Today’s wedding has character, individuality and good old English country charm. I love Kelly and Gary’s choice of The Bull Hotel for their intimate Kent wedding – it’s a great little place and just looks so welcoming and off the beaten [wedding] track! Kelly is gorgeous – and despite Gary at one point not wanting a photographer, I’m thrilled they booked lovely Michelle Cordner Photography to capture their day.

“Our wedding inspiration came from us and how we are as a couple. We are relaxed (sometimes too much!), fun loving and love a quirky building and the countryside. We wanted a Kentish feel to our wedding that was slightly different and not what everyone else does.

We found The Bull Hotel through friends recommending it and after visiting them we knew it would be perfect, exactly what we wanted. It’s an old country pub with beautiful beams and brick walls in the Buttery, the room we would marry in and dance the night away. They have their own wedding organisers to help you right from the beginning up until the moment I walked down the aisle. They were truly fabulous and I’ll always be grateful for the any of the stresses I had to be instantly taken away.

Our theme was inspired by the green of eucalyptus leaves and wood. I wanted the flowers to be fluffy and romantic – the job I gave to my very good friend Claire Broughton of Scarlett Rose, and she completely surpassed herself. The love and effort she put in was incredible, they were just stunning – exactly how we wanted them. We had peonies, roses, astilbe and eucalyptus and they were a real talking point.

Our wonderful photographer Michelle Cordner Photography, I just stumbled across via a wedding app. I saw some previous work of Michelle’s and loved how she captured the moments no one else saw.

We met up and I instantly like her, she reminded me of a good friend of mine! I could imagine her being part of our day. The photos are incredible, we were on honeymoon in Italy when Michelle put a sneak peak of a few on her page and I couldn’t wait to see the rest, I loved that.

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Gary actually tried to convince me we didn’t need a photographer at one point, he very much dislikes his photo being taken but manned up on the day and looked so handsome.

I would say if your budget stretches to it get a videographer along side a fab photographer as I wanted to re live the day over and over again and kept watching the few videos friends had sent.

There was never going to be anywhere better than Martin Wilde Jewellers to make our bespoke wedding rings. Firstly because they are hugely talented at their craft but also because Lian Wilde is my most treasured friend and was my bridesmaid.

Our rings are stunning – mine matches my engagement ring and Gary’s a one off Martin Wilde created for a surprisingly fussy groom. For us the rings were very important, they are the symbol of love the you have for one another and are a physical reminder every day of your special day.

We had just over a year to plan our wedding. I made our invitations very far in advance so I didn’t stress myself too much when they went wrong, which they did many times!

We didn’t have a sit down meal so I didn’t have to make a seating plan or name places. Friends collected jars for tables and the aisle, my Dad and Uncle cut and sanded beautiful logs into wood slices for the tables.

My dress was bought from Wed2Be in Bromley, a shop I was just going to have a browse in, then I fell in love with my dress and couldn’t leave it behind so bought it there and then! I wanted simple lace, the back is open and I felt like a princess for the day.

My #dreamteam for the day (and I would absolutely include Michelle in this) consisted of MUA Emma Sands and Bridal hair stylist Nina. Both were recommended by colleagues and clients of mine. They are extremely talented. Nina has the hair flair and took my contradicted brief of  ‘I want it messy but neat’ and created a beautiful up do with a pretty hair vine I found on EBay.

Emma is a lovely lady – so calm and professional – my make up was beautiful and lasted all day. The girls were both a huge part of my morning getting ready and I loved this part, mainly as I’m a beauty therapist and pamper people all day, it was just indulgent to have it done to me for once.

Enjoy this part as it goes so quickly, mum and my bridesmaids were with me keeping me calm in our beautiful bridal suite at The Bull getting ready all morning drinking prosecco and having a great time.

My for future brides would be don’t stress about the little things, they really aren’t as important as you think. When making a to do list make sure you include everything you have previously done too so you can see how much you’ve already completed-not just all you have left to do.

Get everyone involved: they really do want to help, but you might just have to give them a nudge. Time goes incredibly fast so enjoy every moment, and try to steal a bit with your new husband in the evening.

Your life doesn’t change – why should it, you’re still living the same life as you were before, but now you are a stronger unit and I just fell in love with Gary all over again.

We have been together for 13 years and met on holiday in Spain, I day dreamed on my sun lounger of marrying this guy, as a 19 year old and although it’s taken a while here we are happily married.

Recommended wedding suppliers: The Bull Hotel, Kent

Wedding photographer: Michelle Cordner Photography

Flowers: Clare Broughton – Scarlett Rose
Beauty / Make up: Emma Sands &Euphoria Beauty
Bridal Hair: Nina Kent Bridal Stylists
Cake: Jo Halliday –The Flourcloud
Venue / catering: The Bull Hotel
Chair covers:  Esta’s Chair Covers
DJ: 20-20 Sounds