Wes Anderson enthusiasts are in for a visual treat as Frances and James tie the knot today! Their whimsical celebration took place on June 22nd, 2019, at East Keswick Village Hall in West Yorkshire, where they cleverly wove nods to their beloved filmmaker’s work and their shared passion for adventure throughout the day. The couple’s DIY spirit shone through as they crafted many of the decorations themselves, with friends and family lending a helping hand to create an intimately personal, handmade, and truly one-of-a-kind experience. The Camp Ivanhoe-inspired ceremony backdrop, also a product of their creative endeavors, adds a touch of magic to the proceedings. We’re grateful to James & Lianne Wedding Photography for capturing this special day and sharing it with us.
The Proposal
It was September 2017 when James took Frances to New York City as a surprise for her milestone 30th birthday. As they explored the city together, James was on a mission to find the perfect spot to pop the question, but it wasn’t until their final full day in town that he finally found the courage to propose. The unexpected quiet moment on the Highline turned out to be the ideal setting for his heartfelt ask. Frances’ initial reaction was one of joyful laughter, but as she realized an answer was required, she quickly responded with a resounding ‘yes’. To commemorate their special moment, they treated themselves to ice cream sandwiches.
The Vision
Frances and James embarked on a creative adventure planning their wedding, with a strong desire to incorporate DIY elements into every aspect of their big day. Their shared interests, passions, and aesthetics led them to conceive a whimsical Wes Anderson-themed celebration, paying homage to the director’s 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom. This cinematic inspiration permeated various aspects of their wedding, including the vibrant color palette, intricately designed invitations, and bespoke pin badges as favors. The rustic charm of a bell tent den outside added to the festivities, while the bamboo arch, reminiscent of Camp Ivanhoe from Grand Budapest Hotel, served as a stunning backdrop for their nuptials. The success of the day was largely due to the incredible efforts of their friends, particularly Emily, who took Frances’ organizational skills to new heights, and Duncan, who brought the ceremony to life with his purple suit and officiating presence. Following the ‘I dos,’ the celebrations kicked off with the unveiling of a custom family flag, featuring an apple tree from the Murphy coat of arms and nine stars from the Bailey coat of arms arranged in the constellation of Lyra, which hung above them during their vows.
The Planning Process
Frances and James’ whirlwind romance led them from London to Leeds, a mere two months prior to their special day. Amidst the chaos of moving house and changing jobs, they managed to stay on top of things, thanks to their meticulous planning skills. Employing a range of organizational tools, including spreadsheets, Trello boards, and lists, they were well-prepared for the big move. And with Emily, their trusted Maid of Honour and fellow organization enthusiast, by their side, the final weeks leading up to the wedding became a finely-tuned operation. The couple’s decision to put most purchasing and making tasks on hold until after the move proved wise, allowing them to focus on the logistics and enjoy a stress-free countdown.
Budget
The Venue
As the couple exchanged vows, they wanted their special day to reflect their laid-back and adventurous approach to life. Having shared experiences at Sela Bar in Leeds during Frances’ studies, it was crucial for them to choose a venue that would allow external caterers, so Frances could bring Sela Bar’s Little Red Food Truck to serve her famous pizza to loved ones. An outdoor space was also a must-have; walking, camping and surfing are just some of the hobbies James and Frances enjoy together. It didn’t take long for them to decide that East Keswick Village Hall would be the ideal spot to tie the knot, with added sentimental value stemming from Frances’ childhood in the village.
Your Outfits & Accessories
The weekend began with a legal ceremony at Leeds Town Hall on Thursday, followed by a family garden party at a stunning AirBnb in Thorner. Frances’ choice of attire for these events was notable – she wore a dress from the Rock & Roll Bride collection by Little Mistress. Two days later, she opted for a classic yet bohemian-inspired Monsoon dress that made her feel comfortable and confident. The key difference between the two outfits was the level of formality, with the first dress being more elegant and the second being slightly more relaxed. James’ suits were also thriftily purchased from Moss Bros during their Christmas sales, with the shoes being Cherry Red Vegan 3989 Oxford Brush brogues from Dr. Martens. His bowtie came from Swagger & Swoon. Frances’ shoe choice was Kurt Geiger, while her hair jewellery was borrowed from her cousin Georgina, who had worn it on her own wedding day the previous year. As a thoughtful gesture, Frances gave James an engraved compass as a wedding gift.
Beauty
Bridesmaids
As we prepared for the big day, I made sure to prioritize my six bridesmaids’ comfort and confidence above all else. Among them was a pregnant beauty and three new mothers who had given birth within the past three months. To ensure they felt their absolute best, I encouraged each of them to select a navy blue dress that resonated with their personal style. The result? A stunning, cohesive group look that not only reflected their individuality but also exuded a sense of sisterly solidarity.
Groomsmen
We entrusted the groomsmen with a straightforward wardrobe directive: pair black jeans with a crisp white shirt. To simplify the process and keep costs manageable, we supplied bow ties from Ties Plant for all six members of the party – three best men and three groomsmen.
