Lucy, founding father of Way of life Health Formulation, a web based well being and health teaching firm for girls, married Patrick, who has not too long ago joined his spouse to work along with her in increasing her enterprise, tied the knot on twenty second September 2023, on the lovely Abbots Court docket in Dorset.
The couple wished a enjoyable and romantic day to get pleasure from with their friends and as they needed to plan their UK marriage ceremony from Sydney, they recruited the help of Rebecca Marie Weddings to help with among the smaller gadgets and design.
Lucy seemed unimaginable in her Lé Lee Studio robe and these pictures by Jack Aldridge fantastically seize the joyful vibe of the day. Take pleasure in!
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Venue & Location
We selected Abbots Court docket in Dorset as our venue – it’s quarter-hour drive from my dad and mom house in Bridport. When trying to find a venue we had numerous obstacles – notably, as a result of we lived in Sydney. Researching and viewing venues was slightly difficult because of this, however my dad and mom supplied a serving to hand the place they might.
We toyed with having a vacation spot marriage ceremony, however I had at all times wished to get married near the place my dad and mom reside, and have extra of a day marriage ceremony vs a late marriage ceremony that you simply are likely to have in sizzling nations. Fortunately I had two journeys deliberate to the UK in 2022 (extra weddings!) so I managed to carry out some scouting throughout these quick durations.
Our first huge mistake got here after we picked one other venue (on-line from Sydney). We had even paid the deposit and locked in our caterers. The primary venue was pretty and idyllic, however once I went to view it in individual on one in every of my journeys again to the UK, I had some considerations, the principle being how shut the grounds had been to the motorway, and being situated at their home. It simply didn’t really feel proper.
After feeling slightly deflated after seeing the venue we chosen, and naturally some disturbing conversations and tears on my finish, I used to be served an advert on Instagram about Abbots Court docket, and there simply so occurred to be an open day that week. After we arrived and I instantly fell in love.
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Abbots Court docket is nestled in six acres of woodlands, meadows and nation fields. With its lovely nation home the place myself and my bridal celebration bought prepared, the transformed Victorian stables which hosted our welcome drinks, and the walled backyard pavilion the place our ceremony occurred, with the rolling Dorset fields within the distance. It was precisely what we had been searching for.
After chatting with Patrick, again in Sydney, we made the choice to e-book Abbots Court docket and swap venues. It was a dangerous transfer, and value us shedding deposits, however I’m SO glad we made this choice. Abbots Court docket was precisely what we wished – a luxurious nation really feel all through, while additionally being relaxed and fashionable. It was good!
We wished a enjoyable, romantic, and relaxed marriage ceremony within the countryside of Dorset that encompassed our character, model, and small touches from our Aussie life-style all through; nice meals and drinks, leisure and a impartial color palette had been the important thing issues we targeted on to convey our day to life.
Bridal Magnificence & Equipment
I wore a plain veil customized made by Lauren Francis Bridal. In case you are wanting essentially the most unimaginable expertise getting your marriage ceremony costume, these girls make you are feeling superb. Each time we visited, it was like catching up with an previous good friend.
I additionally wore pearl drop earrings from Lauren Francis bridal. My bridesmaids gave me a gorgeous bracelet to put on on the day, and I had my nanny’s engagement ring on which meant the world to me that she might indirectly be there on my special occasion.
My footwear had been from Charlotte Mills. I wished one thing plain and as I had my mini for the night. I did quite a lot of analysis as I wished snug footwear – it’s superb how onerous it’s to seek out plain bridal heels, so I ended up buying a pair with a lace design on high, which I requested my seamstress from Sew Bridal to take away, and so they had been good.
We labored with the stunning Tara Sanger for our make up and April Natalie for our hair. Tara got here extremely beneficial from our venue, and from performing some analysis of the very best make-up artists within the space, her identify saved arising. Tara was superb from begin to end – her communication, the make-up trial, suggestions she gave on all the pieces and something, and naturally on the day itself.
