Coombe Lodge Wedding
I’m thrilled to share the joyous wedding of Siobhan and Jesper at Coombe Lodge in Somerset on October 25th, 2019. Their autumnal celebration was infused with colourful elements, nods to their favourite literature and TV shows, and a healthy dose of playful confetti. It’s a vision that’s hard not to love! The couple incorporated several one-of-a-kind details that really caught my eye – paper bouquets crafted from book pages, gin bottles adorned with artificial flowers, and an extraordinary cake. Siobhan shone in her flowing gown, colourful sash, and flower crown, paired with statement earrings, while Jesper looked dapper in his blue Ted Baker suit and paisley tie. Huge thanks to Holly Collings Photography for sharing these vibrant and lively images with us today.
The Proposal
As we approached the decision to get married, planning began in earnest. I was never particularly concerned about traditional proposal rituals, but Jesper had his heart set on doing it his way. We found common ground by buying the ring together – I curated the design through Etsy, and Jesper surprised me by ordering it without my knowledge. Before we were officially engaged, we also secured our wedding venue – why wait for perfection?! Once the ring and venue were settled, we gave Jesper the green light to propose whenever he felt ready. He seized the opportunity on the Ferris wheel at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, one of our shared favourite spots, while we were at the top, ensuring an intimate and private moment. We marked the occasion with a casual hot dog dinner, spending a few hours basking in the glow of our new engagement before sharing the news with loved ones.
The Vision
We drew inspiration from two distinct themes: autumn, characterized by leaves and copper hues, and multi-colour. Jesper had to temper my enthusiasm for bold colours, as he feared it might veer towards a children’s birthday party (an idea I wouldn’t have minded, honestly!). However, the venue’s period charm and architecture were so perfectly aligned with our vision that we didn’t feel the need to add further decorations. The table settings became a delightful mashup of autumn and multi-colour tones, mirroring my own eclectic style. Our primary goal was to host a large wedding in terms of guest count, but retain an intimate atmosphere. We extended invitations to all children of our guests (although many opted for babysitters that night!), and welcomed family and friends from around the world. As such, we aimed to create a lively and community-driven celebration.
The Planning Process
As we embarked on the planning journey, a sense of ease and organization enveloped us. Both my partner and I are spreadsheet enthusiasts, and we each maintained separate trackers to monitor every detail – from guest lists and attendee rosters to expenditures, design work, and table arrangements. Our families proved to be invaluable assets, offering unwavering support and practical assistance throughout the process. With no discord or disagreements regarding invitees or non-invitees, our planning experience was a testament to our harmonious relationship and shared focus on our marriage and future together.
Budget
To keep costs in check, we adopted a frugal approach throughout our wedding planning process. Our venue choice was driven by the need for ample space, which led us to Coombe Lodge – an unexpected bargain at the time, given how much we fell in love with it. We relied on family and friends for assistance where possible and took on numerous tasks ourselves. While we were willing to splurge on certain aspects like venue, food, and photographer, we prioritized cost-effectiveness for others like flowers and cake.
The Readings & Music
As we prepared for our special day, my partner and I poured over every detail to ensure that our ceremony truly reflected who we are as a couple. We’re both bookworms (I’m an English Literature enthusiast) and music lovers, so it’s no surprise that these shared passions played a significant role in shaping our choices.Music was a key aspect of the ceremony, with the hardest decision being my entrance song. We wanted something unique yet fitting, representative of us as a couple but not overly sentimental or clichéd. In the end, we settled on the acoustic version of Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’ from Schitt’s Creek, which perfectly captured our spirits and still resonates with us whenever we hear it (whether it’s the cover or original).For signing the register, we chose a selection of songs that held special meaning for us: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’, followed by Velvet Underground’s ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’, George Ezra’s ‘Budapest’, Laura Marling’s ‘Wild Fire’, and finally Morecambe & Wise’s ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ – the perfect encapsulation of our joy on that day. Our other significant song was ‘Life’s A Happy Song’ from The Muppets, which we used as the soundtrack for our second first dance.Readings also played a vital role in our ceremony, with my cousin Kerry delivering Mary Oliver’s poignant poem ‘Don’t Hesitate’, and our mutual friend Michael reading an excerpt from William Goldman’s classic, The Princess Bride. His recitation of Westley’s famous declaration – ‘Do you love me? Is that it?’ – had us both beaming with joy.
