A retro spring wedding with shiny disco balls

real wedding:

A retro spring wedding with shiny disco balls

Wedding Date: 08.04.2023
Venue: Middleton Lodge
Photographer: Harry Michael @harryjmichaelphotography

We can’t get enough of this romantic retro-inspired spring wedding at Middleton Lodge, with blush pink hues and shiny disco balls! There is nothing not to love about Sophie and Harvey’s gorgeous real wedding. Here they tell their love story…

How did you meet?

We actually went to school together (but Harvey is a few years younger). We re-met in September 2019, as Harvey’s sister is a close friend of mine, (so that could have been awkward), they had been at Chester races for the day so I joined them for drinks in the evening, we haven’t stopped speaking since!

Tell us about the proposal.

When lockdown rules had lifted, if you lived in Wales you could travel in Wales, so we had an amazing weekend 30 minutes from home! Anyway, Harvey planned to take us back there for this specific walk we never managed as the car broke down the last time (long story) but a great memory – hence why he chose the spot, I was a little reluctant as I had been working all day, the weather really wasn’t that nice but he was persistent, so we headed back to Llyn Eigiau on Friday 10th June 2022, Harvey packed a full champagne picnic, after a pretty long (wet and windy) walk, my patience was fading and I wanted to head home, Harv had no choice but to propose there and then, never getting to the exact viewpoint he had envisaged! But looking back, couldn’t be more perfect, and even more reminiscent of ‘our place’ never going to plan!

What was your budget and did you stick to it?

Knocks me a bit sick thinking of this, it was a high budget, but we absolutely didn’t stick to it by the end!

How many dresses did you try on before you found the one?

Genuinely, it was the first one! Tried on another four but none felt like the first one. Originally, I was wearing the Halfpenny ‘Cheryl’ with the Charlie Brear feather skirt on top, but I changed that to a Halfpenny corset with sleeves over the Cheryl dress for the evening.

What made your one your ONE?

I just loved how different it was, I’m really into clothes and fashion, so didn’t want traditional necessarily… the second I put it on I honestly felt amazing!

Was there a theme or colour scheme for your wedding?

We had the most amazing wedding planners, who seemed to just get me! I told them I wanted Spring colours, lots (and lots) of flowers, nothing too ‘twee’, and disco balls! And they honestly made the place look out of this world. Serious retro spring wedding chic!

What did the bridesmaids wear?

They wore some gorgeous pink dresses from Seren London, I found it difficult to find dresses that I really liked, I didn’t want just the usual sort of look, and when I found these, I just loved them. The silk was beautiful – in fact, I had numerous people get in touch to find out where they were from!!

What did your partner and groomsmen wear?

My husband was in the military, so he wore a uniform for the day, alongside some groomsmen, the rest of the party wore Tux, as we did black tie! Harvey then changed for the evening into a stunning navy dinner suit from Gieves and Hawkes. I never saw Harvey’s uniform until I walked down the aisle, which was such a special surprise! But we chose the suit together.

What were your best decisions for the wedding?

Fireworks! And the most amazing band – The London Essentials, who surprised everyone during the wedding breakfast and seriously brought the party – dancing on tables singing Spice Girls all before the mains arrived!!

What were your best decisions for the wedding?

The venue. It meant a lot to me as my Grandad used to bring me there for picnics when my sister and I were young. He’s no longer with us, but felt it felt like he was there. Cody and I also went there mid-way through our eight years together, and he equally loved it. We needed to both love it.

We decided to swap around the top table to be on the opposite side to what it usually is. I could see that, with the number of round tables we were having, it would help with the flow and prevent there being a ‘bad’ table. It also meant the backdrop was the restored hall’s beautiful large windows as opposed to a wall.

The band. They were so interactive and had everyone on the dance floor and singing into their mics.
Having an evening dress! Helped me dance to the incredible band, particularly with the size of the train.
The singing waiters which I touched on above.

Did you make any cost savings, and how?

Designing my own stationery and getting it printed using an online printing service.

Also not having live ceremony music. I would have absolutely adored a string quartet, but we had to compromise. Instead, we had Daniel Jang’s violin cover of Can’t Help Falling in Love, which we listen to all of the time, now.

I would’ve also said, buying my wedding shoes from ASOS, but they were in fact my second pair after forking out a lot more for some beautiful Coast shoes with bows on them to match the bow on my dress. Once I had my dress fit on with the shoes, I realised the dress was very cream and the shoes were just far too white. I’ve still got them now.

Did any funny things happen? Embarrassing moments?

My beautiful niece Alice, who was 8 at the time, did a reading during our ceremony – it was really special! But just as she got into it, they opened the doors to the room as the sun was beaming in, and the arch of flowers at the alter blew over literally landing on her and my sister! She took it like a champ and giggled, then carried on where she left off!

Also, the best man forgot his speech!!! Ended up having to read it from his pretty small phone, causing him to lose his way and freestyle in the end… but he still did a mega job.

Did you follow all the traditions?

We didn’t ’cut the cake’ I don’t know why, it just made me feel weird at the thought of 160 people standing around watching us slice a cake!

Any regrets? Anything you would have done differently, or included with hindsight?

I honestly don’t think we have any regrets or anything we’d change – except time if that was a thing! Wish it had gone so much slower, the day just flew by.

What advice do you have for other brides?

Do what YOU want, and not what you think everybody else wants. I have a beauty salon, and so many people would say over the years when talking about their plans, ‘weddings are never straightforward’ or ‘there is always a drama with a wedding’

There is always someone who thinks you should do it a certain way, or invite a certain person! But just think of you and your partner, that’s all that matters!

SUPPLIERS

Photographer: Harry Michael @harryjmichaelphotography
Wedding venue: Middleton Lodge @middletonlodge
Wedding dress designer: Charlie Brear @charlie_brear & Halfpenny London @halfpennylondon
Wedding dress shop: The White Closet @thewhitecloset
Bridesmaids: Seren London
Menswear: Gieves and Hawkes @gieveslondon
Flowers: Red Floral @redfloral
Shoes: Louboutin @louboutinworld
Hair: Halo Hair Studio @halohairstudio_
Makeup: Caché Spa @cachespa
Band/Musicians/Entertainment: The London Essentials @thelondonessentials
Videographer: Stefan Ramneson @ysd_media
Planner: Irlam Warburton Events @irlamwarburtonevents

Wow, what a beautiful day and you certainly did it your way! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous retro spring wedding with us. So much gorgeous inspiration!

We would love to share your real bride stories, keep them coming and click here to find more amazing real-life wedding inspiration.