Starting the week on a high note, Sarah and Matt’s festival-style glitter party wedding is sure to brighten up any Monday morning. Held at the picturesque Palm House Sefton Park in Liverpool on May 27th, 2018, this botanical-inspired celebration was a true masterpiece. The glasshouse venue, filled with lush greenery, provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s tropical vision. While they didn’t need to add much in terms of décor, their personal touches truly elevated the atmosphere. And let’s be real, the evening party was the highlight of the day – with great music, glittering makeup, giant balloons, and even a wardrobe change for Matt into an impressive floral suit. To top it all off, Sarah stunned in her lace gown from Sarah Seven, complete with a show-stopping cape, while her maids looked lovely in short white lace dresses and matching flower crowns. The entire scene was nothing short of breathtaking. Shout out to Bloom Weddings for sharing these incredible photos and film – we’re still reeling from the magic!
The Proposal
As we celebrated New Year’s Eve in Bali, Matt – who usually has a natural glow despite being a redhead – had gotten extremely sunburned on our first day. By the time we were getting ready for dinner at a beachclub, he was feeling unwell and mentioned not being himself. Little did I know, this was just the start of an unforgettable night.
Matt had booked us in for a 12-course tasting menu, but as we sat down to eat, his condition worsened. He tried to power through, but ended up almost passing out at the table, shivering despite his skin being scorching hot. I was still on cloud nine from our engagement earlier that night, and Matt’s sudden deterioration left me worried.
We eventually made it back to our hotel room, where Matt collapsed onto the bed. I quickly Googled how to treat sunstroke, learning that it was crucial to cool his skin down and keep him awake. So, I wrapped him in a cold, damp towel, cranked up the air conditioning, and kept him alert by watching the midnight fireworks through our hotel window.
Thankfully, after about an hour, Matt started to feel better. The next day, we saw a doctor who credited my prompt actions with possibly saving his life – talk about a romantic way to ring in the new year! While it wasn’t exactly how I envisioned celebrating our engagement, it’s definitely a story for the books.
The Vision
From the get-go, we envisioned a wedding celebration that embodied the carefree spirit of a festival or Ibiza day party. Our love for botanical and tropical palm prints served as the perfect catalyst for our theme, which led us to choose a venue that perfectly captured the essence of our desired aesthetic. The icing on the cake was having one of my bridesmaids, who owns a stationery design business, bring her expertise to life and create the look we had always envisioned.
The Planning Process
With the theme settled, finding the perfect venue was a crucial step. Once we secured it, our planning became more streamlined as we could start checking off tasks from our monthly to-do list. As Matt has experience in hospitality, particularly with weddings, we worked together seamlessly, making joint decisions on various aspects of the event. Whenever possible, we leveraged recommendations from friends and acquaintances for suppliers, opting for familiar faces or trusted connections.
Budget
As a self-proclaimed bargain hunter, I took the reins when setting our wedding budget at £15k. However, as planning progressed, I quickly realized that this target was overly ambitious for the scale of our wedding. My trusty spreadsheet became my go-to tool for keeping track of expenses, and it was disconcerting to watch the figures accumulate. As we hit the halfway mark in planning, my partner and I had a candid conversation about what we were willing to compromise on and what aspects we refused to sacrifice. Ultimately, we came to terms with the fact that our wedding would exceed our initial estimate, but we felt it was necessary to prioritize the elements that truly mattered to us.
The Venue
As our summer party planning got underway, we initially considered a couple of warehouses but ultimately deemed them unsuitable. However, it was Sefton Park Palm House that truly caught our attention. Having heard rave reviews about events held at this Liverpool landmark, we decided to pay it a visit and were thoroughly impressed. Despite the grey British weather, the tropical atmosphere within the palm house transported us to a sun-kissed paradise, reminiscent of Ibiza or Bali. The unique blend of lush greenery and elegant architecture convinced us that this was the perfect setting for our summer soiree.
The Readings & Music
As we were celebrating our engagement in Bali, a chance encounter with a couple led to a conversation about wedding readings. A Bob Marley quote was shared with me, which I loved and later modified to fit our special day. The revised reading resonated with both Matt and me, making it an integral part of our ceremony.Our friend Rosie played a significant role in the event, delivering an outstanding reading that eventually became the voiceover for our wedding video.Another notable reading was the Adam Sandler song from The Wedding Singer, which a close friend had chosen as her first dance song. We both adored the lyrics and Matt wanted to incorporate it into his reading.Music played a crucial role in setting the tone during various moments of the ceremony: Ella Henderson’s ‘Yours’ accompanied us as we walked down the aisle, Clean Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’ and Flowers’ ‘Sweet Female Attitude’ provided the atmosphere for signing the register, Years & Years’ ‘Shine’ marked our departure from the ceremony, while Candi Staton’s ‘You’ve Got the Love’ served as the soundtrack for our first dance.
