Your Sussex Wedding - Apr/May 2019 (Issue 78)

I always wanted navy for the bridesmaids. It’s a classic colour and a staple in my wardrobe. So I bought some lace dresses with pleated skirting in the hue as ex-BHS stock. The groom wore a navy suit with a grey tweed waistcoat and cream tie with rose buttonhole. His shoes were tan. The groomsmen wore the same, except with silver grey ties and smaller buttonholes. The venue was also dotted with multiple chalkboards, rustic hearts, twig garlands, rustic hessian and lace bunting and photo bunting. To complement Tristan’s farming background, we opted for a three-tier white cake surrounded by grass, topped with the bride and groom sitting on a John Deere green tractor, with sheep holding up one of their tiers. Even our pet sheep, Nigel, made a blinged-up appearance! The table plan was homemade from a rustic wooden tray and bakers twine. I used grey card and calligraphed guests’ names in white. I’m now offering my calligraphy skills to other brides too. Half of the centrepieces were a trio of vintage aqua-coloured glass bottles sitting on a walnut log slice. The other half were galvanised mini milk churns. I made the favours with a friend. They were homemade candles in little jam jars, with lavender and rosemary from the garden. We always had the intention of picking a barn as Tristan has a farming background and I have a love for the rustic. Chilley Farm Barn is an intimate setting with lots of different little areas for activities, close to the church. 60