She felt like an previous good friend conserving me calm and making me giggle, even when it was pouring outdoors and I used to be panicking! She completely nailed my temporary of a glowy, dewy look whereas being pure – I wished to really feel like myself, and I cherished my make up a lot. It actually made my day that this was good.
April was one other suggestion and I cherished her smooth, glam waves, which I at all times knew was precisely how I wished my hair. She additionally nailed the temporary for myself, my mum, and my bridesmaids, and everybody was so proud of their last look. All my bridesmaids selected what they wished, and it seemed superb on the day.
The Costume
I bought my fundamental Lé Lee Studio costume from Everlasting Bridal – a well-known bridal retailer within the coronary heart of Sydney. They had been superb from begin to end! The designer I selected was a reasonably new designer to their retailer, however I fell in love with my costume as quickly as I put it on.
They had been very accommodating and allowed me to return again to strive the costume on at a time I might name in my mum and sisters who had been again within the UK. Though they had been on the other facet of the world, I wished them to really feel a part of the method.
I had a very robust imaginative and prescient of wanting a lace costume with a low again, however each time I attempted this model on, it didn’t go well with me or didn’t really feel proper. I went to Everlasting Bridal to strive on a costume precisely like this, and felt disenchanted when it wasn’t as I anticipated. As I used to be there, they advised attempting on another types. Funnily sufficient, she picked out my costume and I instantly stated no I received’t prefer it. Fortunately she was persistent and I gave it a go, solely to then fall in love with it and discover my dream costume!
I cherished how my costume was conventional with the lace all through, with a contact of contemporary with the corset design. It was additionally fully completely different to another costume I had seen on my buddies or scrolling Instagram, and I wished one thing that was distinctive.
Bridesmaids
My bridesmaids clothes had been from Maids to Measure and so they had been good! I wished a really particular tone of blush (not too vibrant or garishly pink) which was really extraordinarily onerous to seek out. I additionally had bridesmaids primarily based all around the world, and completely different sizes and shapes, so discovering one thing everybody was pleased in was actually onerous.
We ended up going to the shop in London with three of my bridesmaids to strive them on, and so they had numerous completely different types in the identical color which was good, so everybody might select one thing that suited their determine.
I gave all my bridesmaids earrings from Saint Valentine – they had been lovely small gold hoops with pearl drops. I bought my older sister an identical bracelet as she didn’t have her ears pierced. All of them wore their very own nude heels.
The clothes had been from John Lewis and the headbands had been from Monsoon.
The Ceremony
My dad walked me down the aisle, and I’ll keep in mind it for the remainder of my life – it was such a particular second between us.
For the ceremony, we had the stunning acoustic guitarist and singer, Robin, who we discovered by way of Bands for Rent. She performed smooth acoustic melodies as friends arrived to the ceremony, after which raised the tempo for the drinks reception. We requested if she would play Elton John’s ‘Your Track’ for my aisle stroll, which she lined completely.
We had personal vows which we shared with one another after the marriage. We saved the ceremony quick and candy, however selected to learn out guarantees. which had been chosen and barely amended from the celebrants choices.
We had two readings, learn by two of our shut buddies, and we didn’t need something too tacky or lengthy. The primary studying, Love Isn’t All the time Excellent, was delivered by Federico, Patrick’s finest good friend from Sydney and one in every of his groomsmen. Our second studying was written by Sophie, my finest good friend from Sydney.
We actually wished one studying to be extra private, so she created an incredible poem/limerick about us which performs on our Irish/English bond, how we met, and our journey collectively:
“In Sydney’s embrace, a story did start,
Two souls, Lucy and Patrick, hearts to win.
An English rose and Irish appeal unite,
In love’s embrace, their hearts take flight.
In one another’s eyes, they discovered their manner,
A connection that grew stronger each day.
By laughter and moments, each huge and small,
Their love stood agency, a sturdy wall.
