Rosalind & Tim: A Colourful Summer Wedding at Scarlet Hall

We fell in love with Scarlet Hall as soon as we set foot on its beautifully kept grounds. It was close to home, exquisitely decorated and the perfect backdrop for our glorious wedding weekend. The hosts couldn’t have been more kind and helpful, and immediately made us feel at home the moment we arrived. It also helped to have the choice of an indoor or outdoor wedding.

My dress was hand-crafted by the incredibly talented Catherine Deane. The Kellyn Gown complemented my body perfectly, with its demure plunging V-neckline and long oyster coloured silk tulle. What stood out most was the back and sleeves adorned with meticulously hand-beaded pearls. This was matched with a pair of silk mid-heels and a small handbag with ‘Mrs’ also sewn on with small pearls. I chose a relaxed updo with two soft fishtail braids that wrap into a bun at the back. It miraculously stayed in all day, even after headbanging to music through the night! I met my makeup artist for the first time on the wedding day, which I was wary of at first, but she worked her magic and kept my look soft and incredibly natural, which we had agreed on from day one.

I came away from tradition by allowing my bridesmaids to pick their dresses and colours, keeping to a pastel palette of yellows, blues, greens, pinks and purples. The risk paid off, and they looked effortlessly coordinated, all matched with simple white block heels. I recommend this to brides feeling a little daring! We opted for soft half-up, half-down hairdos, which finished the look beautifully. We all wore very subtle, natural, pearly earrings, with mine giving a small nod to the Art Deco era.

Tim wore a very natural three-piece sage green suit, paired with a hand-knotted brown tie and tan leather smart trainers, and the groomsmen matched the same tie and shoes in light grey suits. The finishing touch was a very small photo hanging from Tim and his brothers’ jackets, as a tribute to their late father.

Whilst we kept to a very natural theme for the day, with rustic wooden trestle tables and chairs, they were dressed with colourful candles and handcrafted stationery, with a subtle nod to the South African ‘Big Five’ (as a nod to Tim’s heritage). Much like the bridesmaids’ dresses, we ensured our spaces had bursts of colour throughout the venue.

When Emily of Linden Lea was given the floral theme of ‘colour and chaos’, we felt safe in the knowledge she knew exactly what we envisaged. After numerous calls to confirm final arrangements, she presented us with the most stunning, strategically selected wildflower arrangements imaginable. One request we had was to incorporate Proteas (a South African flower) into the bouquets and buttonholes, which Emily very kindly did for us. This was such a wonderful touch. Our aisle was also lined with meadow troughs, along with two large urns on pedestals where we stood for the ceremony, packed full of wildflowers. This was particularly special as it attracted lots of wildlife. Everything was seamlessly transferred to the wedding barn and carefully divided into smaller, clear glass bud vases for guests to enjoy.

Our food for the day was supplied by the wonderful Wild Garlic Event Catering. They worked tirelessly to create a dreamy menu featuring canapés such as miniature vol-au-vents and chorizo and sweet potato croquettes. For the main, they served up the most succulent honey-and-mint lamb rump, accompanied by pea and wild garlic purée, carrots, and dauphinois potatoes. Dessert was a simple, yet sensational, sticky toffee pudding drizzled with rum caramel sauce, with honey brittle on the side. And finally, hungry evening guests were treated to a batch of beef brisket. After months of deciding, we opted for no cake! We did, however, substitute it for a cocktail tower, which was incredibly fun for us to pour and share with our guests.

Our photographer, David Walters Photography, prides himself on his ability to blend in to get incredibly natural and intimate shots. He was true to his word and captured some of the most visually stunning photographs, which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We were able to see just how much love and raw emotion there was between our loved ones and us, from the morning prepping to the evening dancing. We still get tearful looking through them, as well as our wedding video, captured by the amazingly talented Bethany and James Stanley.

Whilst it is impossible to pick just one best part of our day, our moment of ‘euphoria’ was the relief and release of emotions as our nearest and dearest showered us with handfuls of confetti after the ceremony. It was peak happiness, as we realised we had finally done it, and we had the rest of the day/night to relax and enjoy. Of course, being met by our wedding planner, Dale Alexander Events, with a glass of fizz was a lovely touch.

My words of advice to future couples? Delegate and don’t sweat the small stuff. I tried to take on so much myself that I left no room to really embrace the ‘fun’ of the planning process. Even on the day, as we faced road closures near the venue, I had to hand my phone to my matron of honour so she could guide guests. Also, take time for yourselves. Go for a walk, find a quiet space and feel all the emotions together. It is a long day, but it goes in a flash, so take a deep breath and take it all in!