Rustic & Folksy Green Winter Wedding

Bridesmaids in tulle skirts and groomsmen in camel jumpers? Ohh how I LOVE the style here today.

Angharad and Jack were married on the 22^nd December 2015 at East Quay Venue in Whitstable. They wanted to avoid a Christmas feel to their celebrations and instead plumped for a folksy, cosy and rustic inspired wedding. Oh yes!

I know it may be mid summer but there will be many of you getting married over the winter months and let me tell you, you are going to adore these wintery ideas today. From twinkling fairy lights, to a hot chocolate station and atmospheric candlelight, it all looked so sumptuous.

Angharad looked beautiful in her polka dot tulle cap sleeved gown and statement floral crown, while Jack donned a brown tweed suit and cosy knit. Aren’t they adorable?

Thanks so much to Rebecca Douglas for sharing these divine photographs with us.

THE PROPOSAL | He proposed on New Year’s Eve 2013 on Whitstable beach (in Kent) as the fireworks started going off. I was wearing pyjamas and wellies, he was still in his work clothes! After that, I wore my grandmother’s antique engagement ring.

THE VISION | We were going for a cosy, rustic, folksy, winter wedding.

We wanted to avoid going too Christmassy. I decided right from the beginning that I liked the colour scheme of fir green and white with touches of gold. I pictured tons of candles and white fairy lights.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | We planned the wedding within the space of a year. For half the year Jack was living separately from me (to complete his paramedic training), which definitely made planning a little more challenging. I was lucky enough to have some very understanding vendors.

BUDGET | £15000 maximum.

THE VENUE | East Quay Venue, Whitstable. This was a no-brainer, the venue is right on the beach where he proposed. I used to regularly visit the venue with my dad for Sunday fish and chips before he died, so it had a special meaning to me.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | The dress was the Galina dress from David’s Bridal. I had the capped sleeves added in alterations, as well as a bustle. The veil was on sale, I got it for £30 which was an absolute steal. The faux fur wrap came from a seller on Etsy.

FINDING THE DRESS | It was the first dress I tried on in the first shop I visited! I tried on others after, but I kept going back to that one. My head bridesmaid came with me and we both just burst into tears once we saw it on with the sleeves.

GROOM’S ATTIRE | The groom wore a suit from Next, his jumper was from Marks and Spencer, his tie was from T.M Lewin. Groomsmen wore matching jumpers and ties.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | I walked down the aisle to Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. We signed the register to Advari by Sigur Rós.

Our readings were a quote from the Douglas Adams book, So Long and Thanks for all the Fish (the bit where Arthur Dent meets his soulmate Fenchurch) and Union by Robert Fulgham.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | I had the skirts custom made from a seller on Etsy. I bought the girls their gold shoes from a seller on Amazon and I asked each girl to buy a plain white top that she felt suited her. As a gift, they each received a bumblebee necklace by Alex Monroe to go with the tattoo on my back!

THE FLOWERS | Jane at Graham Greener, Whitstable. She did such a fantastic job, surpassing my expectations. She knew exactly what I wanted on our first meeting and made my vision come to life. Jane also decorated the venue with fairy lights and a beautiful gold backdrop for the stage area.

THE CAKE | Buttercup Cake Shop, Stratford. It was chocolate and absolutely delicious. Ordering a cake near our home in London turned out to be a bit of a mistake – we had a carry a three tiered wedding cake on our laps on hour long trip in the car – and our dog was in the back seat!

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | The amazing Rebecca Douglas. She was so patient and she helped the day go smoothly for us. The wedding photos came out perfectly.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Jane at Graham Greener, Whitstable (and a bit of us!) We bought board games with us for the children (but the adults had fun too) and we also set up a ‘pimp your hot chocolate’ bar in the evening, complete with cream, marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles.

THE HONEYMOON | Paris! We visited Disneyland for Christmas Day and spent the rest of our honeymoon in beautiful gothic hotel in the Marais district.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | Definitely when the band started playing.

They formed just for the wedding (I was lucky enough to know a professional musician) and I had no idea how they would sound. As it turned out they sounded fantastic and have now started performing regular gigs together. I feel so proud that our wedding brought them together!

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Etsy is your best friend! Also, I would say to the worriers out there to trust that it will all come together in the end. Even if things go wrong, it won’t matter to you on the day. The important part is that you get married with the people you love around you.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photographer | Rebecca Douglas

Venue | East Quay Venue

Wedding dress and veil | David’s Bridal

Faux fur wrap | Davie & Chiyo

Flowers and decoration | Jane at Graham Greener

Hair and makeup | Sarah Rumsey

Bridesmaid’s skirts | Fanfaronada

Welsh Lovespoon favours | Laura Adams

Cake | Buttercup Cake Shop

Happy days indeed.

Angharad and Jack, thank you both so much for sharing your really gorgeous wedding story with us xo Lou