Molly and Frazer’s outdoor wedding celebration was a vibrant reflection of their personalities. The couple opted for an unconventional and fun-filled day that perfectly captured their spirit. On May 25th, 2019, they exchanged vows at Pleshey Village Hall in Essex amidst a sea of colour and laughter. They made conscious decisions to stray from traditional wedding norms, such as abandoning the cake and opting for a cold buffet instead. This bold move allowed them to incorporate alternative elements, like a dessert table featuring a show-stopping doughnut wall and a pizza truck for catering. The result was a truly unique and memorable experience for their guests.The ceremony took place outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery and a striking Persian Rug aisle. As they exchanged personal vows beneath the arching branches of a stunning floral backdrop, it was clear that this was a celebration tailored to the couple’s every whim. Every detail, from the bright orange welcome sign to the mesmerizing smoke bombs, reflected their playful and adventurous nature.Molly stunned in her dip-dyed wedding dress, which shimmered in a radiant blue hue. Frazer complemented her with his dashing navy suit, accented by vibrant orange accessories and a charming bee pin on his lapel. The couple’s chemistry was palpable as they beamed at each other beneath the sun-kissed sky.Their special day was captured by the talented team at Three Flowers Photography, who expertly documented every moment of this unforgettable celebration.
The Proposal
Our 8th anniversary celebration and Christmas gift-giving came together in perfect harmony as we embarked on an adventure to Reykjavic, Iceland. I had meticulously planned a romantic surprise for Molly – proposing under the breathtaking northern lights, her lifelong dream come true. However, the celestial display turned out to be more of a faint flicker than the spectacular show we had envisioned. Undeterred, I shifted gears and implemented plan B. The next day, we ventured to a unique waterfall that allows visitors to walk behind its cascading waters. As we navigated the gravelly terrain inside the falls, our enthusiasm got the better of us, and we found ourselves thoroughly soaked. Plan B was promptly scrapped in favor of a new, more promising endeavor. Our excursion culminated with a guided tour of a glacier perched atop a volcano – an experience that proved to be nothing short of enchanting. Seizing the perfect moment, I dropped down onto one knee and asked Molly to be my partner for life. After a pause that seemed interminable… she said yes. (I’d like to add, as Molly, that the pause was purely due to shock – no doubts whatsoever!)
The Vision
As I embarked on the journey of planning our wedding, I was initially oblivious to the complexities involved. My background in events management had me feeling confident and excited to dive back into event planning. However, as I delved deeper into blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, and wedding fairs, I found myself rapidly becoming overwhelmed by the plethora of options available. The choices seemed endless – Bohemian vibes or festival-inspired themes? Traditional elegance or quirky charm? Or perhaps a fusion of all these styles? It took me months to realize that what I truly desired was for our wedding to be an authentic reflection of ourselves, free from external influences and expectations.
This realization led me to make some unconventional choices – no cake, no cold buffet (I won’t soon forget the time I had to politely decline a dressed salmon offer). It also meant spending hours meticulously planning small details that, ultimately, might go unnoticed by our guests. But in hindsight, it was all worth it.
The Planning Process
For us, planning the wedding took around a year of serious consideration. It wasn’t until we booked our village hall venue 12 months prior to the big day that things started falling into place. To keep ourselves on track and ensure nothing fell through the cracks, I created a Google Sheet dubbed ‘The Big List’. This comprehensive document served as a colour-coded task list, with deadlines for each of us to stay organized. As the list grew longer, it was reassuring to have everything in one place. We set an ambitious goal to complete all tasks one month prior to the wedding and, although we ran a week over schedule, it allowed us to focus on the finer details like vows, speeches, and final preparations in the fortnight leading up to the big day. In the days preceding our special day, we worked tirelessly to set up the venue with the help of our wonderful family and friends. I prepared detailed lists of tasks, floor plans for indoors and outdoors, and even left a checklist for the Groom and Best Man on the morning of the wedding. This meticulous planning allowed me to feel remarkably relaxed as the big day approached.
