Because of our pastel palette, it can be hard to find the right real weddings to showcase on Darling Lovely Life – but when fantastic photographer Karen Fuller of Fuller Photography sent me these beautiful images, I jumped at the chance to feature them. Rarely does a real wedding land in my lap that’s so Darling Lovely Life I can’t help myself! The wedding was so full of personal, heartfelt details (and Milo the dog – in a bow tie no less) captured with such sensitivity, skill and class by Karen! This incredible bride made her own cake! And stationery… and one of her bridesmaids provided the flowers… and no, you won’t believe it when you look at the pictures but it’s true – this wedding was a full on DIY job – amazing!
Sarah and John have been together for twelve years. They met working in TV production and the rest, as they say, is history. Of John, Sarah says: “he always sees the best in people, he’s not afraid of doing new things and he makes me laugh.” John loves Sarah for her great sense of humour and her ability to organise him!
In perhaps the longest proposal in the history of this blog, John carried around the ring for an incredible three years before popping the question.
Sarah says: “The ring went to Australia and New Zealand and various other holidays before John finally managed to pluck up the courage at our local beach. We had gone with our dog Milo and whilst I wasn’t looking he tied the ring round Milo’s neck on a big red ribbon and sent him running over to me. Out of all the places we had been I’m glad he did it there as we visit he beach a lot and having Milo involved made it all the more memorable.”
The pair finally tied the knot in May this year in a beautiful, English country garden celebration at breathtaking Narborough Hall, Kings Lynn, opting for an afternoon tea (warning – images ahead may cause hunger and lust for pretty things). The couple were full of praise for the venue’s staff, who were enormously helpful in planning their big day.
All images © 2014 Fuller Photography
The bride looked absolutely glowing and beautiful in a dress from Sweetheart Gowns from Prima Donna in Norwich. She finished off her look with shoes from Dune and accessories from Debenhams, where she also found her bridesmaids’ gowns. The bride’s hair was styled by Kay at Narborough Hall while her beautiful makeup was provided by Paula Cowell at Beauty Bridal.
The groom cut a dashing figure in an outfit from North in Belfast. Even Milo the dog received a little grooming of his own from Willow Haven Groomers in Mattishall!
“The most moving moment for both of us was most definitely the ceremony. Standing in front of friends and family made us both very emotional and when one of the people doing a reading got a little emotional, it really made us realise what a big day this was for everyone.”
Sarah was the absolute epitome of a Darling Lovely Life bride, from her gorgeous décor choices to her creative flair. On styling her wedding, Sarah says:
“We wanted a traditional English Country garden theme so I didn’t want anything to ‘neat’ or slick. Mismatched china, rambling flowers and a very relaxed feel.
I did all the planning and quite a bit DIY. One of my bridesmaids used to be a florist so she did all the bouquets, I made all the favours, we printed our own stationery and I made my wedding cake and all the cakes for the afternoon tea. I also collected vintage vases from charity shops and car boot sales for the tables and made jam jar tea lights for the tables.”
On her favourite detail, Sarah says: “We had a tandem on the stationery and a tandem at the venue which guests were able to have a go on. I like the significance of we are now on the same journey together. We go out on it now and it reminds us of the day.”
And those beautiful bouquets Sarah mentioned? Those were actually really inexpensive to produce: “All the flowers for the tables we bought from a supermarket with reward vouchers. Most of the flowers are guaranteed for five – ten days so you can buy in advance and store somewhere cool and a friend who does flower arranging came and do all the table decorations the day before which looked fab and nobody knew they weren’t from a florist.”
For the most part, Sarah LOVED planning her wedding, but like many brides & grooms had a little trouble delegating: “I enjoyed most of it, seeing it all come together. I didn’t like having to charge my sister and bridesmaids with planning the hen night – but I had to let something go!”
In the end, though, Sarah and John said they wouldn’t have changed a thing about their perfect day. Here are Sarah’s final words of wisdom for newly engaged couples:
“Enjoy being engaged and accept you probably will disagree about the wedding plans but remember to make your decision and move on. You won’t remember on the day the little things you disagreed over.”
Wise words indeed – and what a wonderful wedding day. Here at Darling Lovely Life, we wish Sarah and John (and Milo) a lifetime of happiness together! Thank you to Karen for submitting these gorgeous pictures. If you have a real wedding you’d like us to feature, send some samples over to sara@darlinglovelylife.com.