The Readings & Music
The Cake
Frances and James opted for a more budget-friendly approach to cake, sourcing an undecorated base from Waitrose. The final product took shape as Julie’s flowers were carefully arranged on top, accompanied by a miniature toy canoe from Sylvanian Families, cleverly tying in with the adventure theme. To add an extra layer of sweetness, some of the hens contributed their own tray bakes, resulting in a truly delightful and memorable celebration.
Your Photographer
The Details & Décor
To recap, our wedding décor was infused with a sense of adventure and whimsy. We drew inspiration from Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, as well as our own travel experiences.
We incorporated unique elements such as a bell tent, red gas lanterns, custom-designed scout patches turned into pin badges, and a bamboo arch adorned with wildflowers. The latter was a nod to the beautiful wildflower meadows that surrounded us, which we documented through photographs taken just around the corner from the village hall.
Our family flag, handmade by our loved ones, added a personal touch. We also crafted arrows in the flowers, featuring feathers cut from vintage shuttlecocks – a labor of love courtesy of my wife Frances.
In addition to these Moonrise Kingdom-inspired elements, we drew inspiration from our travels and adventures. This was reflected in the décor through globes and maps of our favorite destinations, as well as table names displayed as travel posters featuring places that hold special meaning for us.
The pièce de résistance was a hand-painted world map on our table plan, complete with postcards listing the names of our loved ones. This unique piece was crafted by my husband James, who also collected vintage postcards – which Frances has amassed over the years! We even used a vintage US mailbox to collect cards from guests.
To tie everything together, we created handmade bunting using second-hand atlas pages, adding a touch of nostalgia and adventure to our special day.
The Flowers
Julie, Frances’ mother, meticulously curated every bloom in her garden, arranging them within mini keg barrels for a visually stunning display. The brewery’s connection to James, an illustrator and graphic designer, was also a significant aspect of the day. As he primarily designs cans and pump clips for Abbeydale Brewery, having beer-related ephemera, including his flagship Heathen beers, in the hands of many guests added a unique touch.
The newlyweds’ impromptu getaway to Fuertaventura just days after their nuptials was a testament to their spontaneous nature. Despite some initial budgetary concerns, they managed to squeeze in a romantic escape and even fit in an unforgettable surf trip.
Memorable Moments
As we twirled across the dance floor, the lace of my dress became entangled with James’ waistcoat buttons – a minor spectacle that failed to conjure romance. Meanwhile, our photographers, James and Lianne, had to gently nudge us back on track by reminding us about the cake cutting ceremony. The competitive streak in our guests was also on full display during the wedding breakfast quiz, as they vied for top spot. We took a more laid-back approach with catering, opting to prepare our own ploughman’s lunch for 140 people alongside some willing volunteers. This hands-on effort paid off, allowing us to create a memorable and intimate atmosphere. Special thanks must go to our friends who lent a hand, including the Maid of Honour’s dad, who whipped up some delicious cheese scones. Even on the big day itself, we had last-minute helpers adding the finishing touches as guests began arriving. And in a moment of pre-wedding jitters, one bridesmaid inadvertently left in a certain four-letter word during her reading – a minor mishap that still brings a smile to our faces.
Advice For Other Couples
When you’re faced with an overwhelming sense of tasks and costs spiraling out of control, remember to keep things in perspective by repeating ‘it’s just one day.’ This mantra has been a lifesaver for Frances, who works in marketing and is constantly evaluating return on investment. She asks herself tough questions like: Is spending 100 hours making paper flowers worth the time for just one day? If not, why bother at all? Don’t fall into the trap of doing something simply because you’re supposed to. It’s your day, so do what you want! And don’t obsess over entertaining your guests every second of the day – most people will be happy just being there and catching up with friends. We had a similar debate when deciding whether to hire a band for our event, but we were also praying for good weather. After a soggy June, we got lucky and had perfect sunny weather, which everyone loved. In the end, we were glad we didn’t spend a fortune on music – our Spotify playlist filled with guest requests did the job just as well.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Photography played a significant role in capturing the essence of James & Lianne’s special day, courtesy of their talented wedding photographer. The event took place at the picturesque East Keswick Village Hall, which provided a charming backdrop for the couple’s celebration. Hair and makeup were expertly handled by Sarah Haines, ensuring that the bride looked absolutely radiant throughout the day. To fuel the guests, delicious pizzas from Pizza Camper by Sela Bar were on offer, while pork pies courtesy of RP Setchfield, East Keswick, proved a popular choice. Fresh bread rolls from The Oven Door in Wetherby added a touch of warmth to the proceedings. Additionally, unique badges from Awesome Merchandise made for memorable keepsakes. To personalize certain elements, vinyl lettering for the mirror and mailbox was crafted by The Leeds Sign Co, while hand-painted signs courtesy of James- David Murphy brought an extra layer of character to the event. Live music was provided by talented musician Ralph Pelleymounter, ensuring that the atmosphere remained lively throughout. We’d like to extend our gratitude to Frances and James for allowing us to be a part of their exciting day, and to Rachel for sharing her wonderful experience with us.