Caroline and Alisdair’s stunning and heartfelt marriage ceremony was held on eighth July 2023 at Askham Corridor, positioned throughout the coronary heart of the breathtakingly stunning English Lake District.
The bride, an actress born within the USA, had lengthy needed to put on a Vivienne Westwood robe while her software program and knowledge engineer husband donned the household tartan.
I really like that this candy marriage ceremony wove so many private and heartfelt particulars all through the day – from Caroline’s veil embroidered with a horse to replicate her childhood in skilled showjumping, to handkerchiefs embroidered with Texas Bluebonnets and English Bluebells, to the situation of the ceremony which meant an incredible deal to the couple’s household, all the things had an additional particular layer of depth and that means and honoured the bride and groom’s dedication to dwelling a sustainable way of life.
Photographer Melissa Beattie has captured the day most fantastically and I hope you take pleasure in these photos as a lot as now we have. Phrases beneath are from the bride herself.
Venue & Location
I always am taking inspiration from nature, artwork, movie, experiences and locations. There was quite a lot of that means behind even the smallest of issues that day. For instance, I commissioned Cressida Jamieson to embroider handkerchiefs as a shock to offer to Al and our marriage ceremony occasion.
I had adopted Cressida for years on Instagram and liked her stunning work. I’m so grateful I started working along with her on this particular mission. The handkerchiefs had Bluebonnets – the state flower of Texas, the place I’m from – and Bluebells, a favorite flower that was in bloom the place Al proposed, together with our initials. The blue within the handkerchiefs additionally labored as my ‘one thing blue’.
The Costume
I wore a Vivienne Westwood costume. For a part of the reception I wore my mom’s marriage ceremony costume. It meant loads to each of us for me to incorporate it within the day. Alisdair wore his household tartan kilt (he’s a Munro by his grandmother).
I all the time knew that I needed to have a Vivienne Westwood costume; timeless, romantic, distinctive high quality from a British Icon and punk rock queen. I went to the VW boutique on Davies Road and labored with the fantastic workers there. They have been all the time so fantastic, useful and supportive all through the method. Undoubtedly advocate them to anybody.
Bridal Magnificence & Equipment
I wore my mother’s diamond tennis bracelet that she handed all the way down to me. I all the time admired it rising up and she or he very kindly gifted it to me a number of years again. I all the time knew I needed to put on it on the day. The one different jewelry I wore have been my earrings from Accomplished Works and my marriage ceremony band. My sneakers have been Manolo Blahnik.
Rhian Truman is an unbelievable skincare skilled based mostly in Notthing Hill, that was extremely advisable to me by my pal Freddie, who can also be an unbelievable facialist and founding father of Saent Pores and skin. Rhian is actually magical, she is so heat and nurturing.
I used to be continuously seeing her for facials and stomach massages within the lead as much as the marriage and oftentimes I used to be so glad and relaxed I’d go to sleep through the remedy.
It actually felt like remedy to go see her and take that point to simply be quiet and chill out – a protected house the place nobody may ask me questions in regards to the marriage ceremony! Couldn’t advocate her extra – though, no, please don’t steal her availability away from me – you’ll be able to’t have her.
I did my very own make-up. I really like all issues magnificence and skincare and often benefit from the course of however I hate being rushed and undoubtedly underestimated how hectic marriage ceremony mornings might be!
You are feeling chargeable for ensuring everybody and all the things is working easily and I ought to have blocked all of it out and simply loved the time alone to take heed to music and zen out (which I usually do at residence). My mom in legislation discovered Salon Rouge in Penrith to do hair for a number of of us.
The Bridesmaids
The one request I had for my bridesmaids was to put on black. They ran types by me however I informed them to decide on no matter they felt snug and glad in. Weddings might be so costly (and wasteful) and I needed them to put on/purchase one thing that they might repurpose and put on for different events of their life.
Andrea obtained hers from Reformation and Leah obtained hers from ASOS.
My dad and mom have been married for 43 years and their marriage has been an enormous instance to us, the ups and downs and pure ebbs/flows of a relationship and the way you study to fall in love with the identical particular person all through your life. Relationships are usually not straightforward issues, life is de facto exhausting typically and it’s important to put within the time and care into your relationship and marriage.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony befell at Kirkhaugh Church simply exterior of Alston. Alisdair’s household has been part of this church for generations and it’s a essential and sacred place to him. He proposed to me on the riverbank behind the church after a picnic.
My dad walked me down the aisle. I’m extremely shut with my dad and mom (my finest associates and favorite individuals), couldn’t have executed the day with out them. We entered the church to ‘I Vow to Thee, My Nation’ I’ve liked this tune since I used to be a younger teenager and heard it in a film trailer for the 1995 Jane Austen movie, ‘Persuasion’.
