In the nearly decade-long history of my blog, I’ve rarely witnessed such meticulous planning and enthusiasm from a couple and their loved ones as I did for Jonny and Merry’s special day. The duo, along with their closest family and friends, went to great lengths to create a truly unique DIY wedding experience. From homegrown flowers and handcrafted décor to homemade food and cake, every aspect of the celebration was carefully curated to reflect the couple’s personality and style. The 20th of July 2019 saw Jonny and Merry tie the knot in an intimate church ceremony, followed by a picturesque marquee reception at Merry’s family home. A bold fusion of sunflowers and dinosaurs served as the guiding theme for the day, with playful nods to both elements scattered throughout the décor, attire, and stationery. The result was a whimsical and vibrant celebration that perfectly captured the couple’s joy and enthusiasm. I’m thrilled to share their incredible story of planning an eco-friendly and sustainable wedding, complete with impressive details on how they brought their vision to life. A heartfelt thank you to Chris Bradshaw Photography for capturing these stunning images, which beautifully capture the love, laughter, and magic of Jonny and Merry’s special day.
The Proposal
Jonny’s proposal to Merry was a spontaneous yet thoughtful affair. Following the traditional gesture of seeking permission from her father, he found himself with little time for planning as his social calendar filled up for months ahead. Abandoning any grand scheme, Jonny seized the moment during a peaceful stroll on Felixstowe beach. The impromptu nature of the proposal was mirrored by his unconventional choice of engagement ring – a shell he had discovered on the beach itself. A week later, Jonny redeemed himself by purchasing a suitable ring from ‘the antique jewellery company’ on Maddox Street in London, chosen with Merry’s taste in mind. Their wedding bands were designed and crafted with care by Amanda Mansell in Hatton Garden, a testament to the couple’s commitment to one another.
The Vision
Our special day revolved around the concept of bringing our friends and family together with us as we exchanged vows in the idyllic garden setting of Merry’s family home. Merry spent her formative years on a farmhouse, immersed in a world of self-sufficiency from the tender age of eight. This upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for nature, creativity, and the importance of community. As such, we sought to incorporate these values into every aspect of our wedding planning, from designing and crafting our own decorations, stationery, and floristry, to growing and harvesting our own food. Our goal was not only to celebrate our love but also to minimize our environmental footprint and make a positive impact on the world around us.
The Planning Process
The wedding planning process was meticulously coordinated, with both digital spreadsheets for our generation and paper-based systems for our parents’ generation. We started planning immediately after getting engaged on May 6th, 2018. The next 14 months were a whirlwind of activity as we worked tirelessly to bring everything together.One of the first decisions we made was selecting the wedding venue – Old Newton Church, where Merry grew up singing in the choir. The reception would be held in the beautiful garden of Merry’s family home. We quickly settled on a date – July 20th – after consulting with our parents and the church. With the date confirmed, we completed the necessary paperwork to move forward.The guest list was another significant consideration that can cause stress for any couple planning a wedding. However, we were thrilled to see that every single person who was meant to be there showed up on the big day, beaming with joy. To help our guests prepare, we sent out save-the-date emails in early August and introduced our SUNFLOWER theme, complete with a hint of dinosaur fun.Living in England, where the weather can be unpredictable, we knew we had to be prepared for all eventualities. So, we set about booking a marquee (or two!) for the reception. The mother of the bride took charge of this task, working closely with her husband to ensure that our afternoon and evening plans were perfectly in sync. We ultimately opted for two connected marquees – one for the main reception and another for the afternoon gathering. In addition to these structures, we also hired a catering tent, walkway, entrance marquee, and even a portable toilet trailer. Our own gazebo-style tents served as bars, while we also rented crockery, linen, cutlery, and glassware. All of these logistical details were researched and booked over the summer and autumn of 2018.
The Alcohol & Drink
The role of alcohol in the celebration was crucial for the ‘father of the bride’. In an effort to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere, we deliberately chose to focus on wine and beer over spirits. To facilitate this, we hosted a wine tasting afternoon at Cambridge Wine Merchants, with a friend serving as our knowledgeable host. This event always sparks lively discussions and debates among the group. The alcohol selection was carefully curated from local sources, including Cambridge Wine Merchants and supermarkets throughout the year, and stored in the garage under protective layers of bubble wrap and blankets to ensure its preservation. Additionally, the mother of the bride took great care in preparing 11L of homemade elderflower cordial for our guests to enjoy.
