I’m delighted to share the enchanting union of Briony and Mark, celebrated at Wharfedale Grange in Yorkshire on May 30th, 2019. Their vision was to blend classic elegance with modern sophistication, resulting in a breathtakingly beautiful wedding. The luxury barn venue, adorned with twinkling fairy lights, set the tone for an unforgettable day.The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly Briony’s stunning Wed2B princess gown, which she paired with a show-stopping bouquet of blooms. Mark looked dashing in his navy suit and champagne tie, while the entire wedding party exuded effortless style.One can’t help but swoon over the exquisite flower installation above the top table, the floral cake, and the whimsical fairy-lit table plan. The romantic atmosphere was palpable, with highlights including the confetti cannon first dance – simply spectacular!A huge thank you to Hayley Baxter Photography for sharing these incredible images today.
The Proposal
Looking back, I should have expected the surprise proposal, but it still caught me off guard. For years, we’d spent our holidays in Cornwall with our Cocker Spaniel, Charlie, and it had become our go-to destination. Each year, we’d pack up the car and head down with our friends Hayley and James, spending a week soaking up the sun, sea, and sand.In 2017, we followed suit, arriving at the beach in no time. The four of us settled in for a chat when Mark dropped his bombshell: he’d booked us all a meal at Lewennick Lodge for the following day. I was puzzled – why would we waste such a lovely restaurant on an early evening when we could save it for our last night?The next evening arrived, and I was still dragging my feet, reluctant to get ready on time. Mark had warned me that we’d be late, but nothing prepared me for the chaos that ensued. Despite our tardiness, we enjoyed the meal together, and Mark asked if I wanted to join him for a drink on the glass balcony overlooking the ocean.Of course, I declined, citing the chill in the air, which only seemed to irritate Mark further. He muttered something about taking Charlie to the nearby field and left us to our own devices. The next minute, my phone rang – it was Mark again. ‘Briony, the dog’s gone to the toilet, and I’ve forgotten a poo bag!’ I let out a frustrated sigh – what kind of dog owner forgets the essentials?I marched off to the car park, determined to hand over the necessary supplies. When I arrived, Mark tried to pass me an envelope while Charlie waited patiently for his turn. ‘Where’s the poo?’ I demanded, but he simply told me to open the envelope.Our friends had gathered by this point, curious about the commotion. Finally, I did as instructed and pulled out a card featuring a picture of a puppy. ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve bought another one,’ I joked, only to discover it was the most thoughtful letter expressing Mark’s love for me.Just then, Hayley appeared beside me, camera at the ready, as if anticipating the surprise that was about to unfold. The final message read, ‘I have a question for you.’ And with that, Mark got down on one knee, produced an engagement ring, and asked me to marry him.We all erupted into tears of joy, the excitement palpable. ‘Yes!’ I shouted, still in shock. It didn’t matter that we’d missed the sunset or that our proposal was slightly unconventional – it was perfect.
The Vision
From the start, I was determined to avoid vibrant hues. Instead, I envisioned a timeless and opulent atmosphere with neutral tones as the foundation, subtly enhanced by metallic accents like gold and silver. Our chosen venue perfectly encapsulated our vision, bringing it to life in a way that exceeded our expectations. I deliberately sought to move away from the traditional, staid wedding aesthetic, and our theme and setting played a significant role in achieving this goal.
The Planning Process
As soon as we got engaged, my mum and I dived straight into wedding planning mode. We spent countless afternoons exploring wedding fairs together, casting a wide net by viewing several unique venues. Meanwhile, I drew inspiration from social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, but always had a clear mental image of what I wanted our big day to look like since the very beginning. My priority was to find a venue that truly reflected Mark and my personalities, values, and style, ensuring our special day would be a true representation of who we are as a couple.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I stumbled upon the perfect dress during a casual outing with my mother and aunts to Wed2b, a bridal boutique that would become instrumental in making my wedding day dreams come true. Initially, I had envisioned myself wearing a fitted, bohemian-style dress, but it wasn’t until I tried on the ‘Fearne’ design from Wed2b that I knew I’d found ‘The Dress’. The structured bodice and sleeves provided a timeless feel, while the tulle skirt and nude color added an element of whimsy that I hadn’t realized I was missing. As fate would have it, this dress was part of a limited batch, and my mother kindly purchased it for me, along with my veil, to ensure that I’d be wearing the perfect attire on my big day. To complement my gown, she also bought me a pair of understated diamond earrings that matched my engagement ring, as well as a thin diamond bracelet that I treated myself to. In addition to my bouquet, I carried a silver-embellished clutch bag from a small business we discovered at a wedding fair.