The vicar of Kirkhaugh, Mark Nash-Williams was because of be our vicar and we had met with him a number of instances. Nevertheless he needed to have a scheduled surgical procedure, so his pretty spouse Bar Nash-Williams (who can also be a priest) ended up officiating the ceremony. They’re each such pretty individuals. Bar gave us a gorgeous and significant marriage ceremony ceremony.
We mentioned with then each, the significance of Kirkhaugh, someplace that has meant a lot to Alisdair and his household, and now, a major place for us as a pair. We additionally mentioned how nature/local weather change is one thing that we predict loads about and the way we attempt in direction of sustainability and taking good care of mom earth.
My finest pal Ayla learn the ‘Tune of Solomon 2:10-13’ and my maid of honour Leah learn, ‘Brilliant Star’ by John Keats. Susie Cowie illustrated our readings for us. I’ve all the time liked John Keats and adored the 2009 movie ‘Brilliant Star’ by Jane Campion (which I discovered through the marriage ceremony planning course of that Susie truly created the embroidered silk pillow that the character Fanny creates for John). The Tune of Solomon studying is simply so stunning, it jogs my memory of Shakespeare.
My marriage ceremony band was Alisdair’s grandmother’s marriage ceremony ring, which is extremely particular. We added darkish blue sapphires, set in a star design, across the band. September (sapphire birthstone) is the month we met and fell in love and in addition Al’s birthday month.
I all the time knew I needed to include them into my marriage ceremony band. We had ‘Brilliant Star’ by John Keats learn at our ceremony so I liked the thought of getting that included within the band. Bespoke Goldsmith resized the band and added the star design/sapphires.
Additionally they made Al’s marriage ceremony band. A enjoyable factor that occurred the week earlier than the marriage was that my stunning engagement ring obtained by chance thrown away within the trash – basic! It was a household heirloom that was given to me, so for sure it was a devastating and crushing blow, however Alisdair and his mother have been so type and supportive about it. We by no means did find yourself retrieving it.
After the marriage, we found The Vintage Ring Boutique and located a gorgeous five-stone ring, like my earlier ring, which I really like and now guard with my life! As my mom in legislation says, ‘no person has died, it’s not the top of the world.’
Images
Our photographer was Melissa Beattie. I discovered her pretty work trying to find photographers in Cumbria. We have been so fortunate to work along with her.
From the start and all through your entire course of she was so easy-going, calm and only a pleasure to work with.
Melissa frolicked attending to know us and actually listened to what was necessary to us. So many individuals commented how wonderful she was – tremendous type and attention-grabbing to speak to but in addition actually low-key in getting images.
I felt tremendous rushed the morning of the marriage attempting to organise everybody and didn’t have the time I needed to prepare and felt like my make up wasn’t essentially the very best it may have been however Melissa managed to seize some stunning moments and provides us photos that we completely love and cherish. She is a dream to work with!
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An Embroidered Wedding ceremony Veil
Susie Cowie is an excellent artist who I’ve liked and adopted for years. I reached out to her after I obtained engaged to brainstorm a technique to incorporate her work into our day. She advisable a easy veil from Amazon, that she then embroidered with a gorgeous horse.
I’m horse lady – I grew up using and present leaping competitively for all of my teenage years. It’s such a giant a part of who I’m and having that small, particular and private contact meant a lot to me.
How They Met
I used to be dwelling in Los Angeles and had been accepted in a summer time Shakespeare program on the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. One in all my girlfriend’s in LA is British and had linked me to her childhood finest pal – she had come to go to LA a number of years prior and informed me if I ever come to London to offer her a shout.
Throughout my coaching at RADA we obtained collectively a number of instances and after commencement she invited me out one night time to a music gig along with her boyfriend and his associates. That day I had tried all the things to get out of going as a result of I used to be dwelling at a horrendous Airbnb and was sleeping actually terribly. She by no means gave me an out so I dragged myself out that night time and it turned out that one in all her boyfriend’s associates was Al.
We had been courting and dwelling collectively for over three years when Al proposed. We have been engaged for lower than a yr earlier than the marriage befell.
Alisdair went to Kilts4All (an impartial and household run enterprise in London) along with his outdated household tartan kilt to have it altered. His earlier kilt wasn’t nice high quality and had seen higher days in order that they created a customized kilt for him utilizing his Munro tartan, alongside a jacket, sporran, kilt socks and sgain-dubh.
He wore his personal boats that he had made ages in the past and that he wore on our first date. Al could be very selective about what he buys and spends quite a lot of time researching the standard and craftsmanship as he desires issues to final him a lifetime.
For a part of the reception I wore my mom’s marriage ceremony costume. It meant loads to each of us for me to incorporate it within the day.
The Reception
Together with the string/fairy lights from Askham Corridor, I needed the main target to be on the gorgeous flowers and candles. Intimate and romantic. The attractive out of doors surroundings of Askham Corridor and the character of Cumbria was the star of the present.
We offered fudge from the Toffee Store in Penrith as presents/favours for our visitors. A household favorite!
