Enchanting South African Garden Wedding with DIY Details

Celebrating your wedding in your parents' garden has got to be one of the best ways to say I do. Personal, meaningful and a lot less pricey than a hired venue, you can start your preparations months before your big day. And when your parents' garden happens to be a gorgeous jungly South African affair, like Louis and Nadine's, then you'd be crazy to do it anywhere else! I'm loving all their sweet wedding details, including the simple gingham ribbon decorations and napkins, the ceramic hanging altar-area, and the speech bubble table plans. We need more speech bubbles at weddings! Also loving the tulip garden decorations, streamer confetti and cool safari-style tent marquee. Most of all I love how happy Louis and Nadine look to be a Mr and Mrs. Fabulous photographs published with thanks to the hugely talented We Love Pictures - our favourite South African photographers.

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A Pretty Pastel Wedding with a Vera Wang Gown

A wedding in paradise is a pretty good start to married life! This heavenly Hawaiian wedding has made me wish for warmer climes and a beachside big day. I'm loving the breezy blue-grey bridesmaid dresses {by Jenny Yoo}, bride Tracy's stunning ruffled Vera Wang gown and the fabulous outdoor ceremony. Add the white peony bouquets, and orchids in Tracy's hair, and this wedding ticks every one of my boxes. Fabulous pictures published with thanks to the lovely Jen Huang Photography.

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Vintage-Style Wedding Drinks Dispenser

One of my favourite details at our wedding in Provence, was our signature cocktail. We actually had two - a Georgia Peach Bellini {because I love bellinis} and a Moscow Mule, because they're refreshing and my husband's favourite cocktail. We served the peach bellinis during the day reception, and saved the mules {accessorised with striped straws and mint} for the dancing in the evening. We had waiting staff, but I love the idea of making your signature cocktail self-service with these fab vintage-style wedding drinks dispensers from Papermash. Just add some of their geometric paper cups in your wedding colour palette, and some pretty striped straws or DIY flag drinks' stirrers, and you'll have the prettiest cocktails in the world! Do check out Papermash's Sale - it's on now, and its a good 'un!

{I want this!} 1. Wedding Drinks Dispenser, £50 | 2. Paper Cups, £3.95 for 8, both from Papermash

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Introducing Linus Moran Wedding Photography

There are so many brides and grooms who hate having their photograph taken! It must make the job of a wedding photographer seriously difficult - after all, the more relaxed a subject, the better they look. If you're awkward in front of the camera, then I recommend a reportage-style photographer like Linus Moran Photography. Linus is based in Dorset, and he's known for his natural, candid style. You'll hardly notice he's there, and that's how he gets the best shots of his subjects - when they least expect it! Equally, if you want the formal group photographs and detail pictures, he's just as skilled. Linus uses mostly natural light, to avoid those 'caught in the flashlight' moments, and his albums document the whole of your big day in all its beauty. I'm a massive fan, and I'm sure you will be too - just take a look at these gorgeous shots, and of course his blog. Linus' packages start from £995, and he's happy to travel across the UK and abroad.

 

 

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An Outdoor DIY Wedding with a Cream Tea Reception

Any bride looking to keep her wedding within a sensible budget is going to L-O-V-E this inspirational big day. Kelly and Gavin flashed their cash where it mattered - i.e. venue and wedding photographer, but kept everything else wallet friendly, by searching for bargains and DIY-ing many of their wedding details. You'll love their handmade stationery, bunting, decorations and hand-picked wedding flowers. And I'm slightly obsessed with their chocolate wedding cake, with its personalised bunting. More fabulous details on how Kelly and Gavin saved money on their wedding outfits in Part 1 - in the meantime, enjoy these stunning shots by Linus Moran Photography.

My husband got down on one knee in Venice to pop the question. Two years to the day, we tied the knot at Kingston Maurward stately home, in Dorset, on March the 16th 2014.

After seeing several different venues Kingston Maurward ticked all the boxes, with the chance of an outdoor wedding I've always dreamed of having. Both being artistic, we enjoyed making as many things as possible. 

Everything that could be DIY'd for the wedding was handmade, from the stationery and decor to the flowers and bunting. As with most weddings we had a budget to stick to. Even with the smallest weddings, finances / expenditure can get out of control. 



The wedding wouldn't have been such a success without such wonderful staff at Kingston Maurward. I couldn't thank them enough, the house looked absolutely beautiful. It was decorated just the way I had dreamed.

Our wedding flowers were hand picked and I chose a mix of hydrangeas, roses, freesias and baby's breath and we arranged them in cream milk jugs. 

My husband and I are very lucky to have such amazing friends and family who helped out on the day. My lovely mum made fabulous sweet trees.

One of my friends made delicious Dorset cream teas. Another good friend Lauren Bannon was very kind to sing for us. My mum surprised us with a harpist and a lovely vintage ice cream cart. It was the best day of our lives!

Our fairy tale wedding was a dream come true. Just goes to show D.I.Y weddings on a budget can work! The tissue-paper pom poms hanging from the trees looked fabulous.

