What’s your favourite thing about October? Is it the chill in the air after the heat of summer, the warm hug of thick, cosy clothes, or the sensation of walking through the fallen leaves and inhaling their crisp scent?
Whatever you love about the changing seasons, I think you’re going to find plenty to inspire your very own Autumnal celebration in this duo of celebrations – captured oh so beautifully by Liz Baker Photography. It’s a real pleasure to welcome Rachel and Robin, both university professors, to our pages today. They married in October with a Christian service at St James Church in East Lambrook, Somerset with a simple, English country, cream tea reception at the local village hall afterwards.
Photography Liz Baker Photography
The pair asked Liz Baker Photography to capture both celebrations, resulting in these timeless, romantic images. I just love those of the newly-weds walking through the fallen leaves in autumnal London.
“We can’t praise Liz Baker Photography enough. She has a fun, relaxed manner and is totally professional. Liz has such a wonderful, kind manner and provided the exact photo experience we dreamed of.”
“She took care to find out in detail what we wanted for our wedding and from the get-go, she was sensitive to our needs.”
“Liz was able to show us her work featured on Love My Dress which we were really very impressed by.”
Setting the scene for the elegant wedding was a simple, hand-crafted stationery suite from The Wren Press.
Rachel selected two different gowns to wear for the two, very different celebrations. For the church ceremony and country cream tea reception, she wore a pure white, lacy Berketex Bride gown (no longer trading) with a cinched-in waist and pretty cap sleeves.
“I wanted two different dresses (and two different hairstyles) to suit the two very different venues.”
She added a short, frothy veil and wore her hair in an intricate and elegant up-do, styled by Emphasis Hair Design, accessorised with a sparkling diamanté hairpiece.
“My veil is from Demelza Hospice Second Hand Shop. It is treasured as my sister managed to get it a few days before the wedding.”
She finished with Jo Malone‘s Lime, Basil & Mandarin fragrance and jewellery from Jeremy France Jewellers, as well as a bridal pair of Ruby Shoo’s and her divine engagement ring.
“My engagement ring is an heirloom ring found in Budapest just after the proposal.”
I can’t not mention her bright, wintry bouquet either, a riot of red roses, sublime greenery and pink and berry touches. It was put together by Little Thatch Florist.
“We chose a really elegant winter palette of berry reds to mix in with the classic green and white. You may notice the pops of purple – specially added as a colour of significance to the groom.”
The bride was accompanied by a little page-girl in a pure white Monsoon dress and cardigan combo, along with fresh flowers in her hair, to match the men’s buttonholes. Meanwhile, the page boys wore smart little suits and waistcoats with a pop of red from their adorable bow-ties.
Rachel travelled to the church in a car from Somerset’s Mat Smith Cars, before walking down the aisle with her uncle. Robin was waiting for her, looking smart in a Moss Bros suit.
Rachel and Robin are committed Christians and the local rector married them in the traditional service from the Adapted Book of Common Prayer Vows.
“We had readings from the Bible because they are meaningful for us.”
After being declared husband and wife, the couple celebrated with their closest friends and family in a simple, honest English cream tea reception in the local village hall. The traditional afternoon tea, and the wonderful tiered cake, were provided by Jean at DELIcious, served alongside cider from Perry’s Cider.
Later in the month they celebrated in style in London, hosting a smart dinner party at The Travellers Club on London’s Pall Mall. Both occasions were classic, understated and seasonal – incorporating seasonal flowers of winter berry reds and oranges alongside pure white and green and accents of purple, a special colour for the groom.
“We met at a University event and we were engaged for ten months.”
The London reception saw Rachel don the creamy, luxurious ‘Barcelona’ gown by Pronovias, purchased from one of our favourite bridal boutiques, Brides of Winchester. We are so delighted to support Pronovias through Love My Dress, and you can see more of their statement, show-stopping gowns here. Brides of Winchester is another supplier who we are proud to list on our Little Book, and there are more details about this wonderful team and their range of gowns here.
The One Colour Specialists of Charles II Street styled the bride’s hair in to a wavy half-up and half-down do, with pretty flowers added in here and there. The Club’s library was the venue for the dinner party and looks so smart that very little other décor was needed to create a warm and cosy space.
“We had simple vases of red and white roses and foliage to compliment the reds of the Library, and classic green and gold menu booklets.”
“We both loved every second of both of our days and can’t really say what was special – the settings were perfect, as were the events. I think we liked the simplicity of the country wedding and tea but we also really loved the elegance of The Travellers Club in London.”
“We feel really privileged to have celebrated our city and countryside connections with such a wide group of friends and family. Some were able to attend both celebrations and some just one but everyone important to us was able to share our joy in some way.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Keep it simple.”
“Choose your photographer thoughtfully. It will make a difference both on the day and for years to come when you bring out your albums. All our guests loved Liz and her photos.”
“I’ve had praise for our wedding photos from all over the world, as well as work colleagues. She has an excellent eye for ‘that perfect shot’ which we had made into our first Christmas card. She knows her stuff!”
Well what an amazing way to celebrate – with a country ceremony and a London do. Rachel and Robin, and photographer Liz Baker, thank you to you all for these wonderfully seasonal images. It has been such a pleasure to see them grace our pages today.
Ele xx
Eleanor Crossland
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Ele lives in the Lincolnshire countryside, close to the beautiful coast. A qualified Pilates teacher, she loves fitness, yoga, Pilates and has a healthy addiction to baking, writing and travel.