The Venue
Our hearts were won over by Coombe Lodge, a venue that far exceeded our expectations in every way. We didn’t anticipate having an emotional connection with it, but as we explored the property, we found ourselves falling deeply in love. The Bath stone building, its luxurious on-site bedrooms, and the stunning views and gardens all contributed to this enchantment. But what truly sealed the deal for us were the grand Georgian leaded windows and doors that flooded the space with natural light. We had our hearts set on an autumn wedding, and Coombe Lodge’s vibrant orange, copper, and golden foliage only added to its allure. In contrast to other venues we’d visited, which relied heavily on summer blooms, this property offered a unique beauty that was independent of season. The staff were equally impressive throughout the planning process, making us feel valued and supported every step of the way.
Bridesmaids
I had concerns about finding a single dress that all my bridesmaids would love. With their diverse body shapes, skin tones, and personal styles, I worried that it wouldn’t be easy. Fortunately, one of my sisters, who was also a bridesmaid, was in the States and took on the task of finding the perfect dresses. She found a stunning option that everyone loved, and that’s all that mattered to me. I didn’t even bother to find out where it came from – as long as they were happy, I was thrilled! The flowergirl, meanwhile, wore a beautiful dress created by the groom’s mother, perfectly matching the bridesmaid dresses. She beamed with pride and looked absolutely adorable in her special attire.
The Flowers
I had always been fascinated by paper flowers – not only do they offer a cost-effective alternative to their real counterparts, but they also allow you to preserve the beauty of the arrangement forever. Moreover, I have a deep appreciation for the unique aesthetic they bring. When I discovered this small Scottish business, I knew I had to place an order. I commissioned a custom-made bridal bouquet with bold, vibrant colours in the shape of a rainbow, and asked that it be accompanied by pages from my beloved novel, Persuasion by Jane Austen. In addition to the bespoke bouquet, I also ordered three bridesmaid bouquets featuring Harry Potter books – a choice inspired by my friends’ enthusiasm for the series, even though it’s not my own personal favourite. To complete the order, I added a flower girl wand, three buttonholes crafted from maps, which held sentimental value for my partner Jesper, two corsages, and table confetti with a design inspired by my cherished novel. I was thrilled with the results, opting for a ribbon colour that perfectly matched the stems, expertly sourced by Nicola. Today, these beautiful creations sit proudly in an empty gin bottle in my bedroom, a testament to the artistry of this talented small business.
Groomsmen
Jesper’s sartorial choices were meticulously planned, with a keen eye for detail. His Ted Baker suit, sourced from Moss Bros in Exeter, was the perfect shade of blue, reflecting his refined taste. To complete his look, he selected a pair of high-end shoes from a specialty store in the same city. Interestingly, Christian, Jesper’s brother and Best Man, opted to purchase matching attire in Denmark, although there was no apparent effort made to synchronize their outfits beyond that.
Your Photographer
We had the pleasure of working with the talented Holly Collings Photography for our special day. From the moment we started planning our wedding, Holly was our top choice to capture its magic. Her stunning portfolio and effortless communication style put us at ease, making it an absolute delight to work with her throughout the entire process. Our pre-wedding shoot with Holly was a breeze, as she expertly guided us through the experience and helped us feel comfortable in front of the camera. On our wedding day, Holly seamlessly blended into the background, capturing incredible candid moments that perfectly captured the joy and laughter of our celebration. We were thrilled to receive the final photos, which we couldn’t help but adore – even I, a self-proclaimed photo skeptic, felt at ease and loved the way Holly brought out the best in us.
Your Outfits & Accessories
My wedding dress journey began at Pirouette in Exeter, a shop I highly recommend. During my initial consultation, owner Marian, along with seamstress Fiona from Lovely As It Seams (based in Torbay), presented me with nine stunning dresses to choose from. Fiona expertly tailored the chosen dress and created a vibrant satin belt using fabric I selected from a store back home in Walsall, West Midlands. The experience was truly memorable, as I had that ‘aha’ moment when I first saw the dress – it felt like ‘The One’. Throughout the process, the staff at Pirouette were incredibly supportive and understood my vision perfectly. To finalize my look, I visited the shop for a final fitting, where I purchased shoes, jewellery, and borrowed a flower headband from the store to get everyone excited about my overall appearance on the big day. The entire team gathered around me to share in the excitement! After the wedding, I entrusted a local dry cleaner who specializes in preserving wedding gowns to clean, press, and store it beautifully in a presentation box, about a month later. My earrings were from Little Moose, which complemented my updo and low-cut dress perfectly.
