Because this amazing celebration looks incredible. And as amazing as it looks, its heart and soul is what absolutely shines. Jack and Kieran’s wedding stands out because their personalities burst beautifully from the screen. Their love – the glimmer of a happy tear, the joy they share with everyone around them – sparkles even more than those gorgeous disco balls.

What makes me happiest of all is that these two knew how important it would be to have images that will remind them how their wedding felt, in years and decades to come. The life and vibrance in the photos comes from the skill of their photographer – documentary wedding photographer Simon Dewey (based in Derby). Simon’s approach is thoughtful, focused on capturing weddings naturally and seeing past the pretty details so your memories will be of the atmosphere, the feelings, the emotions and of course ALL the love.

So join me in falling in love with the details first: the disco balls and vibrant florals, the beautifully designed signage and funky candles, the doughnut and mixtape favours all overseen by Donna Summer, Kylie and Cher at The Shack Revolution. Then follow the story of Kieran and Jack’s wedding day as it unfolds, because every moment is special, every glance is magic and every photograph is a real, heartfelt memory, captured forever.

Kieran and Jack, thank you for letting us share your day. Simon Dewey – thank you for sharing your documentary photography of this perfect wedding with English Wedding.

Kieran & Jack’s wedding suppliers:

Documentary wedding photographer – Simon Dewey
Venue – @shackrevolution
Florist – @littlebloomingflorist
Pizza van – @originpizza
Ice cream van – @m.and.m.ices
Signage – designed by Kieran

—photog2

The post From the heart: Kieran & Jack’s beautiful Shack Revolution wedding, with Simon Dewey Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

https://www.fabiophotography.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

A fantastic photographer who truly listened to our wishes while also bringing in creative ideas from his experience. We trusted his vision, and the final photographs turned out stunning. He even stayed longer than planned to capture as much of our fusion wedding as possible, and so many of our guests commented on how brilliant he was.

Your best wedding moment or memory

At first, we both said the exchange of vows was the best moment. Then we thought about the speeches, the dinner, and later, we agreed the evening was incredible. Ultimately, what made it so special was being surrounded by the people we love and getting to share our joy with them. That, for us, is the best memory.

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

We incorporated several unique touches into our wedding:

• Our venue was a working theatre, so we designed official-looking tickets with our wedding date and times. These were stamped with a unique mark as a keepsake for our guests.
• Our little family members took on the role of “ring security”, which, while not entirely new, was a fun surprise for many of our guests.
• In the evening, we changed from our English wedding attire into traditional Punjabi clothing and made a grand entrance dancing to live dhol drummers.
• We played traditional Punjabi wedding games to determine who would “rule” the relationship—Michelle won!
• We included the Mangalsutra ceremony, where the groom gives the bride a traditional necklace as a symbol of their marriage.
• As a surprise, we announced and celebrated the birthdays of six guests, presenting them with cakes featuring their photos and singing “Happy Birthday” to them.
• Our evening reception had a mix of English and Indian cuisine, along with roulette tables, a caricaturist, a face painter, a selfie mirror, and a cocktail mixologist serving a custom menu of autumn-themed drinks we selected.

Videographer name + review

Martin at Valley Visual Films

Martin was brilliant—professional yet unobtrusive, giving us space while still capturing all the intimate moments. The film was delivered quickly but with incredible care and quality. We, along with our family and friends, continue to enjoy looking back on it with fond memories.

Venue name + review

Kings Hall and Winter Gardens, Ilkley

A beautiful venue rich in history, set in the charming village of Ilkley. The large, naturally lit Victorian ceremony room perfectly complemented our autumnal theme. With ample space for our 200+ guests, it was both grand and intimate. The theatre setting was spectacular for our wedding breakfast and evening celebration—truly a hidden gem in the Yorkshire Moors.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

Michelle: For the ceremony, I wore a simple long white dress with long sleeves and a split detail, featuring a cowl back, tiara, and a long veil from Must Be Love Bridal in Nottinghamshire. My mid-heel shoes were from Irregular Choice. For traditions, I wore:

• Something old & borrowed: My grandad’s wedding ring
• Something new & blue: A necklace gifted by my mum
• I also had mehndi (henna) on both hands

In the evening, I changed into a burnt orange and antique gold Punjabi lehenga, with matching antique gold Punjabi bridal jewelry, designed by a bespoke wedding clothing designer at Bradford Plaza.

Ricky: For the ceremony, I wore a burgundy tweed suit, paired with a cream shirt and a burnt orange tie — the same tie was gifted to distinguished family members to wear, tying into our autumnal theme. In the evening, I changed into a traditional Shivani, a northern Indian wedding outfit, in orange, burgundy, with hints of blue and gold.

Dress or suit shop name + review

Groom’s ceremony attire – Suit, shirt, and tie from Slater Menswear, Nottingham.
Groom’s evening attire – Tailor-made and sent to Kashmir for a six-week turnaround, designed by a bespoke wedding clothing specialist at Bradford Plaza.

Florist name + review

Shindig Event Styling did a fantastic job dressing our ceremony and reception with beautiful autumnal trees, drapes, and florals, including a stunning floral archway and table arrangements.