The Food
The event was divided into two parts: an afternoon tea reception and an evening sit-down buffet. We took a hands-on approach to catering, preparing all the food in-house without relying on external vendors. Our goal was to source ingredients as locally as possible, which meant working with a talented team of local professionals to manage the catering and service. This ethos extended to our culinary creations, where we worked closely with Merry, the mother of the bride, and a dedicated group of volunteers to prepare an array of delicious treats. The cakes were lovingly crafted by Merry and the mother of the bride, while the sandwiches, salmon, salads, and sides were carefully prepared by this dynamic duo, supported by their team of helpful friends and family. The beef, in particular, was a highlight, sourced from a neighboring farm where the cow had been raised on the land. This locally reared beef was expertly handled by the family butcher, ensuring an unparalleled level of freshness. The cheese came from a nearby dairy farm just 10 minutes up the road, and we managed to snag some stunning strawberries for our Eton mess at the last minute from a local farmer. The bread, meanwhile, was freshly baked by a family-run bakery in Suffolk. To add an extra layer of authenticity, we consulted with chefs who had worked in Michelin-starred restaurants to perfect our cucumber sandwich and salmon preparation methods. These efforts were well-received on the day, and for a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought our DIY wedding vision to life, check out Merry’s Instagram story ‘wedding’, which details the entire week leading up to and including the big day – including the making of an impressive 5kg batch of brownies!
The Invitations & Website
The concept of incorporating seed packets into our wedding invitations was sparked by Merry’s sister, who received an invitation on behalf of a client in this unique format. This inspired us to do something similar. While exploring printing options, we realized that even using seed packets wouldn’t be a budget-friendly solution! To stay within our means, we decided to stick with the same design used for our save-the-date cards and convey most of the wedding information online to reduce paper waste. We printed the invitation as a sticker and attached it to a seed envelope filled with sunflower seeds. Since sending out the invitations, we’ve received numerous photos and reports from guests showcasing the sunflowers they’ve grown using these very seeds – a lovely surprise! To make RSVPing more engaging, Merry’s sister designed reusable place cards that doubled as return envelopes, which we pre-stamped and addressed to encourage timely responses. The whole process was quite the bonding experience, with our friends and family even forming an assembly line to name, sign, and stamp all the invitations!
The Gift List
When planning our wedding, my partner and I decided to create a gift list that catered to the diverse range of attendees. We wanted to avoid the traditional approach of simply registering at John Lewis, opting instead for a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option. To achieve this, we spent the year scouring eBay, charity shops, and high street stores for unique, second-hand items to add to our list. This way, guests had the opportunity to purchase thoughtful presents that would have a lasting impact. However, we soon realized that we didn’t have a dedicated space to store any new gifts once they arrived. To address this issue, we implemented a ‘Piggy bank scheme’ that allowed guests to contribute towards furnishing our future home. The options were varied, with guests able to choose from donations for the garden (gym), kitchen, or bedroom.
The Flowers
With a passion for sunflowers, Merry wanted to incorporate multiple varieties into her wedding arrangements. To achieve this, her mother kindly allowed us to experiment with growing different types of sunflowers in one of her vegetable beds. This gave us valuable insights into factors such as colour, size, variety, and flowering time, enabling us to collect seeds and plan our own flower cultivation for the special day. We also planted cornflowers and yellow carthamus in autumn 2018, with these flowers blooming early in summer 2019. The cornflowers continued to flourish until August, allowing us to dry most of the blooms and use them in the wedding arrangements. In March 2019, we sowed 15 varieties of sunflowers in pots, with half being planted into the vegetable garden for cut flowers and the remaining half potted in large display containers for use at the church. We also directly seeded an equal number into the garden for cut flowers. Unfortunately, we were about four weeks too early with most of the potted sunflowers due to the unpredictable nature of growing our own flowers. However, this allowed us to stagger seed sowing and account for climactic changes. The homegrown flowers played a significant role in three key elements of the wedding: table centrepieces, church decorations, and bouquets and buttonholes. Our initial plan was to use potted sunflowers at the church, but most had passed their prime, so we transported cut sunflowers, potted sunflowers, bulrushes, wild oats, large vases, oasis, secateurs, and other utensils to the church 48 hours prior to the wedding for an afternoon of SUNflower arranging. The church looked wonderful, particularly the altar piece constructed in an umbrella stand. We had practiced constructing buttonholes with YouTube’s guidance and pre-purchased floristry supplies. We also bought dried flowers that we used in buttonholes and cake decorations, along with dried cornflowers, bay leaves, and rosemary from our garden. These held well and would have smelled botanical. The main pieces were the bouquets, featuring the best sunflower selection from the garden, surrounded by large castor oil leaves, bound with hessian ribbon, and incorporating other flowers and butterflies. It was a pleasure to venture into the garden on the Friday morning before the wedding to cut armfuls of sunflowers in the early morning sun.
