Recently we welcomed back the gorgeous Carragher Family as they grabbed a weekend away with their beautiful baby girl.

This Wedding was one of my favourites. Since then we've added the Glamping cabins and Dutch Party Barn and Hot Tub to the Venue.

Posted by Annora Sutton For Love My Dress Blog

Our couple held their reception in a marquee at the wonderfully named Happy Valley…

“Finding Happy Valley was such a relief and a joy. It was brilliant discovering that our wild and natural venue actually existed – a beautiful house surrounded by trees, fields and a pond with a ‘secret’ island.”

Hannah, a doctor, married Chris, a project manager, on the 11th of July, 2015, at All Saints Church in Thornham, Norfolk, followed by a reception at Happy Valley. The couple’s big day was captured on camera by Red on Blonde, but let’s begin by taking a look at the couple’s captivating wedding film – and by the way, be prepared to wipe a tear or two away as the film was created by one of our absolute favourite film makers in the universe, the utterly wonderful Jon Aleksander of Happy Wedding Films.

“I had always dreamed of a wild and natural forest wedding (think Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves!). The venue initially proved elusive but once we found Happy Valley, the rest fell into place (with a lot of hard work, obviously). Our videographer was one of several Love My Dressfinds. We chose Jon of Happy Wedding Films after spotting a film of his on the blog. We received our trailer last month and we adore it – we are so very lucky to have such a special reminder of our day. I also love the music Jon chose – as soon as the first chords started I was in tears. He is such a very talented man.”

Hannah looked absolutely stunning in an ethereal gown crafted by the one and only Jane Bourvis. Our bride fell in love with Jane’sbespoke creations after spotting one of her gowns on Love My Dress…

“I came across Jane Bourvis after seeing this real wedding feature on Love My Dress. Jane and her lovely assistant, Edel, were so very patient and welcoming. Jane creates all of her dresses as one-offs, mostly from vintage lace. My dress was created using a 100 year old veil.”

“I loved the fact that it had a story, a ‘past’, but that it was now part of something more, something new and unique, just for me – It was such a special feeling and a total privilege. Maybe one day I can hand it down a generation to add to its story.”

Isn’t that naked cake below just the most spectacular? It was created and decorated by a friend.

“Chris and I met at a Scotland rugby game when I was at university in Edinburgh – my stylish tartan trousers obviously made an impression! We had been together for around four years when Chris proposed on a boat while we were sailing the Whitsundays. It was a total surprise, only my dad had been pre-warned.”

Hannah finished her look with Rachel Simpson’s mint green, ‘Mimosa’ T-bars and her scent was Orange Blossom Cologne by Jo Malone.

Hannah and Chris knew they’d found the perfect photographers for them, after spying this real wedding, captured by duo behind Red on Blonde, on Love My Dress. You can find Red on Blonde listed in our Little Book for Brides, a carefully curated directory of wonderful and hardworking wedding suppliers.

“Han and Toby were great on the day – inconspicuous enough to capture some super natural shots, whilst making their presence known enough to organise our families for group pictures – not an easy task! They embraced our craziness and fit into our day as though they were guests, whilst being total professionals. Our photos came beautifully presented and I will always remember watching the slideshow with Chris and both laughing and crying (happy tears of course!) at their attention to detail.”

Norfolk Location and Wild Venue for Weddings

“My mum had arranged with my friend, and riding instructor, Sarah, a surprise four-legged guest in the form of Harvey, the horse I learnt to ride on from the age of 13, and had competed on and had on loan. He is the epitome of ‘not judging a book by… — “My mum had arranged with my friend, and riding instructor, Sarah, a surprise four-legged guest in the form of Harvey, the horse I learnt to ride on from the age of 13, and had competed on and had on loan. He is the epitome of ‘not judging a book by its cover’ – the most special horse and he scrubbed up so well.”

rustic wedding venue with woodland and water

“For our décor, we collected lampshades from charity shops, recycled bottles from a local café and encouraged everyone we knew to stockpile jars for the flowers. We borrowed vintage teacups and saucers from my auntie and a talented cousin made the h… — “For our décor, we collected lampshades from charity shops, recycled bottles from a local café and encouraged everyone we knew to stockpile jars for the flowers. We borrowed vintage teacups and saucers from my auntie and a talented cousin made the hessian bunting and table runners.”

“We dismantled pallets for signage and hired some amazing festoon lights and garden games from Penny at The Little Lending Company(who have recently joined Little Book For Brides). Penny has such an amazing selection of props to hire out and was so helpful with our last minute additions.”

“During the afternoon, our brilliant band, The Woodleys, played some covers as well as their own songs. A lasting memory is when they played Mumford and Sons ‘I will Wait’ for the second time (as an encore) and we all piled onto the dancefloor … — “*During the afternoon, our brilliant band,* *The Woodleys*, played some covers as well as their own songs. A lasting memory is when they played Mumford and Sons ‘I will Wait’ for the second time (as an encore) and we all piled onto the dancefloor and grass outside the marquee and danced and danced – my mum, in particular, showcasing some ridiculously high quality moves!”

Hannah and Chris’ relaxed wedding breakfast was catered by Purple Plum and their gorgeous flower covered, naked wedding cake was lovingly made by a friend.

“During my dad’s speech we released some Tortoiseshell butterflies that my dad had nurtured through the summer, in memory of those that couldn’t be with us on the day. It wasn’t until we saw our photos that we realised my Dad and I each had one on our shoulders during the rest of the speeches.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Surround yourself with positive people, who know you best – the sort that will listen to you patiently when you need to download. Don’t be too disappointed, or take it personally, when some people don’t behave with the social ‘etiquette’ you perhaps expect.

Go with your gut on suppliers, don’t try to cut costs at the expense of your own sanity. Find your creative friends and relatives and harness and celebrate their talents, without abusing them. And, as many brides before me have said, take a moment to breathe it all in together on the day itself.

And Love My Dress was a great resource throughout the planning process. A huge thank you to Annabel and Lyndsey for fielding various queries and stresses. It was an honour to be a Lovette!”

Great advice from our lovely Lovette! A huge thanks to Hannah and her husband Chris for sharing the details of their big day, as well Red on Blonde for documenting it so very beautifully. If you’d like to see other bride’s wearing Jane Bourvis’ beautiful gowns, please follow this link.

Have a great week!

Annora x

Photographer – Red on Blonde
Film – Happy Wedding Films
Venue – Ceremony at All Saints Church in Thornham, Norfolk, followed by a reception nearby at Happy Valley
Wedding Dress + Veil – Jane Bourvis
Headpiece – Fresh flower crown created by Jo Flowers
Shoes – ‘Mimosa’ by Rachel Simpson
Bride’s Scent/perfume – Orange Blossom Cologne by Jo Malone
Groom – Kilt and jacket purchased from The Kilt Company
Bridesmaids – H&M dresses
Flowergirls – ‘Estella’ dress from Monsoon + gold sandals from Debenhams
Florist – Jo Flowers
Cake – Created by a friend of the bride
Transport – A vintage Jaguar from The Marriage Carriage Company
Entertainment – Dave Harper + The Woodleys +

Rings – Tustains
Catering – Purple Plum
Décor – Favours, signage and guest book from Stag Design; festoon lights and garden games from The Little Lending Company; petal confetti from Shropshire Petals
Stationery – Created by the couple, using a Noolibird stamp and printed by TW Printing, Leamington