Cake maker name + review

Our cake was made by Michelle’s sister Selina as our wedding gift, a three tiered cake decorated in our theme

Stationery maker’s name + review

Michelle’s Man of Honour and best friend created our place settings as a gift. All other stationery, signage, and imagery were handmade by Michelle, Ricky, and Ricky’s children, Erin and Bennett.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Our wedding was full of DIY elements, including:

• Handmade bouquets and buttonholes (Michelle & her mum). • Custom “ring security” accessories (Michelle & Ricky).
• Wedding favours & kids’ activity packs (Michelle, Ricky, family & friends).
• Fusion-themed activity packs for children, blending English and Indian games.
• Homemade confetti (Michelle & Emma).
• A unique guest book/well wishes activity, created by Michelle’s friend Emma, which we opened on our 1-year anniversary.
• A diamond art picture in our wedding colours, crafted by Michelle’s sister Alana, displayed alongside a memorial table for loved ones who had passed.

Wedding readings?

1. We had three readings, starting from long to short:
   “Love’s Eternal Dance” – An old Punjabi poem adapted to reflect the union of East and West, read by Lash Lal, a family relative of the groom, chosen for her fluency in Punjabi.
2. “Blessing of the Hands” – A reflection on the balance and tenderness of a relationship, read by Rekha Dulai.
3. “Here and Now” – A short, sweet reading by Michelle’s close friend, Emma Sinnet.

Wedding planner name + review

Emma at Embie Events was fantastic. She supported us throughout the planning process and ensured everything ran seamlessly on the day. She even came to where I was getting ready to steam my wedding dress! With a huge task ahead of her, she managed it all effortlessly while also serving as our MC for the day.

Hair + makeup name + review

Styled by Armani
Armani was brilliant—she listened to what I liked (and didn’t like!) and made me feel perfect on the day. She also did the hair and makeup for some of my bridesmaids, and they all looked stunning.

Live music

Ray’s Piano
Ray’s Piano played for us from the ceremony right through to the end of the wedding breakfast, and he was absolutely fabulous. We gave him some tricky songs to play, but he did them justice, and his performance added such a beautiful, elegant touch to the day. He was a joy to collaborate with, and we couldn’t have asked for a better musician to set the perfect atmosphere.

The post Michelle and Rakesh’s amazing Yorkshire theatre wedding, with Fabio Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

This is everything we love at English Wedding. Authentic, joyful, exciting weddings where traditions are what you choose to celebrate your cultures (rather than rules to be adhered to!) The joy in Rike and Sachin’s eyes, and shining from their guests’ grins, is so fabulously real.

“This wonderful pair wanted their wedding to be a true expression of who they are and what they love and, in turn, we worked hard to draw on the ideas that come easiest to us and shape them into images that we hope reveal as much in us as they do in the wonderful Rike & Sachin.” ~ York Place Studios.

Château du Feÿ is a 400 year old castle in the Burgundy region, a designated Historical Monument of France which has been lovingly preserved to maintain its historical charm while embracing modern principles of design. Sustainability and creativity are the heart and soul of this romantic wedding venue, with its breathtaking views and rural French charm.

York Place have inspired English Wedding over the years to really champion documentary wedding photography. This style is a dream for me after 15 years of publishing real weddings on our blog. While trends come and go, and photography aesthetics change with the seasons, these images which capture every couple’s wedding as it unfolds, naturally and authentically, stand the test of time. If you’re new to wedding planning and curious about this wedding photography style, you might find the answers to your burning wedding photography questions here.

We’re proud to have been working with York Place Studios for quite a few years on English Wedding. Their work as London, UK and destination wedding photographers is always exciting, fresh, and fascinating – they truly stand out for their talent and expertise, and are sought after as leaders in their field by other wedding photographers, speaking at photography events worldwide.

Rike and Sachin’s Indian wedding is one of my absolute favourites and I hope you’ll forgive me for sharing so many of their stunning images! More, as always on instagram @englishweddingblog

The post Rike & Sachin’s colourful, creative, incredible Chateau du Fey wedding with York Place Studios appeared first on English Wedding.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! Here’s Hannah & Danny’s Lake District wedding to make you smile and inspire your planning!

Wedding photographer’s website

Mark Battista https://www.markbattistaphotography.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

Mark is an exceptional wedding photographer! He was fun, professional, and took amazing photos. We had such a blast on our wedding day and he fit in perfectly. We’re so happy with the photography! He gave really clear directions, and was well prepared for the slightly adverse weather conditions with a supply of umbrellas and a can do attitude! We had such a wonderful day, big thank you to Mark for capturing our Lake District wedding so beautifully.

Your best wedding moment or memory

Danny’s best moment: The choir singing as Hannah walked down the aisle.
Hannah’s best moment: Honestly the entire day! I can’t pick a favourite!

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

Our friends/bridesmaids sang as Hannah walked down the aisle as one would in a church service, however this was a civil ceremony. It added something so special to the atmosphere of the day.

Venue name + review

Eden Wedding Barn

Extremely professional, the day ran incredibly smoothly. The in-house catering by Southcott was incredible! They ensured the whole day went perfectly.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

Danny had a suit hand made when we visited Vietnam in 2019. For the wedding we wanted a unique colour of suit – everyone wears black, navy or grey! Danny got in touch with the tailors in Vietnam to find out if they could make him another suit, and luckily they still had his measurements! So via video call he selected the fabrics and designed the suit you see in the photos custom.

