23

Jun

2014

Zoe & Luke’s 1940’s Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was spent enjoying the treats that birthdays bring and generally over-indulging. This week’s real bride showcases start with a beauty! Zoe and Luke look like they have been snatched straight from the 1940s, proving that vintage inspired weddings are still very much en vogue. Friend and regular contributor to the blog Jacqui McSweeney has done another excellent job capturing the true romance and classic charm of this wedding. I particularly love Zoe’s hair and the simplicity of her lace overlay gown. Have an awesome Monday!

‘Exactly how we envisioned and hoped it would be. All our favourite people in one room, looking gorgeous!’

1 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney 2 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

Zoe and Luke were married on the 22nd March at Rye Town Hall and then celebrated with over 100 family and friends at The George in Rye Hotel. “I’m originally from Sussex so we researched online and the George looked so gorgeous we knew it was what we wanted. Sarah the event organiser was lovely and down to earth.”

3 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

4 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

How they met
We were introduced by a mutual friend 8 years ago and we’ve been together for 7 years.

The proposal
We’d been backpacking around the world together for a year. My 30th birthday was in Shanghai, our last week away, so Luke booked a special hotel and a romantic dinner out. He popped the question when we were walking back to the hotel along the Bund.

5 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

6 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

7 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

8 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

9 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

10 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

11 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

12 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

How did you allocate your budget?
A vast spreadsheet I inherited from a previous bride friend kept track of the budget. The honeymoon and venue largely dictated the rest of the budget. Honeymoon was a biggie – a week skiing in Canada, then a week on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. And the new hubby surprised me with two nights in Vegas on the way! And the venue, we wanted as much as possible to be taken care of for us so we had to be prepared to pay for it.

Why did you choose your photographer?
Jacqui was recommended by the venue. Once we met her we liked her relaxed style and beautiful photographs.

13 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

14 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

15 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

16 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

17 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

18 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

The wedding dress and accessories
My dress by Sabina Motesam from The Dress in Teddington, a lovely little boutique. Shoes were Ginger by Rachel Simpson, recommended by a friend and I got to wear them on honeymoon too.

The suit and bridesmaids
Luke wanted to buy matching suits for the groomsmen so he spent ages on the phone sourcing different sizes of the same Red Herring @ House of Fraser suit from across the country.
We chose the first dress my bridesmaids tried on, Matthew Williamson Butterfly @ Debenhams. With fur collars from Urban Outfitters.

19 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

20 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

21 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

22 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

23 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

24 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

25 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

26 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

The theme
Cream colour scheme with some black and red accents. Theme in mind was loosely 40’s glamour. I wanted vintage but elegance.

The flowers
Cream roses, ranunculas, gpysophilia, thyme.

The decoration
Very simple as the venues are quite decorative in themselves. Just low vases of gyp on the tables, some tea lights, rose petals and storm candles.

27 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

28 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

29 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

30 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

31 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

32 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

The food and wedding cake
Trio of smoked fish to start, main course were big pies to share on the table with bowls of mash and gravy. Then apple crumble and custard. Luke’s sister made a stunning 3 tier naked Victoria sponge and successfully transported it from Somerset. It completely surpassed our expectations. Luke also then ordered a ‘cheese cake’ from Teddington Cheese.

The entertainment
A string Duo playing modern classics in the town hall and champagne reception and a live band in the evening.

33 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

34 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

35 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

36 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

37 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

38 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

39 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

40 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

Buy or DIY your Stationery?
DIY from Snapfish and using a wedding chick’s stationery template.

Personal or handmade touches
– I made and wrapped batches of honeycomb for all the favours.
– Luke made our table plan by spray painting 2nd hand frames with gold paint, affixing wire and clipping polaroid photos of the guests.
– We bought smaller 2nd hand frames from local charity shops for mismatched table numbers.
– Luke printed the menus and order of service to match the invitations.

41 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

42 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

43 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

44 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

45 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

46 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

47 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

Special moments
The ceremony was wonderful, facing a room of all our friends and relatives. I wasn’t nervous at all, I just remember feeling happy! And the first dance was a Ray LaMontagne song, “You’re the best thing” which our band sung very well – it was the only thing that made me cry all day.

Advice to other couples
Have an idea in your mind and go for it.
Try and keep it fun and something you share.
Be prepared to negotiate hard for everything.

Biggest surprise
How well my lipstick stayed on! (lipcote to the rescue)

48 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

49 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

50 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

51 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

52 Zoe & Luke's 1940's Vintage Sussex Wedding. By Jacqui McSweeney

Supplier Shout Outs:

For more information on Jacqui’s work go to:

www.jmcsweeneyphotography.co.uk
www.jmcsweeneyphotography.co.uk/blog/blog
[email protected]
FACEBOOK
@jacquimacphoto

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