Our wedding – celebrated on a rare clear blue sky Easter Bank holiday. We shared the day with a small party of close friends and family, who travelled from as far as Scotland and even Australia to share our special day. The dark coal and silver printed invitations were posted out six months in advance accompanied with a novel 'save the day' card in the style of a train vintage ticket. The invite was sandwiched between a transparency overlay accompanied with an information sheet, a small reply card and sent and bundled into calligraphy written addressed envelopes.
My husband, Calvin and I wanted to embrace the romance of the iconic Swanage Steam Railway. Using the locomotive to transport our guests from Swanage back to the hotel reception at Corfe. Why use a car when you can travel in a more exciting way? I met the party at the Town Hall, punctual and ready to glide down the aisle at one o'clock in the afternoon.
Our wedding ceremony held at the Town Hall, Swanage. Coincidently I stumbled across a digital architectural drawing (from Christopher Wren's original etching) of the facade of the Swanage Town Hall. For a few quid, I downloaded and incorporated this beautiful piece of work into the stationery design which inspired the Couture Love, Purbeck collection. Being frequent visitors to Swanage, we have walked past the building countless times in the past. And until we decided on the Town Hall as a wedding venue, I had never noticed the building before. The building is truly magnificent – I am ignorant.
Once inside the Town Hall, a grand staircase sweeps up leading to the old courtroom. Inside the converted room are opposing windows pouring in light from both the east and west sides. The beautiful wood cladding creates a warm glow added a feeling of assurance.
Packed chocker with Dorset creamy fudge, were elegant favour boxes tied with grosgrain ribbon. Place cards were written in copperplate calligraphy by Cathy Stables. Abi Chadwick, the photographer, made everyone feel at ease as she captured each moment.
Situated in the village of Corfe is the Morton Manor Hotel, which conveniently is a stroll away to and from the steam railway passage to Swanage. Roast beef with trimmings served as the winning main course for the wedding breakfast.
The warm sun created a soft floral fragrance from the buttonholes and spring bouquets. Hand-tied by Andrea at Luv Flowers. The arrangements were a celebration of Spring.
Gemma cleverly crafted the cake at Tartufi. She asked me what we wanted, but I trusted Gemma and knew she was an excellent cake-maker and brilliant artist. A special surprise, Gemma mastered some sugar crafted tiny replicas of the wedding bouquets. The two-tier fruit cake divinely made with real butter, which melted in the mouth.
Suppliers and contacts
18th April 2014
Photos : Abi Chadwick
Cake : Tartufi Cakes
Rings : Charlotte Cornelius
Venue : Morton Manor Hotel
Suit : Without Prejudice from Saks of Southampton
Dress : Anya from, Hannah Elizabeth
Flowers : Luv Flowers by Andrea
Bridesmaid dress : TK Maxx
Best man suit : Next