This week’s real wedding is packed full of all things summery! From the sunflower bouquets and wedding decor, to the beach side tipi wedding venue and of course the colourful flip flops. Marc from MK Collins photography, has done a wonderful job capturing the warmth and love from Elizabeth and Richard’s big day. Enjoy!
Bride and Groom… Elizabeth and Richard
Wedding date… Saturday 10th August 2013
We met…On my first day at university in Cardiff, and after much to-ing and fro-ing eventually got together a year and a half later!
The proposal…We went on holiday to Barbados and Rich was adamant that we should go jet skiing (bearing in mind I am terrified of the sea!). He went out and booked our slot, but the people who booked before us were really late back. I was really concerned we would be jet-skiing in the dark so tried to cancel, but Rich was adamant! In the middle of the sea he stopped the jet-ski and told me it had broken down. Whilst mid panic, he then pulled the ring from his life jacket and asked me to marry him. My reply was “yes, but how were we going to get back to shore?!” Rich had designed my engagement ring with a jeweller who’s friends with his parents, knowing that I had wanted sapphires and diamonds. When we got back to dry land and he got down on one knee.
We knew it was ‘the one’… The day we actually got together!
Length of engagement…10 months
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? We looked at a lot of the real weddings.
My dress was… A Ritva Westenius dress. My sister was in charge of appointments and booked one with Ritva Westenius, I was supposed to go with a huge entourage but the snow meant it was just me and my bridesmaids. I was adamant on the design I wanted, but Chenka chose the one I eventually went with. I went back 2 weeks later with my mum and dad and knew it was the perfect dress!
Our wedding theme was… Sunflowers and blue
Our wedding ceremony was… At St George’s Church in Georgeham. We decided to get married in Croyde, Devon, where Rich’s parents met in 1969, it’s somewhere we’ve been, and will continue to go with our friends and family. My father is a vicar so it was really important that he performed the wedding ceremony, which was amazing. We both learnt our vows which was nerve-wrecking but so special. Because we were getting married in Devon, our 120 guests stayed all day. Rich’s mum had been given a floristry course for her birthday, so she was in charge of the amazing flowers in the church, which all of our friends and family pitched in with in the days before. My mum and Rich’s brother read the readings, and some friends from Rich’s school played the guitar during the signing of the register. One of my favourite things was that my dad used his ‘vicar’ credits to make sure there was some champagne in the side chapel for us to toast our closest friends and family after we had been married. Belting out Jerusalem was a cracker too!
Our wedding photographer was… Marc from MK Collins photography, he was amazing!
Our bridesmaids and groomsmen were… My 2 best friends from school, my sister and my 2 year old niece. Rich’s friend from school was master of ceremonies, 2 friends from school, his brother and a friend from work were ushers and his best man was a friend from school.
Our wedding reception…Was in a tipi overlooking Croyde Bay. It was a suggestion from Rich’s mum before we were engaged, and when we were engaged we knew that there was nowhere else we’d get married.
Our favourite part of the wedding were… My dad performing the ceremony, Rich driving us from the church to the tipi and it just being us two, the speeches, the first dance, and the whole day!
Our wedding was unique and special because… Of so many different reasons! My dad performing the ceremony, the setting, the amazing atmosphere all day. So many family and friends coming down for the whole weekend. From Perri Lewis (author of Material World) making our bunting, to everyone pitching in and making our ticket place names, the flowers, getting decanters for port, just showing how much everyone cared!
Our first dance was… Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. We made our first dance up on the spot after me having a major last minuet change of mind!
What is your advice for other brides? Enjoy every minuet, it’s amazing! We nearly didn’t go for tipi because of cost, but you need to go with what you’ll always be happy with!
Our honeymoon was… A road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, it was absolutely incredible!
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Ritva Westenius | Wedding Shoes: Rainbow Club | Wedding Suits: Stephen Bishop | Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses: Coast | Wedding Flowers: Off Shore Blooms| Wedding Entertainment: Sam Mayo | Wedding Photographer: MK Collins Photography | Wedding Cake: The West Country Cheese Co| Wedding Make-up: Julie’s Mobile Beauty | Wedding Hair: Dan Lynes | Wedding Gift list: Trailfinders | Wedding Catering: Dartmoor Kitchens
