Jo and Philip live in Zanzibar and so their wedding planning happened online and via email. They focused on creating a welcome atmosphere for their loved ones and hosted the party in a field at Jo's dad's house.

From there their summer wedding developed a festival vibe, with flags, camping and tee pees to complete the look.

I so love the pretty pink fresh flowers, colourful bunting and the gorgeous bridesmaid style. Not to mention the super stylish attire donned by the couple themselves.

Thanks so very much to Eliza Claire for sharing her lovely photographs today.

THE PROPOSAL | We had bought a tent to take to us to East Africa (where we now live) and so I planned to get Jo out to a local park under the rouse that I wanted to set it up. I didn't know Jo's ring size so I had bought the stones that I wanted to set in the ring and was going to give them to her when I proposed. I prepared a gourmet hamper with wine and the plan was to slip the stones onto her desert plate during the picnic. But the British weather got the better of my plot and Jo was adamant that she wasn't going to budge from the sofa, so in the end I brought the hamper out and then proposed in the living room. She looked very bemused and needed convincing that I was serious!

THE VISION | No vision really. We just wanted to enjoy the day with our closest friends and family and to make sure everyone felt welcome. We felt that wedding venues can be a little impersonal so decided to have the party in a field at Jo's dad's house. From there, the day developed with a festival vibe.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | We live in Zanzibar so the planning was done online and through email, which was great as it meant we didn't have to go running around meeting suppliers but could instead get things done with a cold drink in one hand.

BUDGET | We are not especially extravagant, but at the same time we didn't want to cut corners so we had a rough budget that we just about managed to stick to.

THE VENUE | We got married in Arundel Town Hall and then went back to Jo's dad's house for the reception. He has some land so we were able to accommodate several marquees and also have room for a campsite for our guests to use if they wanted. We had our own tipi and in true festival style, very few campers got to bed before daybreak so we got to watch the sunrise over the fields while finishing off the Prosecco.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | I chose a heart shaped, strapless dress which had a corset and jewelled detail on the front. Something completely different to what I have envisaged me wearing! I had some silver earrings and necklace and flowers in my hair.

FINDING THE DRESS | My bridesmaid organised appointments to try on different wedding dresses. I had been told, that when you try on the dress you are going to get married in, you know! I didn't believe it and tried on many dresses. I was feeling disheartened as I hate shopping, but when I tried on this dress, I knew it was right!

GROOM'S ATTIRE | Simple dark blue suit, white shirt, brown shoes, blue tie and hanky.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | We chose the Vitamin String Quartet's orchestral cover of the track 'Team' by Lorde. We then had 1 reading given by Jo's sister (who was also a Bridesmaid). It was JRR Tolkien's 'Roads go Ever on'. A strange choice for some, but it suited us. We're not traditional so didn't want anything gushy or cliché and we both like interesting use of language. The poem describes a journey; the difficulties that may be encountered and the desire to be home, and we liked this as a metaphor for our lives together.

We then had Alt-J, 'MS', Lisa Marie Presley, 'You ain't seen nothin' yet', Ducktails 'letter of intent' and The Coral, 'Pass it on' while we were signing the register etc. To walk out, we had The Black Keys 'Everlasting light'.

The first dance was Bob Marley's 'Is this love', sung by a female vocalist with the band we hired, 'The Chandeliers'.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | My sister and best friend.

THE FLOWERS | The florist was really wonderful. We absolutely loved the flowers and the design. She understood what we asked for perfectly. It was Princess & Frog flowers in Arundel.

THE CAKE | Several wheels of cheese stacked on top of each other. Yum!

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Eliza Claire, and as with everything else we found her online. A number of friends had told us how important it was to them that their photographer was good as they will capture the memories of the special day to keep forever. But what no one had said was just how important it is to feel comfortable around them because they will be with you and your guests for the entirety of the day. Eliza was great on both counts. We knew she was going to be an excellent photographer as we could see from her online brochure and she slotted in with us as if she was an old friend. Her 'second shooter' was also great and by the time they were ready to leave it was like saying farewell to friends.

The follow-up was excellent too. The images were available about a month after the day and we were really pleased with the quality. It was especially nice to see that she had made sure to capture the whole day, not just us two and we have pictures of the venue, all the guests enjoying themselves, the food, the band, the marquee, the campsite. Everything.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Loads of bunting, festival flags and lights everywhere and Jo's dad also planted wild flowers around both fields.

THE HONEYMOON | We had a few nights in Cornwall immediately after, but the main trip is still to come. We will probably explore Africa some more, maybe Rwanda.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | We don't really have a memorable moment. The whole day was memorable.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | If you can afford it, provide a free bar!

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Eliza Claire

Marque Company | West Sussex Party Marquees

Hog Roast | Bob the Hog

Venue | Arundel Town Hall

Band | 'The Chandeliers'

Chair Covers | Style Chair Cover Hire

Cheese Cake | Yorkshire Fine Cheese

Luxury toilet hire | Toilet Hire Sussex

Flowers | Princess & Frog Flowers

Such a fun loving day :-)

Jo and Philip thank you both so much for sharing your story today XO Lou