The unconventional nuptials of Vanessa and Phil at Beechfield House in Wiltshire were nothing short of enchanting. The festivities kicked off with a three-day celebration, starting with a welcome barbecue and joint bachelor-bachelorette party on the first day. Day two featured a traditional Chinese bridal fetch and tea ceremony, while the third day saw the couple exchange vows at a church wedding officiated by Phil’s father. The reception that followed was nothing short of a rock concert.
Amidst all the merriment, a treasure trove of darling details emerged – think bicycles, pretty pink bridesmaid dresses, lovely letterpress stationery, homemade wedding cake, Jimmy Choos, and even his ‘n hers Converse shoes. Striped straws added a pop of color to an already vibrant celebration. The resulting images by Albert Palmer Photography are nothing short of stunning, capturing the essence of love, laughter, and beauty that filled every moment.
Letterpress Wedding Invitations
In a labor of love, every detail of our wedding stationery was meticulously crafted. Our friend designed the entire suite, from invitations to place cards, menu cards, programmes, and even luggage tags. What’s more impressive is that we took it upon ourselves to manually letterpress each item using our Adana press – including personalized luggage tags for out-of-town guests.
It was a painstaking process, but one that added a unique touch of love and care to every aspect of our wedding’s visual identity.
The Decor & Details
We eschewed traditional seating arrangements in favor of a unique setup that reflected our personalities. We placed champagne flutes with stirrers, each bearing a flag with a guest’s name, around the venue. As guests arrived, they would find their designated table by looking for the corresponding coaster with their name on it. The tables were named after music legends we both admired, such as Ella, Frank, and Harry – a nod to Phil’s passion for music.
To make the experience even more special, each guest received a thoughtful favor: homemade caramel sweets, carefully prepared by Phil and his family the night before the wedding; slippers for the ladies, dubbed ‘Dancing Shoes for Tired Feet’; and a bottle of homemade beer, brewed and bottled by Phil’s brother, for the gentlemen.
The only thing missing from this idyllic scene was our two beloved cats – so we commissioned one of the bridesmaids to create custom cake toppers featuring us and our feline friends.
The Refreshments
As our evening unfolded, we indulged in a delectable three-course dinner, showcasing traditional British fare. The pièce de résistance was the decadent Dessert Bar, masterfully curated by Phil’s family matriarchs and featuring an assortment of his beloved sweet treats. A highlight was Phil’s Mum’s stunning three-tiered masterpiece, with alternating layers of rich chocolate and moist carrot cake, expertly frosted in a luscious vanilla cream cheese glaze.
Albert Palmer Wedding Photography
We embarked on a meticulous search for our wedding photographer, seeking someone who could transcend traditional British wedding photography norms. Our goal was to find an artist capable of capturing the essence of our special day, infusing it with joy, fun, and our unique personalities. We were adamant about avoiding stiff, posed shots and instead desired candid images that would tell the story of our celebration.
With six months having passed since our big day, we’re thrilled to report that our chosen photographer, Albert, exceeded our expectations – we still find ourselves endlessly enthralled by his work, flipping through the cherished moments he captured for us.
Advice For Other Couples
As the wedding day approached, we felt overwhelmed by stress. But on the big day itself, we entrusted the final preparations to the hotel team and our loved ones, freeing us up to relax and take in the moments as they unfolded. It was a liberating feeling. Vanessa and Phil, congratulations on your special day! We’re grateful you shared it with us, and a huge thank-you also goes out to Albert Palmer Photography for capturing these stunning images.
I must say, those letterpress invitations really caught my eye – and what’s not to love about a bicycle motif in the welcome gifts.