Natural Autumnal Countryside Wedding

As we rapidly approach Autumn I am gearing up for burnt orange leaves, golden light and all the festivities the season brings. It’s always a magical time of year and so when I saw Sarah and Craig’s perfectly natural wedding day held on the 7th October 2017, I was smitten. The chose to host their wedding celebrations at The Pheasant Harome in beautiful Yorkshire. Yorkshire is a place close to the couple’s heart and they just love spending time in the Yorkshire dales, so it was a natural choice. The venue also offered much guidance and organisation to allow for a relaxed wedding planning process, plus I have to say the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding main sounded delicious.

I really love how intimate and classic their day feels, timeless in style, totally joyous and really romantic. Flowers were one of the important elements to their day and they really were stunning. The entrance to the church was adorned with swathes of greenery, hydrangeas and candles, which must have been the perfect first impression and entrance to their ceremony. Sarah’s oversized bouquet really was a show-stopper and included large hydrangeas, roses and eucalyptus to name a few. Keeping the décor and details simple, they focused on a warm atmosphere with tables laden with candles and blooms. Their outfits meanwhile were totally stylish, what with Craig choosing a timeless black suit and grey tie, the bridesmaids were in pretty pale pink frocks and Sarah donned an intricate lace Limor Rosen gown with cathedral length veil. Oh my!

We are so thrilled to be sharing these dreamy fine art photographs by Arabella Smith today, they really are gorgeous. Thank you to Arabella for sharing them with us.

THE PROPOSAL

On the riverside in Shad Thames, London. Where we had our first date.

THE VISION

An intimate Yorkshire wedding that was elegant and timeless and that highlighted the beauty of the Yorkshire dales.

THE PLANNING PROCESS

Very low-key, the venue were very professional and organised so we did not have too much to plan. All of the people we hired from the photographer to the florist were experts and took all of the hassle out of it for us. We cannot rate them highly enough.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES

Holly dress by Limor Rosen. Simple long-length veil.

Hand-made regency-style earrings from Argento Gold, Anglesey.

FINDING THE DRESS

Luella’s Bridal, Wimbledon Village, SW London. I had visited a couple of wedding shops but fell in love with the Limor Rosen collection at Luella’s. They had a few that I liked but I fell in love with the simple, lace Holly dress as it was a classic shape with beautiful detail.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS

Holly, Sophie (nieces) and Laura (cousin).

Holly and Laura wore pale pink bridesmaid dresses by Vera Wang from David’s Bridal.

Sophie wore dress and shoes from Monsoon with pink waist tie from David’s Bridal.

THE FLOWERS

Flowers by FARM.

Beautiful, creative arrangements from Sarah. She is fantastic! I love English country garden flowers and Sarah interpreted this beautifully. I wanted flowers to be a big part of my day and Sarah understood that perfectly and made it happen. We had a lot of big blooms incorporated into the bouquets with hydrangea as a key flower.

THE VENUE

St. Saviour’s Church, Harome for the ceremony and The Pheasant Hotel, Harome for the reception. The evening before we ate at The Star Inn, Harome.

THE READINGS & MUSIC

Entrance: Johan Pachelbel, Canon

Hymn: Jerusalem

Reading: Song of Solomon 2:10-13

Hymn: Give Me Joy In My Heart

Reading: Extract from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ready by Marilyn

Hymn: I Vow To Thee My Country

GROOM’S ATTIRE

Black suit from Charles Tyrwhitt, London and pale grey tie from Thomas Pink, London.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Arabella Smith, Fine Art Photographer. Arabella was perfect from start to finish. She helped us feel completely at ease and her photographs are so beautiful. I knew I wanted Arabella to do our wedding photography as her pictures have such a classic, elegant style.

THE HONEYMOON

We are planning to take a trip to South Africa later this year for our honeymoon.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

The Reverend Susan Binks from St. Saviour’s Church, Harome. We loved meeting with Susan in the run up to our wedding and she made the day perfect.

Both of my parents and also Craig’s mum have sadly passed away. It was very touching when we remembered them during the service and lit a candle for them. My Aunty Marilyn also gave a reading from one of my favourite books, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which meant a lot.

Craig’s dad hit the dancefloor and gave us some great Greek dancing that will stay in the memory. Arabella managed to catch it all in the photos.

We loved Nick and Jason (Craig’s brothers) as Best Men.

Staying up later than we should the night before the wedding as we were having such a nice time with my sister and our friends at The Star Inn, Harome.

THE CAKE

Ginger sponge cake with lemon buttercream filling and fondant outside. Decorated with flowers from FARM. A very elegant cake by Rhian at Celebrate Country Cake Design, Helmsley.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR

Food by The Pheasant, Harome. Main – Beef roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding.

Wedding organised by Jacquie and Liam at The Pheasant.

Make up by Julia Jeckell.

Vintage diamond engagement ring.

Wedding favours were miniature Liverpool Gin bottles and tables named after famous Liverpool landmarks. Liverpool is Sarah’s home city. Craig is from Yorkshire. We spend a lot of weekends in the Yorkshire Dales as it is beautiful and relaxing.

I loved the Order of Service created by The Invite Guy. He incorporated a pale pink, flower design and we included a quote from Charlotte Bronte on the back. I will frame it as the design was just what I was looking for and fitted the wedding style.

I ask you to pass through life at my side – to be my second self and best earthy companion.

Rochester in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES

Don’t worry too much about the finer details. If the venue is right it will be a perfect day. Just enjoy it.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Just so beautiful.

Sarah and Craig, I cannot thank you both enough for sharing your wonderful wedding story with us xo Lou