Let’s keep the Real Wedding pretty coming this morning with this stunning and stylish celebration at Arley Hall & Gardens. Jenna & Martin opted for a modern and muted colour scheme for their beautiful big day, dotted with gorgeous vintage inspired details.
As soon as I saw her choice of heels, I knew that today’s bride and I would be sartorially compatible. Jenna, I like your style.
With images by Lisa Howard Photography.
Jenna says: We got engaged in Stratford Upon Avon on 24th March 2012. Martin had arranged a weekend away for us and luckily it turned out to be one of the hottest weekends of the year! He proposed whilst we were sitting on the banks of the River Avon with a bottle of bubbly! It was perfect!
Our wedding day was 23rd May 2014. We got married at Arley Hall & Gardens, Cheshire.
We had actually been out looking at another venue which we were really disappointed with, when we drove past a signpost for Arley. We had seen it online but thought it looked way over our budget to even consider it an option. However, we decided to go and have a nosey. We didn’t have an appointment booked at Arley but the staff were so accommodating and the venue was so perfect! It was just what we wanted with the two aspects of the stately home and the rustic barn for the evening reception.
Styling wise, it just seemed to work out in the end that everything was a little bit vintage with a modern edge. We opted for a colour scheme of grey and white – we wanted to keep everything quite neutral as the rooms in the venue already have so many colours in them anyway; we didn’t want it to look too busy. Plus grey is my favourite colour!
I wore a lace mermaid style dress by Mori Lee from Always & Forever Bridal Boutique, St Helens. I had gone into the shop with the mind set that I definitely didn’t want a lace dress! However that soon changed. I also didn’t want a lace up corset style back and seeing as my dress had both I was reluctant to try it on, however after much persuasion I did and I loved it (but I did end up having the seamstress swap the lace ups for a zip)!
I carried a posy of white peonies from the floristry department of St Helens College.
I was really close to my nan who died a few years ago so really wanted to try and incorporate my memories of her into the wedding. I had a locket with a picture of her in it wrapped around my bouquet and a large photograph of her from my mum’s wedding with a candle burning.
Martin wore a dark blue slim fit three piece suit from TM Lewin, Liverpool. His shirt was white with accents of blue from Hugo Boss. His shoes were brown brogues from Bertie in Steve Madden, Manchester.
The bridesmaids wore a grey No1 by Jenny Packham gown from Debenhams with matching head dresses and our flowergirl wore a white Tiger Lilly dress from Debenhams.
The groomsmen wore grey slim fit suits which we hired from Tyrers in St Helens and our pageboys wore a grey John Rocha suit with grey converse.
During the ceremony our friend from school sang Etta James’ “At Last”, whilst we were signing the register.
Lisa Howard was our photographer. We would definitely recommend Lisa, she is so lovely and fantastic at what she does. Her pictures really captured the atmosphere of the whole day!
We had a three tier victoria sponge, chocolate and lemon cake which a family friend made for us, and cake pops as favours which doubled as place names too.
We used bunches of baby’s breath bound with white ribbon to decorate the tables in a plain glass vases with tealights. The flowers were provided by St Helen’s College and all the rest I did myself with the help of family.
RW Bespoke did our food and it was absolutely gorgeous, everyone commented on how nice it was.
For the evening we had a local band called Marble Eyes. They were fantastic and got everyone up dancing.
We would definitely recommend Arley Hall. The venue itself is perfect if you want something traditional but also with a modern twist and the staff are just so helpful, they can’t do enough for you.
We hadn’t planned a honeymoon, but after the wedding decided we needed one. So with two days to go we booked a two week honeymoon to Mexico.
My top tip for other Brides Up North would be do not stress! The day will just flow and you won’t even notice if anything goes wrong. Also make sure you find a quiet moment for just you and your groom, away from all the celebrating.
Congratulations Jenna & Martin!
Fancy seeing your own Real Wedding on Brides Up North? Here’s how.
.
Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2014 Lisa Howard Photography
This is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
