As I reflect on our special day, one adjective keeps echoing in my mind: authentic. Every aspect of our wedding, from the cuisine to the tunes, decorations, and even the sweet treats, felt uniquely ‘us’. It was a celebration that truly reflected our personalities, values, and style.
Church Hall Wedding
I’m thrilled to share Jodie and Joe’s enchanting Belbroughton Church Hall wedding, which took place on July 20th, 2019 in the West Midlands. Their vision was simple yet meaningful – to create a day that truly reflected their personalities and love for each other. As both foodies at heart (Jodie being a pastry chef), they prioritized culinary delights, opting for Jamaican-inspired cuisine that showcased their favorite flavors. The pièce de résistance? A stunning cake crafted by a dear friend, featuring layers of chocolate, raspberry, peanut butter, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and decadent tiramisu – a treat for the senses! Flowers played a significant role in their celebration, with lush blooms adding a touch of elegance to every corner. What struck me most was the sense of community that permeated their special day, as family and friends came together to create unforgettable memories. Take note of the stylish attire and breathtaking bouquets – true showstoppers! To top it all off, Jodie and Joe achieved their dream wedding on a budget-friendly £10,000, leaving me in awe. Huge thanks go out to Faye Green Photo for sharing these exquisite images with us today.
The Proposal
We’re a private couple by nature, and Joe knew that a grand public declaration wasn’t my style. Although we had discussed marriage and both wanted it, I was still taken aback when the moment finally arrived. It was three years ago now that we’d just moved into our first home together, spent the Saturday decorating, and Joe surprised me with a dinner reservation for that evening. He brought me flowers, told me to dress up, but I remained oblivious to his plans. We enjoyed our meal, still basking in the euphoria of our first night in our new home on Friday. Our lounge was still under construction, so we’d temporarily relocated our sofa to the kitchen. As I sat down, Joe vanished for a minute before returning with a mischievous grin and instructing me to ‘close my eyes.’ When I opened them again, he was kneeling beside me, ring in hand. I was overwhelmed with happiness and excitement, and tears of joy flowed throughout the rest of the night.
The Vision
As an aspiring pastry chef, my life revolves around food. Working in a lovely café called caneat in Stirchley, Birmingham, I’ve developed a passion for baking cakes and sweet treats. Unlike many women who’ve always dreamed of their perfect wedding day, I didn’t have a specific vision. Joe and I simply wanted something straightforward and easy-going. With Jamaican roots on my father’s side, Caribbean cuisine holds a special place in my heart. In fact, it’s one of my favorite types to cook and enjoy with loved ones. Not surprisingly, this cultural influence also resonates with Joe. As we began planning our special day, I became fixated on incorporating lush flowers and greenery into the celebration. Our home, which Joe affectionately calls a jungle due to my plant obsession, was the perfect inspiration for bringing that same whimsical atmosphere to our wedding.
The Planning Process
Our wedding planning process was surprisingly organic, without any formalized approach. I recall simply purchasing items as I came across them or soliciting input from acquaintances to participate in our special day. My goal was to remain stress-free and savor the experience, rather than getting bogged down in details. We had a clear vision for our ceremony – a church wedding – and wanted a reception space where we could truly make it our own. With roughly 12 months to prepare, we received helpful guidance from family and friends along the way, but generally followed our instincts, making choices that felt right for us.
Budget
We aimed to strike a balance between making our wedding special without breaking the bank. While we didn’t have a strict budget in mind, £12,000 seemed like a reasonable ceiling. In reality, we spent around £10,000 on the big day. To keep costs down, we enlisted the help of friends and family who were willing to lend their skills. Our wedding vendors – including those handling food, flowers, cake, and DJ services – were all people we knew personally, which ensured a personal touch and allowed us to have open conversations about our vision for the celebration. Additionally, my grandmother generously offered to purchase my wedding dress, while Joe’s parents contributed to our wedding fund. Their support was invaluable in helping us stay within our means.
The Venue
Our special day began at St Mary’s Church in Oldswinford, a stunning venue that turned out to be just down the road from our home. We had considered a few local options, but this church stood out as soon as we laid eyes on it – its grand exterior and breathtaking interior made it an easy choice. As we envisioned our wedding photos, we knew this beautiful backdrop would provide a perfect canvas for our memories.
