I’m thrilled to share Charmaine and Charlie’s idyllic country wedding, which exudes a warm and intimate atmosphere. On May 3rd, 2019, the loving couple exchanged vows at the picturesque Gate Street Barn in Guildford, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers – a testament to Charmaine’s remarkable crafting skills! With the help of family and friends, she created an breathtaking floral display that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the venue. Tony from Photography34 was entrusted with capturing the magic of their special day, and I’m delighted to report that they were thoroughly impressed with the results. It’s a pleasure to share these stunning images with you today, courtesy of Tony’s exceptional work. The bride looked absolutely radiant in her Charlie Brear separates, complete with a fringed skirt – a truly show-stopping ensemble! Her bridesmaids also made a stylish impression in their coordinating two-piece outfits. Meanwhile, groom Charlie was dashing in his suit from The Drop, adding to the overall sense of elegance and refinement. It’s been an absolute pleasure to share this memorable day with you.
The Proposal
We embarked on a spontaneous city getaway to Rome, Italy in February 2017, initially intending it to be a quick weekend escape for Charmaine. Little did we know that the trip would hold much more significance. As the night unfolded, we savored an evening meal and some indulgent drinks at a quaint bar, unaware of the romantic surprise awaiting us. It was there, beneath the twinkling lights of the Trevi Fountain, that Charlie proposed to me with my grandmother’s treasured sapphire and diamond ring, opting for a low-key approach that left me grateful – had he gotten down on one knee, I’m certain my mortification would have been palpable! The only witnesses to this intimate moment were our dinner companions, including an enterprising photographer who sensed the magic unfolding and insisted we commemorate it with a photo. Needless to say, our loved ones were astonished by the news, given my long-standing avowal that marriage was not for me.
The Vision
From the onset, we shared a vision for a relaxed and informal celebration. Since neither of us had a strong affinity for any particular color palette, we opted for an all-natural aesthetic with lush greenery and subtle white florals. As non-observant individuals, we ruled out traditional church settings and sought a venue that could accommodate our entire gathering in one location, minimizing travel for our guests once they arrived. I’m a crafty person, and being the DIY enthusiast that I am, I was keen to involve myself in the planning process as much as possible.
The Planning Process
Once we got engaged, my partner and I jumped into planning mode without hesitation. We’re both naturally organized individuals, which proved beneficial in this process. In fact, Charlie insisted that we keep track of every detail on a spreadsheet to ensure everything ran smoothly. As we worked through the planning stages, we never felt overwhelmed or stressed about the impending wedding. On the contrary, we were able to get most things sorted with plenty of time to spare, leaving us feeling relieved and prepared for the big day.
Budget
As we embarked on our project, an initial budget was established. However, it didn’t take long for costs to escalate far beyond our expectations. With the understanding that this was a one-time opportunity for us to achieve our desired outcomes, we both concurred that we wanted to prioritize what mattered most to us.
The Venue
As we began planning our special day at Gate Street Barn in Bramley, Guildford, we couldn’t help but feel excited about the venue’s impending transformation. In mid-2017, we booked the space and were thrilled to learn that they would be adding an atrium and orangery to the building. The plans looked incredible, and we were eager to see the final result. As the renovation process began a few months later, we couldn’t help but wonder what it would mean for our big day. Would we love the changes, or would they detract from the venue’s charm? Luckily, our concerns were quickly alleviated as the completed atrium and orangery exceeded our expectations, making the venue even more beautiful than before.When it came to catering, we decided to bring in our own team, thanks to a personal recommendation. The Fat Hog went above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable dining experience for our evening guests. Their innovative dishes, including big pan meals, jam jar desserts, and fish and chip cones, were a huge hit with everyone. But what really impressed us was their willingness to go the extra mile – they even made room in their van to transport a special barrel for us to display our wedding cake!
