Today, we’re thrilled to share the joyous celebration of Amy and Ruth’s wedding, affectionately known as The Dobbles’ special day! On June 23rd, 2018, they exchanged vows at Inkersall Grange Farm in Nottinghamshire, having already taken care of the formalities. With complete creative freedom, they crafted a day that perfectly reflected their playful, vibrant personalities. As outgoing individuals who value connections with loved ones, Amy and Ruth’s top priority was ensuring everyone – from children to grandparents – felt comfortable and had an incredible time. The infectious atmosphere is beautifully captured by Jessica Grace Photography’s stunning images. We’re grateful for Jesse’s generosity in sharing the happiness with us. A testament to their creativity, the couple made many of the charming decorations themselves, including a creative table plan and a ‘Don’t let the love bugs bite’ box. They even collected colorful glasses from charity shops – an impressive effort! You won’t want to miss the delightful proposal story, Amy’s grand entrance, or the whimsical pom pom confetti toss.
The Proposal
As we wrapped up our day with a leisurely stroll, the evening summer sun casting a warm glow over Sprotbrough canal, Amy and I had just decided to forego a drink at the local wine bar in favor of a peaceful walk. It was during this serene moment that my mind began to wander, reflecting on the typical rhythms of married life – the occasional odd job, pottering around the house. Suddenly, the thought struck me: today would be the perfect day to get engaged! Little did I know, Amy had been secretly preparing for just such a moment, carrying a stunning diamond ring in her pocket for weeks, waiting for the ideal opportunity to pop the question. And then, as if on cue, she paused on a bench, looked up at me, and asked: ‘Ruth, you said today would be the perfect day to get engaged… will you marry me?’ Before I could even process what was happening, Amy was down on one knee, ring held high, her eyes shining with excitement.
The Vision
As we planned our special day, we envisioned a celebration that was vibrant, unbridled, and full of life. A festival-like atmosphere with acoustic tunes and elements of camping and glamping were essential to capturing our adventurous spirits. Given our larger-than-life personalities, we knew the venue needed to be spacious enough to accommodate our extensive network of family and friends, ensuring everyone felt at ease and enjoyed themselves as much as we did.
The Planning Process
As the wedding planning process unfolded, we embarked on an 18-month journey collecting a diverse array of wine and tumbler glasses. Each one was meticulously sourced from charity shops, with our fabric bunting taking shape alongside them. Our mothers were instrumental in transforming the cut fabric into beautiful creations, their skills leaving us in awe. With our venue secured, we focused on crafting unique elements to enhance the experience. We designed wooden signs for the driveway, bell tents for accommodations, and tipi decor that added a touch of whimsy. To simplify logistics, we created a custom seating plan using pegs and colored string. Personalized ‘Dobbles Day’ wristbands were also ordered to bring our guests together in spirit. As we explored the surrounding area on two visits, we discovered The Hop Pole Hotel as the perfect location for getting ready and Forget Me Notts florist, just a stone’s throw away from our hotel. On our second visit, we found Ashleigh Turner, a talented local hairstylist who exceeded our expectations. We deliberated about staying closer to home for these services but ultimately decided it was more practical – and stress-reducing – to go local, eliminating the need for travel expenses.
The Venue
We sealed our love with a formal ceremony at Priory Place, a charming kitchen-turned-registry-office in Doncaster. This laid-back atmosphere set the tone for an unforgettable weekend. With our nearest and dearest by our side, we sipped champagne and savored a delectable three-course meal at the nearby Mercure Hotel. As night fell, we transported ourselves to Inkersall Grange Farm, where our blank tipi transformed into a vibrant camping-themed oasis. Since we were already officially married, we had the creative freedom to shape our Saturday celebration around our whims and desires. The natural beauty of the venue proved the perfect catalyst for this creative expression, allowing us to infuse our tipi with colour through glasses, bunting, and table-runners.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Amy’s dress, Maggie Sottero, was an unexpected find. She doesn’t typically wear dresses, but when she saw it online, she knew it was the one for her. After getting measured at Tickled Pink in Doncaster and ordering her size, Amy felt incredible on the day of her event. The dress accentuated her back and hung perfectly, making her reluctant to take it off. To complement her look, she chose a Crown from Forget Me Notts as her hair accessory, paired with Mum’s pearl earrings for a touch of borrowed elegance.Ruth, on the other hand, had a different experience. She found her dress at Lace & Co. in Ossett, Wakefield, where Heidi and her team provided exceptional care throughout the process. Ruth was on the hunt for a boho-chic style that would match the vibe of their special day. As soon as she entered the store, she knew she’d found her perfect match. Her dress felt floaty and lightweight, allowing her to glide effortlessly through the day. It also provided enough room to dance and play games without feeling restricted.Interestingly, both Amy and Ruth chose TOMS shoes, a happy coincidence that added to their special day’s charm. To complete their looks, they wore Goldsmiths rings as their go-to accessories.
Beauty
Ashleigh Turner from Halam Salon in Newark, Nottinghamshire, went above and beyond to ensure my bridesmaid Amy and I felt comfortable. Her friendly demeanor put us at ease, and her understanding of our desire for a natural yet stunning look was spot on. She even stayed longer than expected to capture the special moment when my dad first saw me in my dress, a testament to her exceptional service. Meanwhile, Kate Odudu from The Beauty Place in Manchester did an outstanding job as well. As the sister of one of our bridesmaids, she had a prior understanding of our tastes and preferences, making it easy for her to deliver the perfect look for us.