The Venue
As fate would have it, our wedding journey led us to Wharfedale Grange, a stunning brand new venue near Harrogate. Although we initially came across the venue during early planning, its construction wasn’t yet complete, so we continued our search. Fast forward 10 months later, and I found myself revisiting Wharfedale’s plans, which now looked more breathtaking than ever. We decided to take a chance and book a viewing with Claire, and it was the best decision we made.The moment we stepped inside, we knew we had found the perfect haven. The venue’s décor took our breath away, with every single detail meticulously thought out – a far cry from any other venue we had explored. The North Barn, with its twinkling fairy lights, exuded an intimate ambiance that was ideal for our ceremony. Meanwhile, the South Barn boasted luxurious bespoke wooden tables, stunning crystal chandeliers, and a show-stopping rose gold mirror ball over the dance floor.The Cart Barn, tucked away near the North Barn, surprised us with an incredible cocktail bar featuring an array of drinks to tantalize our taste buds. Our planners, Claire and Zach, went above and beyond by crafting a bespoke Gin bar for us as part of our drinks package – complete with crystal-cut gin glasses, fresh fruit garnishes, and a selection of gins and tonics for every guest.What truly impressed us was the attention to detail at Wharfedale Grange. From the various mezzanines to break off to, the bespoke private bridal room (the dressing gallery), quirky décor details, and even the bottomless prosecco tap in the ladies’ bathroom – it was a match made in heaven. We still can’t believe our luck in getting married at this incredible venue.
Groomsmen
Mark’s bespoke suit was the epitome of elegance, crafted by himself and tailors Moss Bros. To create his dream navy skinny fit three-piece ensemble, he specified a subtle nude check pattern, paired with champagne/nude lining and a special touch – their wedding date embroidered on the inside. His attire was completed with a crisp white shirt, understated nude tie and pocket square, and a bold pop of color courtesy of ox blood shoes.
The Readings & Music
As our special day unfolded, a string quartet serenaded us throughout the ceremony and drinks reception. The atmosphere was set to Dallas String Quartet’s Secrets as I made my entrance, and later, as we bid farewell, Beyonce’s Halo provided a fitting soundtrack. Our first dance was a memorable one, with George Ezra’s Hold My Girl playing in the background and the added surprise of a confetti cannon blast during the dance! Later that evening, a saxophonist and DJ set kept the energy high at our reception.
Beauty
Ellie Milan, a super talented makeup artist, was responsible for bringing my vision to life. I wanted my makeup look to be effortlessly natural yet still convey that ‘bridal’ glow. The bridesmaids, on the other hand, were treated to a classic glamour look with subtle shimmer on their eyes and soft nude lips. With Ellie’s expertise, I had no doubts she’d deliver exactly what we wanted. In contrast, Amy Elliott Hair was responsible for our hairstyles. After two trials, I settled on a voluminous style that matched my dress’s flair. For the bridesmaids, a delicate, understated bun paired with a dainty diamanté hair vine added a touch of elegance.
Your Photographer
Our photographer, the incredibly talented Hayley Baxter, brought her exceptional skillset to our special day. From the moment I stumbled upon her work, I was captivated by her natural ability to capture life’s most precious moments. Her warm demeanor and wealth of experience made her a joy to work with, offering valuable insights that helped us get the most out of our wedding photography. The resulting images were nothing short of breathtaking, perfectly encapsulating the essence of our day. Whether it was during bridal prep or the evening reception, Hayley’s presence put us at ease, allowing her to capture every precious moment without being noticed. Her natural style allowed her to distill the true feeling and atmosphere of our day, a testament to her exceptional talent. When we received our official photographs in their beautiful packaging, we were left speechless by the sheer quality and beauty of the images. We’re now spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting which ones to display in our home.
Your Filmmaker
Jason Lynch captured every moment of our special day, from the morning preparations to the first dance under the stars. To achieve a cinematic look, Jason worked closely with his colleague to bring our vision to life. Their professionalism put us at ease, and they managed to capture all the candid moments without drawing attention to themselves – even some guests didn’t notice them filming! The result is a beautiful, 5-minute short film that perfectly encapsulates the essence of our day. We also have a full-length edit, around an hour long, which we can cherish for years to come. And as a treat, you can view our short wedding video right here.
