Elena’s stunningRomantique by Claire Pettibone wedding dress perfectly suited their rustic country barn wedding. ‘I am very grateful to Madi and the girls from The Bridal Boutique Warwickshire who helped me to find my dream dress,’ says Elena. ‘I don’t normally wear jewellery, so I chose a long lace veil and hair accessory ‘Odette in ivory from the Blossom Collection byIsobel Hind Couture.‘

According to Elena, the theme of their wedding was ‘Hessian & Lace’ which I am sure you will agree worked beautifully. They got married at Swallow’s Nest Barn in Warwickshire. ‘We loved the venue’s rustic country feel as soon as we walked in, ‘explains Elena. ‘It had a beautiful brick barn and a lovely courtyard which was sufficient to accommodate our guest numbers (80 guests during the day. I am from Russia, Gareth is English and our guests travelled from different parts of the world to be with us. We wanted to make sure everyone was able to have fun.’

The couple did not have a florist and did all the flowers and decorations themselves. ‘I collected and dried lavender and wheat over the summer which I then used to decorate the venue and tables and to make bouquets for myself and my bridesmaids,’ says Elena.

As Elena bridesmaids were from four different countries (UK, Singapore, China and Russia), they all had to buy different bridesmaid dresses. Elena agreed with them on the length and colour.

Elena and Gareth’s rustic country barn wedding was truly a family affair. Elena’s mother made beautiful hessian & lace bunting, table runners and matching cutler holders. Gareth’s mother made homemade marmalade (AKA Simpson’s marmalade) for their wedding favours, which were also decorated with hessian. The couple used champagne corks as place card holders. They also used lots of fairy lights and rustic wooden candle lanterns to create a warm and cosy atmosphere.

According to Elena, the whole day was truly amazing. ‘The whole day was filled with laughter, happiness and joy,’ she says. ‘We were surrounded by people we love and could not wish for more.’

Elena and Gareth’s beautiful rustic country barn wedding was photographed by Jessica Raphael Photography. ‘They were amazing and made all our guests feel relaxed and comfortable,’ says Elena. ‘We are so happy we found them.’

A gorgeous rustic country barn wedding in Warwickshire

Hanna and Jannes’s wedding was a real ‘labour of love.’ The bride’s mother sewed canvas tissue holders for the guests’ tears of joy’ during the ceremony. The bride and her friends created a very well stocked candy bar for the guests to snack on all day long. Every guest was given their own mason jar glass, which they were given the next morning at brunch. The mason jars were ordered from the States. The female guests got homemade jam made by the groom’s mother and the male guests were given cigars. Hanna also put together welcome bags with ’emergency hangover cures for the day after her wedding!

Hanna and Jannes, who wed at Gut Monkhof in Lubek, Germany on July 12th, 2014, got engaged in Naples in Florida in June 2013 over coffee! ‘On a warm summer’s evening on the beach, I asked Hanna if I could always make her morning coffee for her,’ explains Jannes. ‘She answered “yes” and opened a box with a coffee cup and a ring box. I got down on one knee and asked (with a trembling voice) if she would marry me and a second “yes” came from her lips.’

Their pretty rustic style wedding was beautifully captured by Ashley Ludaescher Photography.

How romantic is this photograph of Hanna and Jannes?

There is something so beautiful about an English country garden wedding, particularly when you can have it at home (like bride Chloe did). Some glimpse of today’s special wedding- A Beautiful Country Garden Wedding In Yorkshire

Thanks to Papakta (a company who specialise in the most stunning teepees and sperry tents) for stylish weddings, Chloe was able to have her wedding reception in the garden of her parents home.

Chloe and Charlie got married on the 27th June 2015 in Norfolk and their wedding was photographed by Helen Abraham Photography. 

When it came to their wedding, Chloe did not know immediately the style/look/colours she wanted. “I used Pinterest to find ideas and sounded them out with my patient friends and family,” says Chloe.

I know everything about Chloe and Charlie’s gorgeous English country garden wedding will appeal to brides who want to create a similar look for their big day. From Chloe’s beautiful lace Delphine Manivet wedding dress to the pink dresses of her bridesmaids that were made by Millie Crawford of Peak Princess, everything just tied in beautifully.

When I worked as Editor on Cosmopolitan Bride, my readers couldn’t get enough of inspiring real weddings. The same is true of followers of Style & the Bride. 

I am sure that Chloe and Charlie’s fabulous English country garden wedding is bound to inspire you as much as it has me!

Chloe making her way to her wedding ceremony on the arm of her father.

Today I will get you through 5 of the best elegant wedding invitations.

When it comes to your wedding, you are in no doubt that you want it to be an elegant affair. You are not the kind of bride-to-be who likes to stand out for all the wrong reasons. When it comes to what you wear on an everyday basis, you prefer to choose outfits that are sophisticated, rather than are too ‘fashion.’ You love the idea of a classic wedding and one that your guests will ultimately remember for being incredibly sophisticated. If you have only started to think about stationery for your big day, I am in no doubt that you will be interested in elegant wedding invitations, rather than ones that are too floral/bright, etc.

Don’t worry about trying to find elegant wedding invitations that you will fall in love with. Style & the Bride has done the hard work so you don’t have to!

