Magical Sequins & Fairy Lights Barn Wedding

Today’s bride looks back and describes her wedding memories as “one big flowery-sequined-prosecco-soaked blur”. Sounds pretty special right? Let’s find out more shall we?

WWW readers Alison and Jamie were married on the 28^th August 2015 at the stunning Almonry Barn in Somerset. This lovely pair scrapped traditions by going for a relaxed ceremony, having no top table and allowing the whole wedding party to join in with the speeches. It’s choices such as these that really personalise and create a super meaningful day.

The wedding was sparkle filled for sure, with fairy lights draped in the magical barn and a rose gold sequin table cloth showcasing the naked cake creation perfectly. Alison and Jamie looked oh so stylish. Alison wore the exquisite Vesper by Rime Arodaky, she looked sensational. Meanwhile Jamie opted for a blue Ted Baker suit, purple tie and contrasting grey waistcoat, very dashing indeed.

Many thanks goes to Green Antlers Photography for providing these beautiful images today.

 

THE PROPOSAL | On holiday just after I finished university. The day after I handed in my dissertation we flew to Bali for some serious relaxation and distressing. He asked me on a beach under the stars on the tiny island of Gili Air between Bali and Lombok – it was so dark I couldn’t see the ring, but of course I still said yes.

THE VISION | We’ve never been a traditional couple so the thought of a traditional wedding with all the rules, ceremony and pomp that normally goes hand and hand had never appealed. We decided to shy away from a church service instead opting for a relaxed vibe in the loft at the venue; chose to sit in amongst our guests rather than at a top table; and the ladies had equal opportunity to tell their tales alongside the men during the speeches.

A couple of months before the wedding Jamie and I celebrated a decade together. We’d known each other at school but became an item at a music festival when we were 16, bonding over a shared love of Harry Potter and Damien Rice (both played a part in the wedding ceremony) and a shared weakness for drinking too much and not knowing when to go to bed (which played a part in the reception)!

BUDGET | £15k (not inc. dress).

THE VENUE | Almonry Barn, Mulcheleney, Somerset.

Nestled in a corner of a twee Somerset hamlet, the venue is every wedding Pinterester’s dream – from the beautiful duck egg hue of the gate in the flower-bordered car park, to the show-stopping fairy light chandelier in the main barn, everything has been carefully curated by the owner.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Dress: Vesper

Designer: Rime Arodaky – Alternative French designer known for her rock and roll styling.

Bridal Boutique: The Mews, Notting Hill

Shoes: Dune

FINDING THE DRESS | Hours and hours and hours of dedicated Pinterest scrolling. Visited The Mews in Clifton, Bristol and then in Notting Hill. Completely fell in love with all of Rime Arodaky’s designs.

GROOM’S ATTIRE | Blue Ted Baker suit from Moss Bros, Clarks Village, Street.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Reading from Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.

Music for the ceremony: Singing accompanied by guitar and cello from some close friends:

Entrance song: Damien Rice, The Blower’s Daughter

Signing of the book 1: Coldplay, Green Eyes

Signing of the book 2: David Gray, Please Forgive Me

Exit: Tom Odell, Grow Old with Me

Evening band: The Man from Funkle

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | All different dresses with complimenting tulle skirts:

Purple dress from Coast

Cream dress from Asos

Rose gold sequin dress from Asos

THE FLOWERS | My best friend Em Morriss is a florist and has just set up her on company – Hooting Ash Flowers. She makes absolutely stunning, bespoke bouquets to match your vision and personal style.

THE CAKE | Homemade by my Father-in-Law – naked, four-tier.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Green Antlers Photography.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Almonry Barn have some of their own props which are absolutely beautiful – from old milk churns to delicate bird cages, everything really compliments the venue and is included at no extra cost (just a deposit in case of damage). In addition, the tables were decorated with rose gold sequinned napkins (from Etsy) a plethora of tea light-filled mismatched jam jars (collected by friends and family) and scattered flower petals. We opted for a finger print tree instead of a guestbook, nestled in the corner of the bar.

THE HONEYMOON | Rome and the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at some absolutely show-stopping venues including the beautifully curated Maison La Minervetta in Sorrento and the minimalist Casa Angelina in Praiano – both precariously perched on a cliff edge overlooking the Mediterranean.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | Every couple has their own vision of how they want their wedding to be – we just knew that we wanted it to be fun and we weren’t disappointed! From the moment the band came on with Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits (our first dance and a private joke) the dancefloor was heaving, with family and friends from all walks of life coming together to dance the night away. Our wonderful photographers even managed to snap my 80-year-old grandfather getting his funk on whilst twirling my delighted bridesmaids.

At midnight, as I watched my merry, if not somewhat bedraggled, guests stumble into various modes of transportation and head into the night I only had one regret: that it was all over in the blink of an eye – one big flowery-sequined-prosecco-soaked blur.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Do not forget what the day is all about. Whilst I am very fortunate that my friends and family were hugely supportive and there were no dramas or fallouts in the lead up, it really upsets me to see people getting overly stressed about their weddings. The whole point of your big day is to have fun, celebrate with your favourite people and agree to spend the rest of your life with your favourite person of all – NOTHING. ELSE. MATTERS. As soon as the process is no longer fun you’ve lost sight of why you’re having a wedding in the first place.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photographer | Green Antlers Photography

Venue | Almonry Barn

Dress | Rime Arodaky at The Mews Bridal

Flowers | Hooting Ash Flowers

Caterers | Strawberry Fields

Band | The Man from Funkle

Car | Love Dub Weddings

Guest accommodation | The White Hart, The Hollies

Honeymoon | Maison la Minervetta and Casa Angelina

 

Sublime.

Thanks so very much to Alison and Jamie for sharing their very special nuptials with us here at WWW xo Lou