Bridesmaids
The Readings & Music
We crafted personalized vows for our special day, while Adam, our trusted ally, wove together a unique blessing service, infusing it with heartfelt stories and memorable anecdotes. The atmosphere was further enhanced by the exceptional musical talents of Daniel Sams, who took to the stage with his acoustic guitar and captivating voice, impressing everyone present. His performances seamlessly transitioned us from one momentous occasion to the next, whether during arrivals, canapés, or even after the sit-down meal when the games began! As the evening unfolded, The Fat Cats took center stage, delivering an unforgettable live music and DJ set that had our guests dancing with joy and abandon.
The Cake
As a heartfelt wedding gift, our friend Becks surprised us with a classic Victoria sponge cake, but with a unique twist – a camping-themed icing design that added a playful touch to the traditional dessert. To ensure the cake remained fresh and intact throughout the outdoor celebration, we opted for a simple yet elegant approach, carefully considering the potential impact of heat on the sweet treat.
The Flowers
At Forget Me Notts in Nottingham, we had a fantastic experience working with the ladies who truly grasped our vision from the start. They crafted stunning bunches of wildflowers that perfectly complemented the brides’ and bridesmaids’ attire, while also providing additional blooms for hair accessories. Moreover, they took care of intricate details such as crochets and buttonholes, demonstrating their attention to detail and commitment to delivering exceptional results.
Your Photographer
Jesse’s exceptional photography skills shone through as she effortlessly captured every moment of our special day. Her calm and collected nature put us both at ease, allowing us to truly relax and enjoy the experience. On both our engagement shoot and wedding day, Jesse’s ability to strike a balance between keeping things moving and capturing those natural, unposed moments was impressive. Her photography style perfectly complemented our carefree and fun-loving personalities, resulting in a collection of beautiful and meaningful images that we can cherish for years to come.
The Details & Décor
We had the pleasure of hosting our special day at Inkersall Grange Farm, where we were provided with a beautiful blank canvas to make our wedding vision come alive. The venue offered quirky features like vintage suitcases, beer barrels and fairy lights, which added a unique touch to the overall atmosphere. We also made use of their cozy snug area, complete with sofas, rugs and a central fire pit, perfect for guests to relax and unwind. The on-site bar, run by Alex and the team at Shake the Spirit, kept everyone entertained and served up delicious drinks. We entrusted our dear friend Adam, who has been like a brother to us since university, to be both our master of ceremonies and wedding officiant. He brought his own personal touch to the ceremony, making it an even more meaningful experience for us. We wrote our own vows, which allowed us to express our love and commitment in a way that felt truly ours.Our catering team from The Salted Orange Company did an amazing job of matching our unique style with their delicious food offerings. From savory meat platters to colorful salads and bite-sized puddings, there was something for everyone to enjoy.We took a creative approach to decorating the venue, incorporating elements of our travels and personal style into every aspect of the day. We used colored ribbon from our trip to Hong Kong to add a pop of color to the table runners, seating plan and tin cans housing spider plants, which were kindly gifted to us by a friend. It was essential for us to reflect our love of travel in some way.We also got crafty with our decor, scouring charity shops across the UK for unique fabric, colored glasses and reclaimed wood to use in our decorations. We even discovered a new favorite hobby – charity shopping! The result was a truly one-of-a-kind wedding that reflected our personalities and passions. In addition to the main venue, we set up bell tents with hand-painted signs made from reclaimed wood, which added to the overall festival-like atmosphere. We also created a beautiful guest book in the form of a patchwork quilt, lovingly crafted by Amy’s mum, where guests could leave their messages and signatures.As for the unpredictable British weather, Amy’s dad came through with some colorful umbrellas ordered online from alibaba.com, which ended up being a hit with the kids. In the end, we had an unforgettable day filled with love, laughter and adventure, and our beautiful keepsake quilt guest book will always be a cherished reminder of that special day.
The Honeymoon
Memorable Moments
As we looked back on our wedding day, it’s hard to pinpoint a single moment that stood out – we were just too caught up in the euphoria! But if I had to choose, it would be the triumphant procession down the aisle as newlyweds, surrounded by the colorful chaos of pom poms raining from above, all set to the sweet serenade of ‘I love you, always forever!’ It was pure magic. Another indelible memory etched in my mind is the first glimpse I caught of Amy in her stunning wedding dress – a revelation that left me breathless. Her angelic beauty took my breath away, and I knew right then and there that this day would be one for the books. The icing on the cake came when Amy arrived by helicopter, sending shockwaves of surprise through our delighted guests. As she emerged, her sister’s helping hand, and a radiant smile that lit up the room – it was pure pandemonium! The hush that fell over the crowd as she took her first steps was palpable, followed by a collective cheer as Amy raised her arms in triumph, her joy infectious and unmistakable.
Advice For Other Couples
While it’s tempting to focus on capturing every moment of your special day, remember that formal photos are just a small part of the overall experience. Instead, prioritize spending quality time with your loved ones who have come to celebrate with you. In the end, the natural moments and interactions between people will often produce more authentic and meaningful photographs anyway.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Jessica Grace Photography captured the joyous moments of Amy and Ruth’s special day at Inkersall Grange Farm, where they were surrounded by elegance and love. The Salted Orange Company brought their A-game with delicious catering options. Maggie Sottero Designs and Rembo Styling collaborated to create stunning dresses for the happy couple, while Tickled Pink and Lace & Co. provided a treasure trove of dress shops to explore. Toms offered comfortable shoe options, and ASOS delivered chic bridesmaids dresses. Hair and makeup were handled with finesse by Ashleigh Turner Hair and Make Up and Kate Odudu from That Beauty Place. Forget Me Notts brought the floral magic, Bell Bliss took care of cozy bell tents, and Daniel Sams provided lively daytime music. As the night unfolded, The Fat Cats via Entertainment Nation ensured the evening was filled with infectious beats, courtesy of their talented DJs. We’re grateful to Amy and Ruth for sharing their unforgettable experience with us.