Friday, July 11, 2014

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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