Hannah’s dress was picked out on a trip with her mum and chief bridesmaid, Meg. I fell in love with it the moment I tried it on. It’s whimsical, fun, elegant, the whole package! I chose not to have a veil, but to have drapes from my shoulders instead as I thought that was a bit more unique and meant I could have flowers in my hair.

Dress or suit shop name + review

The White Yard

Florist name + review

Rocke ‘n’ Roses

Daisy created the most beautiful flower arrangements which perfectly fit our vision for the day. The flowers were fun, colourful and fragrant.

Daisy also managed to create a fresh flower hairpiece for Hannah which survived all day without wilting at all. She was so creative, and utterly professional. She took it in her stride when we added a couple of last minute bouquets for the mums!

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

• • • • Meg, one of our bridesmaids, hand drew our wedding welcome sign.
      • Ben (Hannah’s brother) created our table plan from hand folded paper cranes, fishing line, an Ikea clothes rail, and A5 cards with names and table numbers on.

    

    • Alison (Hannah’s mum) made the wedding cake and decorative sugar flowers by hand.

  

  • Our friends formed a small choir and sang during the ceremony which was utterly magical.
  • Sarah (Danny’s mum) kindly made tags to put on the chairs in the pews to reserve seats for immediate family and the bridal party near the front of the venue.
  • John (Hannah’s dad) drove her to the venue in a 1961 Morris Minor 1000 which Hannah’s Grandpa had driven her mum to their wedding in back in 1995 and has been in the family ever since. He put a lot of work into restoring the vehicle for the day.

• • Hannah decorated the wedding car herself.
  • Elaine, one of Hannah’s relatives, created the floral buttonholes as a gift to us.
  • Hannah and the mums worked together to create the table numbers using old childhood photos of us at the corresponding ages.
  • Hannah and her bridesmaids collected glass vases from charity shops and saved jam and sauce jars for over a year for putting candles and small floral arrangements on the tables in.
  • Danny’s mum made the golden capes he and his best man wore later in the evening.

• A family friend, Jenny of Jolly biscuits by JD, hand made custom biscuits for every guest which were their name cards at dinner.

Wedding transport

We arranged transport for our guests to and from the venue with Cumbria Classic Coaches who had such fantastic touches – the bus destination was “Wedding Special”, they had custom tickets for our guests with the date and our names on, a guest on each bus got to wear the conductor hat and use the ticket machine, and they decorated the coaches beautifully!

Wedding readings?

JRR Tolkien – Poem for his wife I Will Love You Forever, from the ‘The Amber Spyglass’, by Phillip Pullman

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong played live by Eden Valley Ceilidh Band
We would highly recommend booking a live Ceilidh band and caller for a wedding. It was the most fantastic fun!

Finding choral music appropriate for a civil wedding ceremony proved very difficult! In the end we chose:

• Rise up my love by Healey Willan
• The Road Home by Stephen Paulus
• My heart in Thine by Charles Villers Stanford

Hair + makeup name + review

Enhance Hair and Beauty for hair. Christine was so patient with my finicky hair which was refusing to hold a curl! She cut my hair through all my childhood and still does my mum’s hair, so it was lovely to be in such trusted and experienced hands.
Hannah did her own makeup.

The post Hannah & Danny’s whimsical, colourful wedding, with Mark Battista Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

Cambridge wedding photographer Damien Vickers – https://www.damienvickersphotography.co.uk/

Wedding photographer review

Damien was just so easy to work with. We are terrible at taking photos and tend to look incredibly awkward in any that do exist! We had a pre-wedding shoot, which despite my nerves as we tread the cobbled Cambridge streets in the ‘golden hour’, was a great experience.

It meant that on the day, we’d already built a rapport with Damien and it was one less thing to worry about. I don’t know how he managed to be everywhere on the day!

One of the best things about getting our photos back was seeing all the moments we’d missed, being the centre of attention. He had captured so many wonderful candid shots of our friends and loved ones. He was both easy-going and relaxed with us, but also assertive and clear when getting the group shots. His experience shone through as we asked many questions in the run up to the day – all of which he answered with care and provided options or recommendations.

Your best wedding moment or memory

For me, it was the moment that my Dad and I could see our guests as he walked me down the aisle. Everyone was gathered in the beautiful garden at South Farm. I had been the most nervous all day once the music started and my bridesmaids left us waiting in the hallway of the farmhouse. Just the two of us for a few minutes. Then all of a sudden, we were bathed in love from our friends and family. Everyone was beaming and looked so fancy! I made a point to make as much eye contact as I could (whilst also trying to walk slowly). It was really a privilege to have so many people there to celebrate us. Then, there Jake was, smiling at the end of the aisle and we both had tears in our eyes when we said ‘hello!’.

Jake chose the first dance as his favourite moment. He said that the high pressure events of the day were all over, from ceremony to speeches, and he could now relax and have fun! I was not so relaxed in those final moments waiting for the first chords to kick in – as I’m not a natural dancer. We’d worked hard over a couple of months to learn a routine to ‘Come and Get Your Love’ by Redbone, which was played live by The Dominos. Jake used to be in a band and has an extroverted side, so our upbeat first dance suited his inner performer!

