.
.
.
This afternoon we are visiting Nottingham Trent’s Old Chemistry Theatre with newlyweds Jo and Rachel, and Brides Up North Featured Supplier Images By Gabrielle for a sleek and stylish civil partnership ceremony that packs a purple punch.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The girls say: We got engaged on 2nd March 2012. Jo asked Rachel on Brighton Beach.
.
.
.
.
We were married on 20th October 2012 at The Arkwright Building at Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham. Rachel went to university at Nottingham Trent and she’s got this old graduation photo with all her uni mates. When we spotted the venue online, it was the only venue we went to look at and we booked it straight away – because it felt just right. We’re not really country-house girls, so we wanted to be in the heart of Nottingham, where we first met.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Our colour scheme was purple. We were inspired by the venue’s purple chairs and wanted to pick that out in our details. We even ended up with purple shoes!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We both knew that we wanted short dresses – not traditional long dresses. Initially, we even looked at bridesmaid ranges – because we liked the simple cuts and nothing too fancy. In the end, we both chose vintage-cut dresses from The Wedding Club in Birmingham. Jo’s was ivory, heavy lace and Rachel’s was a netted number with a bit of a 50s flick.
.
We didn’t have any bridesmaids – there were enough dresses on the aisle!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We had a pianist during the ceremony – he played Moon River on the way in, and Angry Anderson’s “Suddenly” on the way out. He also played during dinner. During the drinks reception we played 1930s big band tunes and in the evening we had a DJ (MC Productions), and an Elvis tribute act (booked through Alive Network) who was amazing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Rachel’s bouquet was made up of ivory roses and purple lissianthus. Jo’s bouquet was hand made (by Jo) with vintage brooches. Flowers were by Zinc Floral Design, and Annette’s flower stall in Nottingham.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We added lots of personal touches to the day; One of the readings was a poem written for Rachel by Jo and we had photos of our parents’ weddings on display; the men had waistcoats made from family tartans; we took care of two bay trees and two olive trees for six months – so that they could be draped with fairy lights and the university girls recreated their graduation photo – 15 years’ later!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We used a sketch of the venue on our invitations and that carried through all the stationery. Our ceremony was held in the Old Chemistry Theatre, and the reception was in the Old Library so we tried to pick up on these details. Everyone’s place card was a bookmark with a personalised quote chosen just for them. It took ages to do this, but it was worth it on the day – everyone took them home as a memento of the day.
.
.
.
.
Favours for the girls were hand made using Liberty fabric and the boys were given Cancer Research pins with a personalised message. All the children had their own party bag – with a retro kid’s story book and some sort of age-appropriate activity. There was also a big top Wendy house in the corner!
.
.
.
.
Jo’s mum and dad made a homemade fruit cake, decorated with tiny birds, flowers and pearls. Plus cupcakes for the little ones and big kids…
.
.
.
.
.
.
It’s really hard to choose a favourite part of the day - we both sprang out of bed at 5am and went for a run!
Other than that, the ceremony was beautiful and our readings were perfect. Our ‘exit’ song: “Suddenly” was fab – especially when our friends started singing along. The speeches were amazing and there was something for everyone. And then when Elvis and the DJ started – everyone came alive!
.
.
.
.
.
.
After the wedding we honeymooned in Miami and Mexico.
.
.
.
.
Our top tip for other Brides Up North would be to embrace the nerves! It’s normal to have a meltdown at some point!
.
.
.
.
Congratulations Jo & Rachel!
.
.
Get in touch to see your own real wedding featured on Brides Up North. Click here to find out how.
.
.
Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Images By Gabrielle
Images By Gabrielle is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier, but this is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
.
.