When searching for the ideal location to host our evening celebration, we had looked at a few places that didn’t quite fit the bill. But it was my grandmother who suggested we visit Belbroughton Church Hall – and it was love at first sight! The hall’s unique vintage charm, with its large dark wooden beams reminiscent of a cozy barn, immediately won us over. And as an added bonus, the small outdoor area provided a lovely spot for our guests to enjoy the warm summer sunshine.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I never imagined what I’d want in a wedding dress until I stumbled upon my dream gown at wed2b. Initially, I tried on dresses that were far removed from the final choice. My sister suggested visiting the store to try on some options. We selected a few, and after trying them on, none of them seemed right. The helpful sales associate then surprised me by selecting two more dresses that ended up being perfect for me! As soon as I put it on, I knew it was meant to be mine. My sister loved it too! Although the dress was a size too big, we were thrilled to discover that the mannequin next to us was wearing the same dress – albeit in my actual size. The simplicity of the gown appealed to me, so I added a slim diamond belt and made some minor adjustments before calling it mine. A skilled seamstress named Pena altered the dress for me (Facebook page: PB Sewwright the busy little sewing bee). Additionally, I had a beautiful lacy veil from wed2b that complemented my dress perfectly.When it came to jewelry, I was only planning to wear earrings – until Joe surprised me by selecting some stunning pieces for me. On the morning of our wedding, he sent his brother Josh (best man) to bring over the earrings he had chosen. I’ve never removed them since then! To complete my look, I wore high-heeled sandals with embellished straps from Dune – they were surprisingly comfortable. However, I brought a smaller pair along for the evening, as I wanted to be able to dance the night away.Joe looked dashing in his suit from Moss Bros., which featured a checked blue, black, and white pattern. He paired it with a pale blue tie from Next. The suits fit him well, and he and his 5 groomsmen all wore matching attire.
The Readings & Music
We opted against having multiple readings from family and friends during our ceremony, instead choosing to have a single, brief reading. My sister Zoe kindly agreed to participate and selected 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, which felt poignant given the day’s focus on love. The gentle tone was a lovely change of pace from the usual formalities.The church organist provided a soothing atmosphere with traditional music during the ceremony, creating a peaceful ambiance.For our first dance as a married couple, we chose ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ by Eternal. We were both a bit apprehensive about this moment, but wanted something that would energize the mood without being too slow. The song’s upbeat yet romantic quality was perfect for us.My father surprised us by choosing ‘Close to You’ by the Carpenters for our second dance. It was an emotionally charged moment, with not a dry eye in sight.
The Flowers
As our special day approached, I couldn’t wait to share it with Rachel, an incredibly talented florist who had been instrumental in creating stunning arrangements for events at our café. When we started planning our wedding, I knew exactly whom to call – Rachel’s expertise and passion for her craft were unmatched. We bonded over hours of discussions about flowers, and I was thrilled when she agreed to create our wedding blooms. My heart was set on David Austin roses, a favorite of my grandfather, which would be the foundation of our wild and whimsical arrangements. To complement the natural beauty of our venues, we opted for loose, flowing bouquets with ribbons and greenery, rather than perfect, neat designs. Rachel wove her magic by incorporating various flowers and foliage into our decorations, including beautiful garlands above the pews in the church and vases outside the doors. The pièce de résistance was a stunning piece suspended above the top table at the reception – it was breathtaking! As we counted down to the big day, I collected small vases to scatter little flowers along the tables, adding to the overall floral theme. My bouquet, my bridesmaids’ bouquets, and the show-stopping arrangement above the table featured an array of gorgeous blooms, including Koco Loco, mocha and peach roses, peach yarrow, bronze amaranthus, sweet peas, wild carrot, astrantia, dahlias, creek brulee, cherry caramel phlox, and more. One of my favorite moments was seeing our flower girl nieces, Faith and Georgia, adorned with adorable headpieces created by Rachel, the mastermind behind The Hedge. Her business is a testament to her incredible talent and dedication – she made planning our flowers an absolute delight.
