Lucy and Mark’s wedding celebration on August 1st, 2019, in County Durham was truly unforgettable. Their goal was to create a ‘chill festival vibe’ and they achieved it with ease! The couple started their special day with a church ceremony before heading to tipis for an evening of non-stop fun. To reflect their shared passion for music and live performances, they gave out CD mix tape favors and had a live band performing in the evening – I must say, their first dance was absolutely charming! A subtle nod to Lucy’s love of butterflies can be seen in her stunning gown with beautiful butterfly sleeves. Her outfit didn’t stop there; she also rocked sparkly DMs, a disco ball bag, and a personalized jacket – talk about making an entrance! Mark and his groomsmen looked sharp in their suits, colorful buttonholes, and patterned ties, while the bridesmaids shone in their grey frocks. The flowers were truly breathtaking, and Sally T Photography did an amazing job capturing those special moments – thank you for sharing them with us, Sally!
The Proposal
As we approached our six-year milestone, marriage was never a topic of discussion between us. So, when Mark surprised me with a spontaneous trip to Cayo Coco in Cuba, the proposal caught me off guard! It happened on the beach, after our first full day, under the starry night sky. Mark had been practicing his ‘Will you marry me’ speech in Spanish, but it was his unique Teesside accent that made it even more special for me. As I eagerly accepted, we couldn’t wait to start planning our special day and making unforgettable memories.
The Vision
We shared a unified vision for our special day – a laid-back festival atmosphere where everyone could let loose and have a blast. The focus was on creating unforgettable memories with delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and an amazing soundtrack. I was adamant that we keep things simple and avoid any forced themes or matching elements. Instead, we allowed the celebration to unfold naturally, embracing its unique charm and coming together in perfect harmony.
The Planning Process
The highlight of our wedding planning process was the relaxed atmosphere that Mark and I maintained throughout. This allowed us to truly enjoy the experience without feeling pressured or stressed. One of the most memorable moments for me was exchanging vows in our local church, St Francis of Assisi, with Reverend Charlton officiating. We had actually met him through school, which made the ceremony all the more meaningful. After selecting The Hammer and Pincers as our venue, we were thrilled to discover that their beer prices were reasonable, they could accommodate our desire for BBQ food and live music, and were overall a perfect fit for us. It was wonderful to have so many friends and family members involved in making our special day truly unforgettable.
The Readings & Music
Our shared passion for music has always been a defining aspect of our relationship. We’re both avid festival-goers and concert attendees, with a taste in music that aligns but also has its unique twists. In fact, selecting the perfect wedding playlist was a laborious process – we wanted to ensure that it reflected our individual styles while still bringing everyone together. To set the tone for the big day, we curated a selection of our favorite songs to play during the church’s pre-ceremony arrival period. Then, just before I walked down the aisle, Sigur Rós’ ethereal ‘Hoppipolla’ filled the air. The reception featured an eclectic mix of funk, soul, indie, and rock & roll tracks that kept the party going all day long. In contrast to our musical choices, we opted for more traditional readings from my dad’s favorite book, Union by Robert Fulghum, and Reverend Charlton’s poignant piece from Corinthians from the Bible.The night brought its own brand of magic as PRTY band took the stage, performing our first dance to Oasis’ ‘She’s Electric.’ The rest of the evening was a non-stop celebration of great party anthems, soulful tunes, and rock & roll classics. What made it even more special was having Paul, my old university friend and drummer extraordinaire, join us with his band. And in true wedding spirit, we even had a memorable moment of crowd-surfing bananas during their set!
Your Outfits & Accessories
I had always envisioned my wedding dress to be a unique kimono-style creation, inspired by Florence Welch’s aesthetic. Bexbrides, Bespoke, Designer and Vintage Bridal Studio brought my vision to life with their custom-made design. As it happened, the studio was founded by my drama teacher’s husband, who I met through school. My mum and I visited the studio in Hurworth near Darlington, and we were both blown away by Bex’s incredible offerings. She took the time to thoroughly discuss every aspect of my dress with me, offering numerous options and incorporating my mum’s wedding veil into the belt – a touching touch that made it even more special. Initially, my dress was planned in a daisy print fabric, but as soon as I saw the feather material, I fell in love! With each subsequent visit, we added new details to the design, with Bex expertly incorporating my ideas. In the end, my dress featured the stunning feather fabric, which perfectly captured the whimsical essence of my kimono-style vision.I paired my bespoke wedding dress with simple coral heels from Next and changed into purple sparkly Dr Martens for the nighttime celebrations. My disco ball bag from Asos was impractically small, allowing only a lipstick to fit inside, but I didn’t care! It added to the whimsy of the evening.Mark, the groom, took charge of the groomsman attire, selecting navy blue suits from Bakers Tailoring in Middlesbrough. The perfect tie proved more elusive, with over 40 options sent to our home before we finally settled on a stunning white and floral tie discovered at Matalan. This experience taught me that sometimes, it’s necessary to venture beyond traditional sources for the most unexpected finds. Ultimately, Mark and I found the perfect accessories in an unorthodox location, which added a delightful touch to our special day.