The Details & Decor
When planning the decoration of two massive marquees, the Mother of the bride decided to create a unique bunting using up-cycled materials from charity shops. With the help of a quilt-making friend, they cut and sewed over 600 large triangles, carefully measuring each piece to fit the marquees’ dimensions. The finished bunting was neatly folded and stored in a box with instructions for Jonny to assemble later.In addition to the bunting, Jonny’s sister lent us her handmade wedding decorations from her own special day, which we used in the entrance walkway. We also added a pop of color with multi-colored balloons.For the main marquee, we created a rustic and intimate atmosphere by covering each table with a white linen tablecloth and a vibrant striped runner from Waitrose. Each table featured a vase of sunflowers, place cards, and candlesticks made from natural materials like logs. The place cards were designed to pay homage to Jonny’s love for dinosaurs, with illustrations taken from ‘Paleoart. Visions of the Prehistoric Past 1830-1980. Taschen’. The candlesticks were handcrafted by family members using manual tools without electricity, and the candles were adorned with colorful wraps.To seat our 160 guests, we employed a unique table plan method that involved pairing people in couples and grouping them into three categories: family, family friends, and friends. We then randomly assigned tables to ensure an even spread of guests across the marquee. Judging by the buzz when we entered the main marquee, it seemed to work quite well.On the day of the wedding, we relied on a special vintage car to transport the bride and father of the bride to the church and the newlyweds back to the reception. We were fortunate to have a friend with a 1925 open-top Bentley that resembled ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, and thankfully, the weather cooperated, as the car’s leather exterior was its only protection.
Budget
When it comes to wedding planning, one of the biggest concerns is often the cost. However, there are ways to keep expenses in check without sacrificing the quality of your special day. One strategy is to take on more responsibilities yourself, rather than relying on vendors or outside help. For example, if you’re able to source your own food and drinks, this can be a significant cost-saving measure. When selecting a venue, consider whether they will allow you to bring in your own supplies or caterers, as this can make a big difference in the overall cost of your wedding.
The Readings & Music
The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church in Old Newton, where music played a pivotal role in setting the tone. The service featured three powerful hymns: Jerusalem, Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer, and Dear Lord and Father of Mankind. As Merry walked down the aisle to Prelude from the Te Deum by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the atmosphere was already electric. Three readings followed, each one meaningful in its own way: a poem by Merry’s youngest sister (The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur), a duet poem by close friends (The King’s Breakfast by A.A. Milne), and a biblical reading from Jonny’s sister (Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6,7). Adding to the emotional impact was a duet performance by Merry’s middle sister and their friend, singing ‘Your Song’ by Elton John after months of practice in our flat. The choir sang and the organist played Cantate Dominum by Giuseppe Pitoni and Pachelbel Canon in D during the signing of the register. As we walked back down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, it was clear that music had been woven throughout every moment of the ceremony. Music being so important to us, Merry insisted on having a band – much to her father’s dismay, who had hoped for a barn dance! She researched and asked around, eventually finding ‘The Jets’ through a website called Bands for Hire. This excellent platform provides demos and detailed descriptions of each band, making it easy to find the perfect fit. Our agent kept us informed throughout most of the year, and then the band got in touch closer to our big day. Happily, our photographer had worked with them before and raved about their performance, which gave us confidence. They arrived exactly on time, learned a new song for us, and wowed us with their excellent vocals and musicianship. Their set list was expertly curated to appeal to our diverse group of guests, earning us countless compliments from our loved ones. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough!