The Details & Décor
With a focus on simplicity and elegance, we opted not to make any major changes to the décor at either venue. Instead, we let the stunning natural beauty of both spaces shine through. The gorgeous flowers provided the perfect touch of colour and whimsy. Our talented florist, Rachel, helped me select a theme for our tables, which were beautifully complemented by the vintage wooden tables provided by the venue. My friend Vic kindly offered to create custom tablecloths and napkins using a rich navy linen fabric that added a sophisticated pop of color to the overall aesthetic.Meanwhile, I started collecting bunches of roses during my grocery shopping trips months in advance, carefully drying the petals to use as unique confetti for our celebration. I was thrilled with the result – the soft, muted hues and delicate texture of the dried rose petals created a romantic and charming effect that perfectly captured the essence of our special day.
Groomsmen
The quintet of groomsmen consisted of a mix of family and close friends. My father, Guy, joined forces with Joe’s dad, Dave, while Joe’s two closest pals, Jay and Ste, brought their own unique energy to the group. Rounding out the group was Josh, Joe’s brother who had the honor of serving as best man. What tied them all together was their shared attire from Moss Bros, with each groomsmen sporting a suit that matched Joe’s checked ensemble.
Your Photographer
We were fortunate to have Faye as our photographer, who was recommended by a friend and whose work we admired from the start. After meeting with her, we felt confident that she would capture the essence of our special day. As a pair, Joe and I aren’t typically comfortable in front of the camera, but Faye’s warm demeanor put us at ease. We wanted our photos to be natural and genuine, which is when we look our best. And indeed, many of our guests commented that Faye was just like another guest at the wedding – she made everyone feel so welcome and relaxed. She managed to snap some incredible candid shots of us and our loved ones, always seeming to appear in the right place at the right time. When we received the photos, I was overcome with emotion seeing them for the first time. It was truly incredible, and it’s wonderful looking back on those memories a year later – it feels like just yesterday.
Bridesmaids
Our wedding party featured our closest family members as our bridesmaids – my sister Zoe, along with Joe’s two sisters, Danielle and Dominique. I was thrilled to discover Needle & Thread dresses on ASOS, which became a priority purchase for me. The entire group fell in love with the dresses, and we were all obsessed with them! In fact, I must admit that at one point, I wanted to wear one myself. The dress’s vibrant color palette perfectly complemented our floral theme, providing endless possibilities when it came to selecting flowers to match. What truly stood out about the dress was its versatility, allowing us to incorporate a variety of colors into our overall aesthetic without feeling constrained.The bridesmaids also had their dresses professionally altered by Pena, ensuring a flawless fit for each of them. On the morning of the wedding, they took charge of their own makeup and hair styling, with my sister Zoe expertly handling the hairstyles for all of them. They looked absolutely stunning!Each of the bridesmaids added their personal touches to their overall look, choosing their own accessories and shoes. To complement their dresses, our florist Rachel created beautiful fresh flower hair clips that added a lovely finishing touch.
Beauty
When it comes to beauty and grooming, my husband Joe and I are pretty laid-back. In fact, we’re so relaxed that my sister, a talented hairdresser, is the only person I would have trusted with my hair on the day of our wedding. We had done a few trials beforehand, and all I wanted was a natural look that still reflected my curly locks in their most vibrant state. I didn’t want to look back at the photos and feel like a completely different person. To achieve this, we enlisted the help of Tenika Campbell, a freelance weave and wig specialist who has worked with me on numerous occasions over the past two years. She’s truly exceptional at what she does. (Hair by Miss Campbell) For my makeup, I decided to take matters into my own hands and do it myself. I picked up some new products from Fenty Beauty and practiced a few times before the big day. Since I don’t usually wear much makeup, I thought it was best to handle it myself so I wouldn’t end up looking like I had too much on. I was thrilled with how it turned out, and many of our guests commented on my makeup look. The day before the wedding, I got my nails done by Charlie, a lovely lady who unfortunately doesn’t have an Instagram presence. As for Joe, he kept his grooming to a minimum, getting a haircut from his barber Luke just hours before the ceremony – that’s about as far as it went! We’re both pretty low-key when it comes to beauty and pampering.