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

There was just so much about the wedding that fell into place. We were incredibly lucky to secure a Saturday in August at South Farm, just 7 months before our wedding. This happened to also be the date of our 11th anniversary together – this definitely felt serendipitous. We had no idea how popular South Farm was as naïve wedding planners ourselves!

Our Band, The Dominos, perform at weddings and events internationally and were available on our date! Two of the members of the band, Stu and Alex, had a band with Jake when they were teenagers, so really, we would not have wanted anyone else to perform for us.

We had our dogs, Bear & Arlo, with us on the day. They had many admirers and endless offers for walkies! For us, they’re part of the family so having them with us meant a lot.

In the run up to the wedding of course there’s lots of wed-min which can be stressful, but one of the best things we have ever done is learning our first dance together. We bought an online package which had video tutorials and spent about two months practicing most evenings in our dining room. Although we’re not dancers, we wanted to do more than an awkward shuffle for our first dance! We both loved the song ‘Come and Get Your Love’ by Redbone and wanted an upbeat opener to the evening celebrations. The tempo meant it was both fun and silly to learn, as we’d trip over each other, miss beats and fall around laughing. In all the stresses of day-to-day life our dance practice was a time apart, where we’d simply look in each others’ eyes and give it a go. I smiled so much in all of our practices.

Venue name + review

South Farm What can I say – South Farm are fabulous. Everything from the venue itself, the food and the smooth running of the day – they have it all down to a tee.

We had nothing to worry about on the day, South Farm managed everything. It meant we could be fully present and enjoy the time with our guests.

The spaces are all tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean and the gardens have a range of meticulously tended and wild areas. People can meet in larger or smaller groups both inside and outside, so everyone can be comfortable throughout the day. Having the whole site for your wedding feels special and exclusive.

The team at South Farm are impeccable. Any concern or query was responded to promptly. They provide really clear timelines and communications on decisions, payments and finalisations. The staff are warm and friendly, nothing phases them and any issue is dealt with smoothly and with ease.

The food is divine. We did a tasting evening and were stuffed! The menu is extensive and there are lots of options for those with dietary needs. I’m gluten free (allergy) and nothing was a bother, I felt really safe eating there throughout the day.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

My dress was from Heritage Brides in Hatfield – It is Lee Lee by ByWatters and Sam, who runs the shop, could not have been a safer pair of hands.

I’d been to one bridal shop before this and so I’d tried on a lot of silhouettes, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I’m not the type of person who has held a wedding for a long time. She listened and asked careful questions to pull out dresses for me to try. As I’d critique a dress, she’d adapt and pull the next choice.

I did have that ‘wow’ moment where I cried when I saw ‘the’ dress – which I did not expect! So there was no going back then. I didn’t expect to go for a gown or for the oatmeal colour in my dress, but when I tried it on, it sang and really complimented my (pale Irish!) skin colour.

I also had a flower crown handmade by Suzy, our Florist. My necklace was from Jersey Pearl. It was a present to me from Jake on the day – Jersey was where we’d spent a really lovely holiday a few years earlier! My earrings were handmade ceramic by Vivi Embellish (Elara Drops) from MarriMe in Newcastle. My bracelet was by Martina Hamilton, an Irish Jeweller, which was a present on the day from my parents. All of the accessories I have worn since and they bring a smile as I think back to our wedding day!

Jake’s suit was from Edit Suits in London – He had tried many high-street shops and rental options, but couldn’t find quite the right fit or colour so he opted to have his suit made. He said they offered a personalised service at a reasonable price, with numerous customisable options and provided quick turn-around from measure to final fit. His shoes are from Loake & the tie and pocket-square are a Liberty of London print bought from Etsy.

Florist name + review

Suzy Randell – Suzy was warm, knowledgeable and we worked well together to develop the vision for the flowers.

She was open to incorporating my creative elements into her floral displays. Using mood boards, visiting her in her studio and trying out a pre-wedding flower crown all really helped to bring the bold and bright florals to life. We took all the flowers home and had them up for weeks! She was very sensitive to any particular flowers we might want, for example, dahlia’s were Jake’s Nan’s favourite flower and she couldn’t be with us on the day. We had lots of dahlia’s! Across the different floral aspects – from meadow flowers, garland, bouquet to table arrangements, Suzy brought variation but matched this within the overall theme through her styling and flower choice.

Cake maker name + review

Our cake was made by a neighbour of ours, Chris. She made a gluten free Victoria sponge with raspberry conserve. She worked tirelessly making the individuals wildflowers which were modelled on those from Jake’s tie & pocket-square. She added fresh rosemary and a surprise of shamrocks, nodding to my Irish heritage. She is a warm and incredibly generous person and we loved the cake. It tasted wonderful too!

The topper is handmade in Vietnam (Chabinu Pegdolls on Etsy). Mika asked for details of our wedding outfits and also photos of us (and the dogs!). She sent proofs before she painted the figures and even clarified details for the dogs! I love them!

