Glynde Place Wedding
Starting the week on a high note, I’m thrilled to share the enchanting wedding of Steph and Rob at the picturesque Glynde Place in East Sussex’s countryside. The 1st June 2019 saw this lovely couple tie the knot, followed by an unforgettable marquee reception. As I dive into the details of their special day, it’s hard not to be captivated by the stunning coral charm peonies that added a touch of elegance to every arrangement. Being a gardener myself, I must admit my admiration for these blooms is genuine. Moving on to Steph’s breathtaking attire, her long-sleeved, tiered dusty pink lace dress paired beautifully with her veil and celestial headpiece. Rob, meanwhile, looked dashing in his blue check suit, print tie, and tan brogues. Together, they were a vision of happiness. To capture their joyous moments, Sarah London Photography did an incredible job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share these sublime images with our readers.
The Proposal
Christmas Day is a time-honored tradition that brings people together, and for me, it’s the highlight of the year. The anticipation builds up weeks in advance, with thoughts of mouth-watering feasts, the excitement of watching loved ones unwrap their gifts, and the warmth of cozy family gatherings. Rob, well aware of my enthusiasm, always makes an effort to make this day special. In 2017, on Christmas morning, he surprised me by putting on my favorite holiday film, followed by a present-opening session. As we lounged in our pajamas amidst a sea of wrapping paper and the twinkling lights of the tree, Rob presented me with one final gift that left me in tears, overwhelmed with emotion.
The Vision
As we ventured out to explore three potential venues, Rob’s opinions turned out to be more diverse than I had anticipated. Our initial criteria were straightforward: an outdoor space for optimal weather conditions, a cozy ceremony room that exudes intimacy, and a location with a rich history to make the day truly memorable.
With these requirements in mind, we shifted our focus towards creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, knowing that the food, drink, and music would be instrumental in setting the tone for our special day.
The Planning Process
As Rob brought sanity to my anxiety-ridden planning, I still found myself juggling spreadsheets, notebooks, and to-do lists. Our initial strategy was to secure the venue, which gave us a solid foundation for the rest of the planning process. With 18 months to go before the big day, I devoted considerable time to scouting out wedding inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest, as well as tracking down suppliers who aligned with my vision.
The Venue
Our dream wedding venue, Glynde Place, stole our hearts from the moment Bryony gave us the grand tour. The ceremony room’s rich dark wood and expansive windows set the tone for an unforgettable celebration, while the picturesque grounds offered breathtaking views that left us breathless. As we envisioned our special day unfolding, we decided to elevate the experience by setting up a marquee for guests to mingle and take in the surroundings after the ceremony. Initially, I was skeptical about the idea of a marquee, but it ended up being a stroke of genius, allowing everyone to move around freely and make the most of the stunning grounds. To ensure our guests’ comfort during the hot summer day, we also rented a fleet of deckchairs for them to lounge in before and after the meal. It was a small investment that paid off in spades, keeping everyone cool and relaxed throughout the celebration.
The Flowers
The ceremony room and marquee underwent a stunning transformation courtesy of Lib’s incredible styling skills. With just a few guidelines from me regarding colors and blooms, she crafted a comprehensive plan that I could review before even committing to the project. Notably, Lib was incredibly adaptable when we requested additional elements towards the end. The flowers in particular were a showstopper, garnering rave reviews from our guests throughout the day. They truly added an extra layer of magic to the entire celebration.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I had a clear vision in mind when it came to my wedding attire, which made the shopping process much less daunting. I knew I wanted a dress with sleeves and no backless design, which helped narrow down my options. After searching online, I found my dream dress on Needle & Thread’s website and tried it on at my parents’ place – it was love at first sight! The rest of my look came together when I discovered the perfect veil on Etsy from Blossom & Bluebird, whose team was super helpful in sending samples to ensure a flawless match with my dusty pink/champagne wedding dress. For my headpiece, I opted for something bold yet understated from Miss Clemmie’s bridal accessories, which added a touch of elegance without being too ‘princessy.’ Meanwhile, Rob found his suit at Moss Bros, specifically Ted Baker, which featured a subtle check pattern that made him stand out among the groomsmen. He looked dashing in his three-piece suit! His wedding shoes were another story – I surprised him with them on our anniversary a couple of weeks before the big day, and he was overjoyed with the lovely brown brogues from Shoe Embassy, which had a sole reminiscent of Grenson’s designs.
The Readings & Music
Our ceremony was accompanied by a unique blend of Motown and jazz tunes, with no formal readings to set the tone. Beforehand, my partner and I worked closely with DJ Paddy from Discowed to curate a playlist that reflected our musical tastes. His impressive skills ensured an energetic atmosphere, with many guests taking to the dance floor – including my friends, who were eager to get me dancing too! As the celebration transitioned to cocktail hour, we welcomed pianist Richard Sully, whose talent had already impressed us at a friend’s wedding before we even got engaged. We insisted that he play for our special day, and he didn’t disappoint.
Beauty
With my mum’s encouragement, I decided to book a bridal hair trial with Will Ackerley, her go-to hairdresser. She raved about his skills, so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. During our consultation, I explained that I wanted a soft curl look without too much structure, but something that would stay in place throughout the day. We initially tried a deep side parting, but it ultimately made more sense to have a middle part when I put on my headpiece later.Two of my bridesmaids opted for up-dos, which Will expertly crafted using small star and moon hairpins from Etsy – they looked absolutely enchanting. Meanwhile, the other two girls had short hair, but Will still managed to make them look polished with their celestial headbands. He also gave me a stunning color treatment in preparation for the big day.I also scheduled a makeup trial with Poppy, my bridesmaids’ makeup artist. In contrast, they decided to wing it on the day of the wedding! I was thrilled with how my makeup turned out and ended up opting for false eyelashes at the last minute – something I never thought I’d do. My bridesmaids looked beautiful, and even though they didn’t plan ahead, their natural beauty shone through. As we got ready, I offered my mum the opportunity to have her makeup done, but she declined. Later on, after seeing how stunning we all looked, she regretted not taking advantage of the offer!
