I purchased the bridesmaids’ dresses from the same shop on Etsy as my wedding gown. They were simple, summery beach-style dresses in a peachy colour following our earthy colour theme. They were also halterneck in style, with a low back. We gave our guests a dress code – wear your smartest most chilled-out summery jazz best! I don’t normally wear dresses so I had no idea what I would wear and what would suit me. I wanted to look as natural as possible and I wanted to be barefoot and comfortable. I knew I would feel myself in an earthy, bohemian beach-style dress with a halterneck neckline. On Etsy, I found a shop called Fairtale – Handmade and Bridal and I loved the styles they offered. My dress, Amelia, was a cotton lace halterneck gown with a low back and small train. Tom wore a brown tweed vintage-style suit with no tie. He teamed it with a new Fedora hat and a pair of braces. Tom felt that telling his groomsmen they could wear what they wanted was more in keeping with our hopes of a fun and relaxed wedding in the sun. THE DREAM TEAM Photographer, Charlotte Atherton Photography, www.charlotteathertonphotography.com | Venue, floristry, first-night and guest accommodation, Hayne Devon, https://haynedevon.co.uk | Bridal dress and bridesmaids’ dresses, Fairtale Handmade & Bridal, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Fairtale | Hair and make-up, Willow De La Roche, www.willowdelaroche.co.uk | Suits, Walker Slater, www.walkerslater.com | Groom’s hat, Laird Hatters, https://lairdlondon.co.uk | Wedding rings, Clifton Rocks, www.cliftonrocks.co.uk | Cake and catering, West Country Caterers, www.west-country-caterers.co.uk | Invitations, Paperless Post, www.paperlesspost.com Top tip: “Breathe and be as comfortable as you can. Expect everything to run a little late – no matter how hard you try! Recruit bridesmaids and groomsmen and give them jobs.” - Mel and Tom Our first dance was a jive to You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry. Hayne is run and owned by Tim and Milla. She creates the floral displays (you can source your flowers and music if you wish) and Tim does the music. We got Tim’s string quartet to play during the welcome drinks in the walled garden, which was really special and then his band played after dinner. I wore a floral crown with some wired flowers in my hair – all in keeping with the multi-coloured wildflower theme. I wore some simple silver earrings, a silver bracelet from my sister-in-law as my something borrowed, and my grandma’s ring as my something old and blue. 36
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