Styled to perfection by the fantastic photography duo Clayton Austin and Taylor Lord for their joint workshop this past April, this organic wedding inspiration photo shoot completely reimagines the classic black and white color palette. Modern, lush and completely unique, this is a wedding style to remember!
In a canary yellow, 50’s style dress that absolutely radiates happiness, Sara married Darshan in an intimate ceremony at the Chapel Dulcinia in Austin, Texas. This happy couple did things their way, through and through, including starting the day off with a photo shoot with their exuberant puppies, captured perfectly by Jake Holt!
The Goals: We wanted a small, simple wedding that was fun and casual for us and our family.
The Moments: I hate to sound sappy, but the day was filled with some really special moments. I’d love to make a longer list, but here are my top three memories:
Both my stepdad and dad walked me down the aisle, which is apparently too many people for Chapel Dulcinea (or maybe we were just too big). As soon as we started into the chapel we realized we all wouldn’t fit so we literally had to walk down the aisle sideways–it was hilarious!
My second favorite moment was managing a photo shoot with our two dogs. I knew it was going to be interesting, but wow—they were out of control. I bought little veils for them to wear–which lasted about two seconds. I imagined a cute family picture of us all in formal attire, looking regal (in a humorous way), but that was out of the question. Within minutes one dog had the veil completely off and the other one was eating her’s!
The ceremony was short, sweet and lovely, but the best part was ringing the chapel bells after we were announced as a couple. It was a lot of fun and a great ritual to announce our union.
The Look: It all started with the dress. I wanted a dress that was comfortable and pretty –and that could be worn again! I’m actually planning on wearing it for all our anniversaries. My main concern with my wedding style was avoiding a costumey-look since my dress had a 50s/60s feel and I have a short, bob haircut. I originally wanted to add a white caplet to the look, but it looked too silly and overdone.
The Advice: I was a complete stress-ball when we were deciding between having a large or small wedding and even a local or destination wedding, however that all disappeared once we just made a decision and stuck with it! I also loved having a really short, two month engagement. I think I would’ve come up with a ton of extra expenses if I had longer to plan.
Rebecca and Joe’s English country wedding is full of so many sweet, delicate, nature-inspired elements it looks simply magical! I love the way they embraced all the things and people they love in the creation of their day. What a wedding!
The Couple: Rebecca and Joe
The Wedding: 4.28.12 – Milden Hall – Milden, Suffolk
What three adjectives best describe your wedding day?Natural, personal, inclusive..one more?… Fun!
Was there a decor theme that ran through your wedding? What was the inspiration for that particular idea and how did it reflect you as a couple?There was no one “theme” that we discussed. A celebration of love, family, friendship and nature was the closest we got to a theme! Maybe “abundance in nature” and “togetherness” sums it up. We had planned to get married in the woods on the grounds of our venue…we both love nature and feel most content when surrounded by it, so it seemed perfect. However, on the day, England was in the middle of one of the wettest, windiest springs on record, so we brought the woods indoors and (with the help of our florist) decked the beautiful 16th century wooden barn with blossom trees, seasonal flowers and foliage. We wanted the barn to feel somewhere between enchanted woodland and the kind of big traditional rural English feast/celebration, that might have been held on a day like May Day, a couple of hundred years ago. A close friend referenced Bilbo Baggins’ birthday party in Lord of the Rings…that also ended up being a source of inspiration!
What were some of the different ways you used decor elements to create the beautiful, cohesive event you were envisioning?For fashion, the bride’s dress had a vintage/ethereal feel. The Groom’s suit and shoes referenced a traditional country gent look and the ushers wore simple outfits tied together with black braces and a vintage flower pattern bow tie. The bridesmaids dresses were pale, floaty and ethereal. We wanted everyone to be comfortable and feel like themselves. The little girls weren’t primped..their hair was loose and they wore fresh delicate seasonal flower circlets.
