A vintage fête-themed wedding saw that Johanna and Guy had lots of fun on their big day. With 100 metres of bunting and 500 metres of fairy lights their reception was extra special…
The proposal
Johanna wasn’t sure about Guy when they first met, but it didn’t take long for him to win her over and shortly after they had their romantic first date to Dunster Castle. Seven years later Guy proposed when they were on holiday in Florence. “We were at the top of the Firenze Duomo, taking in the beautiful views over the city, when he plucked up the courage to ask me. My heart melted,” smiles Johanna.
The bride’s outfit
Johanna found her perfect dress in a local boutique. “The sales assistant was so rude to
me though, that I decided not to buy it,” says Johanna. “After a few tears, I searched online for another stockist and found the dress on a second-hand website.” Johanna debated having a pre-worn dress, and eventually met with the owner. “We had a lovely chat over tea and cake and after a few alterations, I had the perfect dress for under £300!” says Johanna. The elegant ivory gown had a chapel-length train and scalloped lace edging, and Johanna added a vintage brooch and matching full-length veil. The look was completed with diamond jewellery and Jimmy Choo kitten heels.
The groom’s outfit
Guy wore a classic grey suit from Ted Baker along with a tweed waistcoat, tan leather shoes and Ray-Ban sunglasses. “He looked so tall, dark and handsome, I hardly recognised him!” Johanna laughs.
The bridesmaids
Johanna chose three bridesmaids for her big day. Her sister Lauren looked beautiful in a sage green full-length silk dress from House of Fraser with sparkly gold shoes from Next. Her two younger bridesmaids wore satin and tulle tea-length ivory dresses with a sage green sash. They had matching pale pink pumps from Matalan and ivory cardigans from Debenhams. Each bridesmaid accessorised with pearl bracelets and necklaces, which they were given as gifts.
The ceremony
Johanna and Guy had a religious ceremony at St George’s Church. “The vicar was amazing,” says Johanna. “He made all our guests feel at ease and even got a few cheers!” Johanna and Guy also chose to have a reading from Corinthians 13 as well as a poem called The Best Is Yet To Be by Joanna Fuchs.
The reception
This lovely country fête-themed reception took place at Johanna’s aunt’s farm in Cannington. Guests were treated to a quintessentially English afternoon tea with bite-size sandwiches and desserts, as well as a full hog roast in the evening, with spinach and falafel baps for the veggies! Guests were also given prosecco and elderflower cocktails served in lace decorated jam jars with retro pink stripy straws. “These were perfect on such a lovely sunny afternoon,” remembers Johanna. The couple also had emotional speeches by Guy, Johanna’s dad and their best man Ancel.
The details
“As soon as we set a date, I dug out my childhood sewing machine and within a few months I had made over 100 metres of bunting to decorate the marquee and pathways leading to the reception,” says Johanna. They also decorated with 500 metres of fairy lights, extra-large LOVE balloons and blow-up vintage style armchairs with a variety of pompoms. Outside, the couple had hay bale seating, a bouncy castle and a vintage bar. A
full vintage fête package was ordered from Rosy at Box Clever Wedding, which included games and giant space hoppers to keep their guests entertained.
They also had a Snappy Shack photobooth, lemonade stand and a cocktail van. Live band The Swing Kings kept everyone dancing. “They were highly recommended, and they didn’t disappoint – the dancefloor was packed all night long!” says Johanna. This couple also decided to have two wedding cakes – a beautiful and personalised three-tiered teal cake presented on a rustic wooden block, as well as a huge cheese cake decorated with figs and a selection of delicious cheese for everyone to enjoy.
The honeymoon
Johanna and Guy delayed their honeymoon until February when they took six weeks out to travel around Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia’s East Coast.
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