A WET WEDDING IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK!
They say that a wet wedding is a sign of good luck as tying a wet knot forms a much stronger bond. This marriage will be extremely strong as it deluged most of the day!
(All the fantastic photographs not marked otherwise are taken by Hannah from Casey Avenue Photography) - hello@caseyavenue.co.uk / caseyavenue.co.uk
Friday, when Coastal Tents arrived to put up their Tipi in the field, was dark and gloomy but the forecast for better weather later in the day proved true. The huge lengths of wood were quickly heaved into place and by mid afternoon the tipis were up but with finishing touches still to put in place
https://coastaltents.co.uk/ info@coastaltents.co.uk / 01929 505005
The couple had headed warnings about possible rain, however, and John from Marcqo Marquees, with 24hours notice agreed to put a Capri tent in front of the dining room doors in case they could not hold their ceremony by the gazebo.
https://www.marqco.co.uk/ 07876371837/ enquiries@marqco.co.uk
Photogaph by Marqco Marquees
Up in the camping ground, New Forest Bell tents was putting up a Bell Tent City. These were added to by many private tents of every size, shape and colour.
The day brought many friends and relations to help set up and decorate. Flowers appeared in great big buckets from Rachel Land at Love Rachel Floristry - loverachelfloristry@gmail.com - and the Capri tent became the headquarters for all things artistic from flower arranging to sign writing.
As Coastal tents put the final touches to the tipis, tables were set out and table laying began. (china and cuttlery from Wessex Cater Hire - https://wessexcaterhire.co.uk/ ) Eucalyptus and lavender went down the centre of each table, (flowers to be added the following day) with handwritten menus scattered amongst them.
Each plate sat on a mat hand printed with lavender and was topped with a white napkin, knife and fork a sprig of lavender and a curl of rustic string. Very simple and very effective. Glasses went on a small hessian mat overlaid with another printed with wild flowers. Table numbers decorated with more wild flowers were the finishing touches.
Pale yellow and green ribbons were tied to each bench and in the catalpa tree, perfectly complimenting the green of the leaves.
With the possibility of rain, the next day, some of the helpers put up a gazebo to cover the cooking arrangements as they had no catering tent - much changing of plans!
With their vases of gypsophila stored for safety on the dining room table, everything was finished just in time for a huge paella supper. This was being cooked by great family friend on a huge paella in the camping area. The bride and groom were joined by the campers and those staying close by. It was a lovely evening and there were still high hopes that they would still manage to marry outside by the gazebo.
In house photograph
After a good night’s sleep, the campers woke to the smell of bacon, as the same noble friend cooked breakfast for everyone. By 9.30 the weather was still holding BUT the forecast from 10.00 was dreadful. The decision was taken to move the chairs from the tipis to the capri tent on the lawn. From there it would be quicker to set them up by the gazebo and if the rain came in they were all set to hold the ceremony on the dining room steps.
Sadly, this proved the case and all those helping that morning too k the view that this would happen. Chairs were arranged, flowers were moved from the dining room to the aisle, bunting and wicker hearts were hung round the inside of the tent.
By the time the groom arrived with his friends, the stage was set, and although sad that their dream of holding an outside wedding was shattered, he was very happy with everything that had been prepared.
Whilst all this work was going on, the workers were serenaded by the most amazing cello music. A Hungarian friend of the groom was practising the music he would play during the ceremony. We originally thought he could play in the dining room until we realised, he would block the entrance! Wires were moved and he was established in the tent instead.
The groom and his friends made sure that the tables were finished and signs were out to welcome the guests
Very delicate buttonholes and flower crowns were delivered and put safely in the hall to await the arrival of the bride and her bridesmaids - Rachel Land at Love Rachel Floristry - loverachelfloristry@gmail.com
Time for everyone to change and get ready for the guests and registrars. The latter were unaware of the change of plans but ever resourceful they took it all in their stride.
Buttonholes in place, the cellist starting to play, the guests began to arrive.
The ancestors were ready in the porch to greet the bride as she arrived in a white Morris Minor with her Man of Honour. She looked amazing in a close fitting lace gown with cap sleeeves. Her hair was twisted back and held with a simple bunch of gypsophila. Her adult bridesmaids wore dresses chosen by themselves but in matching shades of sea green. Her small attendants were in white organza dresses with white cardigans to keep them warm.
Dress from David’s Bridal - https://www.davidsbridal.co.uk/brides/wedding-dresses
With brollies to protect her she made her way into the house to see the registrars. Before going to meet her groom, she had photographs taken with her bridemaids etc.
As she was seeing them in the dining room, the curtains were closed to prevent the groom and guests from catching a glimpse of her dress before she came down the aisle. The groom and his groomsmen waited outside for the signal that the bridal party was on its way. Miraculously, there was no need for umbrellas.
The look that passed between the two of them - a look of great friendship as well as love was obvious throughout the day despite the rain.
The wisteria over the dining room door framed their wedding as well as keeping them out of the rain. Their guests, dry under their Capri Marquee had a perfect view of the proceedings.
Ceremony over, the couple made their way back through the gathering of friends and relations to be pelted with confetti and cheers.
Then while a few photographs were taken by the Catalpa Tree, it was all hands on deck to remove the chairs back to the tipis.
With the bar in place, guests made themselves comfortable in the tipis, while the bridal party had more photographs taken - some formal, some not so formal.
+44 7837 455832 / hello@foalandpheasant.co.uk / foalandpheasant.co.uk
Taking advantage of there only being a light drizzle, the bride and groom made their way to the walled garden for some final photographs
Then time for a delicious wedding breakfast cooked by their local Sri Lankan restaurant in Bristol
+44 117 942 0250 / sam@thekandyan.co.uk / thekandyan.co.uk
Snug and dry in the Tipis, the guests chatted and ate until it was time for cake and speeches. The latter were full of emotion, thanks and happiness. (Beautiful pressed flowers wedding cakes from East Village Vegan Cafe, Bristol - 44 117 974 4442 / eastvillagecafes@gmail.com / eastvillagecafe.co.uk
A few brave souls played with the lawn games set up in the field!
As the sun went down, the band, a group of their couple’s friends set up ready for the evening’s entertainment. The bride crept away and reappeared in a silve cat suit ready for the first dance.
Ben the Drummer - b.rowlinson3@gmail.com
All good things come to an end and at midnight the music stopped and guests wound their way to their tents and taxis. Then end of an incredible day - if anything the rain had brought an increased closeness to an already close and very happy gathering
See below for a beautiful Vimeo whisk through their amazing day, put together by their amazing photographer Hannah Walker - hello@caseyavenue.co.uk / caseyavenue.co.uk
Real wedding