If you're feeling stressed with your wedding planning right now, take heart in this amazing vintage wedding, planned by bride Marisa in only five weeks! Find out more about how she did it in the Before the Big Day Brides Questionnaire below - she even managed several wedding DIY projects. Clearly a super-bride. My favourite details are the baby's breath bouquets and the I Do stickers on the soles of her shoes {mainly because I had both at my wedding!}. Other stealworthy ideas are the doily confetti cones, the rosemary in Marisa's bouquet and the vintage cups and saucers used as place markers. Even the Order of Service was DIY'd. Stunning pictures published with thanks to Eddie Judd Photography.
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The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Marisa was kind enough to fill in our bridal questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!
Where and when did you get married?
On Friday 15th April at St Mary Magdalen Church in Ripley, Surrey.
What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
Somewhere close to the church and intimate. We chose The Toby Cottage Restaurant in Ripley as that’s our local restaurant, the staff are so friendly & the food is always wonderful. Our guests had menus, and could choose the most amazing food. We wanted to spend the day enjoying good food and wine with our family and closest friends ……with just our marriage beforehand!
Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
Vintage, green and earthy.
How did you choose your stationery, and who made it?
I love shopping at antique fairs, and I found some beautiful 1920's greetings cards with ribbon, and we used these as invitations.
Who made your wedding outfit, and how did you come to that decision?
My friend recommended Amante Bride in Reigate where lovely Liz showed me my beautiful dress, Pandora by Jenny Packham as soon as I walked in. I had explained to her on the phone what I was looking for and she knew just what I was after. My headdress was also Jenny Packham - the Acacia II which I loved, as it added a bit of old style glamour. My snakeskin shoes were bought from LK Bennett.
I found a vintage snakeskin bag and chinchilla fur jacket from Kempton and Ardingly Antiques Market. I wore diamond encrusted bird earrings that had turquoise eyes {my favourite stones} and my wedding ring was a gold eternity ring filled with demantoid garnets, all beautifully handmade by B.E.S.T Designs in Mayfair. My jewellery were all surprise gifts from Stephen! Lucky eh!
What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
Stephen wore a slim fitting suit by Gucci in olive green/brown from Matches in Wimbledon Village. His shoes were Paul Smith with matching olive/green brown laces.
And what about your bridesmaids dresses? Where did they come from and how did you choose them?
I didn't have bridesmaids as I wanted our wedding to be for Stephen, me and our son Archie. My son walked me down the aisle, and he rocked his look in cream trousers with braces, white grandad shirt and cream linen jacket with elbow patches, all from Zara. He wore soft brown leather moccasins from Petit Bateau. Archie was also Stephen's best man; he was so well behaved and didn't lose the rings!! We were very proud of him.
What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision? Who made it?
We didn't want a traditional wedding and we chose not to have a wedding cake as such. Instead we had an amazing sweet trolley stacked full of amazing deserts like panacotta, cheesecake, chocolate cake, banofee pie, profiteroles, fruit terrine, sherry trifle and tiramisu.
Did you have any favours? What were they? Was there any particular reason why you picked them?
I love collecting old pretty mismatched crockery and I thought that look would also suit our venue choice. For the ladies I found vintage coffee cups and saucers, and the gents had egg cups, which I thought was quite apt as we were getting married at Easter. The children had birds nests that I filled with mini eggs. My Mum and I made the name flags and filled the cups and eggs with moss so they made the most wonderful name settings too!
What florist and flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
I wanted green with a bit of white, and I love hydrangeas, snowball viburnums and the smell of eucalyptus and rosemary. My nans favourite flower was freesia and my grandads was rose, so I chose the large green-ish avalanche rose. The ranunculus finished it off perfectly all tied with raffia. Tina at Richardsons in Ripley created my bouquet and the buttonholes for my husband and son. They also filled my hotchpotch collection of vases, mugs and teapots with flowers. The dear ladies from St Marys Church made up displays for inside the church and also the gypsophelia pew ends and arch.
Did you have any entertainment at your wedding (DJ / Band / Magician)?
I wasn't going to but after much pestering from one of my friends I gave in. It was a great night and we danced to disco and 80’s music. We love the old school tunes!!
Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
Eddie Judd was our wonderful photographer. I have known her for a few years as our children went to school together and I have always admired her stunning, vivid colour photographs, and great atmospheric shots. She was the only photographer I called. Eddie put us at ease, was really organised and captured the day so perfectly. They're memories I can enjoy forever.
Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
Yes, I loved planning it – can you believe that we actually only decided to marry 5 weeks before the big day {after being together for 10 years!}. So it really was a busy time but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am too much of a perfectionist, and if I had had more time I would have changed my mind constantly on every single detail. Looking back I wouldn’t have changed anything – well maybe one thing, to start the day earlier….it went so quickly.
Did you do any DIY projects? What were they? How did they go?
Just a few. The inside of my invitations and the name flags for the favours. I was going to make the Order of Service but my sister kindly made them - printing and binding them with brown garden string as I ran out of time. I made the confetti cones from paper doilies and bought the 'enchanted woods' confetti from Shropshire Petals. It's made out of dried green hydrangea and white delphinium petals with a sprinkle of gold dust!