Our flowers were loose, nature inspired, spring-like and abundant. Our florist made long wooden boxes that ran the length of the long banqueting table and the smaller trestle tables and packed them with hyacinths, freesias, lily of the valley, fresh herbs, stocks, muscari, anemones, ranunculus and lots of foliage. Scent was important! Bouquets contained similar blooms and were loose and hand-picked in style. Buttonholes contained different flowers and colours. We wanted to use delicate spring-time flowers which meant buttonholes didn’t last the day, but we didn’t want to compromise on that. The wooden pillars/upright struts of the barn were lined with blossoming and budding trees and the whole barn was dotted with mismatched jugs and jam jars filled with natural posies and sprigs. We also strung handmade bunting up around the barn in no real pattern…we wanted it all to feel slightly haphazard in the way nature is.
The tables were covered in white linen with smaller vintage embroidered linens on top (collected from charity shops by our friend Freya). These helped to soften the formality of a crisp plain white cloth and added an air of nostalgia and extra prettiness! We made about a hundred jam jar candle holders and decorating them with vintage lace and trimmings which really make the candlelight twinkle and bounce around. These were dotted along the tables and amongst the flowers.
We made our Orders of Service from an idea we saw on a wedding blog. They were in the style of a Turkish map-fold. The cardboard covers were made from blank beer-mats which we hand printed using Lino-cuts. They were the perfect size to fit into handbags and pockets and the bright green created a lovely effect when they were all lined up on the benches when guests arrived. Invites were designed in collaboration with our friend Vicky Langdon. We wanted it to look delicate, spring-like and hand-drawn. She drew seasonal British wild flowers in a very innocent style – just what we were after! The back of the invite was a bright rhubarb-like colour. Vicky even incorporated two small “love birds” resting on the branches amongst the flowers, and a birdhouse with our initials within a heart carved into it – these tiny details made the whole thing very personal. When we got engaged in Sri Lanka we (rather cheesily) found a tree and carved our initials in a heart – Vicky translated that story onto the invite. The envelopes were even beautiful! Both were hand printed by a lady whose printing studio is two roads away from our house in London. We handprinted our menus using a set of rubber letter stamps and headed them with the same motif that we used on the orders of service – our initials within a heart. For the seating plan we hand printed brown luggage tags with guests names and hung them from nails hammered into a frame made from branches from the wood we would have married in if the weather hadn’t been apocalyptic!
Other touches included a guest book table set up with framed photos of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days. We really wanted to emphasise how much of an inspiration they have been to us. All of them have had such long, happy and romantic marriages. We spoke about this and thanked each of them during the ceremony. We also had a small “sweeties” table…with old jars and tins full of traditional penny sweets and marshmallows. Our ten nieces and nephews didn’t touch their meals but ate their body weight in sweets.
Although not decor related, we felt we should mention the music. This was a massive part of the day and lots of people have commented that it worked to make it an incredibly inclusive, individual and fun day. We cannot praise the band The London Essentials enough – they played acoustically around the tables during the latter part of the meal (as well as at the afternoon drinks). Their unique take on pop music ranging from Lionel Richie to Tinie Tempah got almost every guest dancing at the tables, laughing and interacting…perfect! That was followed by cut a shine ceilidh band, and later in the evening, Joe and his ushers performed some covers and Joe surprised everyone (including me) with a song he had written. It was touching and hilarious – a sing-along set to the tune of “wild rover”. Our video shows everyone singing their hearts out, arms around each other, smiling and laughing.
Where did you choose to hold your wedding, and how did the location influence your decor decisions?We chose Milden Hall in Suffolk, an incredibly beautiful timber framed Tudor barn on a working farm set within wild meadows, ancient and new woodland and a walled garden. We are both originally from Essex, but very close to the suffolk border. We both have childhood memories of happy times spent in the suffolk countryside. We wanted the venue to be rural, rustic, historic, full of atmosphere and not your typical “wedding venue.” This venue is a family home and they only agree to a handful of weddings a year. There was no “package”, we were free to do what we wanted with the space. They are an environmentally responsible venue and that appealed to us. Chickens and pets roam freely around the outside space!
