We’re thrilled to share an unforgettable real wedding with you today! Sarah and Sid, a lovely couple from our community, threw a truly unique and vibrant celebration that will leave you beaming with joy. The main event took place at Rock Village Hall in Worcestershire on August 11th, 2018, and it was a day filled with laughter, love, and a dash of quirkiness. One thing is for certain – this wedding was anything but ordinary! We’re grateful to feature stunning photographs by Lucie Hamilton Photography, which perfectly capture the couple’s joyous spirit. Today, we’re delighted to share these gorgeous portraits with you.What sets Sarah and Sid’s special day apart is their bold decision to break free from traditional wedding norms and create a truly one-of-a-kind celebration. As you explore this incredible story, you’ll be struck by the sheer creativity that went into crafting every detail – from the radiant decorations to the breathtaking naked cake. With its kaleidoscope of colors, delightful blooms, and clever signage, this wedding is a true masterpiece. Get ready to be inspired!
The Proposal
It’s not often that you hear about a proposal story without the grand gestures or picturesque backdrops, but mine is just that – simple yet special. Despite my initial skepticism, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The day had been going from bad to worse, and I was still in my pajamas, hair scraped back into a messy bun with no makeup in sight. Sid walked in the door after work, took one look at me, and blurted out his question: ‘Will you marry me?’ I was taken aback, but my answer was immediate – yes. As for why he chose that moment to pop the question, I’ll never know for sure, but I like to think it’s because he’s a keeper, willing to take me as I am, even on my worst days. And in true impromptu fashion, there wasn’t even a ring to speak of – so I got creative and drew one on!
The Vision
As we envisioned our wedding, we wanted it to be an authentic representation of who we are as a couple – intimate and laid-back. Formalities just didn’t resonate with us, nor did being the centre of attention. Instead, we focused on creating a relaxed atmosphere where everyone could let loose and have fun. For inspiration, I drew from our shared love of vibrant colours and quirky art, which fills our home. I couldn’t limit myself to just one or two hues, so I ended up choosing five or six. Our appreciation for nature and the outdoors also played a significant role in shaping our theme. We’ve spent countless hours exploring forests together over the past decade, so incorporating rustic charm was a must. Given my creative background and entrepreneurial spirit, it was only natural that 90% of our wedding planning would involve DIY projects. My mum’s artistic flair and upbringing instilled in me the value of making things yourself rather than buying them. I admit to having an inner control freak emerge during the wedding planning process, but ultimately, it felt right to take charge of the creative aspects – after all, I run a business built on creativity.
The Planning Process
It took me two years to muster the courage to formally initiate the planning process. As someone who’s worked in the wedding industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand the stress that comes with planning a wedding, and I was hesitant to put myself through it! Initially, I focused on creating Pinterest boards shortly after getting engaged, but I didn’t give much thought to dates, venues, or other crucial details. Two years later, my fiancé and I decided on a date and began scouting local wedding venues. We allocated ourselves two years to plan everything, knowing it would take time to save up for our desired expenses. A significant helping hand came from my parents, who generously covered our initial outlays. Following this, the rest of the planning process seemed to fall into place with ease, as we secured local recommendations for our bar and caterers, ensuring a seamless experience.
Budget
As I began planning our special day, I initially set a strict budget of £5,000, confident that we could DIY most aspects and stay within those limits. However, as the venue, food, photographer, and bar costs added up, it became clear that our final budget would likely be significantly higher than anticipated. In fact, the total cost of these essential elements far exceeded my initial target, forcing us to adjust our expectations. Despite this setback, I had been looking forward to arriving at the venue in style, having booked a stunning pink Cadillac for transportation. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, and we were forced to cancel the booking due to budget constraints. Though it didn’t work out as planned, I remain hopeful that one day I’ll get to experience the thrill of riding in that iconic pink Cadillac.