The Flowers
The day’s floral highlights were a true delight, courtesy of Sweet William Florist in Eaglescliffe. Natalie, the florist, deserves special recognition for exceeding my expectations. Unlike many brides who meticulously plan every detail, I took a more relaxed approach, simply requesting ‘bright, wild, mismatched colours with minimal pink’ from Natalie. She delivered exactly what I asked for – a stunning bouquet that perfectly captured the essence of our whimsical celebration. To complement my arrangement, my bridesmaids received smaller versions, while the flower girl’s wooden hoop was adorned with matching blooms. I even asked the groomsmen to have mismatched buttonholes in various colours, adding an extra touch of personality to their attire.
Beauty
Initially, the thought of having someone else do my makeup was intimidating, but I decided to book a trial session with Faye Garnett Makeup in Eaglescliffe after a positive experience for a friend’s wedding. I was thrilled when she nailed my brief and delivered exactly what I had envisioned. Her work on my wedding day exceeded my expectations, and I have no hesitation in recommending her for future events.
Choosing my hair stylist was an easy decision given Chloe Wright is my go-to professional. I opted for a ‘non-bridal’ look to avoid anything too formal, and she skillfully curled and styled my locks into a beautiful, effortless updo that remained in place all day despite the lively dance moves.
Your Photographer
When Mark proposed, two things were crystal clear for me – my dress vision and my photographer choice, Sally T. As I reflect on the experience, I’m convinced that photographs are a treasured way to relive your special day, which can fly by in an instant. If I could offer one piece of advice to brides-to-be, it would be to prioritize finding the right photographer, as they will capture memories you’ll treasure for years to come. Sally was a true find! She effortlessly understood our vision and our desire to stray from traditional group shots. Instead, she skillfully captured the essence of the day, freezing moments that told our love story perfectly. What’s remarkable about Sally’s work is its natural beauty, born from her meticulous attention to detail and keen eye for capturing stunning shots. On the morning of our wedding, Sally blended seamlessly with our friends and family, sharing laughter and jokes as if she were one of us. Her support and guidance throughout the day left me feeling grateful and at ease. To this day, our photos remain a cherished reminder of our unforgettable celebration.
The Venue
The Hammer and Pincers, a picturesque pub situated just outside Newton Aycliffe in Teesside, perfectly captured the essence of our special day. Rachel, the owner, went above and beyond to ensure our vision was brought to life. Her accommodating nature allowed us to add personalized touches that made the celebration truly unforgettable. For lunch, we opted for a BBQ spread, while the evening featured homemade stone-baked pizzas – Rachel and her team did an incredible job of catering to our 140 guests! The feedback from our friends and family was overwhelmingly positive, praising not only the quality of the food but also the selection of drinks. To this day, Mark and I continue to cherish the memories we created at the Hammer and Pincers, often making a point to visit whenever possible.
Your Filmmaker
Meet Lewis Marston, a Clinical Psychologist by profession, but what’s surprising is his exceptional videography skills! He had previously created some outstanding videos for family and friends, showcasing his keen eye for detail and ability to capture the essence of memorable moments. When we asked him to document our special day, he enthusiastically agreed. The end result was a heartfelt video that perfectly blended sincerity with warmth, capturing the excitement and celebrations that filled the air. To this day, my husband and I can’t get enough of watching our video, discovering new details each time we watch it – it’s become one of our favorite mementos from that unforgettable day!
The Cake
The sweet treats at our special day didn’t disappoint! A showstopper of a traditional wedding cake, designed by Samantha Wilson from Ingleby Barwick, took center stage. Its unique feature was a tree-inspired design with our initials carefully etched into the side. To complement this masterpiece, we also had two adorable bride and groom caterpillar cakes from Marks and Spencers – a delightful contrast to the classic main event.
