More than a few times as I flicked through the images for today’s real wedding blog feature I gasped, chuckled or did my best little attempt at a blogger squeal – because it’s just so fantastic! There’s everything: gorgeous couple, beautiful dress, large orange octopus… Oh and there are bubbles, vintage maps, a button bouquet with a librarian badge… too much to mention before I show you the fabulous images!
Emma and Richard are simply brilliant. Emma’s smile never fades – she’s such a beautiful bride and wears “the first and only dress I tried on”. I love her style and everything about her.
With wonderful little details – invitations styled on a vintage Bird’s Custard advert and place cards made from library tickets, anyone?! – and big, impactful images this is a wedding not to miss. Huge thanks to wonderful West Midlands wedding photographers Rob & Sarah Gillespie for sharing their images with us today.
Enjoy!
Our wedding report: Emma + Richard
Wedding photographer’s website: http://robandsarahgillespie.co.uk/
Were you pleased with your wedding photographer?
We were thoroughly impressed with the photographers, Rob and Sarah did an amazing job and were excellent company on the day
Wedding venue:
The Old Library, The Custard Factory, Birmingham. It was exactly what we wanted, a beautiful, intimate venue that incorporated some of Birmingham’s history and offered something a bit different. www.fazeleyevents.co.uk/
Can you describe your wedding in a single sentence?
Love, lace, live music, buttons, books and Birmingham
What was your reaction to seeing your wedding photos for the first time?
We were delighted, we love them. Sarah and Rob captured the atmosphere of the day and the photos tell the story perfectly.
Your wedding style and theme:
Simple, classic style with a library theme (maps and books)
Any happy tears on the day?
Yes, lots during the ceremony and Rich’s speech
How did the two of you meet?
We were introduced through friends and met at a music festival (music is a shared interest and was an important feature of the day)
How long did you spend planning your wedding?
Exactly 6 months from the day we got engaged
Best bit of budget advice?
Have a go at being creative and eBay!
Wedding invitations and on the day stationery:
Our invitation postcards were based on a vintage Bird’s Custard advert via www.zazzle.co.uk We made the place cards ourselves from library borrower tickets
Did you fall in love with your wedding dress?
I had a dress in my mind, it took a little while to find, but when I saw it I knew. It was the first and only dress I tried on.
Wedding dress designer and bridal boutique:
Mori Lee from Brides of Solihull
Glitz and sparkle: the bride’s accessories:
Earrings and bracelet by Jenny Packham and hair clip from Glitzy Secrets
The groom wore:
Paul Smith suit
Beautiful bridesmaids: what did your best girls wear?
Ariella lace fishtail dresses
Hair and make-up – did you DIY or hire a professional?
Professional – by our good friend Karen @ Identity karen.hill07@hotmail.com
Wedding flowers:
Homemade bouquets and buttonholes, made mostly from vintage buttons saved from our grandmother and great grandmother’s haberdashery
What do you remember most about the wedding ceremony?
Seeing Rich as I walked in (he waited for me at the back of the room and walked me down the aisle)
Wedding readings?
Words by Bob Marley (Only once in your life…) and A Vow by Wendy Cope
General styling – did your venue need much decoration?
The decorations were minimal, but thoughtful. We had book and map heart confetti scattered around, old books and a globe, an old little suitcase that belonged to my mom for our cards and an old family atlas as a table plan. Our table centre lanterns were made by NaturallyHeartfelt (Etsy). We hired plain white chairs as we wanted clean lines, not chair covers and bows.
The wedding cake: traditional or quirky?
Traditional three tier lemon cake, with love birds topper (made from maps)
Entertainment:
Moselele www.moselele.co.uk and Candy Spangles and the Green Oyster Band www.greenoysterband.co.uk We had live music during the drinks reception and the band for our evening reception.
On the day tips and advice:
Don’t worry too much about the details that only you two are aware of, enjoy the bigger picture of the day
Wedding suppliers:
- Rob & Sarah Gillespie Photography: http://robandsarahgillespie.co.uk/
- The Custard Factory: www.fazeleyevents.co.uk/
- Dress: Brides of Solihull
- Invitations from www.zazzle.co.uk
- Accessories: Jenny Packham
- Hair clip: Glitzy Secrets
- Table centre lanterns: NaturallyHeartfelt (Etsy) https://www.etsy.com/shop/naturallyheartfelt
- Music: Moselele www.moselele.co.uk and Candy Spangles and the Green Oyster Band
what do you think?