In one another, finest buddies discovered, hearts aligned,
Constructing your future collectively, desires intertwined.
Aspect by facet, you’ll journey by life’s embrace,
Going through the unknown, with love as your base.
From that first look to this special occasion,
And now husband and spouse, with love on show.
A way forward for desires, adventures anew,
Collectively you’ll make all of them come true.
A journey of affection, by each stride,
Without end you’ll stand, facet by facet.”
Patrick’s ring was bought from a neighborhood jeweller in Sydney. He wished a refined gold ring which was brushed so it wasn’t so shiny and vibrant.
My marriage ceremony band is mini ovals to match my engagement ring. I bought this from Michael Arthur in Sydney. I went with them as they had been one of many solely locations I might discover with this model of ring I wished, and the standard of their diamonds was the very best we might discover.
Images & Videography
Jack Aldridge has an incredible smooth model which is precisely what I used to be searching for, and his character actually received us over! Throughout our catch up calls, he was so optimistic and infectious along with his enthusiasm and he actually made us really feel like he wished to be a part of our special occasion, not simply as a vendor however to benefit from the celebration.
He was really easy to work with and made us really feel snug from the second we met him. He was hardly noticeable on the day and we completely love all our marriage ceremony pictures – I can not advocate sufficient.
I might advocate Jack in a heartbeat – you’re spending your complete day with this individual, so I’d extremely counsel ensuring you get a superb vibe with them, and that you simply’ve met in individual (or on zoom like we did). He was additionally tremendous useful within the planning course of about something and all the pieces – I discovered I might flip to him for recommendations on our schedule, timings and something to do with our day! He was so good, we’re collaborating on the launch of our new bridal packages for my enterprise.
We labored with Alex from AWB movies. He was a dream to work with and made the entire course of really easy and gratifying.
Much like Jack, he was really easy going, and we barely observed him all through the day. He bought essentially the most lovely pure pictures of us which I like, and captured all the particular moments from our day so properly.
How They Met
I grew up within the UK, and Patrick is from Eire. We had been each dwelling in Sydney for 3 years, earlier than we met for the primary time.
Each of us had been in our favorite bar in Sydney, The Golden Sheaf in Double Bay – I had been at a ship celebration all day, and Patrick was at a child bathe along with his buddies. Whereas within the Sheaf, Patrick and I repeatedly glanced at one another all through the evening, however he was clearly too scared to make a transfer! I spoke to my good friend and stated “this man retains me, do you assume I ought to go over?” She after all inspired me, so I went over to introduce myself – one thing very out of character for me!
I shimmied by the very busy crowd, walked as much as Patrick and his group of buddies and launched myself. We exchanged numbers and I returned to my buddies. A number of moments later my buddies determined they wished to go to one other bar down the road – I used to be delighted, as a result of it seemed like I used to be taking part in onerous to get, securing his quantity after which leaving, certainly this was a powerful transfer!
The issue got here when my buddies and I reached the opposite bar, it was empty, in order that they determined to return to the Sheaf! After some failed objections on my finish, finally we went again and Patrick and I ended up dancing collectively all evening lengthy – that was the beginning of our journey collectively.
Patrick instructed this story in his marriage ceremony speech and at all times exaggerates that I used to be rugby tackling individuals out of the best way simply to succeed in him and introduce myself – which is half true, he bought a number of laughs!
On my thirtieth birthday, Patrick determined to pop the query. The day began with a dawn stroll, and a near-miss with a huntsman spider the dimensions of his hand crawling within the bouquet of flowers that he bought for me! He employed an Italian speedboat to take us to the enduring MacMahon’s level, however after all it didn’t all go to plan, because the boat driver was hungover and took us to the improper spot (whereas after all I had no concept). After we lastly bought to the fitting place, we bought engaged in entrance of the Opera Home and Harbour Bridge, it was good!
