Handmade details gave this relaxed Yorkshire wedding the personal touch. For her DIY wedding, Emily started collecting and making things inspired by her vintage vision for her big day, from the moment she was engaged!
How they met
Emily and Jordan met at school, and Jordan stole his bride-to-be’s heart from the very first moment. “He was the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen,” smiles Emily. “He was always in the sports hall at lunchtime, and I couldn’t believe it when he shouted, ‘nice shot!’ at me during a game of netball.”
The proposal
Emily had always said that she wanted her proposal to be a complete surprise, and Jordan didn’t disappoint. “We were in Edinburgh for my birthday, and started talking about marriage, but Jordan said he didn’t want to get engaged until we were at least 30,” Emily explains. “I was so shocked when, the next day, we went for a walk on Cramond Island, and right at the top, Jordan got down on one knee. He had the ring in his pocket all along!”
The bride’s outfit
A change of heart led Emily to the perfect wedding dress. “I decided to have my dress made, because I had an idea of what I wanted and found someone who could make it for a reasonable price,” she explains. “But then I wandered into a bridal boutique near our home, and spotted the most beautiful Ronald Joyce gown. I had to try it on, and once I had, I knew I had to buy it.”
The ivory lace gown featured a reverse Peter Pan collar, satin covered buttons and elegant Grecian pleats. “I’m keeping the original dress for when we eventually renew our vows,” Emily says. Emily also wore a simple, single-layer veil, a pearl necklace and diamond earrings given to her as a wedding gift by her groom.
The groom’s outfit
Jordan and his groomsmen wore woven grey suits in a relaxed style to suit the theme of the wedding day. “Jordan wore a waistcoat with his, and the men also wore stripy green and yellow socks to tie in with our colour scheme and add a quirky twist,” Emily says. Thoughtful bride Emily treated her husband to a bespoke set of cufflinks featuring maps of Edinburgh, where they got engaged, and Cuba, where they were to honeymoon.
The bridesmaids
Emily chose a dove grey shade for her bridesmaids, whose dresses came from ASOS. “They were made from crochet lace and cotton and worked perfectly with my dress,” Emily explains. “It was lovely getting ready together with a glass of champagne and our favourite songs playing.”
The ceremony
Emily and Jordan were married in a civil ceremony at Taitlands – a country venue in the Yorkshire Dales. “My big sister Sophie walked me down the aisle, but I was so excited, I practically ran!” Emily laughs. During the ceremony, Jordan’s brother and sister gave a moving joint reading of On Your Wedding Day.
The flowers
Emily opted for a simple but stunning pom pom bouquet of gypsophila, with smaller posies for the bridesmaids. “They were so elegant but were also affordable, so we could have plenty of flowers on the tables and around the venue,” Emily says.
The reception
The guests dined on a menu that included pot roast chicken and raspberry brûlée, while being entertained by acoustic guitarist Neill Ryan, who later performed with his band, the Kinky Pigs.
The details
Relaxed chic was the theme of Emily and Jordan’s big day. “We decorated the venue together the day before, with accessories I’d been making and collecting since we got engaged,” Emily says. These included photo bunting, a vintage suitcase full of flip- flops for dancing, lace-covered jars containing tea lights, and simple water jugs as vases for the table centres.
The cake
Emily’s mum made a delicious cheese cake including Lancashire, Manchego and goat’s cheese, which was served with port and homemade chutney during the speeches.
The first dance
The couple chose Is This Love by Bob Marley for their first dance. “Everyone got up to join us half way through our first dance – an unforgettable moment,” remembers Emily.
The honeymoon
The pair treated themselves to a luxury Cuban honeymoon, staying in a sea view villa.
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