One Day Like This: A Real Wedding In North Yorkshire – Cat & Jonny

Posted on: 28/02/2013

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Now, there was an article in yesterday’s Huffington Post that I really identified with.  In a nutshell, when submitting images to a magazine for print, wedding photographer Anne Almasy was dismayed to find that instead of people, they were only interested in pretty details.  The photographer didn’t make a fuss at the time, but later penned the piece calling for the industry to remember what weddings are really all about.

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On the one hand, as an editor, I get the magazine’s need for inspirational images of styled details and aspirational table settings – wedding magazines and blogs would be in trouble without them after all – but on the other hand, I totally understand the photographer’s disappointment that her carefully selected images of a newlywed couple in love were not deemed adequate. 

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There may or may not have been a misunderstanding and the article might just have been published to sensationalise.  Whatever the reason, I don’t think the industry really does need to take a long hard look at itself (most wedding industry professionals I know work long tireless hours over and above requirements to help to deliver a bride and groom’s dream day – they know that it’s all about the people, they can just help with the pretty bits), but I do think that it’s nice for planning brides to remember that it doesn’t matter if your chair covers match your bridesmaids’ knickers – it’s all about the love between the two of you.

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This isn’t an issue that we have a problem with here at Brides Up North, as we receive so many beautiful submissions of all different types of weddings that I find both the pretty and personal boxes are generally ticked without getting too worried about it.  However, I have said it before and I’ll say it again… my favourite Real Weddings are always the ones that are a little stripped back, and where the happiness is allowed to shine through…

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…exactly like today’s gorgeous and personal celebration in the lovely village of Helmsley, North Yorkshire, sent to me by photographer Carly Bevan and today’s happy couple Cat and Jonny.

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Enjoy!

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Cat says:  Jonny proposed somewhere over the Atlantic on 22/12/11. We were on our way to visit my brother for Christmas. Jonny had a temporary ring that was black and white as I support Newcastle Football Club. He had remembered me dropping a HUGE hint about a lovely shop that made/designed jewellery – Dot the Jewellers in Saltaire. We kept it quiet on the plane and celebrated with a glass of wine each.  I was speechless and kept asking if Jonny was serious!

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We got married at 3pm on 4^th November 2012 at The Black Swan, Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

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We love cosy, country pubs and good food. It reminded us very much of one of our favourite local pubs and knowing we could get married there was a bonus! It was intimate and atmospheric – just what we wanted. 

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My dress was by Claire Pettibone and called Yolanda. I got it from The White Closet in Didsbury, Manchester. I loved its simplicity and felt wonderful in it. My shoes were by Rachel Simpson and called Olivia. I wore a Flo and Percy headband called Glastonbury – it was a sign as both Jonny and I love Glastonbury festival and have been many times.

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I didn’t have any bridesmaids; unfortunately my best friend lives in Australia and was unable to come over. The groomsmen wore navy suits and matching blue and white ties.

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I carried a small but beautiful posy of Amnesia roses. Jonny had a single Amnesia rose. The wedding party had cream roses and lilac fuchsias. My flowers came from Gemma Magson at The Topiary Tree in Helmsley.

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My parents rented a cottage five minute’s walk from The Black Swan which meant my Dad and I could walk. It was really lovely and meant we could also have some photos taken on the walk down.

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We had a guitarist called James Smith who played prior, during and after the ceremony. He was amazing and made the day for us as we are huge music fans. He even learnt The Stone Roses “Ten Storey Love Song” for me to walk down the aisle to.

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The special touches for us were the involvement of our friends. One of my best friends has a stationery design company, White Petal Design and she made our invites as well as doing a reading. The men’s favours were bottles of Build a Rocket Boys Beer by the band Elbow. They are one of our favourite bands and our first dance was to one of their songs too. The ladies’ favours were Happy Bags that supported a local children’s hospice.

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We had cupcakes made by my friend Kerry Bennett and they were delicious. We had two flavours- chocolate orange and white chocolate and champagne. We also had a small four tier cheese cake from Hunters of Helmsley that was fabulous and we continued to eat for a week!

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We didn’t have a theme as such but family, friendship, music and laughter was important. The tables were all named after Paul Weller albums as he is Jonny’s favourite musician.  We had silver candelabras on the table and silver bows for the back of the chairs. Due to the time of year we wanted lots of candles and the fires lit at the venue to give a cosy feel.

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We’re sure everyone says this but our favourite part was having our friends and family with us to celebrate our special day. We sat in the middle of the room on a circular table which meant we could look around at everyone enjoying themselves.

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After the wedding, we went to a beautiful cottage in Scotland. It wasn’t far from Stirling where my family are from. It was remote and had a hot tub which was great to relax in and stargaze with a glass of champagne.

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My top tip for other Brides Up North would be to do what you want! It’s your day and you want to know when you remember it that you wouldn’t change a thing.

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Congratulations Cat & Jonny!

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Contact Brides Up North to see your own Real Wedding featured here: here’s how. 

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Carly Bevan

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