This week’s real wedding comes from Samantha and Iain our globetrotting bride and groom! Their travelled themed wedding reception is perfect for this season and Douglas Fry, as always captured the heart warming moments between the newlyweds and their guests beautifully; confirming why Douglas Fry is one of the photographers chosen for our Win your Wedding competition.
Bride and Groom… Samantha & Iain
Wedding date… Sunday 25th August 2013
We met… At a mutual friends dinner, then a few days later we were at the same London club, a happy coincidence! We have been together ever since
The proposal… Iain proposed on my birthday, we were surrounded by all our belongings in boxes as we were moving houses but it couldn’t have been more perfect.
I knew he was ‘the one’… The moment I saw his dance moves!
Length of engagement… Seven months. We had already been together for six years and when we found out our venue had a summer date available we thought why not?!
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? My friend gave me the ‘Planning your Wedding’ book by Confetti, which was a great help. We also used the website to get inspiration.
Our wedding ceremony was… At Glenmore House, Surbiton, Surrey. We had a civil ceremony with 80 of our closest family and friends. We had two readings, Union by Robert Fulghum and an extract from a Death Cab for Cutie song ‘Just our Love’. The music and vows we chose were meaningful to us both.
My dress was… By Amanda Wyatt ‘Italy’. I first went with my mum to Boa Boutique in Richmond because I’d seen a Sassi Holford dress. I tried ten different dresses. I knew I’d found the one when I got to the Amanda Wyatt ‘Italy’ dress, and my mum’s face confirmed my feelings, I felt like a princess. I tried on more dresses with my bridesmaid Gemma and went back to Boa Boutique with her and she agreed that I’d found the perfect one for me!
Our bridesmaids and groomsmen were… Gemma, Becky and Fiona, and Joni as our flower girl. Our best man was Nick.
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Amanda Wyatt | Wedding Shoes: Kurt Geiger | Wedding Suits: Moss Bros | Bridesmaid Dresses: Coast | Wedding Flowers: Jo Butler Flowers| Wedding Entertainment: Euterpe Brass | Wedding Photographer: Douglas Fry | Wedding Videographer: Mirador Films | Wedding Hair and Make-up: Natalie Guest | Wedding Gift list: Trailfinders | Wedding Transport: Alpha Class Wedding Cars
Our wedding photographer was… Douglas Fry. He was amazing! He made everyone feel at ease and he captured the day perfectly. We got to see the photos five days later while on honeymoon!
Our wedding reception was… At Glenmore House. We viewed quite a few venues before we found Glenmore House. It is close to where we live, convenient for evening guests to attend and we liked that everything took place in the same venue but different parts of the building. Plus it was just us there so we wouldn’t bump into any other brides on the day! The wedding planner, Freya, was so helpful and we had a great evening tasting all the delicious food before we made our menu choices!
Our wedding theme was… Travel, as we have travelled a lot together. The colour scheme was blue to fit in with the venue. I had so much fun making things, table centrepieces, the table plan and favours. Our family and friends were so generous with their time to help us as well.
Our favourite part of the wedding was... Having so many of our family and friends in one place. Iain has family in South Africa and Zambia and we were thrilled so many of them could make it. It’s so hard to pick a favourite part…everything went perfectly, we were chauffeured in a beautiful Rolls Royce, and the sun was shining!
Our wedding was unique and special because… We worked hard to make sure the day represented us as a couple. We had lots of help from friends and family, my mum made the invitations; Iain’s mum decorated the cake, which two of our friends had baked. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped us out in the build up and on the day itself.
Did anything funny or unusual happen at your wedding? There was a moment in my Dad’s speech when there was well-timed raucous laughter from my cousin’s three-year-old son, which set everyone else off. We also had a photo booth that my brother David set up, the photos are hilarious, especially seeing people who hadn’t met before dressed up together and striking a pose!
Our first dance was… The Sound of Settling by Death Cab for Cutie. We had practised some moves in the garden so we were prepared!
What is your advice for other brides? Pick a good photographer and videographer! I’ve lost count of the times I have looked at the photos and watched the video (thank you Douglas Fry and Ben at Mirador Films!). Take up the offers for help as it really makes a difference. Try to get a minute for just the two of you to take everything in as it goes by in a flash.
Our honeymoon was to… Bali and Lombok. It was arranged through Trailfinders and we had the most amazing time. The Oberoi resort in Lombok was paradise, we felt like royalty!
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Amanda Wyatt | Wedding Shoes: Kurt Geiger | Wedding Suits: Moss Bros | Bridesmaid Dresses: Coast | Wedding Flowers: Jo Butler Flowers| Wedding Entertainment: Euterpe Brass | Wedding Photographer: Douglas Fry | Wedding Videographer: Mirador Films | Wedding Hair and Make-up: Natalie Guest | Wedding Gift list: Trailfinders | Wedding Transport: Alpha Class Wedding Cars
Create the look
If you love Samantha and Iain’s travel inspired wedding then you’re going to love our Wanderlust theme and the mini mood board below!
Above, clockwise from top left: Pointing Arrow Wedding Directional Sign | “Simply Sweet” Personalised Heart Ring Cushion | Mini Treasure Chest | Paper Airplane Wishing Well Stationery Set
