I’m always left feeling wistful when I think about weddings like Jay and Jules’. The reason growing up near a city meant I never had the luxury of a spacious backyard to take over for a few days. Fast forward to their special day, where they brought their English charm to life in East Yorkshire, England. The beautiful DIY wedding was held at Jules’ parents’ home, where they transformed the garden into an idyllic setting with a stunning marquee, colorful bunting, and meticulous homemade touches.
From getting ready at home to a confetti toss outside the church, and even a romantic ride in a red convertible followed by canapés and cocktails in the picturesque garden, Helen Cawte Photography was on hand to capture every unforgettable moment. Take a look at her breathtaking work and Jules’ insightful notes on crafting their perfect DIY wedding day.
The Theme
In a stroke of serendipity, our reception was held at my parents’ picturesque garden in East Yorkshire, where we seamlessly blended an English Country Garden theme into the serene surroundings. To harmonize with the natural beauty of the setting, we opted for understated yet elegant decor, featuring soft hues and subtle nuances that allowed the garden’s charm to take center stage.
To bring the outdoors inside, we meticulously curated a lush arrangement of flowers and foliage in pinks, creams, whites, and greens within the church and marquee. The result was an enchanting fusion of indoors and outdoinas, where nature’s beauty served as the perfect backdrop for our special day.
The Ceremony
The ceremony featured a poignant Blessing of the Hands and a beautiful reading from Song of Solomon 8:6-7. In terms of music, we opted for a majestic processional with Music for the Royal Fireworks, followed by a triumphant Recessional featuring March from the Occasional Oratorio. I’m grateful to have an order of service on hand, as I’d have been lost without it. As the evening progressed, our first dance was set to Ella Fitzgerald’s soulful rendition of ‘The Very Thought of You.’
The Refreshments
In our culinary endeavour, we created a signature drink that would become a summer staple – ‘Rhubarb on the Beach’. This refreshing concoction was born from the union of Rhubarb Cordial, which required an immense amount of rhubarb to produce just three bottles’ worth, and a perfect blend of Gin and Prosecco. The result was a unique and tantalizing flavour profile that would leave a lasting impression on our taste buds and those of our guests.
Decor & Details
The DIY details were where the magic really came alive. We transformed the space with an abundance of homemade charm, from delicate pastel-hued bunting that stretched as far as the eye could see to carefully curated wild flowers displayed in a colorful array of jam jars. The tablescape was crafted with love and attention, featuring settings made from dried lavender and vintage luggage tags, while the menus were a labor-intensive project, created from MDF and finished with chalkboard paint.
Even the table plan got a personalized touch, with a whimsical selection of plants used to create a unique design, accompanied by plant-naming sticks, a rustic tablecloth, and a dainty bunting banner. The end result was a refreshingly modest and quirky celebration that defied budget constraints.
The Flowers
The floral arrangements played a pivotal role in setting the tone for the special day. The bride’s bouquet featured an exquisite combination of cream peonies and roses, accented by delicate lily of the valley. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids’ bouquets replicated the same elegant simplicity, with a harmonious blend of cream peonies and roses. To add a touch of personality to the groom’s attire, his buttonhole boasted a striking cream rose, complemented by a unique blue thistle.
The centrepieces, arranged in rustic jam jars, showcased a delightful mix of fresh flowers from the garden, artfully combined with an abundance of wild cow parsley scavenged from the roadside.