This afternoon we’re invited for a summer high tea with Brides Up North reader Carrie and her husband Paul, as we celebrate their Real Wedding in Chester. Carrie combined authentic vintage pieces with delicate decorative touches to create a pretty and personal celebration.
With images by Anderson Jones Photography and film by Eight Wood Studios.
Carrie says: We had a long engagement – we got engaged four years prior to the wedding – and were married on 4th August 2013 at The Doubletree Hilton in Chester.
We opted for a vintage theme with lots of greys, creams and pinks, and used the venue’s beautiful brick barn which suited our styling perfectly.
I chose a column lace dress with a fishtail. It was an authentic vintage dress altered dramatically at Melanie James Bridal in Chorlton.
I carried a bouquet of hydrangeas by Acacia of Chester.
My bridesmaids wore cream vintage style dresses from Coast and the guys wore suits, shirts and shoes were Next and ties from M&S.
My makeup artist was Laura Wisinger, with hair by Rebecca Rigby.
We added special touches with outdoor wooden games like giant Jenga, quoits, skittles, pick-up-sticks, cards and scrabble and a photo booth with props and polaroid style camera. During our drinks reception 1940s & 50s music played outdoors on an iPod.
I did a lot of the styling of the day myself, which added a really personal touch. The table flowers were all from my, my family and friends’ gardens and I borrowed all the vintage crockery. The bunting was made by my Mum and all our friends and family helped to collect jam jars (which we filled with Pimms).
To give a country feel, hay bales were hired from a local farmer and our wedding favours were sunflower seed and vintage style pockets designed and printed by Qubic Print, Chester.
We chose an all white three layer cake with grey ribbon and hydrangeas flowers, made for us by a friend.
We piled flip-flops in a basket in the evening for tired guests’ feet and put together a vintage style sweets trolley for extra energy!
We turned things on their head a little when it came to the formalities of the day! My best woman and I did the speeches in rhyme (instead of Paul and his best men) and our first dance was me and five friends performing a rehearsed dance to Chuck Berry’s ‘You Never Can Tell’!
I loved the entire day from start to finish and want to do it all again!
After the wedding we honeymooned in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
My top tip for other Brides Up North would be to try to think like a guest when planning your big day and what things will entertain them to make it a memorable experience for all. Happy guests make for a happy day!
Congratulations Carrie & Paul!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2014 Anderson Jones Photography
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