I’m always thrilled when I come across weddings that showcase creativity in all its forms. Whether it’s an unconventional venue, unique style choices or personal touches, each element contributes to making the celebration truly unforgettable. Luke and Ruth’s church wedding was no exception, as they pulled off a two-part ceremony with effortless charm. With a modest budget of £3000, they managed to infuse their special day with natural beauty, warmth and romance. One of the highlights was Ruth’s stunning homemade dress, which added an extra layer of meaning to the occasion. The couple also enlisted the help of loved ones, who contributed DIY elements such as decor, cakes and foliage, making it a genuine collaborative effort. Hannah K Photography did an amazing job capturing the joy and magic of this special day.
Church Wedding Reception
The Proposal
As we embarked on our Cotswolds adventure, a picnic and stroll along the picturesque Cotswold Way just outside Broadway/Broadway Tower were on the agenda. The night before, we carefully crafted quiche for the occasion, and the next day, we savored a delightful cream tea at Broadway Tower. As we made our way back down to Broadway, a surprise proposal awaited – and after an initial hesitation, Ruth’s response was sealed with a resounding ‘yes’.
The Vision
We envisioned a whimsical celebration that embodied our love of nature, complete with lush greenery, twinkling fairy lights, and an abundance of natural textures. As gin enthusiasts, we knew this had to be incorporated in some way, reflecting our personalities. At its core, we wanted the wedding to revolve around good food, refreshing drinks, and lively music that would keep us dancing through the night. Although COVID-19 forced us to scale back our original plans, our vision remained unwavering – a relaxed, joyful gathering where love, laughter, and memories were at the forefront.
Budget
We made significant adjustments to our initial wedding budget of £13,000, ultimately settling on a revised figure of approximately £3000. A key factor in achieving this reduction was our decision to repurpose items we had already accumulated or acquired for the original celebration. In fact, we’re planning to reuse all the décor from the first event once we’re able to host it with our full guest list, including a special thank you to our parents for their generosity in storing everything on our behalf. While the revised budget did incur an additional £1500 in expenses related to food and photography, we were still able to make substantial savings overall.
The Venue
Your Outfits
The groom’s attire was a serendipitous discovery at Moss Bros, where he opted for his trusted work shoes instead of something more formal. In contrast, the bride’s exquisite dress was a labor of love crafted by Ruth’s mother, boasting an innovative feature – pockets! Ruth herself wore stylish footwear, a thrifty find from Cancer Research that only set her back £5, demonstrating that elegance and affordability can coexist.
The Ceremony & Music
Our faith played a significant role in our special day, and we aimed to infuse it into every aspect of the service. Our trusted vicar, Andrew, led us through the ceremony, while our parents took on the readings and siblings contributed to the prayers and signing of the register. Although we would have cherished more musical elements, such as songs and hymns, we prioritized caution over risk, acknowledging that singing might not be feasible for everyone. The soundtrack to our celebration featured ‘I Get to Love You’ by Ruelle, ‘Highlands (Acoustic)’ from Hillsong United, and Natalie Cole’s timeless classic, ‘(This Will Be) An Everlasting Love’, as we made our way in and out of the ceremony.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
From the moment we started planning our special day, Ruth had her heart set on Hannah K Photography (@HannahKPhotography). She had seen their stunning work firsthand at Luke’s sister’s wedding, and it was only natural that she would want to capture our own love story through their lens. Working with Hannah was an absolute joy – her professionalism and creativity shone through from start to finish, resulting in a treasure trove of beautiful photos that we will cherish for years to come.
In addition to the still photography, one of Luke’s friends, Viren Ahluwalia (@Viren_A113), kindly offered his filmmaking skills to capture some of our special moments on video. He expertly edited a highlight reel for us, giving us a wonderful way to relive and share our wedding day with loved ones.
The Styling & Decor
The church’s decor was a true testament to the power of community, with friends and family pitching in to create a lush atmosphere. From scouring local gardens for ivy and greenery to donating houseplants, everyone contributed to making our special day truly unforgettable.We prepared ‘party bags’ for our guests, filled with essentials like hand sanitizer, face masks, tissues, and snacks. Meanwhile, Luke’s dad transformed old fence panels into a stunning screen inspired by Instagram, while his sister (@RebekahOliverDesign) brought her design skills to create beautiful mirrors and signs featuring Bible passages and poems.Fairy lights and natural muslin added warmth and texture, complemented by the sweet scent of scented candles wafting through the air. We even repurposed gin bottles as diffusers in the toilets, carrying the theme throughout. And, in a lovely nod to our favorite gins, we named the tables after them, using empty bottles collected from friends and family.To add some visual flair, we splurged on coupe glasses and colored water glasses (Ikea being our affordable option), which added a pop of color and variety. We sourced flowers from a Coventry wholesaler and crafted the arrangements the day before, incorporating tonic bottles as bud vases on the tables. Ruth and her mum then worked their magic to create a stunning bouquet and buttonholes.Last but not least, Luke’s dad whipped up a scrumptious slow-matured fruitcake, while his sister baked us a delectable Lemon Drizzle cake and decorated both for our special day.
The Honeymoon
We embarked on a short getaway to immerse ourselves in the idyllic charm of the Cotswolds region, where we spent a couple of enchanting nights at the luxurious Ellenborough Park, followed by a relaxing retreat at a picturesque rural Airbnb property.
Memorable Moments
As we transitioned from capturing memories on camera to indulging in dinner, there was a brief period where we had some much-needed downtime back at the church. The lovely family and church friends who helped transform the space for our evening celebration were instrumental in creating a warm atmosphere. My partner and I took advantage of this opportunity to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee together, and savor the moment in peace.Later, as the evening’s festivities began to unfold, we slipped out the back door and re-entered through the front, making for a dramatic entrance. We then made our way to Kenilworth’s picturesque castle, where the biting wind only added to the charm of the setting. Despite the chill, everyone was in high spirits, laughing and having a wonderful time as we snapped away. One of my favorite photos from the day is our confetti shot – it really captures the magic of that moment!