Rachael and Steve: The proposal – In 2013, Rachael and Steve went on a romantic Christmas trip to New York. “We saw all the famous landmarks and even headed to the Brooklyn Bridge for the padlock tradition that many couples partake in. Steve took one of the locks and started writing on it, and all of a sudden he was down on knee showing me what he had written – ‘Rach, will you marry me?’. After a million kisses and hugs, I wrote ‘Yes’ on the other lock. The whole proprosal was like a fairytale and I couldn’t wait to tell people I was engaged,” says Rachael. Photography: Hannah May
Rachael and Steve: Wedding ceremony – “We always wanted a chilled out, rustic style wedding, so we chose 16th century country public house, The Ferry House Inn on the Isle of Sheppey, for our civil ceremony,” explains Rachael.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding reception – The couple wanted to organise a rustic wedding weekend that would allow them to spend as much time as possible with their family and friends. “The Ferry House Inn was perfect as the owners also owned the luxury Mocketts Farm cottages, which were just a 5-minute walk away,” says Rachael. “We hired them all out and had 35 guests stay with us for the entire weekend.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding dress – For her own bridal look, Rachael fell in love with the Jadaya dress from the White One collection by Pronovias. “I found it in the most amazing bridal boutique in Tunbridge Wells called Isabella Grace. As we were going for a rustic wedding, I wanted a simple, elegant dress that didn’t have too much sparkle. It was actually the back I fell in love with – it just made me go WOW!”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding shoes – Rachael actually found her Lucy Choi gold peep toe shoes before she even started looking for her dress. “I just fell in love with them. I wore them all day and night, they were so comfortable.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding accessories – As Rachael had fallen in love with a dress that had a statement back, she didn’t want attention to be taken away from this, so really had to think about her hair style and accessories. She decided on a simple updo that she fastened with an elegant pearl hair vine and dainty jewellery from Links of London’s Diamond Essentials.
Rachael and Steve: Groom’s suit – Steve decided on a three-piece blue suit from Reiss and a blue tie. His ushers matched the theme with Navy suits from Next and pink skinny ties.
Rachael and Steve: Bridesmaids’ dresses – Rachael wanted her two bridesmaids, Rebecca and Amy, to look simple but elegant. Between them they decided on pale gold dresses from Two Birds. “We had fun trying out all the ways to wear them, but ended up going for a Grecian look that worked on both of them,” explains Rachael.
Rachael and Steve: Flowergirls – The couple’s older flowergirls wore blush pink dresses from Monsoon, and the youngest wore one from Next. “I wanted them to look like little flower fairies, and they looked perfect with their tulle skirts,” says Rachael.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding photographer – The couple weren’t after traditional wedding photos, instead they wanted something with a romantic edge that wasn’t too cheesy. “As soon as I saw Hannah May’s website, I knew I wanted her for our big day,” says Rachael. “She captures those ‘in the moment’ shots perfectly, and really uses the landscape around her.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding bouquet – For her bouquet, Rachael wanted a natural arrangement with greenery. She opted for pink and blush pink roses, peonies, gypsophila and lots of foliage.
Rachael and Steve: Pre-reception drinks – To continue the theme from their Brooklyn engagement, the couple opted for NYC-style cocktails for their pre-reception drinks. “The girls had cosmopolitans and Manhattans, while the guys had bottles of beer.” For their wedding breakfast, guests were treated to a buffet style meal with a bespoke American menu consisting of mac & cheese, reuben sandwiches and mini sliders, followed by baked cheesecake and pumpkin pie.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding cake – The couple’s three-tiered wedding cake was made by Gillian at Boutique Bake House. “When I first met with her, I explained that I don’t like fruit marzipan or icing. She was amazing and came up with an alternative that I loved – a white chocolate cigarillo covered cake with three different sponges!”
Rachael and Steve: Table plan – The couple’s quirky table plan was created by graphic design company May Glen. It was a map of NYC overlaid with pictures of the various landmarks.
Rachael and Steve: Table names – Each table was named after a place in New York and the couple even used pictures they’d taken themselves on their trip. “Our top table was Brooklyn Bridge, of course.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding favours – For favours, Rachael and Steve decided to go down the charity route. “We donated £200 to Cancer Research and received personalised cards and 75 special bridal designer pins by Suzanne Neville, Jenny Packham and Elizabeth Stuart. Our guests loved them!”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding table decorations – Continuing with the rustic theme, Rachael and Steve decided on wedding wish trees for their table centrepieces, which were a labour of love. “I bought everything from Hobbycraft and eBay and loved the finished outcome.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding guest book – The couple’s centrepieces also doubled up as a guest book. “We left pens under the trees for our guests to write little messages on.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding decor – “We had a cute personalised planter box with our names and wedding date, which we used as a gift and card box. It’s now used to grow plants in at home.”
Rachael and Steve: Wedding decorations – To personalise the day even more, large R & S initials were displayed on the table where the couple formalised their marriage.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding music – Steve’s family are all classical musicians, so they played Rachael’s entrance music as she walked down the aisle and their exit music as they walked back up the aisle as husband and wife.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding music – During the signing of the register, Rachael’s sister-in-law and one of her bridesmaids played two contemporary solo pieces on the violin.
Rachael and Steve: Wedding entertainment – After their first dance, the couple organised a DJ for their evening entertainment. “All our guests took to the floor and danced the night away.” Photography: Hannah May