Looking back, do you have a favorite project or successful decor idea from your wedding? Tell us what you loved about it!Not one favourite thing. We were very proud of our orders of service and menus. It was satisfying to make them from scratch and have lots of people comment on them. Same goes for the jam and lavender bag favours…all of our parents were involved and it has actually got us all into jam making and sewing since then! The flowers were very important, becky is training to be a florist…we managed to achieve exactly what we wanted despite terrible weather which affected the flowers available. Using potted trees was a last minute but brilliant solution- I would definitely recommend it It can often be cheaper too and they can be re-used after the day of course.
Overall, it was just beyond brilliant to have so many people involved and invested in the day. We are still bowled over by the support we received from family and friends. That feeling of joint enterprise really gave the day a unique and special atmosphere.
The Wedding Team:
Photographer: Aneta MAK
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Milden Hall
Officiant: Claire Jolly, Humanist Celebrant
Invitation Designer: Victoria Langdon
Catering: Le Talbooth, Dedham
Florist: Jane Northover in Frinton-On-Sea, Essex
Wedding Cake: Rebecca’s eldest sister, Jane Jones
Wedding Dress: Willow by Jenny Packham
Bridal Accessories: Fresh Lily of the Valley Circlet in hair
Bridesmaids’ Apparel & Accessories: Zara Flower Girls’ Dresses: I Love Gorgeous
Groom & Groomsmen’s Apparel & Accessories: Groom – Aubin and Willis, Alex James Range. Brogues – Grenson
Live Music: The London Essentials, and Cut A Shine
Favors: For the women: Homemade heart shaped and embroidered lavender bags. For the men: Jars of homemade jam made by Rebecca’s folks.
Nicola and Wynand’s South Africa wedding, which was originally published on March 3, 2010, became an instant favorite the moment we laid eyes on it. Held in Nicola’s hometown of Wellington, this wedding had a sweet atmosphere and perfectly put together vintage look…
Today’s Real Wedding is a pure delight to see. Nicola and Wynand planned the wedding of their dreams in the bride’s hometown of Wellington, South Africa, and the results, photographed by Christine Meintjes, were both whimsical and nostalgic – not to mention, exquisite down to the last detail. Enjoy!
The goals: Nicola and Wynand were focused on having a festive and intimate wedding that was at its heart, a true celebration with an abundance of good food, good wine and good friends and family. The food was especially important to the couple, so they made sure to focus attention on the catering – putting together a feast of rich cheeses, freshly baked breads, fresh summer fruits, preserves and savory tarte tatins.
The look: Visually, Nicola wanted a look that was timeless and classic with a subtle French flair. Her wedding color palette of white and shades of gray was found in the flowers, in antique books bound in ribbon on the tables, and in accents of pewter lamps, vases and candelabras decorating the reception hall. The timeless feel of the day was even incorporated into the venue for the ceremony – a small, historic theatre, Goodnow Hall, that created an intimate air for the couple to say their vows.
The bride’s gown, an elegant off-the-shoulder dress by Elbeth Gillis, and the groom’s dapper suit by Trenery, were a perfect complement to the decor, and Nicola accessorized with an “old” vintage brooch, and a “borrowed” flower from her mother, attached to her chic birdcage veil.
The moments: Aside from seeing her husband-to-be at the end of the aisle as she entered the ceremony, Nicola says the most romantic moment of the day was their first dance. Guests lit sparklers around the couple as they swayed to “Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra.
