University sweethearts Jennifer and Tom met when Tom visited Jennifer’s halls of residence to visit an old school friend – who would later become their bridesmaid! “We were sitting on the floor in our pyjamas, reading the papers,” remembers Jennifer. “I instantly thought he was attractive.” After eight years, Tom proposed on an impeccably planned trip to Verona. “On our anniversary he’d given me a card which said ‘Do you want to come on an adventure with me?’, then, over the next few weeks, he presented me with clues like a candle, a cushion and a copy of Romeo & Juliet,”says Jennifer.

“He’d planned to propose overlooking Lake Garda but when we got there it was freezing, so instead he got down on one knee after a lovely al fresco meal.” With an antique pearl and diamond ring to seal the deal, the couple got down to planning their dream July wedding, inspired by pre-war tea parties, village fêtes, the Darling Buds Of May and Jane Austen period dramas.

Photography: Tom Gold

The couple said ‘I do’ at St Mary the Virgin parish church in Mursley, Buckinghamshire, before a reception in a marquee in the grounds of nearby private home Harbury House. “We wanted beautiful views, and Harbury House is surrounded by woodland and lakes filled with black swans,” says Jennifer.

150 guests watched them say their vows at the traditional Church of England ceremony. “Our wedding day was also Tom’s birthday so, as a surprise, the rector got the congregation to sing Happy Birthday: the rector is quite a character and brought humour and personality to the service. We had hymns accompanied by the church choir. One of the most emotional moments was seeing my grandad as I made my entrance to the church: he’d been very unwell and we didn’t think he’d make it to the wedding, so seeing him caused waterworks all round!”

Jennifer found her dream dress, Jenny Packham’s Odette, at Morgan-Davies in Islington. “I had an image in my head of me scooping up the dress and running through a flower-filled meadow and it fitted the bill exactly,” she says. A silk ribbon sash, rose corsage, two-tier veil, a single-pearl necklace from Melanie Georgacopoulos (a wedding gift from Tom) and gold Jimmy Choos (a bargain from Bicester Village) completed her look perfectly.

Tom was a modern Mr Darcy in a custom-made grey suit from Powell & Baldwin. “The groom’s party also wore pink, cream and gold-striped ties from Tie Rack and Tom wore a cream and gold-spotted tie from Pal Zileri,” says Jennifer. “For his wedding gift, I had a set of cuff links designed by Andrew English, who designed our wedding rings, with an Art Deco-style black swan motif.”

"I had two bridesmaids, both different shapes and sizes, which made finding dresses quite a challenge. We chose light and floaty Dessy dresses in a colour called Pretty in Pink, which seemed to suit the style of the day perfectly. We gave them Alex Monroe necklaces from Liberty as a thank-you gift: they were perfect as his flower and insect designs reflected the countryside wedding setting.”

Guests cheered and threw confetti as the couple left the church in a rustic carriage that will feature in the upcoming Jane Eyre film with Dame Judi Dench. “Just down the road from my parents’ house is a stud, The Devil’s Horsemen, which trains and supplies horses and carriages for film work,” says Jennifer. “They kindly let us use the carriage and the owner, Gerard, even dressed up in tweeds and a flat cap to drive it!”

To reflect the local countryside and add a traditional English summertime feel, the couple planned an afternoon tea reception, decked out in rose pink, green and pale gold and vintage floral prints. Mismatched china cups sourced at car boot sales and tablecloths made from colourful bed linen added a feminine edge. Jennifer designed all the stationery, using photos of her and Tom’s grandparents for the Save The Dates, and a floral pattern to make bunting-style invitations.

The bride continued the village fete feel by hanging the marquee with handmade bunting, crafted by her and friend from charity shop fabric scraps. “It was hard work and time-consuming, but it looked fantastic and saved us a fortune,” she says.

Tom’s mum helped Jennifer make the mini jam and chutney favours, which also acted as place cards. The ladies received raspberry jam while the gents had gooseberry chutney, in jars sourced from Freeman Harding.

White enamel jugs from Michael Dark, and jam jars wrapped with raffia and ribbons, were filled with lisianthus, roses, freesias, delphiniums and daisies, as well as sweet peas from Jennifer’s grandad’s garden and ivy from her parents' garden.

A local florist, Jane Tuckwell (01296 720 406) created Jennifer’s super-pretty bouquet (plus the bridesmaids’ posies and buttonholes), using peonies, pink and cream roses, pale yellow lisianthus, honeysuckle and foliage. “I wanted it to look informal and country-fresh, like it had been picked that morning from a meadow,” says Jennifer.

The reception’s main event was a sumptuous afternoon tea, delivered on handmade cake stands (Jennifer made these using china plates found in charity shops). Local caterer Kate Forster (01908 511 234) had been recommended by friends, and handmade everything from the finger sandwiches to the jam served with the scones and fresh cream. Later that evening, guests tucked into a hog roast by Porky & Best, which Kate accompanied with bowls of fresh salad.

“We always knew we wanted a cheese cake instead of a traditional cake,” says Jennifer. “We would be eating a lot of cake during the day, and we just love cheese!” The tiers of Suffolk Gold, Suffolk Blue and a soft herb cheese were from Suffolk Cheeses, and were displayed in pride of place on a hay bale in the marquee.

When Jennifer’s mum and auntie came up with the idea of having mice on the top of the cheese tower, they searched around and found The Little Mouse Gift Gallery, selling handmade felt mice toppers. “They looked like something from Bagpuss!” says Jennifer. “Lynn at the gallery customised them with a veil and pink and cream flowers.”

“We wanted to have country dancing outside the marquee after the afternoon tea,” says Jennifer. “We asked a group called Knitter’s Jig, who played background music during the drinks reception and folk music later. They also had two fiddlers accompany us as we exited the church, and led a procession beside our carriage through a wood to the marquee. People came out of their houses to wave as we all went past – it felt like we were in the middle of a period drama!”

In the evening, Jerome from Sliding Vinyl filled the dancefloor with classics until 3am, even letting bridesmaid Bryony take over the DJing for a while! “Everyone danced all night, or stepped out to walk beside the lake under the full moon,” remembers Jennifer. “We had our first dance to Then I Kissed Her by the Beach Boys – quite apt for a wedding!”

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