Love blossomed at sea for this couple, but Amy and Richard kept their big day in land with a fun country, shabby chic wedding…
How they met
Amy was recovering from a broken heart when she first met her husband-to-be. “After a relationship breakdown, I decided to take a leap of faith into the unknown and go to work on a cruise ship – something I had always wanted to do,” Amy explains. “I was quite content with the single life, but little did I know that three weeks into my new adventure, I would meet the man who would become my husband.”
The proposal
After 10 years together and lots of hinting, Amy’s patience finally paid off when, walking in the woodland near Framlingham Castle, Richard proposed to her in a beautiful clearing. “He’s already told my father that he was going to ask me to marry him. After so many years together, my dad was as relieved as me!” Amy laughs.
The bride’s outfit
Amy lost her heart to only the fourth dress she tried on. “My stepmother picked it out, and initially I wasn’t too keen, but as soon as I put it on I was overwhelmed by how beautiful it looked,” Amy smiles. The full-length strapless gown from Moreland Design Studio featured ivory French lace and a fitted silhouette with a low back and a small train. Amy co-ordinated her dress with a vintage-style hair slide from Jon Richard at Debenhams, ivory satin court shoes with brooch detail from Pink by Paradox, and a satin-trimmed veil from Grace and Lace. “My father was so emotional about how I looked when he came to collect me, I was quite overwhelmed,” adds Amy.
The groom’s outfit
Following in the family tradition, Richard chose a suit from The Groom’s Room, where both his brothers had bought their wedding suits. He wore the petrol blue tailored suit with a matching waistcoat and a bespoke shirt with his initials stitched inside the collar. “I didn’t see Richard in the suit until our wedding day, and he looked amazing,” Amy sighs.
The bridesmaids
Amy’s maid of honour, best friend Esin wore a striking coral pink dress from Abigail’s, while two-year-old flowergirl, Mollie wore a pretty dress and accessories from Monsoon.
The ceremony
Amy and Richard chose Elms Barn – a beautifully restored 16th-century barn in the Waveney Valley, as the venue for their civil ceremony. Harpist Xenia Home provided the musical accompaniment, while the couple’s close friend Matt Bellamy, a writer and artist, wrote some personal words for the couple. “His lovely reading set the tears off!” says Amy.
The flowers
Amy and Richard chose an abundance of country blooms in shades of pink and white, provided by Teena Freeland – the venue’s owner and onsite florist.
The reception
After the ceremony, the guests dined on a summery seated buffet including cold meats, salmon and a wide selection of salads. “We had harp and classical music during the wedding breakfast, and our photographer set up a photo booth with lots of fab props and accessories,” says Amy. “We got loads of brilliant photos of our guests having a laugh.” The speeches included an emotional toast to Amy’s late mother, and another to her stepmother, who was unwell and couldn’t attend the wedding.
The details
Amy and Richard decorated with a shabby chic wedding theme, with vintage tea cup candles, candelabra, handmade place cards made from luggage tags and a vintage sweet table. “I work in a hospital, so instead of giving traditional favours, we thought it would be a nice idea to give everyone a scratch card supporting our local hospice,” adds Amy.
The cake
The couple-spotted – and fell in love with – a cake at a local wedding fair. The sleek and simple three-tier confection featured layers of carrot cake, Victoria sponge and traditional fruit cake, and was trimmed with ivory ribbon and a vintage-style brooch.
The honeymoon
After the bustle of wedding planning, newlyweds Amy and Richard enjoyed a relaxing honeymoon break on the beautiful Caribbean Island of Antigua.
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