Sam & Gemma’s Rustic DIY Farm Wedding

Where did you get married & why: We were married in St Marys church in Speldhurst which holds a huge amount of nostalgic memories to Gemma. She grew up in Speldhurst and the church, village and her parents house played a huge part of her childhood. The venue was held at her parents house which was a magical place to hold a wedding celebration, especially when you grew up climbing the same trees that we decorated for the big day, and getting ready in the same room you slept in as a child.

Was there any sort of theme to your wedding:The main theme was that we wanted to keep it light and simple in an English country garden. A space to enjoy a wedding celebration with friends and family. Pale colors, local beer/ food, long trestle tables, wild flowers, fairy lights and a wooden dance floor to kick your high heels off on.

Which flowers did you choose:The venue was at Gemma’s parents Old Farmhouse which has a beautiful country garden surrounded with fabulous colored flowers and shrubs all year round. We chose the flowers that were wild and delicate in color to enhance the beauty of the garden. Our florist is a good friend of the family who carefully choose delicate light pink roses, cream and blue spring flowers which she collected at the morning market on the day of the wedding. She also included some fabulous and delicate small white flowers that smelt amazing.

Which style was the brides dress: The wedding dress was bought from a second hand shop (http://www.bridesdressrevisited.com/) and was designed by Maggie Sottero with a simple silk liner and an lace dress overlay. There was no bodice or boning and it was light and very easy to move in. It had a low deep V-cut lacy back, and a delicate V-neck front. I wore it with pearls from the little lady who lived up the road, and my mother in laws pearl earrings. I chose it purely because I could move in it and it didn’t need any alterations doing to it. It felt fabulous and comfortable to wear and I loved the train on it. My mother also cried when I put it on – so how could I say no!

How did you have your hair/make up:If I have not painted the ‘country theme’ yet, then I am about to. I have never had my hair done professionally and I even cut it myself and usually tie it up in a rough top knot. Time in the garden or outside usually makes little trails of hair escape and hang around my face, so I let them.
For the big day, a lady in the village came to help me out and set to the task of ‘making me a bride’. She kept the style natural and country chic and styled it up with a few swirls. I did my makeup myself and kept it light and simple with very little foundation or eye makeup. I hardly wear makeup, so I wanted to look as ntural as I could.

Which colour did the groomsmen/ bridesmaids wear:The Groomsmen were all very close friends to the groom and they wore matching dark blue tails with a peacock pattern lining, cream ties, pocket square and cream waistcoats with button holes that smelt of wild woods and matched the bouquet.

The gaggle of bridesmaids was made up of 5 wonderful little nieces who aged between 3-14 and none of them particularly like to wear dresses. We chose something that was suitable for every little girl to really feel like a princess and something they could run around and dance in. The dresses were shin length, pale pink with a simple sash tie at the back and slightly sparkly. Delicate, and very pretty. They all had a simple head band in the hair styles and they all looked delicious and angelic! Even Lexi (10 yrs) was glad she hung up her dungarees for the day 🙂 My favorite part of the dress was the light shimmer that made them shine and the wonderful neck lines that were modest and suited all of them.

How did you feel that the day went as a whole: The day as a whole was ‘belting’ (my husbands choice of words). The church, the timings, the flowers, the music, the simple ‘do it yourself’ styled wedding was exactly what we wanted and it couldn’t have gone any better. The old pear tree in the garden which Gemma use to climb as a child, was lit up with fairy lights and lanterns and made for a wonderful chilling out area.

Are there any special moments:

The whole day was very special to us and we managed to savor every moment. We created ‘wishing pine cones’ which were name place setting on the tables which guests would then throw on the fire and make a wish to the newly weds. There was however one standout memory on the morning of the wedding, which was finding out that we were pregnant with our first baby. This undoubtedly made what was already a special day, that extra bit special.

Please feel free to add anything else that you’d like to share about your day:

We were engaged in May 2017 and married in September 2017. We wanted a DIY wedding and we kept it ever so simple with very little major planning. It just kind of came together via local suppliers and ideas found on pintrest. It was an eclectically themed wedding, but it was just what we wanted. Our noteworthy MUST- is to have to have James Grist as your photographer; you were amazing and have supplied with some fabulous memories to treasure.