The Venue
As we searched for the perfect venue to host our special day, my parents surprisingly stumbled upon Rock Village Hall. Located just 20 minutes from our home, this picturesque rural gem offered a stunning backdrop of Worcestershire’s rolling countryside. We decided to pay them a visit and were immediately smitten with the hall’s charming features. With its high ceilings, abundance of natural light, and ample space, it was as if we had stumbled upon our own private blank canvas, ready to be transformed into the wedding of our dreams.
The Details & Décor
As a wedding stationery designer, I was determined to put my own personal touch on every aspect of our special day. With my skills honed by years of creating unique designs for couples, I felt the pressure to deliver something truly remarkable. But as I delved into the world of DIY décor, I found myself lost in the creative process and thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.One of the highlights was transforming old 12-inch vinyl records into personalized table names for our musician-themed tables. I scored these treasures at a charity shop for just 50p each! With my trusty plotter cutter, I designed and cut out white vinyl with our table names, which I then transferred onto the records using transfer tape.The pièce de résistance was our stunning table plan, crafted from a vintage mirror my parents found at a charity shop for £5. After giving it a fresh coat of spray paint, I designed and programmed my plotter cutter to cut out the wording in white vinyl, which I then transferred onto the mirror using transfer tape. To complete the look, I created a delicate silk flower arrangement with the help of my glue gun.Each place setting featured a beautiful dip-dyed napkin, lovingly hand-dyed with the assistance of my stepson Seb. The napkins were paired with menu cards that matched our wedding stationery, tied together with candy stripe twine and finished with a tiny name tag made using my plotter cutter and white vinyl.Our wedding favors were petite vials filled with poppy seeds from the stunning purple poppies grown by my mother-in-law. I added a touch of personalization to each favor with tiny tags.To create an unforgettable ambiance, we covered the hall’s ceiling with paper pompoms from Aliexpress (my go-to destination for unique wedding supplies) and decorated some chairs with colorful ribbons from the same source. The crowning glory was a massive banner made using my paper cutter, reading ‘TIL DEATH DO US PARTY’ – it perfectly encapsulated our playful celebration.I could wax poetic about every detail, but I’m confident that readers will appreciate the love and effort we put into making each element special. Instead, I’ll let the memories of our magical day speak for themselves.
The Flowers
As a self-proclaimed floral enthusiast, I was thrilled to take on the task of creating our wedding flowers from scratch with the guidance of my mom and mother-in-law. The latter, an accomplished gardener, generously shared her expertise and allowed me to forage through her garden for the perfect blooms. Among the treasures I discovered were stunning dahlias that would add a pop of color to our bouquets.Two days prior to the wedding, I placed orders with Bloom and Wild for four bouquets and supplemented them with fresh picks from Waitrose and Aldi. The day before the big day, amidst the chaos of relocating our cellar contents into my brother’s borrowed van, I found myself frantically building our bouquets and table decorations. The frenzied atmosphere allowed me to tap into my creative energy, resulting in some truly breathtaking arrangements that left me beaming with pride.The morning of our wedding, I finished off the bouquets with vibrant ribbons, perfectly contrasting against the soft hues of my bridesmaid dresses.
