Sammy and Ally’s ‘Elegant Rustic’ Barn Wedding. By Benjamin Stuart Photography

Happy Friday everyone and how are you all today? Have you got that Friday feeling? I certainly have as I am off to Ibiza tomorrow, so I am busy packing today, I really can’t wait! I have lots of weddings scheduled to go up while I’m away and Kelly C will be looking after things in my absence. Speaking of Kelly she is back from her #bridalblogathon today, it sounds like she has had a wonderful time in St.Lucia and Antigua. I can’t wait to hear all about her adventures and to share her photos here on the blog. To finish off the week in style we have this fab real wedding from Benjamin Stuart Photography. A mix of rustic and elegant all mixed into one navy ad blush pink wedding. With gorgeous bouquets, a beautiful venue and some amazing rustic detailing this wedding is the perfect way to finish off the week in style.

‘A perfect day, beautiful weather, beautiful venues, beautiful food, beautiful friends and family.’

Sammy and Ally were married on 7th April 2015 at St Mary’s Church, Sulhamstead Abbots & Ufton Court. ‘We wanted somewhere sophisticated yet rustic, with lovely grounds for our guests to enjoy. After researching venues, Ufton Court fit the bill perfectly and as Sammy is a teacher, the fact that their wedding profits go back into their educational trust was of extra appeal. Once we had chosen Ufton Court, we knew a church wedding was important to us and upon researching nearby churches, found St Mary’s to be a beautiful little church just round the corner from Ufton Court. We attended the services regularly and grew to be part of the small parish community. We had 65 guests and it took 12 months to plan’

How they met
We were match-made by our friends in April 2012 we have now been together 3 years.

The Proposal
On Christmas Day 2013 having opened all of our presents, Ally convinced me that there was one present missing and sent me hunting under the tree. When I looked back round he was down on one knee with ring in hand and totally caught me off guard with his romantic gesture!

How did you choose your photographer
We chose Benjamin because his portfolio was stunning and his philosophy perfectly matched our vision.

The Dress
I wore a lace fishtail, sweetheart gown. I had a vintage hairslide from Etsy and Irregular Choice Shoes

The Suit and Bridesmaids
Ted Baker Suit and the bridesmaids were custom made by a friend

Theme or Colour Scheme
Elegant yet rustic, navy blue and blush pink featured throughout with touches of lace.

Flowers
Our amazing florist created 3 stunning hand tied bouquets with blush pink roses, anemones, ranunculus  and subtle rustic additions from her garden. She also supplied flowers for the church and beautiful single stem style arrangements for the tables and barn.

Decoration
The barn itself at Ufton is beautiful and needs little decoration. As an art teacher it seemed only right for me to put my DIY hat on! I used lace doilies from my Grandma and others sourced elsewhere to create bunting which hung throughout the barn. Each table had a log slice and mismatched bottles and jam jars that had lace and hessian embellishments wrapped round them, these were filled with loose floral stems by our florist. We sourced a vintage suitcase for guests to place cards in and created a table plan by up cycling an old mirror frame. To treat our guests we created a vintage style sweetie table with glass jars and stripy paper bags.

Food
We had Pimms and canapés outside at the drinks reception. The breakfast was a family style barbecue meal with posh burgers, sausages and salmon fillets accompanied by salads, veg and rustic bread served to tables on slates and wooden boards, followed by a white chocolate and raspberry trifle.

Wedding Cake
A round 3 tiered sponge cake with each tier a different flavour, it was coated in ivory icing and had beautiful detailing emulating the lace on my dress cascading down the cake.

Entertainment
A string duo at the ceremony and drinks reception and a DJ in the evening. The duo played throughout the service and arranged Your love keeps lifting me especially for us to walk out to.

Buy or DIY your Stationery
Our friend Mathew White who is a fab graphic designer, worked with us to create our save the dates, invites and orders of service to fit with our theme. We then printed ourselves using an online company.

Personal or Handmade Touches
Table plan, bunting, jam jars/bottles, gift suitcase, log slices, table names and holders, favours.

Special Moments
In the lead up to the day the weather had been a bit grey and sometimes rainy, however we were blessed with the most beautiful day, sunshine, no wind and lovely warmth allowing everyone to stay outside for the drinks reception and really enjoy the grounds. Walking out from signing the register in the vestry to all our friends and family smiling on. Our ‘golden hour’ sunset couple shoot was a lovely moment to take stock and enjoy each other’s company. The speeches from my Dad, my Husband and his brother, the best man were very heartfelt, funny and endearing.

Advice to other couples
Be true to who you are and the things you do/don’t like, don’t ever feel like you are in competition with other couples, work together and try to enjoy the process of planning. If you can, personal DIY touches add a special dimension to everything. On the day, just embrace everything, the planning is over, if something minor isn’t quite right no one will notice anyway so just enjoy every moment and the fact that so many people who love you have come to celebrate with you.

Biggest surprise
Having the nicest day of the year weather wise till that point and my Mother-in-Law surprising us with an extra floral arrangement that I had shown her on Pinterest earlier in the year.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Caterer – www.thegreatfoodcompany.co.uk
• Wine – www.laithwaites.co.uk
• Car – www.charismaticcars.co.uk
• Cake – www.vanillaspicecakecompany.co.uk
• Photographer – www.benjaminstuart.co.uk
• Flowers – www.thewhitehorseflowercompany.co.uk
• DJ – www.adamrees.net
• String Duo – www.manorhousemusic.co.uk
• Hair and Make-Up – www.epbridal.co.uk
• Bridal Boutique – www.abride2bee.co.uk
• Stationery – www.whitehype.co.uk

For more information on Benjamin’s work please go to:

www.benjaminstuart.co.uk
www.benwheeler.vsco.co
[email protected]
Tel: 07738083385
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TWITTER
INSTAGRAM

I am a documentary style-wedding photographer. I only use natural light when available and the story is the most important thing. Weddings are beautiful but they are also emotional, nervous and joyful. I want to show every emotion of the day. I always try and blend in as a guest and become good friends with my clients. That connection is super important