Rustic Autumnal Apples & Cider Country Wedding

When you think of the Autumn you envisage harvest festivals, golden leaves and gorgeous light right? Well Laura and Alex’s October wedding encompasses all that and more.

Alex is M.D. of a craft cider company, Ty Gwyn Cider Ltd and so apples and cider became a focus for the rustic décor in the barns at Dewsall Court. The crafty décor is just wonderful and the effort that went into it all really paid off.

Laura chose an ethereal lace gown by Justin Alexander, with classic veil and natural blooms. Doesn’t she look gorgeous? Alex wore a custom made tweed suit while the maids wore mismatched frocks. Then there was dancing, sparklers and toffee apples to finish. Wow.

Many thanks goes to Jarek Lepak Photography for providing these marvellous images with us today.

THE PROPOSAL | Christmas Day – The ring was the last to be opened, found in the bottom of the stocking and typically the only gift not wrapped in my paper, but it was a complete surprise!

THE VISION |Autumnal, shabby chic, country, vintage, relaxed.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | <10 months, little and often.

THE VENUE | Dewsall Court.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Dress: Justin Alexander, tailored (by Dea Dress Making Hereford) to personal preference – pearls to replace sequins, jacket made for day wear, same lace added to veil. Earrings borrowed from mother in law, they are over 200 years old!

FINDING THE DRESS | Troop of helpers made of best friends and mother in law to be, would never have chosen low back because of tattoo, but the girls started weeping, so although cliché, dress picked me!

GROOM’S ATTIRE | Three piece tweed bespoke suit by tailor Brian Smith at Fox Brothers, Wellington, Somerset. Pocket watch was late Grandfathers.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | First Reading John 2.1-11 read by Peter Hewitt. Second Reading, Marriage Morning by Tennyson read by Jemma Pascoe. Band: The Happenings with Ben Huws as lead singer.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | Bridesmaids were given a box with various items and colour swatches, eye shadows, earrings etc. so they could select a dress they liked within a pallet from Laura. Gave each a navy scarf to help keep warm too! Zoe Proctor (sister), Nichola Halton (best friend from primary school), Laura Bradley (best friend from Uni), Kate Stallard (another best mate!). Flower girls all in ivory: Paloma (18 months, Laura’s daughter), Megan (3 years old, Zoe’s daughter), Suriah (8 years old, niece) and Georgia (13 years old, Kate’s daughter). Page boys were our nephews, Charlie (5 years old), Thomas (2 years old) and Francis (2 years old). They wore crown chinos, white shirt, blue waistcoat and handmade bow ties by Laura Bradley.

THE FLOWERS | By The Great British Florist, Hereford. Wild flowers including ivy, poppy heads, thistles etc. Wanted a rustic, ‘just picked’ look. Tied with hessian and blue check ribbon to tie in with boys suits. Button holes had feathers also included. Blue thistle was in memory of John Mork my late step father and Jimmy McConnel, Alex’s late step father who grew up in Scotland.

THE CAKE | Mixture of fruit and sponge made by Nicky (bridesmaid). Also three tiers of giant bakewells and small biscuits and buns. Delicious!

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Jarek Lepak – amazeballs!

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Autumnal and apple theme. Save the date cards were our dogs dressed in bridal wear! Alex is M.D. of a craft cider company, Ty Gwyn Cider Ltd. Favours were our cider with a label designed by Jeff Fuge at Objective Ingenuity Design, Wilts, that told our story and matched our theme. Also toffee apples and sparklers which I designed the label for. Flower girls were given pearl bracelet with their initial and a heart attached. Page boys given vintage toy cars. Best men had T-Shirts based on favourite bands as music was how they all met. Other décor included; bunting – hessian and autumnal colours, hops, candles, leaves, fur ones (collected during dog walks!) Place setting was a tea light within an apple that I chalked name onto. I made pew ends, candle holders, signage, seating plan etc. Also made the invites, order of service, thank you cards, photo/guest book with props, menu mirrors etc.

THE HONEYMOON | Sumatra – trekking in jungle with no facilities but we saw wild orangutans which was our dream! Travelled to different part for, surfing, diving and a taste of paradise.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | Laura’s veil getting stuck in pew ends (lots of prickly wild foliage was included!), Laura accidental flashing groom party whilst getting ready, lots of laughing, Francis photo bombing group photos and later running around in grandmother’s hat on the dance floor, line dance as our first dance, Alex’s speech, Climbing over a fence to get photo shots by the lake, but so many more! We loved every minute, which was so beautifully captured by Jarek!

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Spread the event over as much time as you can. We had our legal ceremony in the library the evening before with our nearest and dearest, then had a meal and drinks to finish. Spent the night in separate rooms then met again at the church the following day so it was all relaxed and not rushed.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Jarek Lepak Photography

Venue | Dewsall Court

Make Up | Natasha Davies

Hair | Hayley Stallard

Brows and Lashes | Jen

Flowers | Great British Florist

Alterations | Dea Dress Making

Dress | White Minx

Hops and Apples | Elaine Parker

Suit | Fox Brothers, Wellington, Somerset

Cider Label | Jeff Fuge at Objective Ingenuity Design, Wiltshire

How magical.

Thanks so much to Laura and Alex for sharing their wedding story with us xo Lou