Wedding Ideas

Ashley & Steven

Ashley and Steven decided on a black and white colour scheme with a nod of Hollywood glamour of the 50's.

How and When it all Happened

Steven proposed to Ashley on Christmas Eve.

We had planned a cosy night in and were in the middle of watching a film when Steven kept popping out into the garden. After asking him what he was doing, he told me to have a look at the laptop, which he had previously set up. On the laptop was a poem that Steven had written and the last line of the poem was ‘Pull back the curtains on our French doors’. When I did this, I could see that our whole decking area was covered in candles and Steven was on bended knee at the end with my engagement ring. Steven had spoken to my parents back in October to ask for my hand in marriage.

The Wedding and Reception Venue

Ashley and Steven visited many venues in the Essex area and Gaynes Park was one of the first ones they visited.

From the first time we went to Gaynes Park, we absolutely loved the setting and the venue and the people that worked there, so none of the other venues really stood a chance. Originally we had planned to have a church service, but we liked the idea of having the ceremony and reception all in one place.

They booked Gaynes Park a year in advance.

Bride and groom enjoying time together in the gardens of Gaynes Park — © Tara Lee Photography

“From the first time we went to Gaynes Park, we absolutely loved the setting and the venue.”

Bridesmaids

Ashley’s bridesmaids all wore dresses from Coast with silk shawls from John Lewis.

Bridesmaids in black dresses ready for a Winter wedding — © Tara Lee Photography

The Men

Steven, his best man and the ushers all wore tuxedos hired from the David White Suit Shop in Southend-on-Sea.

Groomsmen posing for a photo in the gardens — © Tara Lee Photography

Your Dress, Accessories and Flowers

Ashley would describe her dress as Greek goddess meets 50’s movie star. It was an ivory, silk and chiffon gown by Jenny Packham called Cleopatra with an empire waistline heavily detailed with crystals, with detailed straps and shoulders. As the dress was quite intricate, the only accessories Ashley wore was a diamond tennis bracelet, which was her something old. A pair of diamond earrings borrowed from her Mum and a small jewel encrusted head band completed the look. To keep warm, Ashley also wore a ruffled cape by Jenny Packham.

Ashley’s bouquet was a shower of white phalaenopsis orchids with details of camelia leaves and bear grass. The bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets of the orchids too. The button holes were a white phalaenopsis orchid trimmed with camelia leaves.

Embellished wedding dress perfect for a winter wedding — © Tara Lee Photography

Winter bride with shawl and flowers at her barn wedding reception — © Tara Lee Photography

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Embellished shoes for the bride at Gaynes Park – barn wedding venues — © Tara Lee Photography

Transport

Ashley and her Dad travelled to Gaynes Park in a Rolls Royce Phantom.

The Decorative Touches

The flowers on the tables were so eye-catching very little additional decoration was needed in the rest of the room. The table centrepieces were 80cm tall vases filled with ‘crushed ice’ and fairy lights that created a twinkly glow once the sun had gone down. These were filled with white phalaenopsis orchids combined with white hydrangea, white roses, with bold leaves and strands of flexi grass to finish, all standing on a mirrored tile.

For favours, each guest was given a lottery ticket.

Mill Barn set up for a wedding reception – wedding barns Essex — © Tara Lee Photography

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White flowers as a table centrepiece – barn hire Essex — © Tara Lee Photography

White flowers in a tall vase for wedding decoration – wedding venues in Essex — © Tara Lee Photography

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Sweets as a wedding favours for a barn wedding reception — © Tara Lee Photography

White cake for a winter wedding – venues in Essex — © Tara Lee Photography

The Cake

Their cake was quite a simple design with white icing that was textured with raised dots. What made it stand out were the tier separators that were black metal mesh entwined with fairy lights so that it glowed in the evening. The bottom tier was traditional fruit cake, the middle tier was lemon drizzle and the top tier was chocolate sponge. All were delicious!

Best Part of The Day

It’s so hard to highlight one thing that stands out, as the whole day was absolutely perfect, but if I go by what was commented on the most by our guests, it would have to be the speeches. They made us cry, they made us laugh and all three of them were touching and wonderful. It’s so overwhelming being in a room which is so full of love and where everyone is wishing you well. We wish we could do it all over again!

Wedding guests throw confetti during winter wedding at Gaynes Park — © Tara Lee Photography

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Couple pose for photos in the gardens of Gaynes Park — © Tara Lee Photography

Exchanging rings during their barn wedding ceremony — © Tara Lee Photography

“It’s so hard to highlight one thing that stands out, as the whole day was absolutely perfect.”

Wedding Planning Tip

Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s over so quickly. Try not to stress on the day, so you can thoroughly enjoy every single moment.

Suppliers

Photography :	Tara Lee Photography
Bride’s Shoes :	Emmy’s shoes
Wedding Dress :	Jenny Packham
Bridesmaids Dresses :	Coast
Groom’s Suit :	David White
Cars :	Gold Drive
Disco/DJ :	Sound Response
Cake :	Carmen Tarry
Stationery :	Borrowed Blue Press