The Details: This enchanting wedding, held on what the bride says was “a perfect wind-still hot summer day”, was stylish down to the last detail, and friends and family were a large part of making it all come together. The bouquets for the bride and her bridesmaids, as well as the boutonnieres, were hand-crafted by the bride’s mother, and the cake, as well as special raspberry marshmallows, were made by a close friend. Even the bride got involved making wedding cake-shaped biscuits with fondant icing for the reception.
Nicola and Wynand greeted guests as they entered the reception, leaving themselves free to relax and enjoy the rest of their evening, celebrating this festive and joyful occasion.
The Pros: All of the wedding professionals who helped to bring this wedding to life are listed in our Real Weddings Section. Check it out for more!
Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us Nicola and Wynand! It was incredible from beginning to end!
Martha Stewart Weddings editors will be online and ready to chat on March 12th and 13th. They’ll be offering tons of planning advice to bride-to-be, while additional wedding professionals will be available to offer their expertise on everything from bridal fashion and jewelry to registry, travel, and more.
At this luxurious outdoor wedding event, top Southern California wedding professionals will join up to showcase their products and services in the beauty of the Beverly Cañon Gardens in Beverly Hills. Junebug is a proud sponsor of the 2011 Unveiled event, and we can’t wait to see all the wedding brilliance that will be there!
Sunday, March 27, 2011, 11am – 3pm
Beverly Cañon Gardens in Beverly Hills, CA
(Between Montage and Bouchon – Between Beverly and Canon Drives)
Visit www.UnveiledEvent.com forinformation and tickets
On March 30th, join the team from New York magazine as they showcase over 100 talented NYC wedding professionals, straight from the pages of New York magazine’s Summer 2011 Weddings issue, on newsstands March 22nd. There will be photography from Junebug member Ira Lippke Studios, stationery ideas from Alpine Creative Group, dresses from Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, bridesmaid fashions from twobirds bridesmaid, cake tastings from Ron Ben-Israel Cake, and much, much more!
Wednesday, March 30, 5pm – 8pm
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues), New York City
Visit www.NYmag.com/WeddingsEvent for more information and to buy tickets
Today’s Real Wedding is a pure delight to see. Nicola and Wynand planned the wedding of their dreams in the bride’s hometown of Wellington, South Africa, and the results, photographed by Christine Meintjes, were both whimsical and nostalgic – not to mention, exquisite down to the last detail. Enjoy!
The goals: Nicola and Wynand were focused on having a festive and intimate wedding that was at its heart, a true celebration with an abundance of good food, good wine and good friends and family. The food was especially important to the couple, so they made sure to focus attention on the catering – putting together a feast of rich cheeses, freshly baked breads, fresh summer fruits, preserves and savory tarte tatins.
The look: Visually, Nicola wanted a look that was timeless and classic with a subtle French flair. Her wedding color palette of white and shades of gray was found in the flowers, in antique books bound in ribbon on the tables, and in accents of pewter lamps, vases and candelabras decorating the reception hall. The timeless feel of the day was even incorporated into the venue for the ceremony – a small, historic theatre, Goodnow Hall, that created an intimate air for the couple to say their vows.
The bride’s gown, an elegant off-the-shoulder dress by Elbeth Gillis, and the groom’s dapper suit by Trenery, were a perfect complement to the decor, and Nicola accessorized with an “old” vintage brooch, and a “borrowed” flower from her mother, attached to her chic birdcage veil.
The moments: Aside from seeing her husband-to-be at the end of the aisle as she entered the ceremony, Nicola says the most romantic moment of the day was their first dance. Guests lit sparklers around the couple as they swayed to “Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra.
The details: This enchanting wedding, held on what the bride says was “a perfect wind-still hot summer day”, was stylish down to the last detail, and friends and family were a large part of making it all come together. The bouquets for the bride and her bridesmaids, as well as the boutonnieres, were hand-crafted by the bride’s mother, and the cake, as well as special raspberry marshmallows, were made by a close friend. Even the bride got involved making wedding cake-shaped biscuits with fondant icing for the reception.
