More sunshine for you… with love from Olivia and Matt. Yesterday I featured their beautiful church wedding and we left them stepping out of the church hand in hand… today it’s time for the reception and it’s just so perfect… lush flowers and a sunny and happy day for you to enjoy.
Photos are by Pippa Mackenzie and words from Olivia. Watch out for a wonderfully eclectic cupcake tower — looking fabulous! — and some impressive shapes ‘thrown’ on the dancefloor… and why not listen to the wedding band while you look at the blog post? I’m enjoying their music as I type!
Claire xx
Throughout the day we could not stop smiling (and neither could our guests). It was a really relaxed and intimate afternoon. We both wanted to have a wedding which was not too regimented which allowed us and our guests to enjoy the day. Olivia’s parents had planned the wedding so well and Phil and Sandra (Pimpernel Associates) were there on the day to make sure everything went smoothly – Sandra was armed with a box of treasures including tights, plasters, nail varnish and sewing kit.
The theme was an English country garden; all of the flowers were typical to what you would find in a country garden – roses, peonies and hydrangeas. The table names were named after gardens or parks that meant a lot to us – for example there was Central Park (which we were overlooking when Matt proposed), Nymans (where Olivia’s grandfather volunteers) and Ramster Gardens (where our engagement shoot was). The main colours of the day were dusty pinks and ivory – which were in the flowers, Olivia’s and the bridesmaids dresses (ivory) and in the brides and bridesmaid hair flowers (pink) and the groom, best man, and ushers’ cravats.
Everything went so smoothly, from the moment that everyone arrived to the moment that we left it was lovely. The food was delicious, from the amazing miniature and moreish canapés right through to the his and hers deserts (chocolate ganache and Eton mess respectively).
Having a marquee wedding allowed us the freedom to do whatever we wanted in terms of flowers, numbers of guests, and most importantly timings. Olivia’s parents were amazing and really helped out. The most important thing we discovered was to plan, plan and plan some more. We were able to keep calm and just enjoy the day.
Olivia loved going to see florists with my mother as she knew what I wanted. We wanted flowers that had the wow factor in the marquee as there was so much open space. On each table we had tall vases overflowing with flowers which looked amazing. My Mum has an amazing eye for detail which helped to make the marquee look amazing – from the pretty crockery used to organza bags, petals and decorations on the tables.
Having Phil & Sandra their on the day to oversee everything meant that we and our family could enjoy the day. They were there at the beginning of the day to greet the suppliers and they were there at the end of the night to book taxis.
Sandra also helped us put together our first dance (as Matt affectionately told Olivia that she has a different rhythm to the rhythm of the music).
I knew that I wanted cupcakes and had a page in my wedding binder crammed full of cupcake pictures for ideas. Rachael of Rachael’s Kitchen loved it and encouraged us to do many different types of cupcakes. They looked and tasted amazing.
Find a wedding photographer who really makes you feel comfortable and who you get along with very well. Right from the first moment we met Pippa Mackenzie we felt a real bond, we thoroughly enjoyed our engagement shoot at Ramster Gardens, where we got a chance to see how Pippa worked. The photography was stunning for both the engagement shoot and the wedding itself. At the wedding she also connected with our guests (which showed in the photography too) and captured all the moments perfectly. We can really recommend Pippa and we have done so to anyone who is getting married soon.
A great guide that we found and used was Debrett’s Wedding Guide
On the day, remember to smile! The loveliest thing was surrounding ourselves with those who we hold dear.
The evening before the wedding my parents, sisters (Charlotte and Rosie), Amie (my Maid of Honour and best friend) and I sat filling the organza bags with chocolates whilst watching Father of the Bride
The speeches were very intimate, Matt, his best man Ned, Olivia’s Dad and also Olivia’s Grandpa did a speech.
After the formalities of the speeches and dinner Olivia and Matt took to the floor, to “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles – which has been our song from day one (it followed us for our first few dates). Our band were John Bull & The Bandits, who kept everyone on the floor until the early hours (long after we went to the hotel).
Many of our guests have said how they had a wonderful time and how relaxed they were, a lot have said that it is the best wedding that they have ever been to – which Matt and I and my parents were so thankful for. We have so many lovely memories and each time we look at the beautiful photos that Pippa took it brings it all back. It was truly the best day of our lives.
Olivia and Matt’s recommended wedding suppliers:
- Vogue Diamond, Brighton — Engagement & Wedding Rings
- Uttam Boutique, London – Bridesmaid Dresses
- Condici & Michael Kors – Mother of the Bride Outfit
- Pascal from the Point, Brighton– Brides, Bridesmaid & Mother of the Bride Hair
- Sarah Woodhouse, Burgess Hill – Brides Makeup
- Pippa Mackenzie – wedding photographer
- Vintage Flower House, Wivelsfield, West Sussex – flowers
- Rachael’s Kitchen, Worthing, West Sussex – cupcakes
- The Angelic Host, Loxwood, West Sussex – Caterers
- Pimpernel Associates, West Sussex – Organiser on the day / first dance
- Brookfield Marquees – West Sussex – Marquee
- Place Settings, West Sussex – equipment hire
- GG Print, London – wedding invitations
- Digiset, West Sussex – Order of Service & Evening invitations
- Vintage Cars supplied through family friend Luis deGrouchy at Arun Cars, Pulborough, Sussex
- The Sussex Saxophone Quartet – music before and during the wedding breakfast
- John Bull & The Bandits – evening music
This blog post contains a couple of affiliate links (to Amazon) — to help me pay the bills.
The post Here comes the sun! Part 2 of Olivia and Matt’s country garden wedding appeared first on English Wedding Blog.