Susie Cowie illustrated our title place playing cards for the tables and in addition did a gorgeous illustration for our Order of Service – which included sweetpeas, cosmos, stars and naturally, horses!
Askham Corridor offered lights within the marriage ceremony barn and I employed Hurricane Cylinders and Classic Brass Candlestick holders by Narrative Rent/Tebbey and Co (instagram: narrativehire).
The candles have been from Glode Candle Membership, a seasonal subscription candle membership that I’m a member of, and got here from their winter 22’ assortment. I ordered 5 batches of them on the time as a result of I liked the colors and knew I needed to make use of them on the marriage ceremony reception.
Gloria Studio was our florist and Kasia and Amaia couldn’t have been extra pretty! They’re based mostly out of London however labored with their suppliers to ship to Askham Corridor and the remainder of the flowers they introduced with them on the practice as much as Cumbria.
I actually love flowers and gardening is one in all my favorite pastimes, so I used to be very particular about what I needed. Peonies are my favorite flower in order that was the primary request. Cornflowers, Scabiosa (Pincushion), Sweetpeas, Dahlias and Chamomile are all favourites that we integrated. I’ve dahlias, peonies, scabiosa, sweetpeas and cornflowers that I plant/develop in my backyard at residence and it felt necessary to have these be part of the day.
Kasia and Amaia have been so fantastic to work with and gave me the flowers of my desires! Couldn’t advocate them sufficient.
Askham Corridor offered the entire catering except for the marriage cake. Melissa Spencer of Bramble & Wild Bakery did our cake – a four-tiered gluten free cake with three totally different flavours: lemon and poppyseed, espresso and walnut, and white chocolate and passionfruit.
It was so scrumptious – I nonetheless dream of it! I needed a easy however basic design. She created a gorgeous white, tiered cake and I requested contemporary flowers for the design. Gloria Studio offered her flowers to create a gorgeous addition.
We additionally employed a piper to shock the visitors – he piped us out of the church after our vows and piped us into the marriage barn at Askham Corridor. Actually stunning – the entire visitors liked him!
Night & Dancing
We had a mutual pal who’s a DJ do the music for the night and had a photobooth for visitors to make use of. Our first dance was to ‘Wild Horses’ by The Sundays. That tune has been a favorite of mine since I used to be a young person and heard it within the Promenade Episode of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (my all-time favorite television sequence). Additionally, once more, I’m a horse lady. So it was very becoming for us. “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away” – what a robust means of claiming I’m right here so that you can somebody.
As everybody tells you, the day goes by rapidly and there’s a lot stimulation and exercise, it may well form of change into a blur. Actually simply having my household and closest, finest associates there meant all the things to me and to us. We have been surrounded by a lot love and help. It was such an incredible group of individuals, from all around the US and UK and everybody had such nice vitality and obtained alongside so properly.
Surrounded by the gorgeous countryside and all of our private touches that held that means to us. Our pet, Mina (a shiba inu), was additionally part of the day (becoming as she is the newborn of the household!) – our shut pal Carlie held her through the marriage ceremony ceremony and Gloria Studio even made her a gorgeous pink bow with contemporary flowers that she wore on her harness to have fun mummy and daddy’s marriage.
Phrases of Wedded Knowledge
Weddings can in a short time get overwhelming and hectic. A very powerful factor is that you’ve got discovered somebody in a really loopy world and that you just two have determined to commit to one another and be companions on this wild experience we name life. Take time to benefit from the course of, take into consideration the issues which might be significant and vital to you each and incorporate it into your day. You need issues to ‘really feel’ such as you. Get pleasure from celebrating along with your family members – it’s so uncommon everybody can all get collectively nowadays.
Planning a marriage was overwhelming at instances, there are such a lot of particulars you don’t even take into consideration. I’d advocate discovering a ritual that helps you decompress and benefit from the course of.
As particular and delightful as a marriage is, it’s solely sooner or later, of the remainder of your lives. Concentrate on the issues that basically rely! Additionally, attempt to not throw away your engagement ring per week earlier than the ceremony.
I want I had gotten extra relaxation/sleep within the week main as much as the marriage. You will have a lot happening with final minute particulars and we had household/associates travelling in from the states so we have been working round taking part in host! Additionally, the engagement ring saga occurred which was hectic and unhappy. I want I had taken extra time to decelerate through the weekend and spend a bit extra time catching up with my associates. C’est la vie!
Askham Corridor
We advocate this stunning Lake District Wedding ceremony Venue
Annabel View all Annabel’s articles
Founding father of Love My Costume. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire along with her husband and enterprise companion Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves pictures, meditation, strolling, being outdoor and star gazing. She is fierce with regards to championing expertise throughout the marriage ceremony business and when she’s not engaged on Love My Costume, she helps her husband Philip within the working of the household’s sustainable flower farm and floral design enterprise, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she turned a broadcast creator.