Stationery maker’s name + review

Grace Taylor @ Wildwood Paper – We opted for the Wild Meadow design for all of our on the day stationery. It matched the bold and bright colour theme, as well as featuring some of the same flowers in fabric and on the cake.

Grace was so easy to deal with, clear in her communication and managed expectations around delivery/timelines well. She gave a range of options based on her vast expertise. The quality of the prints was great and many guests took little mementos of the menu or their place-names!

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Lots! I’m a maker and an art therapist by profession so once our wedding became a reality I had lots of ideas!

A bold and bright theme of colours overall. Given the height of Summer and our plan to get married in the gardens, I knew the flowers would be exploding in rich colours. There were nine different core colours.

We made 300 woollen pom-poms – transforming these into parts of the table decorations, bunting and chair tassels, as well as decorations along the aisle. The idea for pom-poms came from my work with people with a learning disability. I was doing some research into group art therapy, one group I went to had me making pom-poms and it was filled with such joy that I wanted to take this into our wedding.

We also made 100 origami birds. A few years ago, I’d made a mobile of origami birds that was focussed on grief in my life. For our wedding, I wanted to re-work the theme of the paper birds, with joy as the focus and so the 100 colourful origami birds were born. My bridesmaids and parents were the key helpers in making and assembling this vision!

Alongside what we’d made, Charlie (The Stables Prop Hire) hung paper lanterns in the barns and trees outside. Suzy (our florist) had carte blanche to go wild with colour, though we did agree that as many locally grown flowers would be included as possible.

My shoes were wedges from Hobbs and I sewed leather flowers onto them, which echoed the large applique flowers on my dress.

My mum knitted me a fabulous mohair cardigan to a 1980s pattern I found. Though on the day it was too warm to wear my cardi – I have it now as a wonderful token from our day and love wrapping up in it.

Wedding readings?

‘Everything I know About Love’ by Neil Gaiman

My dear friend Edward (O’Grady-Walshe) read this for us at our ceremony. I’ve known Edward since 2007, we met working together in an architectural practice. He’s the kind of person you could not see for a year and then stay up all night talking to catch up. He is wildly talented as an artist, on stage and behind the scenes. Creativity is part of his DNA. I knew he’d be perfect to make the reading memorable for guests and I really wanted him to have a role in our day. What I didn’t expect was that all three of us would choke up as he read the poem. The sense of love and gratitude at being together, celebrating love and friendship, was palpable. And the audience loved it!

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

‘Come and Get Your Love’ by Redbone

Jake was the master behind our playlist. We’d asked guests when they RSVP-ed for any requested songs and included these. We tried to have a range of musical styles across the day and into the evening so that everyone, if they wanted to, could get up and dance at some stage. We also worked with The Dominos to make sure that their set list was unique and our playlist didn’t repeat anything.

Other recommended wedding suppliers

Our band The Dominos have such a range of music and possible sets. They’re friendly and have just the right energy to match the vibe of the day. For us, they played during our drinks reception in the garden and then into the evening. They even checked outfit colours to ensure they wouldn’t clash with the wedding party!! Absolute professionals!

Coloured Paper Lanterns by Charlie Waters @ The Stables Prop Hire – https://www.thestablesprophire.co.uk/ She could not have done more for us – she was so helpful and so warm in all her communication.

Wedding bands were both from Galio Jewellers in St Albans – https://www.galio.co.uk/ Jake’s was custom made in Germany, mine was an accidental find which I was very pleased with as it fitted perfectly with my engagement ring, which Jake had chosen without any hints or suggestions.

Shellac Manicure (my first ever!) by Skin & Tonic in St Albans.

Mother of the Bride dress from Sinead’s Boutique, Ireland – https://sineadsboutique.com/ My mum felt really taken care of in Sinead’s. She was nervous about finding the right outfit as she’s more used to getting out and about in the countryside than wearing elegant dresses! So she needed a shop where they would work closely with her to make sure she was comfortable, but also that little bit special.

Bridesmaids dresses from Model Chic, Australia – https://www.modelchic.com.au/ Their communication was great and deliver estimates were spot on, also very reasonably priced. I wanted my bridesmaids to be able to choose a sleeve/strap style that they felt comfortable in, so the infinity dresses were perfect as there’s so many ways they can be worn.

Groomsmen & Father of Bride suits rented from Status Formal Hire in Harpenden. Efficient and professional service.

Wedding planner name + review

N/A – Though I must give a nod to South Farm here. Their team was incredible from our very first viewing, right through to having Evie as our wedding co-ordinator on the day. They know every aspect of weddings inside-out and so it felt like we had a team of wedding planners keeping us on track!

Hair + makeup name + review

Elouise Wallis @ Elouise Hair Stylist on Instagram as @elouise_hairstylist Elouise is my regular hairdresser, whom I’ve known since 2017 and followed her from salon to salon! I just knew it had to be her handling my hair and nerves on the day! She wouldn’t have let me go with a style that didn’t suit my face or hair type. A great piece of advice she gave at the trial was to try everything, every wild style idea I’d ever had and then see what felt most like ‘me’. She was a gem to have around on the day!
Katie Bullot @ GLOW by KT – Whom I chose for her natural looking dewey finish – I wear hardly any make up, so I wanted to feel like ‘me’ on the day, with a touch more glam! My bridesmaids and Mum also rarely wear make up, so I knew they’d be comfortable too. Katie is both professional and organised, with a keen attention to detail.

