A Timeless Celebration: Traditional Church Wedding and Kelmarsh Hall Reception

Today, I wanted to share Alice & Simon's beautiful wedding with you. A charming local church wedding with a unexpected guest, followed by a reception that oozed with elegance and personal touches at the Historic Kelmarsh Hall. It was a day filled with laughter and love, finished off with some incredible fireworks overlooking the lake!

Alice & Simon have helped me create this blog post so it is full of lots of helpful tips and reflections from their big day - which will hopefully help if you're planning yours!!

Each and every time we look through your photos, we re-live the day and notice a new detail; it's always impossible to take it all in there and then, but each photo is a window into a treasured memory. We are so grateful for all you did before, during, and after the day. As the best man said... you started the day off as a stranger, and ended it as family!

How would you describe your wedding? We were hoping for natural elegance! It was a classical day, with a personal service in church, surrounded by friends and family, followed by a traditional celebration with a few extra twists and sparkles!

What was your most vivid memory from your wedding day?

Arriving at the church we we had lovingly prepared with our flowers, the sheer relief of remembering our church vows off by heart! and walking down the avenue of sparklers as husband and wife in the evening.

Were there any funny moments or comedy errors on the day? The church cat turning up for the service and taking a front row seat lying in front of us!

Tell us about your Venue The church was our local church where we worship, on the banks of the Nene, and Kelmarsh was the perfect continuation for our vision. Kelmarsh was a beautiful spot - it offered inside and outside space for everyone to enjoy, whilst harking back to an Austen-esque setting with the stunning lake.

Tell us all about your dress I wore a custom designed by Sassi Holford in Tiverton, Somerset. Elegant, simple and (hopefully!) timeless. I loved the change offered in the dress by the personalised drape sleeves, and the classic silhouette.

What accessories and shoes did you wear? Bridal shoes from Dune, rings were from Brilliant Earth (white gold, diamond, emerald), earrings were pearls with diamonds in white gold as a gift from the mother of the bride, and veil was bride's mothers from her own wedding day.

What about the Grooms outfit?

Hawes & Curtis in St James's London, classic and traditional morning dress, but no top hat! Shoes from Loake, and watch from Longines as a gift from the bride.

What was your favourite photograph from your big day and why? Oh goodness, so many to choose from! A candid close photo of us, laughing together. It captures the joy of the day. But so many also of our guests, the fireworks, the incredible live music, and the giggles in the speeches!

What was the theme of your wedding? Our style was simply green and white, and spring! We did all flowers ourselves with flowers in season, all flowers on tables and table names were from flowers in our garden, we went for a candle-lit atmosphere in the evening, and kept decor simple! We also had pebbles, from our favourite beaches in Cornwall, with each guests' name on, so that was our little personalisation and gift to each person. All flowers were also gifted after the celebration, so the spring joy was shared beyond the weekend!

What advice or tips would you share with others who are planning their big day? Give yourself time to make choices and enjoy the journey of preparing. Buy the planners and diaries etc. Enjoy the process because it will be over so quickly.

Did anything come up during the planning stage that you hadn't anticipated? Nothing too much was a nasty surprise! We planned a lot in advance, to try and solve or pre-empt any sudden changes that may have happened.

If you could go back in time and do it all over again, would you change anything?

None. We'd just choose bigger petals for the confetti which we made at home!

Would you recommend Grace Nicole Photography to a friend? What would you tell them?

100%, without a doubt. Grace was incredible, from beginning to end. Grace offered advice with kindness, and suggestions with professionalism. In all preparation, she was encouraging and enabling. On the day, she was collected amid the chaos and captured our day perfectly. As the best man said... you started the day off as a stranger, and ended it as family!

Thoughts on your Wedding Photographs

We love them - thank you so much. The range, style, and variety capture so many different moments in so many ways - it has been such a treat to collate them from friends and family, and to use them to remind us of our most special day. Each and every time we look through your photos, we re-live the day and notice a new detail; it's always impossible to take it all in there and then, but each photo is a window into a treasured memory. We are so grateful for all you did before, during, and after the day.

Thank you for reading!