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This morning we join Jennifer and Sean for their pretty May wedding in Northumberland. With images by Phil Smith Photography, Jennifer only had one rule – no matchy matchy! The result? A elegant, personal celebration in a stunning setting. Enjoy.
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Jennifer says: We got engaged on the sofa in our front room on 2nd January 2012. It was the night before Sean went in for surgery so I was already quite emotional! He almost did it on New Year’s Eve and New Years Day but didn’t want it overshadowed. My Dad already knew it was coming as Sean had asked his permission.
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We were married on Saturday 4th May 2013. The service was at St Maurice Church in Ellingham and the reception was next door at Ellingham Hall.
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We needed somewhere with accommodation as my family are from down south so they would have to stay over. Ellingham Hall is an exclusive hire place, its not a hotel so we had it all to ourselves from Friday to Monday and got to spend loads of time with our wedding guests. It also has cottages in the grounds so everyone was nearby. We looked at about 20 venues!
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We didn’t have a colour scheme. We used spring colours in general with a bit of the groom’s family tartan thrown in. My one thing I knew I wanted is I didn’t want everything to match.
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I went for a very traditional big wedding gown, it was strapless with a lace and silk bodice, ruched over a tulle underskirt with applique flowers. It was from an amazing shop called The White Tulip Wedding Company which I would highly recommend. It was made by San Patrick who are owned by Pronovias but use less expensive fabrics for a bride on a budget – it was also in the sale!
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In the morning I had help in getting ready from an amazing make up artist called Melanie Hedley based in Newcastle who travelled up on the day.
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I made my bridesmaid’s’ dresses myself. I knew what I wanted and couldn’t find it in my budget so I got a pattern and got to pick exactly what colour fabrics I wanted and could tailor them to each body shape. They were the same pattern but different colours – a bouquet of bridesmaids! The guys wore three piece suits from Harry Brown at Slaters of Newcastle.
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The church was right next door so I picked the fanciest car from the guests and jumped in that! And we walked back in a big procession along the country lane.
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I had an informal hand tied bouquet of my favourite flowers – purple tulips, pink peonies, white roses, green pompom chrysanthemums and lots of gypsophila. I pretty much had to get married in May! The flowers were by Lilly Rose Flowers of Morpeth and were exactly what I wanted.
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We loved our amazing photographer, Phil Smith Photography, the day would not have been the same without him!
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The tables were all themed differently around us as a couple, places we’ve been and things we enjoy. We used things from our home that we’d collected over the years as centre pieces and themed the favours to each table and person. All the children had a toy themed to the table they were on so they didn’t get too bored.
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As a personal touch, we used champagne flutes we had been given as an engagement gift for the top table.
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My favourite part of the day was our wedding breakfast – working the tables with my new husband, seeing everyone enjoying themselves and laughing and crying through the speeches.
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The cake was homemade by family, friends and myself, it was based on a design I tore out of a magazine about 15 years ago! Five tiers all covered in white chocolate panels – a chocolate brownie layer, fruit cake, banana and choc chunk, Battenberg and lemon.
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We had a pianist during the cocktails and canapés before dinner and a DJ at night. A friend who is in a wedding band advised us against a wedding band! It turned into a bit of a 90’s rave in the end, great fun!
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The honeymoon was a surprise from my wonderful husband, we had a private cabin in the mountains in Corsica with a couple of days in Paris either side. It was perfect.
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My top tip for other Brides Up North would be reflexology the week before the wedding! Don’t imagine the day too much just go with it, make your plans but then let it go, the important bit is you are now married to the person you love.
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Congratulations Jennifer & Sean!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Phil Smith Photography
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