I’ve been excited to write about this wedding for a very long time. It’s an event that was close to my heart, and what a wonderful event it was. I’ve known Amanda for more than 13 years and never, ever have I seen her happier than the day she married Mike. I’ve also never seen her look like she was about to explode like I did that morning, but that’s a whole other story. In fact, the ‘getting ready’ shots in the wedding you’re about to see were – quite literally – the calm after the storm, hence why we all look so serene.

I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid and I loved every moment of it. But enough from me, I’ll let Amanda tell you her story in her own words…

What was your inspiration for the big day?

I was keen to have a vintage-inspired theme from the outset. My dress was one of the first things chosen, so it set the theme for pretty much the whole day. Mike and I love the outdoors, so we chose a garden theme. We decorated the venue with bunting, galvanised buckets and bird-themed props to create a garden party feel.

The colour scheme actually happened by accident, when one of my bridesmaids fell in love with a dusky pink Grecian-style dress. I’d already had purple in mind for the bridesmaids, but I bought the dress to surprise her and decided we could make it work with the purple. Then started our quest for a colour that worked with both, and a colour scheme of dusky pink, lavender and Cadbury purple was born.

The flowers were also really important to me. Despite it being a somewhat controversial choice, I loved the look of thistles so these were heavily incorporated into the displays. The bouquets and tablecentres also included Ocean Song roses, gypsophila and winter berries. Our florist did an amazing job.

Why did you choose High Rocks as your venue?

High Rocks is somewhere that’s always been special for us and we loved the idea that we could go back and visit whenever we wanted after the wedding. We love the railway that runs alongside it and I immediately had visions of the groomsmen arriving on the train together, and how special that would be for Mike. The grounds of High Rocks are amazing and completely different to anything we’d ever seen before. There are pretty drawbridges that run across the top of the rocks, which make for great photographs. The hike to the top isn’t for the fainthearted, but for those who can make it, it’s an amazing experience and the photos are definitely some of our favourites from the day.

How would you describe your bridal style?

My Enzoani dress was made from tulle and lace and there were so many things I loved about it. The train was stunning and the perfect length, and my mother-in-law added small bows as part of the bustle, which made it personal to me. My favourite feature, however, had to be the belt, which was embellished with lace, bows and brooches.

The main accessory that pulled my look together was my Olivier Laudus headband. It was a beautiful, vintage-inspired piece that really suited my style. I had so many compliments throughout the day – people even offered to buy it from me! Because it was quite an elaborate piece, I finished the look with a simple pearl and diamond necklace and earring set, and a bracelet.

Do you have any advice for choosing accessories?

To remember that if you want to wear a beautiful statement piece, it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

What was your favourite moment of the day?

For both Mike and I, it was the car journey after the ceremony. We enjoyed a 20-minute ride, complete with champagne, giving us a chance to reflect on everything that had already happened and to talk about our mornings. It was also the only chance in the day we got to spend some quality time together.

Another special moment for me was setting up the reception in the morning with one of my bridesmaids. It allowed me to see the setting before anyone else arrived; I could finally look back on a year of planning and see how it had all come together. It was also nice to see the suppliers who were rushing around to make our day perfect.

The finer details…

Wedding date: 8 September 2012

Photography: Lollypop Photography

Venue: High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells

Dress: Blue by Enzoani

Accessories: Celine side headband, Olivier Laudus

Florist: The Little Flower Studio

Decor: Bows Hire

Cake: Janeymac Cakes

Hair: Elise Bull

Make-up: Amy Barker

I’m getting married!

Why, you ask? Because I’m getting married! And from now on I’ll be telling you my story as it happens. And at the same time, if you have any advice you’d like to offer me, I’d be more than happy to listen. Because it turns out this getting married lark can be quite stressful…

Tel and I have been together for just over eight years, after meeting at a fireworks display in our local pub. We didn’t get off to a great start. In an attempt to make conversation, I politely asked if he could place my coat on the back of a chair – he put it on top of a dusty old fruit machine until I was forced to wear it outside, covered in muck, to watch the fireworks.

One apology, two drinks, six dates and eight (really amazing) years later, he told me he wanted to marry me. Completely unexpected, the proposal happened on a Sunday morning in November 2012, in bed. Later that day we enjoyed a private dinner cruise on the Thames – complete with jazz band - before wrapping up and heading out in the evening to watch the fireworks display at our local town park, complete with hot chocolate and doughnuts.

Not long after, the madness of planning a wedding began. People would tell me “Oh, you must know exactly what you want…” Well, I thought I did, but working as a wedding journo, I knew it could never really be that simple. So I’ll be here to share my thoughts on how my big day is shaping up, as well as the latest news and trends. Stay tuned!

Danielle x

At Olivier Laudus we are huge fans of the quintessential English wedding and as the days turn colder, it seems perfect to share this classic wedding with you. Traditional and simple, this wedding has a certain charm and cosy feel to it with the oak-beamed ceilings, delicate purple chair sashes and a gorgeous bride, we were hooked! So we were delighted when Helen agreed to share her special day with us.

What was your theme?

Helen: I don’t like much fuss so I chose pearls and ivory roses as a theme for our big day with the odd diamonte here and there to add a little bit of a twinkle!

And your Bridal style?

Helen: Classic and understated, nothing too princessy!

How did you choose your venue?

Helen: We absolutely loved the oak beams in the function room of our venue and how light it was looking out onto the golf course. Neither of us are into golf but it didn’t matter! We also loved the modern feel to the place. One day we hope we’ll be able to find our own home with an oak beamed ceiling! The real clincher was that we got a golf buggy at the end of the night to drive ourselves back to our luxury forest lodge in the holiday park next-door, included in our package! We attached tin cans and balloons and it was the perfect end to our perfect day, we drove back and then we jumped straight into the hot tub under the stars with more champagne! Bliss!

Do you have any advice to brides to be planning a wedding?

Helen: Start nice and early so that you can enjoy the process rather than getting stressed choosing things at the last minute. Make each visit to different venues a special day out for you and your partner, its the perfect excuse to have lots of nice meals out and maybe a free nights bed and breakfast if you’re lucky! Make sure the venue is true to you as a couple, we both like modern and classic things so our venue ticked the boxes! Make sure the day is as close to what you both want rather than what you feel family and friends might want – it’s your only chance to have your own special day! Also make sure you buy your wedding dress from a shop within easy reach of your home or work place – it makes those final dress fittings so much easier to get to! Although it’s hard, try not to get too hung up in the finer details, I spent weeks dilemma-ing over how the bows should be tied onto the favours boxes, I feel this was a little excessive looking back!! 

Any tips of choosing accessories?

Helen: I bought my dress and shoes first. Make sure you buy your accessories from somewhere that will let you take them home and try them with your dress or take them to the shop with you, they are such a key part of your outfit its important that they are just right in terms of colour and size! Again starting early looking allows you the time to take your time choosing without being too stressed! [Helen got the Chloe necklace and Sandra bracelet and earrings and Grace hair comb from Olivier Laudus - details below] 

Favourite moment?

Walking into the room to walk down the aisle and seeing all of your special friends and family turning to look at you, it was so overwhelming that so many people are there to share your special day with you, and then getting to see my husband-to-be waiting for me! Spending that morning apart preparing for such a big day had felt like months!

The Finer Details

Wedding date – 9th October 2010

Accessories: Olivier Laudus - Grace comb; Sandra earrings and Sandra bracelet

Dress – Salomi, Rosetta Nicolini at Berkertex Brides

Location: Sandburn Hall, York

Photographer: Chambers Photography