The post A super colourful South Farm wedding for Nicki & Jake, with Damien Vickers Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

Liam & Stam – www.liamcollard.com

Wedding photographer review

We found Liam and Stam online and were immediately drawn to their wedding photography style. We wanted photos that felt natural and unposed, capturing the overall ambiance, setting, and the emotions of not just the bride and groom, but also our guests. For our original pre-COVID wedding plans, we envisioned two events: one in Huahin, Thailand, and another in London, where Sanjay and I live. It felt like serendipity when we discovered that Liam and Stam were based in both Thailand and the UK, making them the perfect choice for both celebrations.

When COVID hit, they were very understanding of the situation and willing to wait and see how things unfolded. In 2022, when we reached out again, they were incredibly accommodating, and we were relieved that they were still available. Fast forward to November 2023, and Liam and Stam made us feel so at ease throughout the wedding. Neither of us is used to being in the spotlight, but instead of feeling self-conscious, we were able to relax and enjoy the moments thanks to their calming presence.

Their connection with us went beyond just photography. They took the time to understand the significance of each cultural ceremony—whether it was the Hindu wedding, Chinese tea ceremony, or Thai water blessing—and this made the photos feel even more meaningful. They truly captured the spirit of each tradition, as well as those in-between moments, like the emotional exchange during the tea ceremony or the laughter shared with friends during the door games. Not only are they true professionals, but they also helped pace the day by coordinating with vendors to keep everything on schedule. When things got a bit hectic, they even whisked us away for some much-needed breaks, which we were so grateful for.

By the end of the wedding, we had complete trust in their ability to deliver stunning photos. Their dedication continued during the post-production process. Stam carefully curated the best photos for the album, but still made sure we were involved by asking for our input to ensure it captured our favorite memories. The results were incredible. When we saw the digital photos, we were blown away, and the hard-cover photo album was even more impressive. We love sharing it with anyone who visits. Since we opted not to have a videographer, these photos are even more precious to us, as they beautifully encapsulate the memories of our special day.

Your best wedding moment or memory

Our favorite memory has to be the finale to Saturday’s dinner. After a long day of traditional ceremonies, teary speeches, and champagne toasts, the night culminated in a moment that felt like pure magic. As we prepared to walk out from the dinner lawn, The Palayana’s beautifully landscaped path stretched out before us, leading from the beach to the hotel lobby.

Our guests—family and friends who had traveled from every corner of the world—lined the path, each holding a sparkler, their faces lit up with joy and love. As the opening notes of Banners’ ‘Someone to You’ played, Sanjay and I began our walk, hand in hand, up that sparkling pathway. It felt like time stood still. We took in every familiar face, overwhelmed with gratitude for each person who had come so far to be with us. Many of them we don’t get to see often, as life has scattered us across different cities and countries, yet here they were, united for us, in this beautiful place.

The air was filled with a mix of celebration and deep emotion, and we were flooded with the realisation of just how loved we are. Each step up the path felt like a reminder of the incredible support system we have, and how truly lucky we were to share this moment surrounded by the people who have shaped our lives. It was a moment of pure joy and gratitude—a feeling we will cherish forever.

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

Our wedding was different in so many ways! We had the challenge — and joy — of blending three distinct cultures into a single celebration, so our guests essentially got a 3-in-1 experience.

With an Indian, Chinese, and Thai background between us, we aimed to honor each culture while keeping the day manageable. For instance, our Hindu wedding was much more concise than the traditional multi-day affair.

We were a bit apprehensive about this part since the rituals can often feel long and drawn out, but our Bangkok-based priest, Pandit Lalit, made it light-hearted and engaging, which turned it into a really fun experience.

Both families were also very involved in the Chinese and Thai ceremonies, which added to the sense of connection and unity. It was incredibly special to see everyone learning about each other’s cultures—many for the first time.

Our wedding didn’t just celebrate our love; it also became a celebration of the blending of our traditions, creating something truly unique and meaningful for all of us.

Venue name + review

We chose Hua Hin because it’s where Iphin’s parents live, offering a laid-back, chilled beach vibe compared to the more popular wedding destinations like Koh Samui or Phuket.

Iphin’s parents scouted several venues for us, and when we saw photos of The Palayana, we fell in love instantly. The lush landscaping, individual chalets, and charming Thai touches—like the Sala overlooking the beautiful pool—made it stand out.

When we arrived in Thailand for a tour and tasting in December 2019, it exceeded our expectations. The food was incredible. Shaun and his talented team are culinary magicians, blending innovative Indian and Thai flavors—perfect for our multicultural wedding. Our guests raved about the delicious cuisine throughout the celebration.

Sumeet, the owner, and his team were invaluable throughout the planning process. Despite hosting numerous weddings every year, they always made time for us and offered fantastic advice that helped shape our special day. We felt confident that our guests would be well taken care of, and they certainly were. From the service to the attention to detail, The Palayana made our wedding unforgettable.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

Where to start? We had quite a few outfit changes!