The Cake
For me, the wedding cake was more than just a sweet treat – it represented a labor of love that I shared with my dear friend Emma. As we both have a passion for baking, it’s no surprise that she was the only person I trusted to create our special day’s masterpiece. Having recently relocated to Australia, I wasn’t sure if Emma and her partner Anna would be able to join us, but their return was a welcome surprise. The months of planning and collaboration with Emma were exhilarating – we obsessed over every detail, just as we did when she was my apprentice at my previous job. Our shared love of baking led to a beautiful friendship, and we learned so much from each other. We decided on a stunning 3-tier masterpiece, featuring chocolate, raspberry, and peanut butter flavors. The middle layer was a showstopper – a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, a favorite among my family members (including my niece Faith, who’s had it for both her birthdays). The top tier was a decadent tiramisu cake, which quickly became a hit at work and in my personal life. Emma and Anna spent hours preparing the sponges, and then I left them to their magic. Their hard work paid off – the cake was perfect, and they gifted it to us as a wedding present. We couldn’t have been more grateful. The cake was a huge hit with our guests, and we made sure to cater to our vegan and gluten-free friends with a special banana, chocolate, and walnut cake and a lemon and blueberry cake, respectively.
The Honeymoon
We initially had plans to delay our Italian honeymoon until the summer of 2020, just after the wedding. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had other ideas! As we started planning in early 2020, July seemed like a perfect time for our romantic getaway, but the situation took a dramatic turn. Moreover, with our first baby on the way, I would have been heavily pregnant by then, making it an even more complicated scenario. In hindsight, it’s turned out for the best.
Memorable Moments
The culinary experience at our wedding was truly unforgettable. Our colleagues from work went above and beyond to cater for us, serving a delectable Jamaican feast in the afternoon featuring jerk chicken, curry mutton, rice and peas, as well as a vegetarian Jamaican spiced curry. The vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of a live jerk drum and an enormous paella pan filled with curry mutton in the garden of the venue.To whet our guests’ appetites before the sit-down meal, we provided samosas for them to snack on upon arrival at the reception venue.As the evening unfolded, we treated our loved ones to a selection of cobs from The Anchor, our favorite pub, featuring an assortment of cheese, beef, and ham options accompanied by a variety of salads. This delightful offering was met with rave reviews! In fact, I don’t think my husband or myself even got a chance to indulge.The music played a significant role in making our day truly special. We created a playlist, and a friend brought his DJ gear and disco ball, resulting in an unforgettable dance party. I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t leave the dance floor all night! The photos from that magical evening still bring a smile to my face.What truly made our wedding day shine was the presence of our wonderful family and friends, who all worked together seamlessly to create an atmosphere of joy and love. Without them, our special day wouldn’t have been the same. We’re also grateful for the countless individuals who contributed their time and energy to make it a reality.For me, another cherished memory was arriving at the church in my grandfather’s car. His passing three years prior made his presence felt in a bittersweet yet meaningful way on our wedding day.The speeches delivered by my father, Joe, Josh (best man), and myself were truly special. Our guests were either laughing uncontrollably or wiping away tears as we shared heartfelt words.
Advice For Other Couples
As I reflect back on our special day, I’m reminded that every moment, no matter how big or small, is precious. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of planning and details, but I’ve come to realize that it’s the little things that truly make a difference. Like our personalized coat hangers – who would have thought they’d become a sweet memory?! Looking back, I want to cherish not just the big moments, but also the tiny details that added up to create an unforgettable experience. Having loved ones involved in our celebration made all the difference. It was wonderful having friends and family play such a significant role in making our day so special. And amidst the chaos of a busy wedding, it’s easy to forget to take time for just us as a couple. So I’m grateful we managed to sneak away and enjoy those quiet moments together. To everyone involved in bringing our vision to life – from Faye Green Photo capturing our love story to zvlhairandbrows working their magic on my hair – thank you! We’re so thankful to have shared our church hall wedding with the world, and we’re honored that WWW gets to tell our story.