Today, we’re thrilled to share an enchanting autumn wedding that’s sure to delight fans of the season. While it’s a stunning celebration at any time of year, Lucy and Terry’s special day perfectly captures the essence of rustic luxe. Imagine cozy autumnal vibes, rich burgundy and wine hues, and subtle copper accents that add a touch of glamour.
The couple exchanged vows at Terry’s local Greek Orthodox church before moving on to Gaynes Park for the reception, held on November 3rd, 2018. They made the most of the venue’s diverse areas, each one beautifully adorned with lush florals that stole the show.
Kate and Jon Gray of Kate Gray Photography did an outstanding job capturing the magic of the day. We’re grateful to Lucy and Terry for sharing their special moment with us.
The Vision
As November approached, our vision for the autumnal-themed wedding took shape. We aimed to create a cohesive look across stationery, venue, and attire by incorporating rich, warm tones that evoked the season’s signature colors. From save-the-date cards to the big day itself, we sought to maintain continuity throughout. The burgundy/wine hue became our primary color theme, complemented by copper accents to add a touch of luxury and glamour. Our florist aptly described the aesthetic as ‘rustic luxe,’ and it was a perfect fit – everything fell into place after that.
The Planning Process
Within three weeks of getting engaged, we had already secured our reception venue and confirmed a date with the church. Once this was settled, Terry and I worked tirelessly to research and shortlist various vendors – photographers, videographers, bands, stationery designers, and florists – narrowing them down to finalists through countless online hours. Our priorities were clear: a unique venue, exceptional photography, and an unforgettable band that would keep the party going all night long.
Budget
At my workplace, there’s a popular wedding budget spreadsheet that’s circulated among colleagues whenever someone gets engaged. The last few users were grooms-to-be, so I gave it a fresh makeover to make it more appealing.
We sought planning and budget advice from recently married or newly engaged friends, fortunate for us was the simultaneous engagement of several colleagues, allowing us to share expertise and learn from each other’s experiences.
When it came to crafting our budget, we set a target date in November 2018 and worked backwards to determine how much we could realistically save up until then, serving as a foundation for our planning.
The Venue
As Terry is Greek Orthodox, it was only natural that our ceremony would take place at his local church, The 12 Apostles Greek Orthodox church in Brookmans Park. Happily, this beautiful church exceeded our expectations.When planning the reception, we knew we wanted a unique venue to match our autumn/winter wedding date. Gaynes Park’s barn and Orangery won us over – not just because of its stunning interior, but also the accommodation it offered for our closest family members. We were sold on the idea of having both spaces at our disposal: the Orangery provided a warm and cozy atmosphere for our drinks reception, regardless of the weather outside; while the Mill Barn remained hidden from our guests until the wedding breakfast, allowing us to create an intimate atmosphere that flowed seamlessly into dancing and celebrations throughout the night.
The Readings & Music
In stark contrast to many other religious institutions, the Greek Orthodox Church has a strict policy prohibiting the use of music and readings within its walls. This unique approach sets it apart from others and highlights the importance of maintaining an atmosphere conducive to contemplation and spiritual growth.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I searched for my perfect wedding dress, I had almost given up hope. It was the 30th dress I’d tried on when I stumbled upon ‘the one’ at a quaint little shop that happened to be the same place where my sister-in-law found her dress. The way it flowed and made me feel like royalty sealed the deal. Although I initially envisioned something simple, I ultimately chose the dress that looked best on me.
When it came to jewelry, I wanted to keep things understated since the dress already boasted intricate lace details. A stunning hair clip crafted by my talented hair and makeup artist Boe from Botias Hair & Makeup proved the perfect accompaniment.
Originally, I had purchased beautiful Rachel Simpson shoes but found them too uncomfortable to wear for an extended period. Luckily, I discovered some comfortable red velvet heels from Oasis that saved me during all the standing and mingling.
Beauty
The bride’s beauty team, led by the talented Boe from Botias Hair and Makeup, ensured that both the bride and her bridesmaids looked stunning on her special day. Boe’s warm demeanor put everyone at ease, allowing them to feel relaxed and pampered throughout the process. Following a successful bridal trial, there was no question in my mind that I would be entrusting my beauty needs to this exceptional professional.
Bridesmaids
With a nod to our wine-inspired theme, I chose Chianti-red dresses from Rewritten for my bridesmaids – the perfect hue to complement our colour scheme. Meanwhile, my two ‘bridesmen’ donned attire matching that of the groomsmen. For a touch of whimsy, we enlisted the help of my two young nieces, aged 18 months and four years old, as flower girls. Their dresses were custom-made by Little Bevan, with burgundy sashes tying in nicely with the rest of the wedding party’s attire.
Groomsmen
The grooms’ attire perfectly captured the rustic luxe/glam theme, with Terry and his groomsmen donning sleek black tuxedos from Charles Tyrwhitt. What set him apart from the rest was the striking addition of a velvet suit jacket from Hackett, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall ensemble.
The Flowers
We had the pleasure of working with Lily & May, a talented team who grasped our vision from the outset. During our initial meeting, I described my ideal bouquet as a ‘wildflower’ arrangement, but Lily & May didn’t just take that at face value – they showed me what it would really look like in reality. We ultimately opted for a more structured design with plenty of greenery, which exceeded my expectations.When Claire delivered the bouquets to my house on the day of the event, I was thoroughly impressed. The final product was even more breathtaking than I had imagined. As we entered the Mill Barn at Gaynes, it was clear that our vision had been perfectly executed. The flowers, greens, and candles created an enchanting atmosphere that exceeded all expectations.