For the Hindu Ceremony: Sanjay wore a white embroidered kurta paired with gold trousers, embracing a traditional yet elegant look. Iphin wore a mint green lengha with pink accents, complete with a matching dupatta gifted by Sanjay’s grandmother. The outfit was complemented by gold jewelry, including necklaces and earrings gifted by Sanjay’s parents. The lengha and kurta were purchased in Brickfields, Bangsar, as a nod to our Malaysian roots.

For the Chinese Ceremony: Sanjay donned a traditional gold silk Chinese shirt and jacket that we found in Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat), perfectly suited for the occasion. Iphin wore her grandmother’s treasured silk bridal gown from the late 1950s, which was remarkably well-preserved. It needed only a few delicate repairs to the silk but no alterations. Wearing such a precious heirloom required extra care, especially since Iphin is known for being a bit accident-prone when it comes to clothing!

For the Thai Ceremony: Sanjay opted for a refined sand-colored linen-blend suit from Hawes & Curtis, giving a modern touch to the traditional setting. Iphin wore a beautiful ivory Thai dress with gold embellishments, custom-made by Alta Bridal at The Old Siam Plaza in Bangkok. The look was completed with a peacock brooch, a sentimental piece gifted by Iphin’s grandmother.

Dress or suit shop name + review

Rajwaada Royal Collections, Bangkok
Praveen Aunty and her team truly worked miracles for us! Due to a miscommunication, we realised just a week before the wedding that Iphin’s lengha wasn’t finished when she arrived in Bangkok. With no time to spare, we were in a mad rush to find a tailor who could complete the alterations in just 48 hours. Thankfully, we found Praveen Aunty, and the relief was palpable! Not only did her team expertly finish the lengha, but they also completed the blouse and added beautiful complementary adornments. Iphin’s sense of relief and gratitude at the end of it all cannot be understated; she was overjoyed with the final result, which truly captured her vision for the day.

Alta Bridal, Bangkok
Since Iphin lived in London, all her mom could provide Alta Bridal were some basic measurements. When we arrived for the fitting just a week before the wedding, we were holding our breath, hoping everything would fit. To our delight, it fit perfectly! The dress was absolutely breathtaking, with exquisite detailing that left us all in awe. Even Iphin’s dad, who isn’t one for compliments, was blown away and said Iphin should wear it every day! The craftsmanship and attention to detail from Alta Bridal made this dress not just fitting for the occasion but a cherished piece for years to come.

Stationery maker’s name + review

We didn’t have a separate stationery maker for our wedding, as Iphin designed all the cards herself. She created various pieces, including welcome cards and informational cards explaining each ceremony and its cultural significance. This approach allowed us to personalise our wedding materials while effectively communicating the different traditions to our guests.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Iphin’s mum was the main florist for our wedding, and she took the phrase “keep it local” to a whole new level! Instead of using imported flowers, she decided to source decorations right from our community — because who needs a fancy florist when you have a pair of shears?

She spent weeks cruising around town, charmingly asking residents and shop owners if she could cut their bushes for cuttings. We like to think she became the neighborhood’s unofficial “flower thief!” A significant portion of the hand-arranged bouquets came from her own beloved garden, which made the arrangements not only beautiful but also deeply personal. Her hard work was no joke! She spent countless hours experimenting with different arrangements, creating a rough map of where to snip as the wedding date approached — because, let’s be real, those cuttings wouldn’t survive more than a few days in the tropical heat. In the late nights leading up to the wedding, she was busy preparing and arranging the bouquets, all while trying to keep them fresh in the sweltering weather. Her commitment to “keeping it local” turned out to be a labor of love that made our wedding uniquely special.

Wedding readings?

We didn’t have traditional readings at our wedding. Instead, our siblings and close friends took the stage to deliver some truly amazing speeches

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

For our final dinner, we had the incredible jazz trio, Siam Live Music Band, who set the perfect mood for the evening.

In a classic case of “how did I let him talk me into this?” Sanjay managed to persuade Iphin to enter the dinner to the Star Wars theme song — talk about making an entrance!

After much bickering and negotiating (let’s just say there were some strong opinions on both sides), we finally settled on an acapella version of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” for our first dance, beautifully delivered by the jazz band. But before we could take the plunge into our first dance, Sanjay’s guitar teacher cousin, Vishaal, surprised us with an impromptu performance of Green Day’s “Time of Your Life.” It was such a touching moment that it had us on the dance floor before we even got to our song.

As for playlist recommendations, if you want to keep the vibe lively, I’d suggest mixing in some jazz classics, heartfelt ballads, and a few cheeky surprises that reflect your personalities—like the Star Wars theme for the laughs!

Wedding planner name + review

Bliss Events – www.blisseventthailand.com

From the very beginning, Chat of Bliss Events impressed us with her dedication and professionalism. She made the long nine-hour drive from Koh Samui to Hua Hin in the early hours of the morning back in December 2019 to meet us at The Palayana for our tasting and tour. At that moment, we knew she was the right fit for us, and we were never disappointed.

Being remote, it must have been challenging for Chat and her team to coordinate with us due to the time difference and our work commitments. However, they ensured we stayed on track by prompting us to make decisions and advising us on the best course of action.