Patrick joked in his marriage ceremony speech that purchasing a hoop doesn’t really purchase the groom a while, it begins a countdown. He’s proper! We had been engaged for round a yr and a half earlier than we bought married. I believe he was attempting to comply with the Irish custom of a protracted engagement, however I had different concepts!
Patrick wore rented tuxedos from a go well with retailer in Dublin. He had quite a lot of hassle discovering fits whereas dwelling in Sydney. The opposite problem was that his groomsmen had been geographically numerous; two in Sydney, one in London and three in Eire. He wore a black button shirt and a velvet bow-tie, whereas the groomsmen wore white button and customary bowtie.
The Reception
As Abbots Court docket was a reasonably clean canvas, we wanted to organise issues like plates, cutlery, linen, napkins and many others. so having her assist with this was superb.
I’m obsessive about a muted blush tone, so after all this was going to be the principle color on the day. My bridesmaids, our napkins, and the flowers all had muted tones of blush, alongside whites and nudes to maintain the theme smooth and romantic. It was all the pieces I might have dreamed of and extra!
As a touch to our Aussie life, our tables had been named after seashores we had been to collectively, alongside our sharing fundamental of a Tomahawk steak with pink wine jus and sharing sides, created and tailored from our favorite restaurant in Sydney. We additionally had devoted carvers for every of the tables which we stunned our friends with.
We bought desk linen, gold cutlery, and plates from Abbotts Occasions Rent. We had tall, tapered candles by Ester & Erik, from Blomster Designs. The white metallic signal was from Ginger Ray. Our blush napkins had been from Amazon and the polaroid prints from Photobox which got here with string and pegs. We additionally had a gin bar, however apart from that, we saved it easy and used florals.
We labored with Alicia from Blush & Bloom Floral Design. There have been a number of causes I selected to work with Alicia! To begin with, I LOVED her model – it was similar to what I wished and I immediately linked along with her web page.
She additionally has a background in styling, so I knew she might assist with suggestions for the day. Alongside being a small enterprise proprietor, I actually wished to work intently with somebody instantly and I had a very good vibe from her after we met.
She was a dream to work with and was there for completely something. We had calls, she despatched me voice notes and pictures of colors and inspo – she actually went over and above, and it exhibits!
We didn’t go wild with another ornament, however I wished the flowers to take satisfaction of place, which is why this was so essential to get proper. I couldn’t advocate her sufficient.
Our cake was made by my lovely sister, Kat. We requested for a 3 tier cake with chocolate, lemon drizzle and vanilla – it was scrumptious! We wished a extra rustic look, so it was coated in a lightweight icing to marry into the minimalist model of the marriage. Alicia additionally adorned it with some roses.
I labored with Rebecca Marie, our stylist, to design the stationery. I had a transparent imaginative and prescient of what I wished – one thing quite simple and minimalist. We had a welcome signal when friends arrived, personalised menus with friends names on, the desk plan, gin station signage, Guinness signage, ceremony booklets with the order of the day on, and signage for the guestbook.
We supplied every visitor with slightly bottle of Hendrick’s gin. We inspired them to create their very own gin creation utilizing the customized gin desk we constructed within the reception space. We supplied completely different tonics and fruit toppings to permit friends to create their very own favorite G+T. We each love a superb Gin and Tonic, so it was designed to focus on one other of our favorite issues, and provides friends one thing enjoyable to do.
We cherished our catering and we acquired so many enhances. The marriage breakfast was served by Kirsty and Steve at Fossil Meals Catering. As we had chosen a sharing fundamental, we selected to skip the starter and supply additional canapes with our drinks reception. Everybody LOVED these, and so they went down a deal with.
For the principle course we wished to showcase a few of our favourite meals. Fossil can create a bespoke menu for you primarily based in your preferences or eating places you’ve been to that you simply love.
We opted for a Tomahawk steak – one thing that Patrick and I like having in Sydney. We served it with potatoes and plenty of veggies (as I like veg!) We had a chocolate mousse for dessert with honeycomb and raspberries – one other one in every of our favourites that they created for us!