Nicola and Wynand greeted guests as they entered the reception, leaving themselves free to relax and enjoy the rest of their evening, celebrating this festive and joyful occasion.
The pros: All of the wedding professionals who helped to bring this wedding to life are listed in our Real Weddings Section. Check it out for more!
Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us Nicola and Wynand! It was incredible from beginning to end!
Are you planning a Seattle or Southern California wedding of your own? Don’t miss our trusted Plan Your Wedding Hotlist featuring the most talented and passionate wedding professionals available!
French Polynesia has all the ingredients that tropical dreams are made of; sugar white sand beaches, fragrant flowers, exotic birds, abundant marine life, and crystalline blue lagoons. Encompassing literally hundreds of hypnotically beautiful islands, it can be a seriously overwhelming task to decide exactly where to lay back and put your feet up. That’s why we called on Junebug Weddings member and Polynesian travel expert, Amanda Luce from All About Honeymoons, to bring you the scoop on planning a stress-free Polynesian honeymoon with memories to last a lifetime. Here’s the low down straight from Amanda on her top three favorite islands, so you can kick back and travel easy!
This is the place that cast a spell on artist Paul Gaugin, and that author James Michener called so stunning, there are no words to describe it. The island, with its glorious lagoon and towering black rock mountains, is arguably the single most famous and gorgeous tropical destination on earth.
Top places to stay: Bora Bora Nui – Located off the main island on Motu Toopua, this opulent resort has the longest white sand beach of any resort on Bora Bora. You’ll love waking up in your sumptuous over-water-bungalow to a delicious breakfast served to you from an outrigger canoe. Seriously! The Mandara Spa at the Nui is built at the top of the hillside with breathtaking panoramas of the resort and the endless blue horizon. Settle into your private jacuzzi for two before and after your spa treatments and you’ll think you’ve gone directly to heaven. Later grab a cocktail at beachfront Le Tamure Grill where the infinity pool seems to disappear into the lagoon. Sofitel Motu Bora Bora – Intimate, unpretentious, and located on its own private island! Situated off the southeast tip of Bora Bora, its the perfect spot for couples looking for romantic seclusion, amazing coral garden snorkeling, and stunning views. Guests enjoy full access to the amenities at its sister property Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort, while still being able to return to the serenity of their private retreat. The best views are from over-water-bungalows #128 and #129.
Best places to eat: Bloody Marys – This legendary grill is simply not to be missed. Grab a coconut palm table under the large thatched roof and kick your shoes off. You’ll definitely want to wiggle your toes in the soft white sand floor! Choose from an extensive array of fresh fish, seafood, and meat, and the chef will prepare it exactly the way you like. Bloody Marys is world famous, so reservations are strongly recommended. Tel: 689-67-72-86 La Villa Mahana – A few lucky couples manage to secure reservations at one of the six tables gracing this Italian-style villa, where Chef Damien Rinaldi prepares internationally influenced cuisine that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Nothing can compare to sharing this sumptuous experience with your sweetheart. E-mail Damien and let him know you’re coming for your honeymoon: [email protected]
Fun things to Do: Picnic on your own private island – Set up a gourmet picnic on one of the many private islands (motu) surrounding Bora Bora through Moana Tours. You’ll enjoy stellar snorkeling, soaking up the sun, and sharing a delicious champagne lunch beachside with your sweetie. Paradise found! Get adventurous – Head out on an exciting 4×4 trip into the interior of the island with Tupuna Mountain Safari. Bora Boras mountainous landscape and lush vegetation-lined roads lead to spectacular views and fascinating historical sites.
Mooreas breathtaking vistas, idyllic white and black sand beaches, and exquisite marine life make it a favorite destination for travelers around the world. Just a 25-minute ferry ride from the hustle and bustle of Tahiti, this is where you’ll find rest and relaxation that’s only available in paradise.