Beauty
As I was preparing for my big day, I had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented professionals. My hairdresser, Rachel Gough, has been in the industry for about eight years now and has a specialty in wedding and event hair. We met while she was still training to be a stylist and would often work together as waitresses. When it came time for me to plan my own wedding hair, I knew exactly who to call. I had envisioned a Dutch crown braid with flowers, and Rachel worked her magic to bring that vision to life. To ensure everything went according to plan, we even did two trials before the big day.In addition to working with Rachel, I also relied on my best friend Danielle Healey for my makeup needs. We met in 2006 at university, and since she’s a skilled makeup artist, it was only natural that she would be the one to help me get ready. My goal was to look like myself, just amplified – no dramatic changes, just an enhancement of my natural features. We did a trial run during my hen do, which gave us both a chance to perfect the look I wanted. The final result featured copper eyeliner and defined eyebrows that really made my features pop.
The Details & Décor
We opted for a whimsical approach to decorations, blending homemade and store-bought elements. Friends donated gin bottles, which we matched with tables based on themes or personal connections. To add some visual flair, we purchased artificial flowers (tulips and crocuses), table runners, and copper wire card holders for the table names and menus. We also used confetti from a local flower company and bought additional autumn-themed and colorful options to create a lively atmosphere. The result was a charming mishmash of decorative elements.For our confetti shot, we turned to Etsy and searched for brightly colored options, ultimately choosing one that caught our eye. This spontaneous decision proved to be a great choice, as the photos turned out amazing. We only decided on the confetti two weeks prior, after seeing how wonderful the photos could look from your questionnaire.When it came time to book a DJ, we relied on recommendations from our venue and chose Kieran Clarke. We specified our musical preferences, including custom requests for our two first dances – one featuring an accordion and another with a specially edited song. He delivered, playing loads of our personal favorites and only stumbling once when he mistakenly referred to us as the Pedersens (we’re not!). Overall, Kieran was great to work with.
The Cake
My family and I opted for a collaborative approach, with my sisters and mother taking the lead on decorating the cake. This turned out to be a fantastic decision, as my youngest sister is an incredibly talented artist with a plethora of creative ideas. We ordered the cakes from M&S, specifying the type we wanted, which arrived at my mother’s house for us to work our magic. The end result was truly breathtaking – marzipan bees, you name it! To top it all off, we commissioned a custom cake topper from an Etsy vendor, personalizing it with ‘Dr & Dr’ in elegant script.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging vows, we decided to take a mini-moon right after the wedding, setting aside the bigger honeymoon plans for next year. As we prepared for our Parisian escapade, we packed some extra treats – including leftover wedding cake as a Eurostar snack. Our stay at a quaint boutique hotel in the city proved to be a delightful and chilly interlude. The experience was all the more precious because it allowed us to savor those few days of bliss before returning to reality. Little did we know, however, that COVID-19 would soon dash our grander honeymoon aspirations.
Memorable Moments
As I walked back down the aisle after exchanging vows with my partner, the whirlwind of emotions and events from earlier that morning still swirled around us. The laughter and cheers of our friends and family, the joyous first dances and speeches – it was a day filled to the brim with love and celebration. Yet, amidst all the commotion, one moment stood out as particularly special for us: the quiet interlude we shared immediately after the ceremony. As the exit music played and our guests began to disperse, our wedding coordinator kindly escorted them out of the room, handing us each a glass of prosecco in the process. With our photographer, Holly, capturing the magic of this moment on camera, my partner and I were left alone for a brief, blissful interval to bask in the glow of our new reality. It was a poignant reminder that, amidst all the fanfare, our marriage was the true focus of the day – and we felt grateful for the opportunity to pause, reflect, and savor this incredible milestone.
Advice For Other Couples
Take a moment each day to savor the memories of your special day, and allow yourselves to fully immerse in the love and joy that surrounds you. As you relive the moments, recall the stunning photography courtesy of Holly Collings Photography, which captured the beauty and intimacy of your celebration at Coombe Lodge. The bride’s exquisite dress, designed by Pirouette Maggie Sottero, shone alongside the groom’s stylish shoes from The Brogue Trader, while Little Moose earrings added a touch of whimsy to her look. Hair design by RG Hair Design – Rachel Gough and makeup by Danielle Healey completed the couple’s radiant appearance. The whimsical paper flowers crafted by Floral Derangement brought an air of elegance to the setting, as Kieran Clarke DJ ensured the party continued long into the night. The delectable cake from M&S, topped with a charming Etsy creation, was the perfect treat for your guests. Table runners and place card holders, also designed by Etsy, added a touch of romance to the tablescapes. And let’s not forget the confetti – in abundance, courtesy of Etsy! – that filled the air as you celebrated your love. Siobhan and Jesper, thank you for sharing your enchanting wedding story with us; we hope you get to relax on your honeymoon soon, knowing that your special day will be treasured forever.