We additionally created personalised carving aprons for 1 fortunate visitor at every desk, which was a little bit of enjoyable that everybody cherished!
Kirsty and Steve had been superb to work with – I felt like I made a detailed good friend within the course of, that we could possibly be fully open with our suggestions, and she or he gave us so many suggestions and concepts alongside the best way that we used. Our friends had been blown away by the standard of the meals – it positively was not your typical marriage ceremony meal.
We additionally had night meals from Fiery Fox Pizzas – we wished one thing relaxed and scrumptious, and seeing as we each love woodfired pizzas, this was precisely what we had been searching for!
The group had been extraordinarily simple to cope with and helped with our particular requests for dietaries. Most significantly, the pizzas had been successful! They even kindly made a pizza for us which they left in our room so we didn’t miss out. We’re hoping we will discover one other occasion to make use of them for sooner or later!
Night & Dancing
My mini costume was from Trish Peng that I bought from Lauren Francis Bridal. I wasn’t planning an outfit change, however as I used to be getting my fundamental costume altered within the UK, on a go to I observed the minis and requested to strive them on for enjoyable. After all, I fell in love instantly, and my mum was the one who cherished it a lot she instructed me to purchase it!
We cherished our leisure. For our night music we wished one thing energetic and fashionable – we actually didn’t desire a typical marriage ceremony band. We stumbled upon PYT, a 4 piece with a singer, saxophone, percussion and DJ. They performed fashionable songs with a contact of old fashioned classics, with an ‘ibiza model’ that we cherished instantly. They had been completely unimaginable and would roam the gang to get everybody concerned – all of the friends cherished them, particularly once they began the conga line and joined us on the dance ground.
Our first dance track was Miracle Love by Matt Corby, an Australian artist. Patrick loves Matt and is at all times taking part in his songs within the kitchen. When it got here to deciding which track to decide on we had been actually not sure and questioned if Miracle Love was too gradual or if anybody would have heard it earlier than.
We discovered an incredible model of the track on Youtube the place Matt sang the track in a Church in Manchester. We trimmed the track down and it labored so properly.
One other good contact was that we really bought to see Matt carry out earlier than our marriage ceremony. 10 days earlier than the marriage, Patrick observed that Matt was within the UK and was performing in Bristol on a random Tuesday. So we purchased tickets and made the journey up. It was an incredible gig, his voice is excellent. It was so good to listen to our first dance track reside, just a few days earlier than our personal marriage ceremony.
Phrases of Wedded Knowledge
My recommendation for future brides; It will likely be completely good, no matter occurs. However right here’s a number of issues I might advocate having achieved the method myself.
1 – Sit down together with your associate and resolve in your priorities (and follow them!) Weddings are costly, and it’s very simple to get carried away.
2 – Delegate! You received’t keep in mind something you deliberate on the day (since you are having the best possible time!) so be sure you delegate something essential to your bridesmaids.
3 – Take care of your self and your well being. So many ladies drastically crash food regimen earlier than their huge day, and it cannot solely destroy the lead up, however have enormous penalties to your long run well being. You’ll be able to learn extra of my recommendation round this right here.
4 – When making the massive choices – at all times go together with your intestine, and consider your venue in individual!
Everybody at all times asks if a videographer is price it – this was positively one in every of our greatest investments! We’ve watched our movies numerous instances already, and it’s such a particular technique to look again on our day.
Much less so of a remorse, however a superb studying was to ensure we had been 100% proud of suppliers earlier than paying deposits. I believe we rushed into reserving pondering that all the pieces would e-book up rapidly in September, and we might have simply waited.
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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 associate Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves images, meditation, strolling, being outdoor and star gazing. She is fierce in relation to championing expertise inside the marriage ceremony trade and when she’s not engaged on Love My Costume, she helps her husband Philip within the operating of the household’s sustainable flower farm and floral design enterprise, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she grew to become a broadcast creator.