Bridesmaids
I stumbled upon Little Mistress’ collection at Debenhams, which proved to be an excellent choice for my bridesmaids’ dresses. Despite their varying figures, the style resonated with each of them, ensuring they felt confident and comfortable on the big day. The decision to opt for a dark teal hue was well-received, as it beautifully complemented the flowers and accentuated their individual features. Some minor adjustments were necessary, including a slight modification to one bridesmaid’s dress to accommodate her request for a slightly higher thigh split.
Groomsmen
When it came time for Rob to select groomsmen attire, he enlisted the help of his best man, ultimately deciding on renting suits from Moss Bros. The chosen ensemble featured a darker, two-piece design that harmonized with Rob’s own style.
Meanwhile, Rob had already found the bridesmaids’ dresses and wanted their accessories to subtly complement the color palette without being too matchy-matchy. He discovered a perfect balance in ditsy floral pattern ties from Burton and pocket squares sourced from Etsy, which cleverly brought out the green tones of the dresses.
The Details & Décor
The décor, however, was where we truly let our creative flag fly. The showstoppers were undoubtedly the stunning floral arrangements that adorned the tables and ceiling of the marquee. To add an extra layer of whimsy, we opted for tea candles and mimosa-print table runners from H&M – a far cry from your standard white tablecloths. The atmosphere was further elevated by the use of festoon lighting, which hung like a canopy above us. Our goal was to create a warm, inviting space reminiscent of a big family gathering. To achieve this, we employed long trestle tables and served a variety of Italian sharing platters, including antipasti, pasta, and short rib/parmigiana. Every detail, from the food to the décor, was carefully considered to create an atmosphere that truly felt special. Our caterer, Sara, went above and beyond to ensure our vision became a reality – even sourcing my absolute favorite antipasti, stuffed zucchini flowers! As it turned out, her efforts paid off in spades, with many of our guests raving about the food (though I was too worried about getting sauce on my dress to enjoy as much as I would have liked). To top it all off, we had a horsebox cocktail bar set up for the evening, serving up refreshing drinks and delicious pizzas when hunger struck. While Rob and I never got around to indulging in one of these tasty treats ourselves, our guests certainly did – and it made all the difference.
The Cake
To achieve the perfect balance of flavor, we opted for a more understated approach to cake decoration. Our three-tiered masterpiece featured distinct flavor profiles – coconut and lime, salted caramel and hazelnut, and raspberry and white chocolate – all united by a simple yet elegant buttercream frosting. Adding a touch of sophistication were gold drips and crispy macaroons, which Rob enthusiastically endorsed as his favorite addition. The finishing flourish was provided by Lib’s lovely floral arrangements. As we savor the sweet memories of our special day, we still have the largest tier waiting to be devoured in the freezer.
Your Photographer
Sarah’s exceptional preparation and professionalism left me pleasantly surprised on the day. As we posed for portraits, I hadn’t anticipated feeling quite so self-conscious – but Sarah expertly managed our time, ensuring we captured all the family members without feeling too awkward. The final images revealed countless tender moments of joy between Rob and me, as well as our guests, which we never would have noticed if not for Sarah’s subtle presence. We’re absolutely delighted with the photos and feel grateful for her outstanding work.
The Honeymoon
Following our wedding celebration, Rob and I embarked on a well-deserved getaway to the picturesque town of Tulum, Mexico. As we settled into our new reality as a married couple, this tropical retreat provided the perfect opportunity for us to unwind and recharge in each other’s company. A few days of lounging by the pool, sipping margaritas, and indulging in delicious tacos were just what we needed to shake off any post-wedding jitters and leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Memorable Moments
As I reflect on our special day, one moment stands out in my mind – walking down the aisle with my dad by my side. Despite feeling nervous, every detail is still crystal clear to me. What’s interesting is that Rob later told me he knew exactly when he saw me at the end of the aisle, but I was convinced he’d be giving his speech! It was a moment I’ll always treasure.The photobooth was also a huge hit with our guests, allowing them to take home a fun memento from the day. And in a lovely surprise, our beautiful floral archway from the ceremony doubled as a unique backdrop for some of those memorable photos.
Advice For Other Couples
As the celebration comes to a close, remember to prioritize quality time with your partner amidst the hustle and bustle of saying hello to all your loved ones. In the blink of an eye, it’s over, so be sure to cherish these moments.A huge thank you goes out to Sarah London Photography for capturing this unforgettable day. The picturesque setting at Glynde Place was made even more special with the help of NotYouraverageido’s styling and table/equipment rentals. Squisito Deli provided a delicious spread, while Bettie Rose added a touch of elegance with her beautiful flowers. Dandyfox via Bryony at Blue Door Barn Events kept everyone refreshed with their delectable cocktails. Bread4life brought the house down with their scrumptious pizza, and Bunston Bakes ensured everyone left satisfied with their decadent cake. The photobooth, courtesy of Photobot, was a hit, as were Poppy Tallulah’s stunning makeup looks. Richard Sully’s piano skills kept the atmosphere lively, while Will Ackerley worked his magic on the hair front. Needle & Thread created a show-stopping dress, which was perfectly complemented by Blossom and Bluebird’s lovely veil and Miss Clemmie’s exquisite headpiece. Steph and Rob, you two are simply perfect in every way. Thanks for sharing your incredible love story with us!