Budget
We set out to plan a wedding within a modest budget, knowing that our travels abroad awaited us in September. Our families played a crucial role in helping us make our special day a reality. While we’re hesitant to disclose the exact figure, it’s safe to say that our total expenditure was significantly lower than the average UK wedding cost – roughly one-third of the standard amount.
The Venue
In our quest for the ideal venue, we embarked on a journey to explore various village halls in Essex. Our search was driven by a desire to find a setting that exuded charm and character, yet remained understated – no flashy signs or loud announcements necessary. After surveying almost every option available, we stumbled upon Pleshey Hall, a gem that perfectly balanced the quaintness of a rural hall with the promise of potential and affordability.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Frazer’s relaxed nature meant he wasn’t rushing to pick out an outfit. It took some persuasion and social media tags to steer him towards Vintage Suit Hire Company, where they were hosting their annual stock sale event at Boyds of Bedford store – perfect for the bargain-hunting Frazer. After a dramatic shopping experience reminiscent of Monica’s wedding dress hunt in Friends, we left the shop with one suit, shoes, and a sense of accomplishment. In contrast, I had no idea what I wanted to wear and embarked on a journey to find my perfect fit at an alternative bridal wear store in Essex, accompanied by my Mum, sister, and friend. We tried on various options, but it was Lucy’s dip-dye dress that won me over – the perfect combination of traditional wedding dress elements with something unique and personal. This led me to contact Lucy directly and visit her studio in Chelmsford, where I tried on more of her exquisite designs. With bespoke dresses made to order, everything felt tailored to my individual style, making this part of the planning process a truly special experience.
The Readings & Music
As we exchanged our vows, our closest friends treated us to an intimate musical performance – a beautiful rendition of Canon in D on guitar, cello and violin. This was followed by heartfelt readings from some very special people in our lives. Emma, Frazer’s sister, brought tears to our eyes with her excerpt from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, while Neil moved us with his reading from Philip Pullman’s The Amber Spyglass. Meanwhile, Wayne, one of our housemates, shared an original piece that left us all deeply touched. We’re still reeling from the overwhelming gratitude we felt towards these incredible friends for being a part of our special day. A huge thank you goes out to Tim Blore, Frazer’s best friend and the mastermind behind our ceremony. As an accomplished actor – who is currently making waves in London’s West End with his role in The Night of the Iguana – Tim brought his unique charm and charisma to the proceedings, leaving us beaming with pride.
Beauty
As someone who doesn’t typically wear makeup, having a professional on hand for my wedding day was a decision I struggled to make. But, I rationalized that there might not be another time in my life where I’d have the opportunity to employ a dedicated makeup artist to follow me around taking photos of my face. The most anxiety-inducing part of the planning process was probably the trial session with Lauren, which turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. Her calm and collected demeanor put me at ease, and she managed to transform me into the best version of myself without looking too different from how I normally look. On the morning of my wedding, Lauren arrived at my mom’s house and was a godsend. She kept me calm, indulged my spontaneous tears, and even saved the day when my sister needed emergency eyelash assistance and my mom required some hair-styling guidance. And, of course, she made sure I looked absolutely stunning – a huge thank you to Lauren for making that happen!
The Flowers
Hannah Louise Flowers, a talented artist, crafted our stunning bouquet and flower crown. Her exceptional skills didn’t stop there – she also designed the buttonholes worn by our groomsmen and created the breathtaking arch that served as the backdrop for our special day. Hannah’s patience and dedication to bringing our vision to life were truly appreciated. She worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect, just like we had imagined.Meanwhile, my family members got creative with the flower arrangements on our tables. After browsing my Pinterest board together, they visited local florists to source unique blooms. With a keen eye for design, they arranged the flowers beautifully in brown bottles and copper cans. My mum and nanny even contributed by collecting Gypsophila from the roadside and filling the milk churns hired from Anthology Vintage Hire, adding a touch of whimsy to our celebration.
