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Got those back to work Tuesday afternoon blues? I hear ya! Well, it’s time for a touch of romance instead with this beautiful Real Wedding in the North West, sent to me by real bride Deborah of Grafted & Crafted and the lovely Hannah Dornford May Photography.
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Deborah tells us more: We got engaged in July 2009 after Neil proposed to me at the airport following my girly family holiday! It was such a shock that during the mobile phone video of the event, all you can hear is me saying, “oh my God!” In a good way of course! I had been on holiday with my mum and Leoni my niece and I had been giving Leoni grief on the holiday for spending loads of time on her phone to her other half. Little did I know it was Neil planning the proposal and sending pictures of engagement rings! As we landed back at Manchester I was sent through the arrivals first as Neil had been winding us up saying he was going to hold up a big sign with our names on. I hate embarrassing things like that! I went through and there was the sign with my name on, but then he flipped it over and it read, “will you marry me?” I just couldn’t believe it! I of course eventually said yes, and I loved the ring: a gorgeous diamond and sapphire in 18ct white gold. The boy did good (with Leoni’s help of course!) It was such a nice proposal, and one to remember and talk about.
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We were married at Farington Lodge and picked 18th February 2012 as our wedding date. 18th February was our first daughter’s original due date, and the year was a play on her actual birth date of the 12th of February: 12/02. We also got together in the month February, so it was fitting!
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We looked at a few venues, but we were restricted by budget, and needed it to be fairly local for family. I never realised this gem of a place was right on our doorstep! It offered everything we needed. Great package deals, excellent staff – especially the lovely Simon Tauber – and a beautiful setting. The chef also did amazing food (please all go there and try the cheesecake)! The day was perfect
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I booked two rooms at Farington Lodge for the night before the wedding so that all the bridesmaids, my mum and I could all stay over and get ready together. We also invited a few friends for some pre-wedding drinks at the hotel the night before which was lovely. Our make up was done by Jade from Paper Doll Beauty, with hair by Jodie Baron.
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I knew from the start I wanted a no frills, streamlined dress. Either lace or satin. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the Ronald Joyce Sandra dress. It had the mixture of being slim fitting, elegant, satin, but with gorgeous detailing in the beautiful pearl beading necklace draped down the back, and beading on the front. I loved it and bought it fairly early on in the planning! I never wanted a tiara, but loved the idea of a birdcage veil. I played around with some ideas but ended up making my own headdress! I used pearls to match the strings on my dress, and incorporated birdcage veiling and some exquisite dress material I had been given by a local lady who used it to make her daughter’s wedding dress! I found an old pearl brooch, and ta-da, the head piece was born!
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For the flowers I wanted something small, but kept changing my mind about what flowers and style. I ended up with a variation of white flowers with eucalyptus foliage, and of course I had to give the florist some little bits and pieces of feathers and pearls to add in. They did a lovely job, and they looked really pretty. I used a local florist in Bamber Bridge, Preston called ‘Flowers by Louise’
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The bridesmaid’s dresses were a true bargain! My chief bridesmaid and I took a wander around The Trafford Centre to get some ideas, but ended up coming home with all the dresses sorted! They were from Debenhams bridal and gowns section and were less than half price. The dresses were a deep teal and were long and elegant, with satin detailing to match in with mine. Leoni of course bumped up the price by finding beautiful grey feather boleros from Coast. They did finish the look perfectly though. For their accessories they had simple comb headpieces also made by me. I just can’t help myself!
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The boys wore suits by Moss Bros Formal Suit Hire, Preston.
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The whole day was fabulous, and my favourite bit was the service and saying our vows. It’s a very special moment, and I cried, but so did Neil! But I have to say bedtime was brilliant. I was shattered as I had just found out that I was pregnant (!), and it was nice to sit in the huge bed and open all our cards and presents as husband and wife. It was the perfect time to reflect on the whole day and spend some time chatting together.
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The cake was made by ‘Auntie Joyce’. Not actually an Auntie at all, but she is the cousin of my nan who makes cakes. It was our wedding gift from her. I took some pictures of the cakes I liked and she made a four tier, four flavours sophisticated cake for us.
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I run my own wedding stationery company – Grafted & Crafted – so whilst there was no intended theme at first, but as dress picking began, and with me designing the stationery, it began apparent that it was going to be a hint of vintage glamour, with a few birds thrown in! The birds represented the song that I walked down the aisle to, Songbird by Eva Cassidy. It all seemed to fit perfectly. My Auntie Maureen is also creative and she helped out massively by making the napkin rings, and putting together all things I had bought for the table decorations. She hand made all the silk roses that were in the vases. They looked fab!
