With its white roses, eucalyptus and subtle dashes of gold, Elle and Jamie’s nuptials were an ultra-laidback celebration on the Dorset coast
Jamie pulled off the perfect proposal, popping the question after a romantic evening walk along Bournemouth Beach. “One of my favourite memories with Jamie is walking along the beach for miles, just talking, so it was perfect,” Elle smiles.
“When I tried on my dress, I felt like a princess. When you know, you just know!”
While many brides dream of feeling like a princess in their wedding dress, it came as a surprise for this bride. “When I tried on my dress, I felt exactly that. When you know, you just know!” The tulle design featured a sweetheart neckline, beaded bodice and an illusion cut-out back.
“I accessorised with diamond and gold stud earrings, Steve Madden flats and a flower crown made from eucalyptus and spray roses. On the morning of our wedding, Jamie surprised me with a silver and gold dipped bangle, which was engraved.”
Coordinating with the bride’s chosen colour for her jewellery, the groom opted for a gold tie. “He wore a slim-fit, navy blue suit from Marks & Spencer. I was so excited to see him at our ceremony that I walked too fast and my veil slipped off!” Elle laughs.
Luckily, she had a team of six bridesmaids on hand to help. “My sister was my maid of honour, so she wore a floor-length grey dress from Wed2B’s bridesmaid range. My five other bridesmaids wore slate-grey dresses from ASOS.” Flower crowns completed the bridal party’s laidback, boho looks. “I did hire a professional for my make-up, but it was really important to me that I still looked and felt like myself,” Elle explains.
“Our favourite moment from the ceremony has to be the indescribable feeling when we made eye contact saying our vows”
The couple exchanged vows at Canford Magna Parish Church in Dorset, where the bride’s brothers gave readings. “My father walked me down the aisle to The Piano Guys’ A Thousand Years and we walked back up as husband and wife to Renegades by X Ambassadors,” adds Elle. When asked what their favourite memories from the ceremony were, this couple were in perfect harmony. “It was the indescribable feeling when we made eye contact saying our vows,” says Elle.
After the ceremony, the couple and their guests continued to the Branksome Dene Room, beside the beach in Poole, for their reception. In keeping with their relaxed approach, the couple opted to dish up a delicious range of help-yourself bread and olives to start. Next up was a paella, with wedding cake for dessert. “My maid of honour and Jamie’s best man both gave speeches. They made everyone laugh and cry.”
“We chose a green and gold colour scheme for our rustic theme”
Elle and Jamie chose a green and gold colour scheme for their rustic theme. “We chose invitation designs on Etsy and had them printed by a local company and handmade our own tableplan from old pallet wood.”
The couple embraced the blank canvas that their venue presented, hiring in tables to suit their theme from Virginia’s Vintage Hire and choosing gold cutlery and linen serviettes. Each place setting at the wooden trestle tables was styled with a sprig of eucalyptus and a Ferrero Rocher favour. Greenery garlands running the length of the tables with white taper candles in gold holders interspersed throughout created a rustic focal point.
“We wanted everything to look natural, working mainly with the green tones of eucalyptus and the pure white of roses”
“Our flowers were amazing. We wanted everything to look natural, working mainly with the green tones of eucalyptus and the pure white of roses. Rose at Florists Gallery delivered beautifully.”
The couple’s three-tier wedding cake complemented the theme. Decorated with ruffles of white buttercream frosting, eucalyptus and a single David Austin rose, Lindsey at Sweet Serenity ensured it also tasted as fantastic as it looked. “We had three tiers of vanilla, carrot cake and chocolate sponge,” adds Elle.
READ MORE: Five alternative wedding cake ideas for your big day
After the feast, the couple and their guests headed straight for the beach, where they got stuck into games of cricket and football. “It was a highlight of the day!” Elle smiles. “In the evening, we returned inside for music and dancing. We only chose our first dance song – The One by Kodaline – a week before the wedding! As soon as we heard it, we knew it was right.”
The tropical shores and temples of Bali beckoned for the newlyweds after the big day. “We booked with STA Travel and spent two nights on the Gili Islands, three nights in Ubud and eight nights in Kuta.”
Their wedding contacts…
CEREMONY VENUE Canford Magna Parish Church
RECEPTION VENUE Branksome Dene Room, Poole
PHOTOGRAPHY Nicky Hill Photography
DRESS Wed2B
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Wed2B; ASOS
GROOM Marks & Spencer; Next
SHOES Steve Madden
STATIONERY Etsy; Jennifer Trim Design & Print
FLOWERS Florists Gallery
CAKE Sweet Serenity
DECOR Virginia’s Vintage Hire
HONEYMOON STA Travel
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