Your Photographer
Our experience with Three Flowers Photography was truly exceptional, thanks to the exceptional skills of Charlotte and her second shooter Nicola. The anticipation while waiting for the photos was almost unbearable, but the tantalizing social media teasers kept us on high alert. Frazer’s reluctance to be photographed initially had me worried about how we would both appear in the final shots. However, with over 1000 images to choose from, we were thrilled to discover so many that we adore! On the day of the shoot, Charlotte and Nicola created a relaxed atmosphere, exuding professionalism and friendliness as they expertly captured every pivotal moment from our special day. We’ve been absolutely delighted by the photographs, as have our friends and family. The duo’s exceptional work in capturing the vibrant colours, emotions, and memories has left us in awe. I find myself replaying the highlights video repeatedly! Upon returning from our travels, we’ll face a daunting task selecting which photos to print – the sheer volume of options will be overwhelming.
The Details & Décor
Frazer’s creative genius shone through in every detail of our wedding, a true reflection of our DIY ethos. Our vintage furniture came from Anthology Vintage Hire, where we sourced everything from tables and chairs to benches, barrels, rugs, and trunks.The trellis photo backdrops from Wilkos were transformed into stunning displays with the addition of fresh roses, courtesy of my Aunt’s thoughtful shopping trip to the local supermarket. Meanwhile, Frazer rolled up his sleeves to create our doughnut wall, LOVE light-up letters, and copper polaroid photo frame from scratch. His exceptional design skills also led to the creation of custom wedding stationery, signage, and a collaborative effort with our flatmate Wayne on the wedding post box.Frazer’s attention to detail was remarkable, adding personalized touches throughout the day. He crafted stickers for prosecco bottles, sparkler tags, and toilet door signs featuring mini us, leaving us feeling incredibly grateful for his tireless efforts in making our special day truly unforgettable. The handwritten place names were a beautiful touch from Leigh_ calligraphy, while personalized matchboxes came courtesy of Etsy seller TakestwoShop. Our doughnut bags also hailed from Etsy, courtesy of BallardWeddingCrafts, and another delightful find was the Harry Potter-themed confetti cones purchased from ShhhSistersSecrets.
The Cake
We opted out of the traditional wedding cake experience and instead set up a dessert buffet featuring an assortment of treats. Frazer designed and built our doughnut wall from scratch, which was filled with Krispy Kreme doughnuts. For our miniature cakes, we worked with Charlie of I’ll Bring Dessert to create a variety of flavors, including frangipane, coffee and walnut cake, lemon loaves, Victoria sponges, vegan apple tarts, and chocolate salted caramel brownies. We even sent someone back to the vendor after the wedding to grab more of those famous brownies – they were that good! As it turns out, Charlie’s busy planning for her own twins on the way, so we’re looking forward to catching up with her when she returns from maternity leave and gets back to baking.
Bridesmaids
As I exchanged vows with my partner, I opted to forego traditional bridesmaid arrangements, instead choosing to surround myself with loved ones who felt like honorary members of the wedding party. My little sister, in particular, held a special place as my Maid of Honour, and she looked stunning in her coral-hued dress from Karen Millen – a truly memorable choice that added to the day’s joy and celebration.
Groomsmen
The well-dressed groomsmen opted to reuse existing blue suits or make thrifty purchases during the January sales, putting their fashion sense to good use.
The Honeymoon
As we settled into married life, we couldn’t wait to embark on the ultimate adventure – a 18-month round-the-world trip! The journey began with a mini-moon to visit Frazer’s grandfather in Littlehampton, where we enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation and took in the sights of Arundel Castle. But the main event was yet to come. Our epic honeymoon itinerary is packed with excitement, including trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Bolivia, celebrating Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico City, and spending Christmas with friends in Costa Rica. The plan gets a bit fuzzy after that, but we’re looking forward to visiting family in New Zealand and Australia before backpacking through South East Asia. Follow along on my Instagram (@mollytheblog) or blog (www.mollytheblog.com) for updates from the road.