Beauty
As I prepared for my special day, I decided to take matters into my own hands by doing my makeup myself. A trial with a talented artist had been a wonderful experience, but I soon realized that having someone else do it might actually add to my stress levels. On the other hand, when I do my own makeup, I feel more like myself and truly enjoy the process. My maid of honour Ellie recommended an incredible hairstylist who worked her magic on her own wedding day, so I booked a trial with her. From the moment she arrived with her signature victory roll hairstyle, I knew we’d be a great match! She effortlessly transported me to a bygone era, as if I were straight off the set of a classic black and white film.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Discovering the perfect dress is an experience like no other. For me, it was a journey of exploration, where one moment I envisioned a short polka dot dress, and the next, a flowing gown. It wasn’t until I stood before the mirror, trying on dresses, that I truly knew what I wanted. That’s when I found it – my dream wedding dress.I booked an impromptu appointment at a local wedding dress shop, recommended by my maid of honour. The second dress I tried on left me in awe. It was as if I had finally discovered the best version of myself. I no longer believed the cliché about knowing when you’ve found THE dress – until that moment.My dress turned out to be nothing like what I had envisioned, but it made me feel amazing. And then, just a week before the wedding, I decided to add some little tulle straps to give my look an extra touch of whimsy. My mom whipped them up in no time, and I’m so glad she did – they perfectly balanced out the top of my dress.I found my Irregular Choice shoes on sale at Schuh, which was a bonus after having my eye on them for a while. My hair accessory came from Crown and Glory, and my matching necklace was discovered online at Sour Cherry.As for Sid’s outfit, it was a bit more challenging. He didn’t want to wear a suit, but I worried that if his outfit was too casual, I’d feel overdressed and self-conscious. The main thing was that he felt comfortable and still like himself.He found an awesome Felix the Cat and red cherry print shirt that matched my red accessories perfectly. He wore it with black skinny jeans, a studded belt, and boots. When I walked down the aisle and saw him waiting for me, it was wonderful to see him dressed as himself – not feeling trapped in a suit.
The Music
To set the tone for our celebration, my brother and I curated two playlists – one for our guests’ arrival and another for during dinner. We hooked up my laptop to the hall’s sound system and let the music flow. But the real highlight was when our friends from Gene Genie & the Lemon Squeezers took the stage! As a 6-piece covers band, they brought their A-game and played an impressive range of hits spanning from the 1960s to modern day – perfectly in sync with our party’s eclectic vibe.
Groomsmen
As we stood at the altar, surrounded by love and joy, it was impossible to imagine a more perfect duo by our side than my partner’s sons, Henry and Seb – now officially my stepsons. These two polar opposites presented unique challenges when it came to coordinating their attire. Seb, always one for flair, donned a bold scorpion print shirt from Zara, which he paired with intelligent black braces that added a touch of sophistication. In contrast, Henry opted for understated elegance in his crisp white shirt and black trousers, maintaining a sense of refinement. Despite their differing styles, they both excelled as best men, entrusted with the crucial task of safeguarding and presenting our wedding rings. We were beaming with pride to have them by our side, having shared nearly a decade of memories together. As we exchanged vows, it felt like a celebration of four people coming together, rather than just two. Henry and Seb’s presence was a testament to the strength of our bond, and I couldn’t ask for better stepsons or best men.
Bridesmaids
With me having three stunning bridesmaids, including my cousins Clare and Emma, my husband’s niece Elodie, and an incredible maid of honour in Ellie, I was thoroughly grateful for her support on the special day. Her ability to share her creative expertise with mine, which had reached a boiling point due to exhaustion, allowed me to stay focused without her expert guidance. The trio joined forces to help me find their perfect dresses online at ASOS during its sale, with Ellie’s dress coming from Jenny Packham in Debenhams’ sale section. As Elodie was based in Bermuda at the time, we embarked on a fun shopping adventure to Worcester, where we discovered her dress quickly at House of Fraser’s Lace and Beads store. To commemorate the occasion, I purchased personalized bumble bee necklaces from Hurleyburley, featuring each bridesmaid’s name and our wedding date as a heartfelt keepsake.
Your Photographer
As a wedding enthusiast since my teenage years, finding the right photographer was crucial for me. Having worked as a wedding photographer myself and still assisting Jude Evans Photography, I knew what made a great photographer. After meeting a few potential candidates, something just didn’t click. It wasn’t until my friend Jude stumbled upon Lucie Hamilton on Instagram and shared her details with me that I found the perfect match. From our initial email exchange, I knew she was the one. Her style resonated deeply with me, and I felt an instant connection. When she arrived at our wedding venue the morning of the big day, I was still in setup mode and feeling a bit overwhelmed. But Lucie’s calm and laid-back demeanor immediately put me at ease. It was as if we’d known each other for years, not just hours. Our guests even asked if she was a friend of ours, such was the sense of rapport we shared throughout the day. I’m absolutely delighted with the stunning images Lucie captured, which perfectly encapsulate our special day.