Your Outfits & Accessories
Merry’s unconventional engagement gift from her mother was a 1980s meringue-style wedding dress, complete with poufy sleeves, a full train, a massive bow, and meters of thick sparkly lace. The dress had a lovely neckline, was made of beautiful Thai silk, and cost just £42 on eBay. Despite its unconventional features, the dress met Merry’s key requirements: it must have pockets, be made of natural fabric like silk or cotton, and not be white. After reassessing her options with her mother, friend, and sisters, Merry decided to recreate the dress with the help of an expert seamstress in the village. The finished product was a stunning representation of Merry’s unique vision.The shoes were another unconventional choice. As fans of TOMS, Merry and her friends opted for ankle-length cream embroidered shoes adorned with green glass beads and feathered butterflies at the heels. Not only did these receive numerous compliments but they also subtly added height to Jonny, the groom. The TOMS’ ‘one for one’ policy, which donates a pair of shoes to someone in need for every pair sold, aligned perfectly with the couple’s ethos.Jonny’s navy suit and his ushers’ attire were equally unique. He chose suits from M&S, which matched those of his groomsmen, despite receiving pressure to opt for tails. His research led him to M&Co, where he found a better deal on suits by purchasing one free with every three bought. The suits were complemented by white shirts worn by the ushers and a T-Rex silk pocket square given to Jonny by Merry. The ushers’ outfits were completed with cotton dinosaur print pocket squares. Although ties proved tricky to choose, the group managed to make a decision just two weeks before the wedding.
The Cake
Merry’s approach to creating the perfect wedding cake was a culmination of her lifelong passion for baking. Having spent most of her life experimenting with flavors and techniques, this project presented an exciting opportunity to push herself creatively. Teaming up with her medical school friend, they meticulously planned every detail in an old lab book, treating the cake-making process like a scientific experiment. The objective was straightforward: create enough cake that satisfied everyone’s cravings, with a flavor profile that catered to diverse tastes and minimal icing. Fruit cake and fondant icing were quickly dismissed, while semi-naked cream cheese icing emerged as the winning combination. With YouTube tutorials serving as their guide, they learned the intricacies of icing, stacking, doweling, and scaffolding. Despite the daunting task of building a 4-tier wedding cake just 48 hours before the big day, amidst all the chaos surrounding it, Merry and her friend successfully pulled off the project. For a behind-the-scenes look at their cake construction journey, check out Merry’s Instagram story ‘wedding’.
Bridesmaids
Merry’s two sisters served as her bridesmaids from the start. Initially, they decided to take matters into their own hands and design their dresses themselves. The plan was born out of a desire to create something unique and special for Merry’s big day. With Merry having already purchased emerald green silk during her holiday in Vietnam, it seemed like a straightforward process would unfold. However, as the wedding date drew closer, the sisters found themselves at an impasse. After months of deliberation, they finally decided on a different approach – hand-dying three types of fabric with turmeric. On a windy Saturday morning in early June 2019, just six weeks prior to the wedding, they arrived at their childhood home armed with this new plan. The process was not without its challenges, as seven hours of dyeing later, it looked as though saffron robes were hanging on the washing line. In the end, the sisters emerged from their creative endeavor dressed in two vibrant yellow dresses, complete with cable-tie halo headpieces that added a touch of whimsy to their overall look. They had transformed into Merry’s sun maidens, radiating warmth and joy as they stood by her side on her special day.
Beauty
The beauty team behind this stunning look consisted of none other than Merry and her talented sisters. While Merry took the reins on makeup duties, she was ably assisted by her family members as they worked together to create a flawless complexion. Meanwhile, hair styling was a collaborative effort between Merry and Mother of the bride’s sisters, who expertly assembled the final look just 10 minutes before the big departure.