Memorable Moments
Frazer’s thoughtful gesture left me beaming on our special day. He had a beautiful hand-sewn handkerchief from Extra Special Touch, which he presented to my sister for me to open as part of my ‘something new’ gift. The box contained a small note that hadn’t been signed – instead, Frazer had written a quick message on a piece of scrap paper and included it with the gift. It was an endearing surprise that brought a smile to my face as I prepared to walk down the aisle.My sister’s ‘something blue’ contribution was a stunning Katie Loxton clutch bag, which proved perfect for storing all my essentials throughout the day. I also wore a treasured sapphire necklace, passed down from my mother-in-law and originally part of her engagement ring from my father-in-law. This served as my ‘something old,’ while my grandmother’s ring – worn as my ‘something borrowed’ – held sentimental value.The emotional highlight was undoubtedly my father’s heartwarming speech, which left everyone in stitches, tears, and awe. His words were a beautiful tribute to our love story, and he did an incredible job of setting the tone for our celebration.Frazer, despite initial reservations about public speaking, surprised us all with his hilarious jokes and heartfelt vows – written from the heart. It was an unforgettable moment that left me feeling grateful and loved.The catering by Weirdough Pizza was another highlight. Their sharing garlic bread pizzas arrived at just the right time during the speeches, and they were met with universal acclaim. The delicious aroma wafted through the air, leaving a lasting impression on our guests – many of whom continued to rave about it for weeks to come!My twin cousins, Bonnie and Laurie, were an invaluable part of my bridal party. They expertly managed the venue, directing guests to their seats and distributing confetti. Later, they worked tirelessly to clear tables and collect recycling – their selflessness was truly appreciated.As we exchanged our vows in the warm sunlight, surrounded by our loved ones, I felt grateful for this unforgettable day.
Advice For Other Couples
As you embark on this extraordinary journey, savor every instant – from the meticulous planning to the joyous celebration itself. Delight in the cake tastings, napkin decisions, and countless other details that make your special day so unique. When the big day arrives, relish the anticipation as you prepare for the ceremony, the heartfelt vows, stirring readings, and warm speeches. Allow yourself to be swept up in the revelry – the delectable cuisine, lively dancing, and infectious laughter that fill every moment. Remember, it’s easy to get caught up in tradition or external expectations, but don’t forget to make your day truly yours. If you’re not fond of wedding cake, for instance, feel free to skip it. Your guests will be too enamored with the love and joy surrounding them to notice what’s missing – they’ll be fully present and celebrating with you.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we celebrated the union of Molly and Frazer, we were treated to a picturesque village hall setting that exuded warmth and charm. The carefully curated list of vendors played a significant role in bringing their special day to life. Behind the lens was Three Flowers Photography, capturing every precious moment with ease. The couple’s choice of furniture hire from Anthology Vintage Hire added a touch of sophistication to the venue. Fresh flowers courtesy of Hannah Louise Flowers adorned the space, filling it with sweet scents and beauty. Makeup artist Lauren Siddons of Be Fabulous worked her magic to ensure the brides looked radiant on their big day. Guests were treated to a delightful miniature cake buffet, complete with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, courtesy of I’ll Bring Dessert & Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. The mouth-watering aroma wafted through the air, building anticipation for the feast ahead. Caterer Weirdough Pizza served up delicious eats, while Duck and Pheasant Bar provided refreshing drinks. The aisle was filled with music, generously provided by friends Tim, Bryan, and Patrick. The evening’s soundtrack came courtesy of Fox and Braces’ DJ skills. Frazer looked dashing in his vintage suit hired from Boyds of Bedford, complemented perfectly by Lucy Can’t Dance’s stunning bridal design. Katie Loxton’s ‘Something Blue Clutch’ added a touch of whimsy to the bride’s overall look. ASOS provided the perfect shoes for Molly’s big day, while Karen Millen dressed the maid of honour in style. As the happy couple departed, they did so in style thanks to Little Yellow Bus’s transportation services. The Pleshey Village Hall proved to be a unique and intimate setting for their special day, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have been a part of it.