Photos by Nicki Shea Photography

A DIY wedding that threw out traditions to create a wedding that was just “a bit more us”! Emma and Sam’s love story started in the most modern way… a swipe right on Tinder of course.

After being drunk on his best man’s stag and agreeing to a date on the day of his return Emma was convinced, he would cancel or be hungover (let’s face it who wouldn’t be thinking this). He was the latter at their pub meet, he’d forgotten they’d taken the same A-level class together and it was three weeks before lockdown, the odds weren’t looking good, but nothing was stopping this whirlwind romance. The couple decided to take the plunge and just move in together, a risk that was clearly worth it!

It went from a modern meeting to a modern engagement with a mutual decision during a conversation on West Whittering beach during the heatwave of summer 2020.

“We got our friend who is a goldsmith to make and design our rings. She did both our engagement rings and wedding rings. My rings interlock -they’re currently recycled silver but will be recast in white gold when we have the cash - and Sam’s wedding ring has my ring fingerprint on the inside.”

After two long years of planning and a 20k self-saved budget, they had their perfect “polished with an edge” wedding with colour, fun, and equality being non-negotiable aspects.

“We see ourselves as a team and being a feminist is so important to both of us, so we wanted that to be reflected in our day and in our lives really. We also wanted something that didn’t feel like a factory wedding. We hate gender roles. Sam does all the cooking at home. I’d probably have starved without him, well definitely malnourished! So, I planned while he cooked.”

Like many of us, the pandemic highlighted the importance of being together and that’s exactly what helped them through the planning. I mean c’mon it would be hard not to love this couple’s approach to all things in their love and wedding story!

All the aspects of their DIY wedding were planned meticulously how THEY wanted it. As you all know we’re advocates for ‘your day, your way’ and this couple flew the flag for this phrase. They got ready together, and walked down the aisle together, both Emma and her two bridesmaids did speeches, they made a portmanteau from their surnames, and had a cake made by a work friend that they didn’t cut.

“We did things in a quietly rebellious way so that nobody felt alienated by our decisions. Inclusivity is everything.”

Wearing a pre-loved Jenny Packham gown (in a determination to be as eco-friendly as possible) and a Liberty Wilshire print matching tie and braces, pink leopard print socks and mismatched cufflinks (one of his dad’s and one of his Grandad’s) Emma and Sam’s wedding day was exactly what they dreamed of, and we’re of course loving all the super cool DIY wedding details they had too…

“12 table runners, 100 hand-dyed napkins, 1 heavily embroidered table cover, 90 hand-embroidered bookmarks, 8 streamer pieces, plyboard signs with glitter texts, fabric applique banners, big photo cat head, guest names on glitter fabric, painted wooden candlesticks. Oh and the stationery included, save the dates, invitations, wine labels, and menus.”

Pretty much everything there was personal to us. Everything had a story. Our favours were hand-sewn bookmarks because Sam’s an English Teacher. I used the fabric from hairdressers as it was the first print that Sam saw me crafting with when we started dating. On the back of our invitations, I had embroidered the name of our first dance and then hung that fabric off our table. Signs had quotes from songs, references to our cat, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. (I knew I liked Sam when I saw it on his Netflix ‘continue watching. Yes to straight men watching drag!! Hence the fans in our photos. The prints on our table plan are scraps of wallpaper that we’ve hung in our home. The flowers on our top table were grown in our own back garden. And of course, we wrote our own speeches and vows! Sam says the key to a good speech is a thread that runs through- mine was planning.”

Their laid-back vibe venue who hosts one wedding a week was perfect for their DIY wedding, it gave the couple time to perfect their day and make sure everything was just as they wanted it. And, as flowers played a big part in their love story “We fell in love in the garden during that first lockdown” they became a significant part of their wedding day with each flower holding a special meaning to the couple.

“Dancing with my husband, and looking around, and knowing that everyone is there for you guys. I’ll never forget it” this was Emma’s favourite part of their unique wedding day and her advice for couples currently planning their own DIY wedding…

“Start with a blank page. You’re only engaged once (hopefully), so if you’re not enjoying it, reevaluate. Think of what is important to you as a couple and what will help your guests have the best day. Have a sweetheart table so you get a proper moment just to two of you.

Oh, and delegate and communicate! If everyone close to you knows the plan, it’ll be great”

And finally, we had to include a phrase from Sam’s vows which is the way we should all approach life “silly whenever, wherever, forever”

If you’re currently planning your own DIY wedding (rebelliously or not) click below to get in touch with the super cool team behind this real wedding! Or check out our other recommended suppliers in our Book of Love directory.

Suppliers:

Photographer Nicki Shea Photography

Venue The Secret Barn

Flowers Petal and Feast

Music Bossard Quartet

Rentals Lo and Behold Bespoke

Shoes Terry DeHavillard

Dress Still White

Braces and Tie Liberty

Bridesmaid Dresses Ted Baker