The Flowers
We aimed for a natural colour palette for our flowers, featuring creams, nudes, and lush greenery. To avoid any overly ‘manicured’ looks, we chose loose, organic arrangements.
My bouquet was crafted using cream-hued Peonies, Hydrangeas, and David Austin Roses, paired with varying types of eucalyptus and herbs for a verdant touch.
Mark’s groom buttonhole featured cream blooms accompanied by greenery, while the groomsmen wore simple greenery-only adornments. The tablescape included urns overflowing with cream flowers and foliage, topped by a dramatic hanging flower installation above our top table, where my bouquet and those of my bridesmaids sat beautifully in vases.
To complete the ambiance, we scattered candlesticks and tea lights throughout each table, adding an intimate glow to the overall atmosphere.
The Cake
The centerpiece of our celebration was a stunning four-tiered white iced cake, adorned with fresh flowers that added a touch of elegance. To satisfy the diverse tastes of our guests, we opted for a sponge cake base and featured a range of mouthwatering flavors, including raspberry and vanilla, red velvet, lemon, and passionfruit with coconut notes.
Bridesmaids
When it came to selecting bridesmaid dresses for our special day, we turned to Chichi London for inspiration. A chance online discovery led me to these stunning designs that not only fit our desired aesthetic but also reflected the understated elegance we sought to convey. From the outset of our wedding planning, I was adamant that long dresses wouldn’t be part of the equation. The nude underlay with silver embroidered overlay from Chichi London perfectly captured the look we envisioned, while their sleek and sophisticated nude pointed court heels served as the crowning glory, tying the entire ensemble together.
The Details & Décor
The wedding venue already had a beautifully thoughtful décor, so we didn’t need to do much in terms of decorations. One special touch was the handmade corsages created for each lady attending the wedding by my mum, following our family tradition at every wedding. My Uncle also lent his culinary skills to create delicious fudge favours with our names and wedding date imprinted on each heart-shaped treat. Our friend kindly designed and crafted all our stationery, including invites, place names, table names, menus, and seating plans. Mark and I put together a special sweet table for the kids, while my Aunty created a stunning donut tower adorned with fresh flowers. In addition to these personal touches, we had a separate table showcasing cherished memories of my grandparents who are no longer with us, as well as Mark’s granddad and our beloved cocker spaniel Barney. For our confetti, we ordered dried wildflowers from eBay, which were handed out by the bridesmaids from wicker baskets provided by the venue. The venue itself also came equipped with lanterns that lined the aisle, adding a romantic ambiance to the atmosphere.
The Honeymoon
As the excitement surrounding their upcoming nuptials and the start of their respective careers has consumed them, my partner and I have unfortunately put off making arrangements for our post-wedding getaway. However, we’re committed to taking a break and recharging our batteries in a destination that will provide us with a much-needed escape from reality.
Memorable Moments
The day was filled with unforgettable moments that I’ll treasure forever. For me, one of the most significant experiences was exchanging vows with Mark as we exchanged rings and made our commitment to each other official. It’s a memory that has been etched in my mind like a photograph – every detail, including the sound of his voice and the way he looked at me, is still vividly clear.Another moment that stands out was sharing a special dance with my mom. The feeling of being in her arms, surrounded by love and happiness, was truly magical. Even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes and fills my heart with warmth.
Advice For Other Couples
Embracing the unique vision you’ve nurtured over time is key to crafting an unforgettable celebration that truly reflects who you are. By staying true to your original aspirations, you’ll be able to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience that will leave a lasting impression on yourself and those around you.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
With Hayley Baxter Photography capturing the intimate moments, Jason Lynch Videography preserving the film magic, Wharfedale Grange serving as the picturesque backdrop, Stems Design adding a touch of elegance with their floral arrangements, Ellie Milan Makeup Artist and Amy Elliott Hair bringing out the best in the bridal party, Booootiful Cakes satisfying sweet tooths, Cupid Carriages providing stylish transportation, Wed2b dressing the bride to perfection, Moss Bros suiting up the groom, Fizz and Fire catering to the guests’ appetites, and Jonny Ross Music setting the tone with his saxophone and DJ skills, Briony and Mark’s special day was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lou expresses heartfelt gratitude for being a part of their journey, saying ‘So elegant and romantic.’