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!
If you love the idea of getting married outside, Style & the Bride have sourced some of the UK’s prettiest outdoor wedding venues for al fresco vows and rural receptions.
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.
The Roof Gardens in Kensington is a magnificent outdoor wedding venue. If you have been searching for outdoor wedding venues, but have yet to find one, this might be the venue for you.
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.
I adore the feel of Lower Grenofen in Devon.
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.
The Larmer Tree in Wiltshire has a very romantic feel to it.
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.
Say your vows watched by your guests in the magical Garden Temple hidden in the private 17th 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.
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.
For all bride to be there, in fact, all romantic brides will love Sophia Kokosalaki’s 2016 bridal collection. We have some glimpse of Sophia Kokosalaki 2016 bridal collection. You will fall in love with these.
This one is my personal favourite from Sophia’s 2016 bridal collection
All you romantic brides will soon be swooning over London-based designer Sophia Kokosalaki’s 2016 bridal collection. The designer who is renowned for her grecian style wedding dresses, has surpassed herself with a collection that romantic brides will adore. It is also perfect for those of you who are looking for a wedding dress that is both contemporary and timeless. If you are planning on getting married abroad, Sophia’s collection will also appeal as the gowns are perfect for a beach wedding in the tropics.
So, why will you love Sophia Kokosalaki’s 2016 bridal collection? Well, they are simply dreamy. There is lace (my favourite!), exquisite attention to detail and a clear understanding of what romantic brides and brides in general desire. Her signature grecian style is still evident, but it is not only about this look. Although I am sure romantic brides will adore her collection, I also think it is perfect for modern brides who are looking for a dress that is elegantly simple and expresses their modern taste.
If you consider yourself a true fashionista, you must take a look at the beyond beautiful Galia Lahav wedding gowns, available at Browns Bride. She is renowned for creating beautiful bridal dresses with intricate detailing, illusion backs, cascading silk skirts and Italian ivory lace. ‘We create lavish dresses immaculate in detail while further composing each creation to exude first-class fit on the body,’ is how the designer describes what the company does. One thing for sure is that Galia Lahav is not a label for a bride looking for a low key bridal gown. On the contrary, her gowns are perfect for those of you who want a dress that will make a fashion statement and is very luxurious in feel and look. They are also perfect for those of you who are planning a very glamorous wedding and will work perfectly for a black tie affair.
Her Gala by Galia Lahav collection is inspired by the heart of romantic cities. I love the way they have summarised the essence of the collection below.
‘With the vision of sunset gleaming over the city’s skyline, a story is told within the ornate layering of skirts. Accents of prismatic light are scattered across the dresses using unique crystal beading embroidery reminiscent of a starry night sky. Modern romance is manifested through a variety of silk chiffon fabrics and soft tulle combined with handmade embellishments. Hints of blush and nude tones create a soft harmony that add an elegant consistency throughout the collection.’
I have worked in the wedding industry for 15 years, and it has transformed dramatically over this time. I can’t tell you how many amazingly talented wedding dress designers, planners, cake makers, florists, photographers, etc there are in the Uk and internationally, and I am so excited to be a part of this ever evolving industry.
Stylish and fashionable brides will simple adore French designer Delphine Manivet’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection. If you haven’t heard of Delphine Manivet before, let me give you a bit of background on this fabulously talented designer. Delphine trained at the prestigious Institut Supérieur de la Mode in Paris, and worked in several different fashion houses, including Rochas. She started creating wedding dresses after designing her own wedding gown.
Delphine has been working in bridal for ten years and wanted to create modern and romantic wedding gowns for stylish and fashionable brides ‘who consider their wedding as a continuity of something, not as a beginning.’
What I personally love about the style of Delphine Manivet’s wedding dresses is that they are incredibly feminine yet fashion forward at the same time.
I am sure all you stylish and fashionable brides will adore Delphine’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection. It features bohemian wedding dresses, sequinned shorts, capes, and sweaters, so is definitely aimed at the bride who loves to be a trendsetter. If I was to describe a celebrity who I think most suits Delphine Manivet’s style it would be the effortlessly stylish Olivia Palermo.
If you love the wedding dresses of Delphine Manivet, they are available in the UK at Browns Bride and The Mews Clifton Village in Bristol. Here are my highlights from her Fall/Winter 2015 collection. The backstage photographs are by (c) BFANY and the catwalk ones are by (c) Dan Lecca.
Stylish and fashionable brides will adore Delphine Manivet’s latest collection. This model reminds me of Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
This ‘Ozgur’ gown features a plunging neckline and three quarter length sleeves in jacquard velvet.
Bohemian brides will love ‘Mauricio, a v neck empire waist dress in silk chiffon with low cut vintage lace buttoned back.
I love the ‘flowing’ style of ‘Aliocha,’ along open backed dress in crinkled chiffon and silk lining.
How effortlessly cool is ‘Amedde?’
This ‘Malo’ top, ‘Yves’ skirt and Cape Boule, a short bustier and fifties style ankle length skirt in silk faille with wool and tweed cape, is just so stylish. I hope that Stylish and Fashionable Brides will Love Delphine Manivet’s Fall-Winter Collection 2015.
I am so excited to share my passion for the world of bridal with you, my fashionable bride-to-be’s. I am dedicated to sharing with you the latest wedding fashion trends, the most beautiful real weddings, inspirational receptions, gorgeous hair and beauty ideas, dream honeymoons and much, much more. Feel free to check out my blogs about wedding, bride styling, decor and much more. Editor, Style And The Bride
This one is my personal favourite from Sophia’s 2016 bridal collection
