It’s safe to say that Jack and Louise’s wedding was planned to perfection. These childhood sweethearts went for a rustic-chic theme with a neutral colour palette – and the photos are just gorgeous. Read on for some great inspiration for your 2018 wedding.
Louise met her future husband many years ago when she was 13 and he was 16. “As cheesy as it sounds, it was love at first sight. We still say it now that we both felt an instant connection even at our young ages!” admits Louise. As teens they spoke a lot on social media and 3 years later they became an item. That was in 2009, and in 2017 they were married!
The Proposal…
Jack proposed to Louise on their holiday in Jersey, the Channel Islands. After a romantic dinner on their second night there, they walked along the beach which was beautifully lit up. Louise was surprised to see Jack down on one knee, but delighted, and the answer was an excited ‘yes yes yes’. Little did she know that the day before he had had to rip out the built in wardrobe of the hotel room, because he accidentally lost the ring behind it, in an effort to hide it from her!
The couple were engaged for three years before their wedding, but made special trips back to visit Jersey every year.
Wedding Planning…
The 3-year-long engagement that Louise and Jack meant that they could savour the moment of being each other’s fiancé as well as have enough time to plan and budget their big day. Louise pretty much planned everything, right down to the lovely yet complicated invitations. She made the candles, favours, menus, signs and flower wall by hand, which made the entire venue look extremely personal and unique, and very much fitted the rustic chic theme.
The cake was also very unique and extraordinary, being a large heart-shaped vanilla cheesecake made by a close family friend. The decorative flowers and bouquet came from La Collina, and ended up being very similar flowers that Louise’s mother had at her own wedding – which made things all the more special. The couple hired Dazzling Décor to do the rest of the venue decorating. They did the ceiling, curtain sectioning and window drapes in ivory, with lovely festoon lighting outside.
The Venue…
The couple, despite originally wanting to get married in a converted countryside barn, instead fell in love with The Powdermills Hotel near Battle, East Sussex. As soon as they saw the ceremony area and the evening reception area they were sold.
The ceremony location in the hotel is a grassy area looking over the lake with a small boat house/gazebo, which is stunning – weather permitting! The reception was to be held in the Pavilion: a big room with original wood features, being an elegant canvas upon which the couple could add their own touches. By having a hotel venue, Jack and Louise’s guest could feel more relaxed and make a weekend of it.
The Dress…
Louise went to a few boutique wedding shops and tried on lots of dresses in order to find out what style she wanted. She then found the perfect dress in Wed2b in Brighton, an ethereal lace gown with a fishtail silhouette, a sweetheart neckline, beautiful long train and lace straps.
Louise had four bridesmaids: her childhood friend, her two cousins and Jack’s sister. Louise did little proposals with rings for them when she asked them to be her bridesmaids – they all looked lovely in champagne wrap dresses and their matching rings.
The Big Day…
When D Day arrived, Louise’s bridesmaids and mother joined her to get ready. Louise felt very happy and more relaxed than she though she would. Jack’s Aunt, Nat, did Louise’s make-up while her hairdresser did all of the girls’ hair. Louise did her mother’s make-up which was special, and her father’s grin when seeing her in her dress was a picture perfect moment.
Walking down the aisle was emotional for everyone involved. Jack was surprised and brought to tears to see his little nephew, the pageboy, walk down first holding a sign saying “Uncle, here comes your girl…”, and then Louise followed with her father. They exchanged their vows and Louise’s mother said some lovely words.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed canapes and an acoustic guitarist on the lawn, and from then on the event consisted of food, laughter, emotional speeches (even one by the bride herself) and dancing. The wedding was special, unique and a great success!
Here is a list of vendors and suppliers that helped Louise and Jack turn their wedding dreams into a reality…
Photographer: Samantha Pells Photography
Florists: La Collina
Venue: Powdermills Hotel
Dress alterations: Sew Professional
DJ: Jez Prior at Limelight UK
Dress: Wed2Be
Venue Décor: Dazzling Décor
Contact the suppliers mentioned in this article
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