Sanjay and I were adamant that we didn’t want anything lavish; we desired a laid-back, authentic wedding that truly reflected who we are. This may not be the typical dream brief for most wedding planners, who often aim for extravagant settings, but it didn’t stop Chat and Wann from delivering something absolutely magical while staying within budget.

They also had an amazing network of vendors, including our band and makeup artist, which made the planning process seamless. Throughout the wedding, they were incredibly helpful, and we knew we could trust them with every detail.

Hair + makeup name + review

Phuri Makeup
We chose Phuri Makeup based on high recommendations from Chat of Bliss Events, and we were not disappointed. Due to our tight schedule, we didn’t have time for a bridal makeup trial, so the first time Khun Phuri saw Iphin was literally the morning of the wedding. With the Hindu ceremony starting at 7 AM, Iphin was up and ready for makeup by 4 AM. Phuri and his team made the long overnight drive from Bangkok just to be there for us.

When Iphin arrived at the makeup room, she was truly overwhelmed by the professional setup—a dining table full of makeup and lights everywhere. For someone who doesn’t usually wear makeup, Khun Phuri made her feel at ease right away. He prepared three different looks for the various ceremonies and seamlessly transitioned her hair and makeup from one look to another, ensuring they were distinct yet complementary to each outfit.

Despite the long day, the team maintained a high level of professionalism throughout. Friends and family were surprised to see Iphin, who typically has a very casual style. Khun Phuri accentuated her features beautifully, and the results were stunning both in person and in photographs.

portraits

The post 3 cultures in 1 for Iphin & Sanjay’s beautiful Thai wedding, with Liam Collard Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Images in this blog are by Bristol wedding photographer Martin Dabek, who we’re delighted to say is a member of English Wedding. He’s an experienced wedding photographer, based in Somerset, and has photographed over 400 weddings across 14 years.

This day was glorious. The colourful flowers set the scene for a fun, vibrant and colourful celebration. There’s so many special touches and little details which make this wedding stand out from the crowd.

Holly & Nat told us Brympton wedding photographer Martin Dabek was fantastic. Martin is based in Bristol, Somerset and covers weddings throughout the UK and abroad.

“Martin was great and stopped at nothing to get the perfect shot.” ~ Holly & Nat

The setting is sublime. Brympton House is picturesque and perfect for an indoor or outdoor wedding. If you’re lucky enough to have amazing weather, you have option to dine outside. Inside the house itself is equally fabulous. Holly & Nat said,

“Brympton House was fantastic. The staff were great and so kind and accommodating. The venue itself and the gardens were stunning.”

I couldn’t agree more! With colourful florals and styling by Brympton Styling, background music from The Bristol String Quartet and a lively party in the company of Mariachi Loco, this has to be one of the most fun weddings I’ve seen!

My artistic heart has fallen head over heels for Cat Faulkner’s illustrations of the couple and their guests – what an amazing keepsake to take home from a wedding – they’re really beautiful!

Martin Dabek is a Somerset wedding photographer and a member of English Wedding

Web: https://martindabek.com

The post All the amazing colours for Holly & Nat’s colourful Brympton wedding, with Martin Dabek Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

Snapdragon photography- https://www.snapdragonphoto.co.uk/

Wedding photographer review

Kayleigh was amazing, she captured our whole day so beautifully. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer and we will treasure the photos forever.

More from Snapdragon Photography (Devon)

Your best moment or memory

The whole day was wonderful. I loved our smoke bomb photo shoot after the ceremony. We had all our close friends join in and let off smoke bombs on the lawn- it was really fun and the photos looked great too!

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

The forecast for our wedding day was gale force winds and storms…We had our wedding at Tapeley Park in Instow, which has amazing grounds and we really wanted to be outside a lot! I had read somewhere online that if you bury a sausage in the garden the night before it will guarantee sunshine on your wedding day! – Sounds like a crazy idea, but worth a try? So the groom and his best men buried a sausage in the garden. Our wedding day turned out to be beautiful and the sun came out in time for drinks and photos on the lawn!!

Venue name + review

Tapeley Park in Instow. It was the perfect venue for us, it has beautiful grounds, a large grand house where we had our ceremony leading to a nice big lawn for drinks. We used their barn for our dinner and drinks, It was the perfect blank canvas for us to add our own style and decor.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

My dress was by WToo Watters, I found it online and had it amended, I also added some boho sleeves myself.

Paul had a blue suit jacket from Antique Rogue, which he matched with chinos and a floral shirt.

Florist name + review

One flower Worthing- we had some beautiful dried flowers which I still have and they smell amazing!

Cake maker name + review

My sister-in-law made our delicious wedding cake, ‘Frantaffstic Bakes’.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Our table plan was done on a one of Paul’s old surfboards which worked really well and everyone loved it.

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

We had our first dance later in the evening- about 10pm- untraditional, but it worked well for us as the party was well underway by then and everyone loved it. We danced to Jet – Are you gonna be my girl.

Hair + makeup name + review

Beauty By Cathy, our make up was done by Cathy, she did an amazing job, making us all look and feel incredible on the day.

The post Ruby & Paul’s creative DIY wedding at Tapeley Park with Snapdragon Photography appeared first on English Wedding.