Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Photographer:
Ben – HBA Photography
https://www.instagram.com/hba.photography.ben/
https://hbaphotography.com/
Florist:
DIY with Home grown by Susie for button holes and bouquets
https://www.instagram.com/homegrown_by_susie/
Band/DJ: https://www.jukeboxdjcompany.com/
MUA:
Josephine Way
https://josephineway.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/josephinewaymua/
Hair:
Rachael (Salon owner at The Strand)
http://www.thestrand-hairandbeauty.com/derby-salon.html
https://www.instagram.com/thestrandderby/
Wedding rings:
Lindsay at Lou Lou Jewellery
https://louloujewellery.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/loulou_jewellery/
Cake:
DIY with Frost Form
https://www.instagram.com/frostform/
https://www.frostform.com/
3 Minute Portraits:
https://www.jessicaonpaper.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jessica.on.paper/
Glitter bar:
https://www.instagram.com/theglitterbarderby/
Tell Us About Your Incredible Outfits
What and who did you wear?
3 piece from The Little White Dress Bridal Studio:
https://thelittlewhitedress.uk
https://www.instagram.com/lwd_littlewhitedress/
Rainbow Club Shoes (Harriet):
https://www.instagram.com/rainbowclubuk/
www.rainbowclub.co.uk
Necklace:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1519732430/solitary-pearl-necklace-minimalist
Earrings:
https://shanalijewelry.com/
What and who did your partner wear?
Suit: https://www.next.co.uk/style/st915264/d49832?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnw4q-M13EVtxzFLyaSGo_l0o39tGkgn0tbpYUV-u6y6iNXGePu–PEaApZ3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#D49832
What and who did your wedding party wear?
Flower girl:
Dress: https://www.monsoon.co.uk/tulle-bridesmaid-dress-green-41545501.html
Shoes: https://www.next.co.uk/style/su297119/b12328?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnzTLngJUlxpfonckkspPVsx6qoaAdm8Js9jj4EtumVt8UIy94txr0waAqpyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#B12328
Your Love Story
How did you meet, was it love at first sight? Tell us about the proposal!
We met at The Friary on a chilly November night in 2012. I should have brought a jacket, but hadn’t! Jack’s friend was preoccupied, having just “pulled,” and Jack looked like he could use some company. So, I invited him to join us. We ended up spending the rest of the night together, and when it was time to go, he lent me his jacket to keep me warm. Naturally, this meant we had to meet again so I could return it… on our first date! Good job I’d left my jacket at home, just so I could borrow his.
After eight wonderful years together, Jack proposed to me in Edinburgh, on Calton Hill, overlooking the bay. I had a feeling he was going to pop the question because he asked me to sit with him on a bench—which is something he never does! Usually, I’m the one looking for a place to rest, while he’s always eager to keep exploring our next destination.
And we welcomed our daughter Hattie in 2021, bought our first house 2022, got married 2024… We’re excited for the future with more exploring and adventures together.
Your Wedding Day Vision & Inspiration
What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
We love Autumn so wanted to go with the season but in a classic timeless way, lots of white pumpkins and gypsophila, and to make it feel full.
Why did you choose The River Mill Venue?
It felt right, and Jack’s grandparent’s lived on Folly Road and are resting in the cemetery in the nearby church. Jack’s mum went to the old school in Darley Abbey… His family have lots of fond memories of the area.
Did you do any DIY projects?
Yes mostly everything. Cake & desert table, flowers, foraged greenery, all the wedding stationary and boards, napkins, all the décor and drape, children activity books and party bags.
Tell us about the details – Flowers, Cake, Decor, Stationary….
So many details, I think I had a 12-page instruction book 😆 The overall idea was to keep as much as it simple as possible because there were lot of ‘cogs’ to assemble along the way. White flowers & pumpkins with green and hints of gold. Gypsophila is such a hardy little flower I knew it would give me extra time to assemble if needed. We foraged for the greenery for the base of the flowers, then spent 2 enjoyable days assembling… And the pumpkins were so cheap at the supermarkets we saved a fortune.
I also tried to take the stress out where possible so for example, I didn’t make the cake I bought it and then decorated with the Frost Form system (just pour over your icing and let it set in the fridge). Made sure all the decor was all boxed for each area so it made it easy on the day to set up. The wedding backdrop caused me the most stress, I couldn’t find anything I liked and, in the end, went back to ‘keep it simple’ and did a simple drape over the wires and Tamara made it look beautiful!
For the wedding stationary, as a graphic designer, I enjoyed getting to be the client and designer. Adding personal touches, like names ironed on ribbons for the activity bag and added names to menus, we wanted everyone in the room to feel special. I really enjoyed the whole process of design, logistics, mocking up and the vision coming together in the end.
Alcohol. Because No Great Story Started With A Salad (…or did it?)
What was on your food & drinks menu?
Drinks reception:
Crisps and Peroni & Pimms
Wedding breakfast:
The Guv’nor wine – red, white & rose from majestic
The Hangover Only Lasts A Day But The Memories Last A Lifetime
Can you sum up your wedding day in 3 words?
Everything we dreamed!
What are your favourite memories or highlights of your day?
Getting married! Getting ready! Walking in in the morning and Tamara had already done loads, really made it easy to relax and enjoy the day! Having all our favourite people in one room! All the food but especially, the beef brisket and onion bhaji starter!
Do you have any advice for future Brides & Grooms?
Make sure you have a Master of Ceremonies who know what they’re doing, the timeline for the day isn’t enough for people to know where they need to be. I’d done all the other details and this the one I’d not paid enough attention to, just makes the day run smoother.