Mark from Pegasus Disco did a great job with the music and mood lighting the room for the evening. Mark played some of our favourite songs from 70's disco to everyone on the dance floor doing the conga. For our first dance my friend Lauren Bannon sang 'At last' by Etta James. My husband and I love this song.

Last but not least, our wedding photographer. The one thing I didn't want to scrimp on, a lifetime of beautiful memories. I had followed Linus Moran's blogs for some time, and loved the natural beauty of his work. I knew I wanted this very talented photographer to take our photos for our wedding day.



We had a lovely photo frame signing board, all the guests have signed it along with putting a special message. Linus also puts together a photofilm, combining the pictures with audio recordings from the ceremony and speeches. He carefully edits the highlights of the day, capturing the tender moments, and all the emotion. I was truly blown away.

We had a lovely photo frame signing board, all the guests have signed it along with putting a special message. Linus also puts together a photofilm, combining the pictures with audio recordings from the ceremony and speeches. He carefully edits the highlights of the day, capturing the tender moments, and all the emotion. I was truly blown away.

Linus is not just a photographer, he's a photo artist who is very passionate and proud of his work. My husband and I are over the moon with the photographs, they are absolutely stunning. It's a wonderful moment, sitting back and watching your own wedding day! Linus gave us a gorgeous personalised leather case, with a USB card inside containing all our wedding day memories.

Make the most out of your wedding budget and stick to it, don't get carried away. Who knows if your wedding dress cost £15,000 or £100? Enjoy your wedding, it's your big day. Hope you too have the time time of your lives! Love Mr and Mrs Relph x

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An Outdoor DIY Wedding with a Cream Tea Reception

Back in my teenage years, we used to go to these amazing parties at Kingston Maurward in Dorset. I have fond memories of the incredible stately rooms, and stunning grounds, including a tranquil lake and arboretum. So it was a wonderful blast from the past to receive Linus Moran's stunning photographs of Kelly and Gavin's wedding. The happy couple chose Kingston Maurward as their wedding venue, and despite getting married in March, managed to have an amazing outdoor ceremony, in the bright spring sunshine. Just goes to show you should always think positive about the weather! Kelly and Gavin love a bargain, and were keen to DIY as many of their wedding details as possible. You'll love their wedding flowers, sweet trees, table stationery, and all their pretty decoration details, including pompoms and bunting. What's more, Kelly's Benjamin Roberts wedding gown only cost £250. Find out more in her answers to the Before the Big Day Bride's Questionnaire, and enjoy Linus Moran's fantastic wedding photographs....more to come from their reception later today.

My husband got down on one knee in Venice to pop the question. Two years to the day, we tied the knot at Kingston Maurward stately home, in Dorset, on March the 16th 2014.

My wedding dress was from Preloved, a Benjamin Roberts wedding dress that should have been £1700, selling for £250. I fell in love with it, and it fitted like a glove. I love a bargain!

We wanted our flower girls to look like little girls. I was browsing through the rails in Monsoon and found the most amazing dresses. Power blue hydrangea print dress with an over-sized bow at the back.

They were originally £60, but you may have guessed by now, I didn't pay the full sum! They were an absolute bargain in the sale at £30 and I loved them.

After seeing several different venues Kingston Maurward ticked all the boxes, with the chance of an outdoor wedding I've always dreamed of having. Both being artistic, we enjoyed making as many things as possible. Everything that could be DIY'd for the wedding was handmade.

Our wedding flowers were hand picked and I chose a mix of hydrangeas, roses, freesias and babies breath.

The wedding wouldn't have been such a success without such wonderful staff at Kingston Maurward. I couldn't thank them enough, the house looked absolutely beautiful. It was decorated just the way I had dreamed.



The outside ceremony was out of this world, with my friend Lauren Bannon's soft voice singing 'Your Song' by Elton John. The sound of birds singing. The lake sparkling from the sun's reflection. The hottest day in March for 35 years, wow!! I had to keep pinching myself.

Our fairy tale wedding was a dream come true. Just goes to show D.I.Y weddings on a budget can work! The tissue-paper pom poms hanging from the trees looked fabulous.

My husband's slim fit suit and waistcoat dressed up with an Ascot cravat and pocket watch, was from a Ted Baker outlet sale. Another amazing bargain that should have been £700, was only £270.

Last but not least, our wedding photographer. The one thing I didn't want to scrimp on, a lifetime of beautiful memories. I had followed Linus Moran's blogs for some time, and loved the natural beauty of his work. I knew I wanted this very talented photographer to take our photos for our wedding day.

We had a lovely photo frame signing board, all the guests have signed it along with putting a special message. Linus also puts together a photofilm, combining the pictures with audio recordings from the ceremony and speeches. He carefully edits the highlights of the day, capturing the tender moments, and all the emotion. I was truly blown away.

Linus is not just a photographer, he's a photo artist who is very passionate and proud of his work. My husband and I are over the moon with the photographs, they are absolutely stunning. It's a wonderful moment, sitting back and watching your own wedding day! Linus gave us a gorgeous personalised leather case, with a USB card inside containing all our wedding day memories.

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Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.