Groomsmen
Matt aimed to create a laid-back atmosphere among his groomsmen, anticipating the sweltering heat within the glass building. To achieve this, he opted for a sans-jacket look, featuring short sleeves, bow ties, and braces. The floral bow ties from Zara were also donned by Matt and the dads, albeit with traditional suit jackets to maintain a touch of formality. In line with their beach-inspired wedding theme, Matt and his guests were encouraged to wear floral shirts, dresses, and vibrant outfits, resulting in a delightful display of colourful attire.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I navigated through the world of wedding dress shopping, I found myself torn between multiple designers and boutiques, each offering unique qualities that had me falling in love with every dress I tried on. The problem was, I just couldn’t seem to settle on a single choice, and I ended up leaving appointments feeling more overwhelmed than ever.
It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Love Bridal’s post about their designer weekend with Sarah Seven that I felt the spark of inspiration I had been missing. And it was love at first sight – literally! The dress I tried on was unlike anything else I’d seen before, and its unusual design instantly captured my heart.
But what really sealed the deal for me was the cape. Yes, you read that right – a cape! It was as if the dress was designed specifically with my love of festival flower crowns in mind. And Yvette’s exquisite white rose version only added to its allure.
When it came time for Matt to choose his attire, he didn’t disappoint. He opted for a light blue/grey gingham suit and waistcoat combo for the ceremony, which was perfect for the occasion. But then he switched things up with a brightly colored floral suit for the evening party – talk about making an entrance! Both outfits were courtesy of ASOS, further proof that you don’t have to break the bank to look dashing on your special day.
Beauty
In our group, we all shared a penchant for having longer locks, which often fell freely down our backs. So, one of my bridesmaids kindly offered to work her magic on us, crafting beautiful loose curls that would become a defining feature of our overall look. As fate would have it, this was actually put to the test during my hen weekend in Ibiza, where we had a practice run-through of the hairstyle.When it came to makeup, some of the bridesmaids opted to take matters into their own hands, while others relied on the expertise of Becca and Ella Bridal. I had a clear vision for our collective aesthetic – one that was understated yet elegant, with subtle copper and rose gold tones that would complement our natural beauty.
The Details & Décor
Our BBQ celebration, organized by Delifonseca, aimed to create a relaxed atmosphere where friends could mingle and indulge in the various dishes on offer. To achieve this, we named each table after an Ibiza venue that held special memories for us. We also had polaroid-style photos of our guests printed, featuring both old and new faces, which served as a great conversation starter when people sat down.Throughout the event, MakeMyDay handled all our stationery needs, from save-the-dates to table plans, names, welcome signs, favor tags, and an ‘order-of-the-day’ lineup. Their design featured beautiful palm fronds with embossed rose gold text on some items, adding a touch of elegance.To keep the party going, we filled mini bottles with Pink Gin for the ladies and Spiced Rum for the gentlemen – our personal favorite drinks. They proved to be a hit during the speeches! It was all about having a good time, and our evening entertainment, booked through Six15, ensured that the house music vibe we desired was met. We even had Matt’s favorite DJ, Will Maden, who had previously impressed him at a club.In addition to the music, we also had DaxonSax performing, and together they created an incredible atmosphere that genuinely felt like a night out in Ibiza. To add to the festive ambiance, we introduced a smaller-scale version of Coldplay’s iconic balloons, which were released after our first dance and enthusiastically bashed around by our friends.As two people who love glitter, there was no question that it would be incorporated into the party. The Gypsy Shrine girls did an amazing job with their face-painting services, patiently working through a long queue of guests of all ages eager to get their sparkly makeover.
The Cake
Our culinary choices at the gathering were largely influenced by our affinity for cheese, which served as both the ‘cake’ and an afternoon snack, accompanied by biscuits and a delicious homemade chutney courtesy of a family friend. The warmth inside the building, however, had a rather unexpected effect on the brie – it began to melt, adopting a precarious lean reminiscent of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! To balance things out, we also offered a variety of brownies, artfully displayed on a custom-built cart by my dad.
Your Photographer
We were introduced to Bloom through a mutual acquaintance who had recently hired them for their wedding photography. Their work left us impressed, and we appreciated the unique perspective that came from having two photographers capturing the day’s events. The ‘getting ready’ moments were also beautifully captured, offering a fresh and intimate perspective on the couple’s preparations.
