bridesmaid dresses. The other members of the groom party wore ivory waistcoats. All provided by Apollo Groomswear in Ivybridge.
Beautiful bridesmaids: What did your best girls wear?
My cousin Lucy and sister in law Sarah wore Dessy dresses, floor length gown, in rose pink, pearl earrings and shoes from Uno Boutique in Ivybridge
Hair and make-up – did you DIY or hire a professional?
Make-up by Lena Key – a close friend who works for MAC. Hair by Naomi Harris – another friend.
Wedding flowers:
My hand-tied natural look bouquet included sweet avalanche and amnesia roses, white bouvardia, white gypsophila and white freesias. To complement my bouquet the groom’s button hole was sweet avalanche rose with white bouvardia trim.
Table centre pieces consisted of a glass hurricane vase with candle, surrounded by an arrangement of all wedding day flowers. The top table / ceremony room featured a gorgeous long and low arrangement of all wedding day flowers, including peonies – All from Florabunda.
Wedding readings?
Katy Osborn – ‘Chapter One of One Thousand’ by O.J.Preston
General styling – did your venue need much decoration?
We focused most of our attention to decorating the grounds within the walled garden and also the marquee. We found it was more cost effective to purchase decorations as opposed to hiring them and with regard to bunting, we chose to make our own! Despite being very time consuming, it offered the perfect choice of materials to suit our day, saved money and left us with around 80m of lovely homemade bunting which can be used for family events or weddings (we managed to resist offers from the venue to buy it from us…!)
The wedding cake: traditional or quirky?
Traditional – 3 tiers. Fruit, carrot cake and victoria sponge in descending order. Coloured in pale pink to match the theme of the bridal party.
Entertainment:
Harpist (http://www.suetheharpist.co.uk) during the ceremony and throughout post-ceremony drinks in the garden. DJ in the evening.
On the day tips and advice:
Be sure to take a moment together to reflect on the day, before it’s over. We managed to slip off together and sit at the top of the walled garden where we could watch everyone enjoying themselves, admire the house and grounds and of course watch the sun set behind the rolling hills – it was probably the only moment on the day where we were alone together.
What’s the best thing about being married?
The feeling of completeness, being absolute in the knowledge that you love one another unconditionally and that you are fully committed towards each other regardless of what life may throw at you.
Quick supplier list for other brides and grooms:
- Paul J Andrews Photography
- Prudence Gowns, Plymouth
- Apollo Groomswear, Ivybridge
- Drakes Jewellers, Plymouth
- Florabunda, Plymouth
- Sue the Harpist
The post An English country vintage wedding at Shilstone House – Sophie and Chris appeared first on The English Wedding Blog & Calligraphy for Weddings.
