Pretty Map Filled Church & Barn Wedding

Pretty Map Filled Church & Barn Wedding

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Jon and Sarah were married on the 26 th July 2014 at their family church followed by a rustic barn reception. They hoped for a day which was modest and in perspective, with a touch of creativity.

They chose the loveliest details all surrounding their map theme, had bridesmaids looking beautiful in pink dresses and delightful wild feel blooms.

Sarah wore lace and her hair in the most perfect waves while Jon opted for a sharp suit with pink tie.

Thanks goes to the brilliant Francesca Secolonovo for sharing her photographs with us this afternoon.

THE PROPOSAL | We had travelled out to a small Italian village in the mountains for a friend's wedding. We had such a great time celebrating their day and after a Mamma Mia-esque weekend, we snuck off to the local watering hole... not pub, more like a blue lagoon for a swim! Mid-way through a blissful morning of practising ever-worsening diving technique into the crystal clear water, Jon popped the question! The story goes that after I'd said 'yes!', Jon turned and did a perfect '10' dive.

THE VISION | We were so excited to be getting married, particularly as our faith in Jesus is one of the main reasons we'd decided we wanted to commit to each other for life. So, our plans for the day were modest, to keep the day in perspective, but with a bit of creative flair here and there! We didn't want a mainstream kitsch/Kath Kidston wedding but something with a bit of nostalgia.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | We had a year to plan and I did most of the planning as I was a student at the time and Jon worked full time. We got the big things ticked off early on (venue, catering etc.), the smaller things (favours, ties etc.) a few months before the day.

BUDGET | £8k max! So mini, but totally possible. Again, we wanted to keep the day in perspective... but we also wanted a good honeymoon!

THE VENUE | The church was a no-brainer as multiple generations of my family had been married there, and we knew the church were as bothered about Jesus as we were!

Believe or not, we'd prayed for a barn venue, but initially everything we were looking at was far beyond our budget. Then, some months down the line, still with no reception venue sorted, my Aunty rang us and said 'what about the community hall down the road?' It turned out to be a barn, a beautiful barn too. God is good.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Again, mini budget but I am a picky customer! I knew exactly what cut of dress I wanted based on my favourite LBD. When I saw this one on the hanger I suspected that it would fit right, and it did. Plus it came from a beautiful boutique in my hometown, Nottingham.

GROOM'S ATTIRE | Jon just wanted a really slick blue suit. He wasn't fussed about a morning suit; he wanted one he could wear again. We found a really nice blue suit on a chance browse at Moss Bros in Covent Garden.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Jon grew up in a church in Croydon and it has a wealth of world-class musicians, who happen to be really dear friends, so it was a natural choice to ask the worship band that we did. They raised the roof of the church.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | My sister was a must-have maid of honour. She is such a good egg, my best friend and seriously beautiful! Two of my closest and most loyal friends, also seriously beautiful, were obvious bridesmaid material and a family friend, who is like a sister, was also seriously beautiful, so I asked her too.

On a serious note, I chose these girls to honour and thank them for who they are and everything they have inputted into my life.

THE FLOWERS | Gah, the flowers are what made me cry the morning of the wedding. There was a wild flower theme, loose and soft with a pastel colour base and flecks of accent colours. They were so much more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing than I could have hoped for. Blakes of Bookham did such a great job. Would recommend them to anyone!

THE CAKE | My dearest Aunty Sarah offered to do our cake as a present the moment she heard we were engaged. What a wonderful gift it was (as well as a total surprise)! Unbeknown to us, Aunty Sarah had spoken with Jon's parents to get some cake-spiration, and we were blown away on the day by a Indian and African themed, three tier, delicious wedding complete with a family of baby tigers. CUTE! (p.s. Jon has travelled to Africa much, and I was born in India).

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | What a babe - Francesca was another surprise answer to prayer! We had applied for one of her competitions, as we really liked her online portfolio. Thankfully, she got in touch and the rest is history. Her shots were just brilliant, capturing of all the fun and reverence of the day, as well as being technically very good. Worth her weight in gold!

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | We both like maps, so it seemed natural to put maps just about everywhere...

THE HONEYMOON | Croatia. Five star hotel. Beachfront. Did nothing for a week but we desperately needed it. No matter how hard you try, weddings are stressful and tiring and knowing you have a detox week to look forward to, is a dream.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | Our getaway car was such a special thing. My GodF.O.B. and GodM.O.B. (ha, aka godfather and mother), Carl and Alison, had promised some years ago that when I got married they would drive me to the wedding in their 1950 Series 1 Landrover. After a great effort, expense and about nine hours on the road from Nottingham to Epsom, the Landy made it to Epsom and we drove off from the wedding in open top style.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Your wedding day is important and it is such a great day, however, do not neglect the fact you're committing your life to someone. Prepare for that as much as the wedding.

We also found it helpful to remember a simple rule - people over preferences, where we tried to uphold our relationships with each other, families, friends, over the nitty gritty detail of the wedding. People are just more important and hopefully last longer than just one day.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Francesca Secolonovo

Catering | Scotts of Carshalton

Flowers | Blakes of Bookham

Bride's dress | Little White Dress Derby

Bridesmaid's dresses | Dorothy Perkins

Groom's suit | Moss Bros

Band | Avenue Sound

Super gorgeous!

Thanks so so much to Jon and Sarah for sharing their wedding with us XOXO Lou

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