What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
You will have the day of your life so enjoy every moment girlfriend! {So don’t stress as it will give you frown lines!}.
If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for our free newsletter and click for more DIY wedding ideas . Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.
The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Marisa was kind enough to fill in our bridal questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!
Where and when did you get married?
On Friday 15th April at St Mary Magdalen Church in Ripley, Surrey.
What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
Somewhere close to the church and intimate. We chose The Toby Cottage Restaurant in Ripley as that’s our local restaurant, the staff are so friendly & the food is always wonderful. Our guests had menus, and could choose the most amazing food. We wanted to spend the day enjoying good food and wine with our family and closest friends ……with just our marriage beforehand!
Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
Vintage, green and earthy.
How did you choose your stationery, and who made it?
I love shopping at antique fairs, and I found some beautiful 1920's greetings cards with ribbon, and we used these as invitations.
Who made your wedding outfit, and how did you come to that decision?
My friend recommended Amante Bride in Reigate where lovely Liz showed me my beautiful dress, Pandora by Jenny Packham as soon as I walked in. I had explained to her on the phone what I was looking for and she knew just what I was after. My headdress was also Jenny Packham - the Acacia II which I loved, as it added a bit of old style glamour. My snakeskin shoes were bought from LK Bennett.
I found a vintage snakeskin bag and chinchilla fur jacket from Kempton and Ardingly Antiques Market. I wore diamond encrusted bird earrings that had turquoise eyes {my favourite stones} and my wedding ring was a gold eternity ring filled with demantoid garnets, all beautifully handmade by B.E.S.T Designs in Mayfair. My jewellery were all surprise gifts from Stephen! Lucky eh!
What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
Stephen wore a slim fitting suit by Gucci in olive green/brown from Matches in Wimbledon Village. His shoes were Paul Smith with matching olive/green brown laces.
And what about your bridesmaids dresses? Where did they come from and how did you choose them?
I didn't have bridesmaids as I wanted our wedding to be for Stephen, me and our son Archie. My son walked me down the aisle, and he rocked his look in cream trousers with braces, white grandad shirt and cream linen jacket with elbow patches, all from Zara. He wore soft brown leather moccasins from Petit Bateau. Archie was also Stephen's best man; he was so well behaved and didn't lose the rings!! We were very proud of him.
What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision? Who made it?
We didn't want a traditional wedding and we chose not to have a wedding cake as such. Instead we had an amazing sweet trolley stacked full of amazing deserts like panacotta, cheesecake, chocolate cake, banofee pie, profiteroles, fruit terrine, sherry trifle and tiramisu.
Did you have any favours? What were they? Was there any particular reason why you picked them?
I love collecting old pretty mismatched crockery and I thought that look would also suit our venue choice. For the ladies I found vintage coffee cups and saucers, and the gents had egg cups, which I thought was quite apt as we were getting married at Easter. The children had birds nests that I filled with mini eggs. My Mum and I made the name flags and filled the cups and eggs with moss so they made the most wonderful name settings too!
What florist and flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
I wanted green with a bit of white, and I love hydrangeas, snowball viburnums and the smell of eucalyptus and rosemary. My nans favourite flower was freesia and my grandads was rose, so I chose the large green-ish avalanche rose. The ranunculus finished it off perfectly all tied with raffia. Tina at Richardsons in Ripley created my bouquet and the buttonholes for my husband and son. They also filled my hotchpotch collection of vases, mugs and teapots with flowers. The dear ladies from St Marys Church made up displays for inside the church and also the gypsophelia pew ends and arch.
Did you have any entertainment at your wedding (DJ / Band / Magician)?
I wasn't going to but after much pestering from one of my friends I gave in. It was a great night and we danced to disco and 80’s music. We love the old school tunes!!
Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
Eddie Judd was our wonderful photographer. I have known her for a few years as our children went to school together and I have always admired her stunning, vivid colour photographs, and great atmospheric shots. She was the only photographer I called. Eddie put us at ease, was really organised and captured the day so perfectly. They're memories I can enjoy forever.
Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
Yes, I loved planning it – can you believe that we actually only decided to marry 5 weeks before the big day {after being together for 10 years!}. So it really was a busy time but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am too much of a perfectionist, and if I had had more time I would have changed my mind constantly on every single detail. Looking back I wouldn’t have changed anything – well maybe one thing, to start the day earlier….it went so quickly.
Did you do any DIY projects? What were they? How did they go?
Just a few. The inside of my invitations and the name flags for the favours. I was going to make the Order of Service but my sister kindly made them - printing and binding them with brown garden string as I ran out of time. I made the confetti cones from paper doilies and bought the 'enchanted woods' confetti from Shropshire Petals. It's made out of dried green hydrangea and white delphinium petals with a sprinkle of gold dust!
What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
You will have the day of your life so enjoy every moment girlfriend! {So don’t stress as it will give you frown lines!}.
If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for our free newsletter and click for more DIY wedding ideas . Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.