The Honeymoon
As we embarked on our romantic getaway for two, a few days in Amsterdam proved to be the ideal blend of adventure, indulgence, and relaxation. Having always wanted to visit this charming city together, my spouse and I were thrilled to explore its cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, and rich cultural heritage. We spent hours strolling hand-in-hand, taking in the breathtaking architecture, savoring local delicacies like waffles (perhaps a tad too enthusiastically), and immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere that only Amsterdam can offer.
The Cake
My mom’s incredible baking skills were once again showcased when she single-handedly crafted our wedding cake. Her ability to adapt and learn new skills has been evident throughout her life, so it was no surprise that she pulled off an exquisite naked wedding cake covered in fruit and flowers. I had requested this unique design, and my mom thoroughly researched different recipes and techniques to bring my vision to life. As the big day approached, she spent hours assembling the cake, sacrificing precious time that could have been used for her own preparations. This selfless act is a testament to her dedication and thoughtfulness, and I’m eternally grateful for her efforts. To add a personal touch, I created a custom cake topper using tiny toy animals, while my step-son cleverly snuck Shrek onto the cake without anyone noticing!
Memorable Moments
One of the most memorable moments from my wedding day, albeit for unfortunate circumstances, was when my shoe snapped apart mere seconds before I was about to put on my dress. We were already running a tad behind schedule, characteristic of many last-minute wedding preparations! Fortunately, my mother had come prepared with a needle and thread, which our maid of honor then employed to sew back onto the Velcro strap, allowing me to don the shoe after all.
Advice For Other Couples
When embarking on a DIY wedding, it’s essential to stay organized and focused. Create a centralized folder with task lists, prioritizing each job as you complete it, and make sure to delegate responsibilities where possible. Visualize the setup by sketching out a plan, ensuring that every detail is accounted for in the chaos of preparations. Moreover, remember to breathe and let go of perfectionism. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that everything must be flawless, but at the end of the day, what truly matters is that you’re married, your guests had a great time, and you did! The rest is just details.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
With a touch of whimsy and romance, Sarah and Sid’s big day was nothing short of epic. From the photographer, Lucie Hamilton Photography, capturing every special moment to the stunning venue, Rock Village Hall, this couple’s love shone bright. The wedding stationery, menu cards, and personalized details all reflected their unique style and love for each other. And what a team effort it was! Me, Peach Wolfe, played my part in making sure everything went smoothly, from flowers courtesy of Bloom & Wild, Aldi, and Waitrose to the gorgeous dress by Christina Wu Love Collection from Tamsin’s Bridal Boutique. The hair accessories – Glitter Heart Hair Slides and Crown and Glory’s crowning glory – added an extra touch of magic. And let’s not forget the talented hairstylist, Stacey Cowx, who worked her magic on the bride’s locks. A special mention goes to the beautiful necklace by Sour Cherry. For shoes, Sarah opted for Irregular Choice, while Bridal Fashion took care of the groom’s attire. The bridesmaid dresses were a stunning combination of ASOS, Jenny Packham from Debenhams, and Lace & Beads from House of Fraser. Hurlyburley provided the perfect accessories for the bridesmaids’ necklaces. When it came to food, Hammonds Catering did an amazing job, while Oscars Bar Hire kept the drinks flowing all day long. The band, Gene Genie and the Lemon Squeezers, had everyone dancing into the night. And, of course, no wedding would be complete without a special mention for Baby Bib by Dainty Designs by Elliepie – a sweet reminder of the couple’s love that will last a lifetime. As I look back on this incredible day, I’m filled with joy knowing that Sarah and Sid are meant to be. Thank you both so much for sharing your love story with us, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness together.