Your Photographer
We first encountered Chris Bradshaw through a personal connection with Merry’s sister, who had worked with his wife Laura on a project. In July 2018, we reached out to Chris and he visited our family home in August to assess the reception area. From the start, Chris proved to be an extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful professional. Throughout the year, we maintained open communication to ensure that our vision for the big day was captured. On the wedding day itself, Chris arrived early to capture the excitement of the getting-ready process and the serene atmosphere of the church garden before the guests arrived. Laura joined him at the church around 12:30pm to take photos of Jonny, the guests, and the beautiful church architecture. They stayed with us until the very end, which was fantastic. From a professional perspective, Chris’s photographs were outstanding, capturing every moment and ensuring that all our requested shots were taken – no easy feat considering our wedding party size of 180! Moreover, his ability to capture candid moments of people, places, and even animals at their best was truly impressive. Post-wedding, we received our first photo samples within days, a slideshow within weeks, and the complete album shortly after. On a personal level, Chris and Laura were always friendly, polite, and seemed to genuinely enjoy the wedding day process. It was comforting to have photographers who understood the importance of capturing those special moments. A special mention goes to Chris for providing calming support to Jonny during his speech – we were incredibly grateful! Overall, we wouldn’t change a thing about their work on the day or since. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for exceptional wedding photography services.
Groomsmen
Jonny’s closest circle of companions included his trusted best man, who stood by his side on the big day. Rounding out the wedding party were Jonny’s brother and a handful of his most loyal friends, all of whom donned sleek suits that perfectly complemented the occasion.
The Honeymoon
Following our wedding celebration, we decided to stay in England for a while longer. The day after the ceremony, we helped with the cleanup efforts, savored the remaining food, and headed back to our flat. Next, we embarked on a 6-hour journey up to the stunning Northumberland coastline, where we spent around 10 days soaking up the tranquility. Our days were filled with leisurely strolls, exploring ancient castles, feasting on fresh seafood, and marveling at puffins. After our coastal retreat, we paid a visit to Merry’s family home, indulged in a slideshow of our wedding photos, and basked in the warmth as we tended to some fresh vegetables and sunflowers.
Memorable Moments
As I gazed at the meticulously assembled wedding cake, a sense of accomplishment washed over me – it was a true masterpiece! The marquees, now transformed into vibrant celebration spaces, sparkled with decorations and table settings. The opening hymn, ‘Jerusalem,’ filled the air as the guests’ chatter created a palpable excitement. And then, the moment we’d all been waiting for: GETTING MARRIED! The duet performance of ‘Your Song’ by Elton John in church was nothing short of magical, with the audience’s emotional response leaving an indelible mark. The line-out at the reception allowed me to connect briefly with each guest, making it a truly special moment. The three unique and endearing speeches that followed only added to the joy. A brief interlude for photographs amidst the garden’s serenity provided a welcome respite before we re-entered the marquee to an atmosphere of unbridled happiness. When the band launched into ‘Fire’ by Kasabian – a song they’d specially learned for the occasion – the energy was electric! As the celebration drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the seamless execution and bask in the glow of it all going according to plan.
Advice For Other Couples
As we exchanged vows on our special day, it was clear that every element had been meticulously curated to reflect our unique love story. From the smallest details to the grandest gestures, our wedding was a true testament to the power of collective effort and shared vision. As the moments unfolded, I implore you: take a step back, pause, and bask in the beauty of it all – for even the briefest instant, let the significance sink in.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
In capturing the love and joy of Jonny and Merry’s special day, photographer Chris Bradshaw Photography perfectly framed the stunning ceremony at St Mary’s church, Old Newton. The unforgettable soundtrack was provided by The Jets via Bands For Hire, a Wedding Directory member with expertise in wedding entertainment. A beautifully set up marquee by The Great Event Company served as the perfect backdrop for celebration. Guests savored fine wines from Cambridge Wine Merchant, artisanal cheeses courtesy of Suffolk Cheese Company, and freshly baked bread by Wooster’s Bakery. To ensure everyone stayed refreshed, East Anglian Chillers kept drinks ice-cold, while Classical Toilet Hire provided comfortable facilities. Florist supplies were beautifully arranged by W and M Smith Florist Supplies. For the catering equipment, Anglia Catering Equipment ensured a seamless experience. Jonny and Merry’s love shone bright with their stunning engagement ring from The Antique Jewellery Company and wedding rings designed by Amanda Mansell London. Lou shares heartfelt gratitude for sharing their epic wedding experience.