Your Photographer
As we searched for the perfect photographers, Kate Gray Photography immediately stood out with their understated yet captivating approach. We were drawn to their emphasis on capturing candid moments of our loved ones enjoying the celebration, rather than forced group shots. Upon speaking with Kate and Jon, we were convinced they were the ideal choice. Their unique dynamic as a husband-and-wife duo impressed us, allowing them to effortlessly capture both of our getting-ready processes at different locations. Coincidentally, an acquaintance had recently been featured in their work, and the stunning results only solidified our decision to have Kate Gray Photography tell our love story.
The Cake
The pièce de résistance of our special day was the exquisite, four-tiered Victorian sponge cake crafted by the talented team at The Cake Doll. This masterpiece featured alternating flavors of classic vanilla and rich salted caramel, providing a delightful contrast to the senses. To add an extra touch of elegance, the cake was adorned with stunning flowers courtesy of Lily & May, creating a truly unforgettable visual display.
Your Filmmaker
When it came to selecting a videographer for our special day, my partner and I had a tough time finding someone whose style resonated with us. We were overwhelmed by the abundance of options available, but most of them seemed too corny or cliché. What drew us to Mark Lenik of Lenik Wedding Cinematography was his unique approach to capturing wedding memories. He has an uncanny ability to turn your wedding day into a cinematic masterpiece, exactly what we were looking for.
The Details & Décor
We wanted every aspect of our wedding day to be cohesive, so we chose a single supplier for all our stationery, including the save the dates and invitations from Amanda Michelle Stationery. This allowed us to maintain a consistent look throughout. The Orangery was transformed into a welcoming space with wooden cake stands displaying our favorite Crosstown Doughnuts and candles that matched the greenery from my bouquet. We hosted our drinks reception here after the church ceremony, which featured a ‘Pimp Your Prosecco’ station.In the main barn, we created a warm atmosphere with festoon lights draped between the beams during the day, and mood lights provided by Mediterranean Occasions in the evening. Our table centrepieces were tall copper wire frames adorned with flowers and candles, courtesy of our florist Lily & May. For our wedding breakfast, we enjoyed a lobster tartlet to start, followed by roast rib of beef carved by each table’s nominated guest, who also wore a custom apron and chef’s hat for the occasion. We finished off with a trio of our favorite desserts: Eton mess, caramel cheesecake, and profiterole.As the evening unfolded, we had after-dinner cocktails featuring espresso and passionfruit martinis in the Orangery. Once the main barn was ready, The White Keys took over, providing an amazing live performance and DJ sets between songs. We also had a fantastic photobooth from The London Lightbox, where we designed our own prints to match our stationery and enjoyed GIF functionality that allowed us to share our memories directly on Instagram.
The Honeymoon
Our mini-moon at Soho Farmhouse in the idyllic Cotswolds proved to be a serene and rejuvenating escape, allowing us to unwind and fully immerse ourselves in the surroundings. As we look ahead to our safari-themed honeymoon (aptly nicknamed the Supermoon) this July, we’re counting down the days with anticipation.
Memorable Moments
As I walked into the Mill Barn, I was struck by the sudden burst of energy and excitement. The anticipation had been building for weeks, and finally, we were here – as a married couple – surrounded by our nearest and dearest. Terry’s beaming face at the end of the aisle was a sight to behold, and it felt like the whole room came alive in that moment. The cocktail station during the turnaround became an instant hit with our guests, and before long, we were all dancing the night away to the live band with our favorite friends and family by our side.
Advice For Other Couples
As we navigated the whirlwind of wedding planning, well-meaning friends and family offered their input on how to get everything just right. While appreciative of their enthusiasm, we found it more practical to politely acknowledge their advice before going our own way.
To ensure a stress-free financial experience, we created an Excel spreadsheet dedicated solely to our budget. This allowed us to track expenses and make informed decisions about where to allocate our funds. We also included our savings plan in the same document, allowing us to monitor our progress and guarantee timely payments to our vendors.
The groom should also take charge of determining his attire, including suit style and color. This is particularly important when considering the diverse shapes and sizes of his groomsmen. Not all suits come in every size, so it’s crucial to decide on a consistent look early on.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Lucy and Terry’s special day was filled with love, laughter, and stunning visuals. Their photographer, Kate Gray Photography, captured the essence of their autumnal celebration. The bride’s Pronovias gown from The Bridal Box in Oxford was a breathtaking choice, paired perfectly with Botias Accessories. The groom looked dashing in his Charles Tyrwhitt suit and Hackett velvet jacket. The bridesmaids’ dresses added an extra touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic. Meanwhile, the flower girls’ adorable attire from Little Bevan stole the show. As for the rings, Lucy and Terry exchanged vows with Beverly Hills London rings that symbolized their eternal love. The venue stylist and lighting expert at Mediterranean Occasions worked wonders in creating a picturesque atmosphere. The cake, crafted by The Cake Doll, was almost too beautiful to eat. Luxury wedding cars from Wedding Cars of Herts transported the newlyweds in style. Lily & May Florist brought forth a stunning floral arrangement that added to the day’s charm. Amanda Michelle designed the invitations that perfectly matched the whimsical atmosphere. Lenik Wedding Cinematography captured every precious moment on camera, while The White Keys got the party started with their lively tunes. The London Lightbox photo booth provided endless fun and memories for Lucy and Terry and their loved ones. To top it all off, Etsy’s unique favors added a personal touch to the celebration. Rachel x