Hope you enjoy our pick of 5 of the best elegant wedding invitations.

1. Ruth Kaye’s ‘Five Shades of Grey’ invitation

2. Artcadia’s ‘Burlington’ invitation

3. Emmy Designs ‘Simply Fancy’ invitation

4. Elinor Rose’s Deco Wrap invitation

5. Project Pretty’s ‘Millie’ invitation

The Pick of the Best 10 UK Outdoor Wedding Venues

Legal ceremonies in the UK must take place under a permanent structure, but you can still be surrounded by the elements – think stylish open-sided barns and pretty gazebos. Guests can line the lawns on elegant Chiavari-style chairs or kitsch deck chairs for a festival feel. And for your reception, choose rustic tables laced with mismatched crockery and chandeliers hanging from trees. But should the clouds gather just as you’re drenching the champagne tower, all these venues have inside options, too. Here is Style & the Bride’s pick of the best 10 UK outdoor wedding venues.

1. KENSINGTON ROOF GARDENS, LONDON
30m above bustling Kensington High St is an eclectic oasis of Spanish, Tudor and English themed gardens. Ceremonies can take place in the Clubhouse, although receptions (and blessings) can be al fresco, with just the colourful flora and four resident pink flamingoes for company. The team at KRG will even organize Diary Room appearances for guests to leave messages for the happy couple. Max. capacity: ceremony: 150; reception: 500.

2. THE DAIRY, WADDESDON MANOR, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Have your ceremony on water thanks to the Pavilions and Lakeside Terrace at The Dairy, which project onto the lake of this majestic estate. The wooden, open-sided terraces are the perfect setting for sharing your vows with the waterfowl, and drinks with guests afterwards.

Max. capacity (Pavilions and Lakeside Terrace): 160.

3. LOWER GRENOFEN, DEVON
Hidden in Tavistock, on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, Ever After – A Dartmoor Wedding is set in 46 acres of gorgeous gardens and woodland. The oak-frame, open-sided wedding barn can be dressed to your hearts’ desire for your ceremony and pretty props and wedding paraphernalia are available in stylish olive, cappuccino and silver grey for an elegant outdoor reception. Play croquet and Jenga on the lawn in the sun, or there’s the clear-walled marquee and genius glass roofed outdoor rooms should the rain come out to play.

Max. capacity: 120.

4. HIGH HOUSE WEDDINGS, ESSEX
The Thatched Gazebo on the immaculate lawn at High House offers views of the impossibly romantic heart-shaped lake. Wildflowers and wildlife come as standard and a rustic flower-draped pergola acts as an aisle, while your guests can watch from pretty white folding chairs on the lawn.

Max. capacity: 200. Venue hire: from £3000.

5. LARMER TREE, WILTSHIRE
You and your groom, plus up to 4 guests can revel in the romance and intimacy of the Roman Temple in the grounds of Larmer Tree, while your guests enjoy the moment seated on the lawn that surrounds this unique temple. Or, there are week day Secret Garden weddings, for up to 30, where the wedding breakfast comes in the form of picnics and Pimm’s.

Max capacity: 250. Venue hire: from £3000.

6. FFORESTWEDDINGS.CO.UK, CARDIGAN, WALES
The term ‘outdoor wedding’ should have been invented by the team at fforestweddings: options for weekend-long celebrations include lodges, garden pavilions and giant hat tipis in secluded woodland valleys, riverside settings and near National Trust beaches. And then there’s the food, from wood-fired pizzas to barbecues and seafood fresh from the ocean, fforestweddings pride themselves on catering to your every foodie need.

Max. capacity: 150. From: £6000.
7. JOLLYDAYS GLAMPING, YORKSHIRE
Whether you want a posh tea party or a full-on festival, this 200-acre site can cater to your needs: Creators of A Midsummer Night’s Dream-style woodland weddings on the edge of The Yorkshire Wolds, your reception around the camp fire, bell tents, and archery and bush craft are the order of the day here.

Max. capacity: 118. jollydaysglamping.co.uk
8. WASING PARK, BERKSHIRE
Set within the grounds of Wasing Park Estate, say ‘I do’ in the fairytale Victorian Summerhouse, embellished with a mural of flowers, cherry trees, birds and butterflies. Or there’s the magical Folly in the tranquil Secret Garden where you can also say you do. You can even follow this with a festival-inspired celebration right in the heart of the woodland. Then retire to the breathtaking Honeymoon Suite, while the Estate Rooms, Stable House and The Pump Lodge are a dream come true for your guests.

Victorian Summerhouse capacity: 140 (seated).
9. WOTTON HOUSE, SURREY

Say your vows watched by your guests in the magical Garden Temple hidden in the private 17^th century walled garden, formerly known as the Turtle House. A truly magnificent, unique backdrop, it can be decorated simply with olive trees by day and lit with tea lights during the evening.

Max. capacity: 200. wottonhousedorkingsurrey.co.uk.

10. PAPAKATA
Purveyors of glorious teepee and sperry tents, with raised sides to let the outside in, or lowered to keep it cosy, romantic ambience and festival chic doesn’t come any easier at a location of your choice. Capacity: Each teepee holds 100 guests standing and 70 seated. Sperry tents can hold max. 300.