Your Outfits & Accessories
Charmaine and I embarked on a journey to find the perfect attire for our special day. As someone who’s particular about clothes, I didn’t have any preconceived notions about what my dream wedding dress would look like, except that it wouldn’t be a big meringue design. My search began soon after we got engaged, and I started by going dress shopping with my mum, sister, Charlie’s mum, and one of my closest friends. However, trying on numerous dresses (including the biggest meringue ones) left me feeling exhausted and unsure about what to wear. Feeling guilty for dragging others along, I decided to venture out on my own to explore more options.I spent hours scouring online for ‘non-traditional wedding dresses’ and stumbled upon The Secret Dress House in Reigate, which stocked a designer that caught my eye. Although the initial selection didn’t quite suit me, I discovered a two-piece design by Charlie Brear that stole the show. It was double our original budget, but it felt like ‘me’ – so we went with it.To complement my new dress, I wanted a pair of shoes that could be worn again and found a pair of Miss KG blue suede heels on ASOS in the sale for £20. They were incredibly comfortable and served as my something blue. I also picked up a cute little pair of earrings from ASOS.Meanwhile, Charlie opted to get his suit made to measure from thedrop.co. He wanted something that fit the wedding’s style and liked the combination of a light brown jacket with stone-coloured waistcoat and trousers. The green tie and socks were sourced from ASOS, while the shoes were my favourite part – I found them at Loakes in Guildford.Loakes is a classic English shoemaker that has been around since 1880, and it was a pleasure to buy my first-ever pair of Loakes. The staff were very helpful and managed to convince me to purchase the matching suede belt to go with the shoes.For my cufflinks, I turned to H.Samuel, seeking rose gold ones to match my wedding ring. I found the perfect pair there. Interestingly, Charmaine got me an amazing watch for our wedding day that also featured a rose gold frame – it was made by Ingersoll.
Beauty
I aimed for a laid-back atmosphere, which influenced my approach to hairstyles for the bridesmaids. I wanted them to feel at ease on the big day, so I sought out a hairdresser who could create a relaxed look. My sister’s stylist was the perfect fit, as I knew they’d deliver exactly what I had in mind.For makeup, I turned to Shel, whom I’ve known for years and previously worked with. She’d since transitioned into a full-time makeup artist (MUa), and I trusted her expertise. The night before the wedding, we welcomed Looking Pretty Nails to my mum’s house, where they treated us to a pre-wedding pampering session, complete with manicures. We’ve become familiar with these talented ladies through their regular visits to our office, where they provide manicures for our employees.The team did an outstanding job, making our little niece feel like royalty. And as Charlie is already bald, he didn’t require any hair assistance!
The Readings & Music
As we exchanged our vows, the sweet melodies of a pianist filled the air, setting the tone for an unforgettable day. This impromptu decision was sparked by a serendipitous encounter at the National Wedding show, where we discovered our dream wedding rings at a bargain price. We opted to splurge on a live musician instead, treating ourselves to a pianist who charmed our guests throughout the ceremony and into the reception.
Groomsmen
For this styling project, I sourced the gentlemen’s outfits from ASOS, making it relatively straightforward. However, the logistics presented some challenges since they reside in different parts of the country. To overcome this, I had them receive the blazers and trousers via mail, which required a few iterations to ensure we got the perfect fit for each individual.
The Flowers
As a nod to my own wedding floristry experience, I was determined to create beautiful blooms for our special day. Leveraging my aunt’s background as a florist, we sought her guidance on the types of flowers and greenery that would complement our vision. We decided to focus on lush greenery, including eucalyptus, and accent it with a few white roses. To source the perfect foliage, we paid a visit to my aunt and uncle’s garden, where their majestic eucalyptus trees provided an abundance of material. We even enlisted the help of some enthusiastic family members and friends to ‘harvest’ the greenery from their garden. Meanwhile, the roses were carefully curated from Dutch Masters flower wholesalers. The day before the wedding, our entire team descended upon the venue, transforming jam jars into stunning centerpieces and imbuing the space with a personal touch. It was an incredible experience, made all the more meaningful by sharing it with loved ones.
Bridesmaids
To ensure the bridesmaids felt at ease on my special day, I prioritized their comfort above all else. We chose a two-piece ensemble that harmoniously matched with my own dress. The skirts came from Boohoo, while the cami tops were sourced from Matalan. One of my bridesmaids resides in New Zealand, allowing me to take advantage of Boohoo’s international shipping and deliver her skirt directly from their local site.To further emphasize comfort, we allowed each bridesmaid to wear her own shoes, ensuring they felt confident in what they had on. In a similar vein, we initially planned for the entire bridal party, including myself, to don floral headpieces. However, after a few hours of DIY attempts the night before the wedding – which ended in laughter and failure – we decided to pivot and opt for a small gyp piece in their hair instead. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as their bouquets were quite large.Our flower girl’s dress came from Monsoon, while her shoes were sourced from Debenhams.