Your Filmmaker
We’re absolutely thrilled with our video produced by Bloom – we’ve watched it countless times and it beautifully captures the essence of our special day. What’s more, we’re delighted that Rosie’s reading is expertly woven in as a thoughtful voiceover, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the overall production.
The Flowers
The Flower Barn in Liverpool, courtesy of the talented Yvette, played host to our wedding’s floral splendor. Since the venue was already a blooming paradise, we opted for a minimalist approach to décor, focusing on loose, natural arrangements that blended seamlessly with the surroundings. Bouquets and flower crowns took center stage, with Monstera leaves adding a pop of drama at the table centers and along the aisle. For my bouquet, I desired something effortlessly wild and whimsical – Yvette achieved this by combining ivory roses, white peonies, and an abundance of lush greenery. The bridesmaids’ arrangements were similar in style, but with the added touch of blue thistle for a dash of uniqueness. To complete their looks, they donned delicate gypsophila crowns that perfectly complemented the overall aesthetic.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging our vows, we embarked on a mini-moon to St Ives, a cherished destination that offered the perfect respite. We settled into a charming beach hut, complete with an inviting hot tub overlooking the ocean. This brief getaway proved essential in allowing us to recharge and refocus before diving into the planning process for our actual honeymoon. The months leading up to our trip allowed us to build anticipation without the added pressure of wedding preparations. In October, we ventured to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, where every moment was nothing short of incredible. Our journey took us across Sri Lanka, exploring iconic sites such as Sigiriya Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, as well as immersing ourselves in safaris, elephant orphanages, turtle sanctuaries… and of course, indulging in an array of culinary delights, snorkeling, and basking in the sun-kissed beauty of the Maldives.
Bridesmaids
The bridesmaid dresses, sourced from ASOS, were a testament to the group’s collective style and individuality. Each woman opted for a unique white or lace design, often featuring an above-the-knee hemline or playful playsuit silhouette. The dress choices not only reflected their personal preferences but also ensured they felt confident and comfortable in what they wore. To complete their festival-inspired ensembles, the bridesmaids paired their dresses with nude or tan sandals of their own choosing and adorned themselves with whimsical gypsophila flower crowns, evoking the free-spirited vibe of Coachella.
Memorable Moments
As we exchanged our vows, the skies suddenly darkened and a torrential downpour ensued. The glass building was transformed into a drumline, making it difficult to hear each other’s whispers. And then, just as suddenly, the storm subsided, and the sun broke through the clouds as we stepped outside. Talk about drama! The first dance was a whirlwind of emotions, with me soaking in every moment and taking in the sea of smiling faces surrounding us. When our friends joined in to finish the song, I didn’t want it to end – the music, the laughter, the joy. Little did I know, Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Liverpool would have a lasting impact on my big day. Had Liverpool won, their planned parade the next day would’ve forced me to alter my plans drastically, leaving my hotel at 8am, scrambling to get ready in another location, and redirecting suppliers at the eleventh hour! So, I’d like to extend my gratitude to Gareth Bale for unwittingly saving the day.
Advice For Other Couples
To ensure a seamless wedding planning experience, we recommend maintaining a detailed record of all expenses and savings on a spreadsheet. This will enable you to track your progress throughout the months leading up to the big day. When it comes to booking a videographer, don’t hesitate – it’s an investment that will provide lasting memories, allowing you to relive special moments years from now. While some aspects may not go exactly as planned, it’s essential to keep things in perspective and focus on the joy of preparing for your special day. Remember, unexpected twists can often lead to wonderful stories and cherished memories.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The photographer/videographer who captured the magic of this unforgettable celebration was none other than Bloom Weddings. The picturesque setting, Palm House, provided a stunning backdrop for the couple’s special day. Guests indulged in delicious BBQ and cheese tier delights courtesy of Delifonseca, while Make My Day Stationery took care of the wedding’s elegant stationery needs. Fresh flowers from Flower Barn added to the whimsical atmosphere, which was elevated further by The Gypsy Shrine’s glittering make-up expertise. The bride looked stunning in her dress designed by Love Bridal Boutique and Sarah Seven, with transportation provided by I Do Taxi. Hair and makeup were handled by the talented duo Ella&BeccaBridalMake-up. Sweet treats were courtesy of Blondie Brownie, while Probooths ensured a memorable photo experience with their selfie mirror photobooth. It was truly an unforgettable celebration, and we’re grateful to Sarah and Matt for sharing it with us.