Mon 23rd Jan, 2012
Lauren and Chris's DIY Chiswick wedding
It's not about how big your budget is when it comes to getting married. It's just about the two of you, the commitment you're making and the memories you want to create.
Lauren and Chris did just this. An intimate wedding, a truly beautiful dress from Monsoon and Lauren even bought her own flowers and did her own make-up.
Thank you to Lauren and Chris for sharing their wedding day with us and to the super talented wedding photographer Nick Tucker for the beautiful photographs.
Lauren and Chris were married in August at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward Catholic church in Chiswick followed by an intimate reception at Chiswick House Conservatory, in the grounds Chiswick House.
"Chris and I met 10 years ago in New Zealand when we were both finishing university and I was interning at the firm he just started working with. I decided to go back to graduate school and requalify in a completely different profession, and we decided to stay together (despite three years long distance). Chris totally surprised me in June 2010 when we went out for a lovely summer evening and he took me to the outdoor theatre playing at Chiswick House. Over a glass of champagne he proposed with a beautiful ring. Then he made me sit quietly through the movie (Mama Mia) which was tough. I had really given up hope after so long together. We then decided to have our reception in the grounds and I must say Jenny Bond from Company of Cooks was brilliant in organising this for us."
The Ebury Collection wedding blog. Photography copyright 2012 Nick Tucker
"On the day of the wedding I had a very relaxing morning, and went for a run before a lovely breakfast and time to get ready. Chris, on the other hand was heading to his family’s hotel to get ready and the trains went down due to an accident, so he ended up having to walk about 8 miles with his suit in hand. He still made it to the church on time (phew!)"
"The nicest part of the day was when Chris saw me and at the altar the first thing he said was ‘you look beautiful’. Although, he later admitted that he had been concerned about what I might turn up in as he knows I do not a have conventional dressing style and I had mentioned feathers to him which caused him to worry about some outlandish creation."
"I asked the organist to play ‘Let it Be’ by the Beatles as my entrance song into the church – my Dad loved it as it was one of his favourite songs and was a surprise."
"There was a lot of DIY from day one. I found my dress very quickly as I was just trying on styles in the high street shops to see what suited, and quite by accident I found my dress in Monsoon for a very reasonable price. I had it fitted properly by the Dressingroom in Putney. I was very lucky to find the feather cape in a perfect colour to match at House of Fraser. The bridesmaids dresses were also a brilliant find – I was walking through Marks and Spencer's one day and found them in the perfect colour to compliment my dress. I also had these fitted by the Dressingroom in Putney"
Chris found his own suit about 5 days before the wedding (causing Lauren considerable stress). The two best men did not fly into the country until three days before the wedding, and they also needed to find suits. It was bank holiday Monday so there was one day to get it all sorted before the wedding on Wednesday (again, Lauren's strategy was to leave the groom to sort it out).
Supplier info:
Dress: Monsoon
Cape: BIBA Marabou Feather Cape
Flowers: Local Stall
Photographer: Nick Tucker
Caterers: Company of Cooks
Bridesmaids dresses: Marks and Spencer
Transport: black cab to church, then we walked from the church to the reception, then to home (it’s very close)
Cake: Dessert did not turn up – bespoke cupcakes were not delivered in time which was a bit frustrating.
Hair and Make-up: Make up – self, Hair – my neighbour Gary Odenhal (he is also a hairdresser)
Music: Bryden String Quartet
Stationery: Self designed on Vistaprint
Wedding planner: Jenny Bond, Company of Cooks
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