Good morning and welcome to the first real wedding of the week! Hopefully you had a good weekend filled with fun and laughter, and perhaps a touch of wedding planning? I went to a gorgeous wedding on the weekend, where the bride and groom dressed in full Japanese Kimono attire – the pair of them took my breath away. The day was so authentic and so personal to them, their heritage and their adorable quirks….I feel warm inside just thinking back to it!
On to today’s real wedding. Lauren, (the absolutely BEAUTIFUL bride), actually submitted this wedding herself, and we are SO glad she did. Her and husband Sam married at West Mill, a stunning riverside venue in Derbyshire. They hosted a whimsical and classically bohemian party filled beautifully with non-traditional elements, gushing greenery and a mix of textures; they used velvets, metallics, metals and dark moody tones to set the scene for their winter wedding. And of course, the pair let their love of music and festivals flow into their decor and theme choice….
We met through the love of music and it plays a huge part in our lives. We always knew we wanted a live music and a band at our wedding, because we love to party!
Avant Garden Weddings created the bustling floral arrangements, including the totally glorious, full-bloomed maroon, cream and green-leafed flower crown for Lauren. Her and her entourage look the absolute BOMB in this collection (so pretty, chic and unique!), and whilst on the subject of ‘bombs’, check out the epic woodland smoke bomb scenes – amazing and so effective!
Captured by Bloom Weddings on film and camera, we must say this wedding is just divine. Here’s Lauren to tell you all about her incredible bohemian and fun-filled party wedding to Sam….
Fell in Love at a Festival
We met in August 2006 at a college party. Sam came over as me and my friend were selecting party music. Sam said we were playing “cool tunes” and we got chatting, realising we knew some of the same people. Both our friendship groups had arranged to go to the same festival a few weeks later, and we decided to pull both groups and go together. I guess the rest of history! Sam proposed 1st October 2015 in Ireland whilst motorbike touring the Wild Atlantic Way.
Giant Flower Crown and Stunning Slimline Boho Gown
I wore a Rembo Bjork dress from Alexandra Anne in Bakewell, along with shoes from Bella Belle. My oldest friend of 28 years, Kim at Hairworx, did an amazing job on mine and the bridesmaids hair. It was so perfect to have her as part of the wedding morning! Kim you’re amazing! Avant Garden Weddings provided eucalyptus for the bridesmaid hair and made a beautiful flower crown for me. I found Frankie Noone on Instagram. She’s sooo amazing! Frankie listens to what you want and can tailor to suit your style. It was an absolute pleasure to have Frankie and Steffi be a part of the wedding morning. They were both so chilled and relaxed.
Light Blue Suit and Handmade Velvet Dresses
Sam fell in love with a light blue wool suit. We purchased his and the Groomsmen’s outfits from Next and ties purchased from the amazing Tweed & Groom. The bridesmaid dresses were all handmade velvet multi-way dresses by Valendize on Etsy. It’s difficult having a big bridesmaid entourage and finding a dress to suit all. I originally set out to find a variety of different styles but then came across these luscious velvet dresses to go with the textured theme.
Winter Wedding by the River
We didn’t want a summer wedding with unpredictable UK weather, and the venue was the most important factor of the day. We instantly fell in love with the West Mill as it was important to have history as part of our day. The industrial look is very much our favourite theme and the Derwent River sealed the deal! Having the wedding in the winter meant we could enjoy the venue indoors.
Magical Ceremony
Our friend of 12 years played Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ as the Bride Tribe walked down the aisle – it was truly magical.
Pampas Grass, Feathers and Dark Tonal Flowers
Our florist was Laura from Avant Garden Weddings– she was super excited to make my floral vision a reality! I made collages, printed and laminated for her to keep. I envisaged Pampas Grass to create impressive centerpieces, a wild, draping boutique with pheasants feathers and ribbon and a flower crown with dark moody flowers and pops of colour.
Contemporary DIY Signage
My MOH and I designed the entire signage for the wedding on a Saturday night with red wine (of course) and cheese! I envisaged a clean, modern look, popped with greenery that represented nice earthy tones. My MOH is super creative, and I knew I could rely on her to help create with her keen eye. She arranged the entire printing with her supplier from work, saving me a huge job… and that’s just one of a million reasons why she was my MOH!
Bohemian Theme, Charcoal Candles and Lavender Scents
I wanted to create a modern Bohemian theme. I had mini tambourines as favours, pheasant feathers (which everyone stuck in their hair), and guest nick-name place cards set for table settings. Table decor was a mixture of wooden cotton reels and logs with coloured gin and wine bottles that I’d collected. I used tall charcoal candles to create a dark moody table along with eucalyptus and lavender. I gathered jars and filled them with moss and scented grey tea lights. Everyone complimented the smell of the room!
Giant Dream Catchers and Rose Gold Pineapples
My mum and I made giant dream catchers for the venue – we loved doing this together and now have them hanging at home. We created our own centerpieces and designed the stationery and Sam sprayed a bunch of pineapples rose gold.
Homemade Confetti and Donut Wall
My sister made the confetti and the Holgate family made a donut wall which said “Donut worry.. Be happy” which was amazing! I made “pour and pass” tags for each bottle of table wine. The venue itself is already a theme and it didn’t need anything adding to it as its so beautiful as it is. I didn’t want a huge DIY project on my hands. I wanted a stress-free wedding and that’s what I got!
Pornstar Martinis, Fish ‘n’ Chip Canapés and Guest Chefs!
We had cheese (4 types) on toast and Fish & Chips canapés which were delicious! We had our own signature drinks which we collected from France ourselves, Kronenbourg and Pornstar Martinis. Jenkinsons offered something quirky – their menu is unbelievable! The caterers served each table with a joint of roast pork served with yorkshire puddings, apple sauce, crackling, stuffing and crispy roast potatoes with seasonal and roasted root vegetables and gravy. I chose one guest per table (who were given an apron and a chefs hat) to be the ‘Carving Chef’ for their table. After the caterers delivered the food, the room just seemed to quieten down, as each Chef served. It was a very special moment of the day for us.
Soul and Funk Band with Glitzy Hat Party
We hired Minnie & The Moochers; the lead singer has a James Brown style voice! There were dance offs happening all over the Spinning Room between friends and family like they’d known each other years! We picked all our own music for the day and everyone complimented our choices throughout. We threw a hat party in the evening asking everyone to bring a party hat. My bridesmaid (Aka Rachael @ Soul Sequins) made my stunning crystal party hat!
Favourite Moment
Sam says….”The ceremony, and when I saw Lauren and her Dad walk down the aisle – I had a sigh of relief!
Lauren says “The ceremony – as it was like I was dreaming. I felt like I floated down the aisle – it was super surreal and so special. We loved one reading in particular by Dr Seuss that goes a little like this….”We’re all a little bit weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we fall in mutual weirdness and call it love”.
Any Advice?
I know everyone says don’t sweat the little things or things that might not go to plan, but it’s so true. You
don’t want to remember the bits you were stressed about on your day so let it go over your head and just forget about it. Make your wedding about everything you both love. You don’t have to follow typical traditions if you don’t want to.
The Line Up
Photographer / Videographer: Bloom Weddings; Venue: West Mill; Getting Ready Venue: The Pentahotel; Bride’s Dress: Alexandra Anne; Flower Crown: Avant Garden Weddings; Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle; Groom and Groomsmen Outfits: Next; Ties: Tweed & Groom; Bridesmaid Dresses: Valendize; Florist: Avant Garden Weddings; Caterers: Jenkinsons; Make Up: Frankie Noone; Band: Minnie & The Moochers