The Details & Décor
We’re fortunate to have creative friends who are willing to lend their skills to help us bring our wedding vision to life. When planning my wedding, I knew exactly what I wanted my invitations to look like, so I enlisted the help of Hayley Wanless and Matt Holley. Their collaboration resulted in beautiful invites that showcased their artistic talents.As we explored ways to incorporate our shared love of music into the wedding, we decided to create custom CDs as a unique favor for our guests. This idea was inspired by our own tradition of making mixtape CDs for each other at the beginning of our relationship. Matt designed the CD covers, incorporating Hayley’s painted feathers to tie in with our overall aesthetic.The seating plan became an interactive game for our guests, where they had to find a hidden message that revealed the name of their table. This added an element of surprise and excitement to the wedding experience.To create our eclectic tablescape, we scoured local shops, online marketplaces, charity stores, and even DIYed some elements ourselves over the course of a year. The result was a unique and visually striking arrangement that reflected our personal style.My bridesmaids got creative with flowers from local supermarkets, arranging them in mismatched gin bottles to add a touch of whimsy to each table. While nothing matched perfectly, I loved the end result – it was a true reflection of our unconventional and playful approach to wedding planning.
Bridesmaids
I enlisted the help of my closest friend Emily, who broke down in tears for three days when I asked her to be my Maid of Honour. I also recruited Charlotte, Katie, and Lauren as bridesmaids, as well as Sarah, Mark’s sister. To add a touch of whimsy to our wedding party, we welcomed Annie, our niece, as the flower girl. Without a specific colour scheme in mind, I left it up to the girls to choose their own dresses, ensuring each one felt confident and beautiful in what they wore. After exploring various options, they all fell in love with a grey dress from Boohoo that had been reduced to an affordable price. To give them some extra flair, I took the dresses to Bex, who added custom touches – a reworked neckline and a bejewelled waistband that matched my own dress – making each one uniquely special.
Groomsmen
Mark’s closest friend, Chris, stood by his side as the best man, a role he had previously held for Mark earlier that year. Additionally, they invited their other close friends, Guy and Josh – my brother – to serve as groomsmen. This shared friendship among our group of acquaintances made it all the more meaningful to have them play such a significant part in our special day. Meanwhile, Thomas, our nephew, took on the role of pageboy with poise. The gents’ attire was courtesy of Bakers Tailoring.
The Honeymoon
As we embarked on the honeymoon of a lifetime, we found ourselves torn between two incredible destinations: Las Vegas and Mexico. My desire for five days of wild adventure in Sin City clashed with Mark’s longing for nine nights of relaxation on Cancun’s sun-kissed beaches. Fortunately, we managed to satisfy both cravings, spending five nights in Las Vegas followed by a tranquil getaway in Cancun. The result was a perfectly balanced blend of partying and rejuvenation. Our accommodations played a significant role in making the trip truly unforgettable. In Las Vegas, we stayed at the Park MGM, indulging in all the city’s iconic attractions, with a memorable stroll down Fremont Street being a highlight. In Mexico, we were pampered at the Dreams Sands Resort, where our Honeymoon Suite and exceptional customer service created the ideal setting for quiet reflection on our special day.
Memorable Moments
Ozzy, our beloved dog, had the unique opportunity to join us at the Hammer and Pincers for a photo shoot and to mingle with our guests, allowing him to be an integral part of our special day. It was a wonderful way for him to share in the celebration with us. Mark further personalized the occasion by serenading me with his own rendition of Babybird’s ‘You’re Gorgeous’, complete with his own heartfelt lyrics that perfectly balanced humor and sentiment. Our wedding night was spent in a luxurious horse box, cleverly converted into a glamorous abode with a plush double bed. This unique accommodation allowed us to continue the party atmosphere with our guests, who had camped nearby in the fields. We even enjoyed a BBQ breakfast together the following morning, maintaining the festive vibe. As an added touch, my former students from my primary school class attended the church ceremony to witness my marriage, making it an especially meaningful experience.
Advice For Other Couples
Embrace the freedom to make your wedding, yours! Don’t try to please everyone – instead, focus on creating an unforgettable experience that celebrates your love story. Remember, your guests are there to support you and share in your joy, so let loose and have the time of your life! And don’t worry about breaking the bank; with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can infuse personal touches into every aspect of your special day. The most important thing? Savor each moment, because before you know it, the memories will become cherished moments to look back on. Mark and I are still beaming with happiness thinking about our wedding day – it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we’ll treasure forever.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The team behind Lucy and Mark’s special day consisted of a talented group of creatives. Photographer Sally T Photography captured the memories, while video coverage was provided by Lewis Marston. The dress, flowers, and overall aesthetic were taken care of by Bexbrides and Sweet William Floral Design and Gifts respectively. Groomsmen attire was handled by Bakers Tailoring, graphic design elements were designed by Matt Holley Design, and artistically inclined tasks fell under the expertise of Hayley Wanless Designs. The entertainment came in the form of PRTY – Yorkshire’s Premier Party Band. Makeup magic was created by Faye Garnett Make-Up. The venue for this unique celebration was Hammer and Pincers. Special thanks to Lucy and Mark for sharing their unforgettable festival wedding day with us, as described by Lou.