It’s time to unveil the first real wedding feature of the year on Bridal Musings – and what an absolute delight it is: Amanda and Ediz’s charming nuptials in Gaynes Park, England, are filled with my treasured elements: a harmonious blend of grey and pink hues, lush roses, soft baby’s breath, whimsical hearts, playful polka dots, and vibrant pom poms. The pièce de résistance – a dashing groom and a stunning bride (and Bridal Musings reader – yay) who exudes beauty and elegance.
Dasha Caffrey Photography did an incredible job capturing the magic behind the lens: what truly caught my attention was Amanda’s exquisite, self-designed wedding gown. It’s a masterpiece. The delicate Chantilly lace cap sleeves, open back, and dusky pink ribbon belt are just a few of its many captivating features.
And don’t even get me started on the bridesmaids’ reactions when they first lay eyes on her stunning ensemble – it says everything you need to know about their joy and admiration for Amanda’s wedding dress. As an added bonus, I’m absolutely smitten with the vintage waves sported by this beautiful bride.
The Colour Palette
Our wedding’s colour scheme was a harmonious blend of dove grey and blush pink, with grey serving as the primary hue and light pink used as an accent to add depth and visual interest. This palette choice was intentional, as we aimed to create a classic yet elegant atmosphere that felt refined but not overly formal. To achieve this look, our florist crafted beautiful arrangements featuring pale pink sweet avalanche roses, baby’s breath, and grey foliage.
The overall aesthetic was understatedly romantic, with an emphasis on simplicity and sophistication.
The Dress
I wore an exquisite ivory French Chantilly lace wedding dress, characterized by a delicate dusky pink ribbon belt, a sweetheart neckline that framed my face, and elegant lace cap sleeves. The open back of the gown added a touch of drama to the overall design. What made this dress truly special was that I had a hand in designing it, drawing inspiration from various styles I’d tried on and Pinterest finds. And, thanks to Ediz’s talented Aunt, my vision became a reality.
The Suit
As Ediz donned his sleek blue suit, ‘Rimini’ from Reiss, a serendipitous twist unfolded. We had both stumbled upon the same online find, and the name resonated with our first date’s destination – Rimini. It was as if fate had woven together the threads of coincidence, making for an undeniably romantic start.
The Ceremony
At the heart of our special day was the stunning ‘E & A’ wooden letters, flanked by a delicate baby’s breath arch. To keep things simple and intimate, we opted out of readings altogether, choosing instead to keep the ceremony brief and effortless. Looking back, this decision proved to be a wise one – I’m not sure my legs could have handled any more time standing still; they were trembling throughout the entire proceedings.
The Photography
Our decision to work with Dasha, a talented photographer, was heavily influenced by the organic and genuine nature of her photography style. Her ability to capture timeless and joy-filled moments is truly impressive. We were particularly drawn to her keen eye for detail, which allows her to freeze memories in their purest form.
The Bridal Party Attire
With the help of my mum, I worked together to create beautiful bridesmaid dresses made from pale pink silk dupion, which perfectly complemented the overall aesthetic of the wedding. The ladies chose their own grey or silver shoes to match their unique style, and to add a special touch, I gifted them little silver bow earrings as a token of appreciation for their role in ‘tying the knot’.
My youngest sister Izzy, just five years old at the time, proudly wore her own custom-made dress from the same fabric as the other bridesmaids, accessorized with a light grey sash. On the other hand, the groomsmen opted for understated yet stylish grey suits paired with brown shoes and eye-catching grey and white polka-dot ties that perfectly matched their cufflinks, all carefully curated by us.
The Refreshments
The dinner service was a masterclass in blending formality with informality. As we savored each course, the atmosphere remained convivial thanks to the smooth background music that kept the vibe light. The culinary highlight of the night was undoubtedly the exquisite three-tiered wedding cake extravaganza.
Not one, not two, but three delectable creations – a Victoria sponge with raspberry filling, a lemon cake paired with tangy lemon curd, and a decadent chocolate goulash – were meticulously cut into bite-sized portions and served on platters throughout the evening, prompting oohs and ahhs from all who indulged.
The Favours
In addition to crafting the wedding favors, my mother also played a significant role in preparing the treats that would fill them. Small jam jars tied with light grey ribbon held a sweet surprise – strawberry jam, made by my mum herself. The jam was a labor of love, as she had grown the strawberries on her allotment and carefully transformed them into this tasty spread.
For the children’s favors, we kept the same charming jar presentation but replaced the jam with an assortment of jelly beans instead.
Advice For Other Couples
I was a daily visitor to Bridal Musings during our wedding planning phase – still am, in fact, My husband and I relied heavily on Pinterest and wedding blogs for inspiration. We also sourced many items from Notonthehighstreet. com and Etsy. As we look back, my advice to other couples would be to save as much as possible from the start. Initially, our budgeting was a bit unrealistic, which led to a more stressful final stretch. That said, we don’t regret a single penny spent on our special day.
My counsel is to ignore outside opinions and instead focus on infusing your wedding with personal touches that truly reflect your love story. Don’t be afraid to break the mold or try something new simply because it’s unconventional. It’s your celebration, after all, and finally, cherish every moment – time flies by surprisingly quickly. At the end of the day, you’re marrying the love of your life; everything else is just a bonus. Our wedding experience was truly unforgettable.