Your Photographer
Our photographer, Photography34, was truly exceptional. I had previously admired Tony’s work on Facebook, where a mutual friend had shared photos from a wedding he had captured. Both my friend and I were impressed by his unique style, which blended natural shots with captivating moody filters. We wasted no time in booking him for our special day.
Your Filmmaker
We had initially considered skipping a videographer altogether due to our struggles in finding someone who resonated with us. However, a few months prior to the big day, I stumbled upon a wedding video that left a lasting impression on me. It was created by Samuel, and his exceptional work sparked a last-minute decision to book him for our special occasion. Having him capture our day in a unique way proved to be an excellent addition, and we’re grateful we took the leap. Like our photographer, Samuel managed to blend into the background, with many of our guests unaware he was there until it was too late, capturing candid moments that would otherwise have been missed.
The Details & Décor
As the mastermind behind our unique décor, I delighted in crafting a memorable atmosphere. To achieve this, we enlisted the help of friends and family to collect an abundance of jam jars, which we repurposed as vases. The logs for our centre pieces were cleverly reused from our Christmas dinner table, courtesy of one of my bridesmaids’ partner, while others were sourced from Charlie’s friend’s wedding leftovers and scattered throughout various locations. With the help of a graphic designer friend, we designed and printed the invitations and signage on brown kraft paper, meticulously assembling them over several hours. The order of the day was displayed on a pallet, carefully constructed by my friends’ husband and hand-painted by me. Our table plan was cleverly crafted from old scaffolding boards, a collaborative effort between myself, my friend, and her brother. To complement our rustic setting, we set up a fire pit at the venue, accompanied by jars of marshmallows for toasting and biscuits for s’mores. A talented sewing friend created a cozy teepee that quickly became a popular chillout area for both kids and adults. As an added bonus, Charlie’s uncle, a skilled toastmaster, offered his services as a wedding gift, ensuring everyone was in the right place throughout the day and alleviating one less thing for us to worry about.
The Honeymoon
We’re counting our blessings twice over, as Charlie has surprised me with not one, but two honeymoons! Our first romantic getaway was at the breathtaking Stella Island in Crete, where we savored every moment of our incredible experience. For our second adventure, we’ll be jetting off to India in November, exploring a string of fascinating destinations, including Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Kerala.
Memorable Moments
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single standout moment from our incredible experience, what’s undeniable is that we both shared an unforgettable day. From the moment we set out until the very end, every second was filled with joy and excitement.
The Cake
As a self-proclaimed cake enthusiast, I knew that creating our wedding dessert was a must. A Pinterest-inspired donut tier idea caught my attention, and we both fell in love with the concept (and donuts!). We decided to go all out and make it happen for our guests to indulge. The small top tier was crafted by me, while Krispy Kreme kindly provided the donuts. To add a personal touch, I ordered adorable bride and groom penguin cake toppers and a whimsical ginger cat in a party hat as a surprise for Charlie, paying homage to our beloved feline companion.In hindsight, one minor mishap occurred – we forgot to secure a cake knife! As a result, the toastmaster’s sword became an impromptu cutting tool. It wasn’t ideal, but it added to the day’s charm.For fellow couples-to-be, I offer this advice: don’t stress about the little things. After months of planning and preparation, what will ultimately unfold is beyond your control. Embrace the moment, soak up every second, and remember that you can’t change the weather – nor should you try!
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The picturesque setting of Gate Street Barn provided the perfect backdrop for Charmaine and Charlie’s special day, which was meticulously planned to reflect their unique personalities. Behind the scenes, photographer Photography 34 captured every precious moment, while Samuel Robinsons handled the videography duties. Sweet treats were courtesy of Krispy Kreme, with Cake Topper Animals adding a playful touch to the desserts. Dutch Masters florals and a custom-designed dress by Charlie Brear showcased Charmaine’s style. Meanwhile, groomsmen attire was sourced from ASOS, with Loake shoes and H Samuel cufflinks completing their looks. The pianist, Piano DJ, and The City Folk band ensured an unforgettable atmosphere. Bridesmaids donned Boohoo skirts and Matalan tops, while the flower girl wore a Monsoon dress and Debenhams shoes. Page boys looked dashing in Marks & Spencer outfits and Next shoes. Hair stylist Nikki Weller and makeup artist Shel Beaumont-Smith contributed to Charmaine’s radiant appearance, with Nails by Looking Pretty adding the finishing touches. As Rachel so eloquently put it, ‘What a wonderfully personal and lovingly crafted day!’