Top Places to Stay: Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort – This is the most luxurious resort on the island of Moorea. Step directly out of your Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow onto the warm sand and take in views of the island of Tahiti off in the distance. Let the remaining stress of your wedding preparations melt away with a trip to Le Spa for a fabulous couples massage. Moorea Pearl Resort – This is one of Amanda’s very favorite places. Its the only resort within walking distance to town, so you can explore lots of options for dining and shopping. The Pearls Garden Pool Bungalows are uniquely sublime, each with a secluded plunge pool nestled in a private garden area! Ah, so romantic!
Best Places to Eat: Carmelines – Start your day with a great light breakfast, just a short ten-minute walk from the Moorea Pearl. Treat yourself to French crepes or a tasty omelet. Grab a couple of mouth watering pastries or flaky croissants to go for a yummy snack later on! If you decide to swing by at lunch on your drive around the island, Carmelines serves traditional lunch fare like burgers, paninis, pizza and delicious sandwiches. Alfredos – Located in the Cooks Bay area, Alfredos specializes in traditional Italian cuisine including pastas and pizza. You’ll want to head over on Thursday nights for a treat of local live music. Call for reservations and pick-up from your hotel. Alfredos is open for lunch and dinner.
Fun Things to Do: Explore – When on Moorea you simply MUST rent a car or scooters for the day. Dont worry about booking in advance, your hotels concierge will be able to assist with your rental. There is just one road on the island that winds around in a complete circle, so its simply impossible to get lost. When you reach Le Belvedere Outlook Point, you’ll see down into both Opunohu and Cooks Bays, the vista is absolutely jaw-dropping! While on your self-directed excursion, stop at the Moorea Fruit Juice Factory to sample mouth-watering fruit juices and indulge in exotic fruit liqueurs. Swim with the Dolphins – The Intercontinental Resort is home to the Moorea Dolphin Center. Reserve ahead of time, and one of your stops on your way around the island can be to play and swim with the dolphins.
Scuba Dive – Don’t miss this unforgettable treat! The underwater landscape on Moorea is as varied and gorgeous as it is at the surface, featuring stunning canyons and endless coral reefs. You’ll be sure to witness the best French Polynesia has to offer below sea level. Bathys Diving, located at the Intercontinental Resort, is a top-notch dive operation for honeymooners, ranging from novice to expert. For couples looking to jump into to a fabulous new experience Bathys offers a Blue Honeymoon introductory scuba package, which includes an intro scuba class, dive time and a DVD of the dive. Bathys recently added two new dive boats and offers Nitrox tank fills for Nitrox certified divers. Give them a call and they’ll pick you up from any resort on the island.
Tel: (689) 56-31-44
Known by savvy travelers as the Garden of Eden, Huahine is secluded, quiet, and blessed with gorgeous flora and fauna, fragrant vanilla farms, and a rich cultural heritage.
The Place to stay: Te Tiare Beach Resort – Intimate, rustic, and wildly beautiful. This is the ultimate get away from it all destination, perfect for a three or four night stay.
Best places to Eat: Te Marara in the village of Fare is just a quick shuttle boat ride away from the Te Tiare resort. Enjoy a Hinano, Tahitis locally brewed beer, while gazing out on the serenely beautiful lagoon.
Fun Things to Do: Explore Maeva Take a circle tour of the island and find insight into the culture as it existed 1000 years ago at this restored archaeological dig. See Huahine by Boat Traveling to Huahine on the luxurious Eden Martin is Amanda’s very favorite way to see the beauty of this incomparable island.
Traveling Tips:
Your trip to French Polynesia will take 11 to 14 hours depending on where you’re traveling from in the U.S. You’ll need current passports, bathing suits, sunglasses, lots of sunscreen, and Amandas ‘phone number to ensure its the best time you’ve ever spent traveling. Call Amanda at 253-588-4808 or visit her website, and remember to drop us a line when you get back, we would love to hear how it went. Bon voyage and happy honeymoon!
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