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We were hoping to book a honeymoon late in May this year, but we may have to delay it until next year as our second baby is due on September 22nd! I was already pregnant at the wedding and we surprised people with the news during the speeches.
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My top tip for other Brides Up North would be to plan early so that you can relax and enjoy the running up to the event. If you aren’t a control freak, then let people help out as they enjoy it too!
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Congratulations Deborah & Neil!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Hannah Dornford May Photography
This is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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Make sure you see a sample. It’s so important to touch and feel the material. 
Which font to use and how to address the invitation depends just as much on who the invitation is coming from as who it is intended for – we could dedicate an entire article to this alone! As a minimum requirement, you need to state the date, time and place of your wedding and reception, names of the parents or hosts and the full names of the Bride and Groom, including middle names. 
Get a grip of the guest list! Begin by creating four lists. Traditionally this would be the Bride’s, the Groom’s and both sets of parents’. If your budget allows invitations to people other than immediate family and closest friends, do give some consideration to those who’ve supported you individually and as a couple. Be as tolerant as possible of Parents’ requests, but don’t lose sight of what your day is about. Weddings are not opportunities to pay back social obligations or re-coup what you’ve spent on other people’s wedding presents in the past. And don’t send invitations to people you really don’t want to invite on the basis that you don’t think they’ll come. You can bet your money they’ll be the first to accept and if anyone refuses to speak to you again because you left them off the list, don’t bat an eye lid. They didn’t deserve to be there anyway! 
Ordering the entire ‘collection’ at the same time, including save the dates, invitations, rsvps, order of service, thank you cards, menu cards, place cards and table plans can not only save money but also ensures consistency in terms of paper weight, art work and colour.
Order extras, as reordering afterwards can be expensive. If you’re getting married in a Church, it’s a good idea to allow an order of service for every guest and a few extra for any other people at the ceremony such as the choir. 
Provide your guests with as much information as possible, including the availability of accommodation and transport. This takes time and effort but will make things easier for everyone in the long run.
If you want a dress code, say so. Don’t skirt around it. Be specific. If you want guests to dress up, state Black Tie, as opposed to saying that it is ‘optional’ or ‘encouraged’.
Proof read EVERYTHING. Read the content very carefully yourself but always involve another person, preferably someone who knows nothing about your wedding. Obvious typos are often the easiest to miss and you can’t blame the printer or designer for any mistakes. It’s your responsibility to sign them off. End of story.
Include a note if you cannot accommodate children. Or if you are inviting children, let parents know if you have arranged any childcare facilities.
And finally, assuming they’re involved…don’t forget to send invitations to your parents! You might even want to send one to yourselves to see how long it takes to arrive and in what condition. Take one to the post office and have it weighed. After all, your guests might not take kindly to paying for the postage.
Don’t be held to ransom by really expensive wedding stationers – it doesn’t have to cost the earth! If you’re thinking of making them yourself to save money, add up all the costs before you start buying supplies, as you’d be surprised at how much it comes to with all the unexpected extras – envelopes, paper, even the ink in your printer will cost you a lot. Then compare our prices!
Keep things simple. Less is definitely more when it comes to wedding invitations – some of our most popular designs are the simplest.
If you’re thinking of making them yourself to save money, add up all the costs before you start buying supplies, as you’d be surprised at how much it comes to with all the unexpected extras – envelopes, paper, even the ink in your printer will cost you a lot. Then compare to our prices!
Don’t settle for anything less than perfect. Keep suggesting alterations, corrections, ask for new ideas until you’re 100% happy with your design before going to print. You’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression!
Always ask for samples of the paper before ordering – you don’t want to be surprised by flimsy or poor quality paper after all the effort of sorting your invitations. Fortunately we provide free sample packs which contain a few designs and all our paper types so you know what you’re getting from the outset.
Don’t pay through the nose for wedding stationery – the rest of your wedding is already going to cost enough!
Don’t settle for cheap mass-produced invitations – affordable personalised quality is our watchword and if you ask any previous customers they’ll agree we deliver!
Don’t just accept a standard design if you’re not 100% happy with it – this is why we tailor every single set of invitations to individual requirements.
Be sure you’re happy with the design proof before agreeing to go to print – always insist to see a new proof, however small the changes you make are.
Don’t overcrowd invitations with too much information – if you have lots of info, add an insert which can be put to one side by the guests.
