WWW readers Jess and Josh are with us to share their sensational Compton Verney wedding story and what a delight it is!
Their day was beautifully styled with an elegant feel, two special ceremonies and a magical first look to name just a few. Wow.
Let’s begin with their gorgeous outfits, shall we? Jess and Josh both looked stunning and so chic alongside their wedding party. Then there was the divine reception room decor; think suspended balloon ceiling, greenery runners and sage green touches. I’ve not even mentioned the seasonal Spring flowers, pearl accents and wonderful stationery either yet.
Ellie Mac Photography was there to capture their day in full and what beautiful images they are. Enjoy them all below.
Jess and Josh on WWW
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Compton Verney Wedding Story
The Proposal
We somehow managed to escape to Greece after multiple failed holiday plans due to COVID. We had planned to go to Bali and Turkey, but COVID prohibited this.
By accident, we ended up in Rhodes, where I thought Josh was going to propose a year before. We climbed to the top of Tsambika Monastery to watch the sunrise, and Josh got down on one knee whilst our picture was being taken.
We then watched the sunrise together (and alone), and I later lit a candle for my grandad in the monastery and wrote about our proposal in the guest book.
The Vision
Elegant and timeless, with:
- Seasonal flowers (bluebells, cornflowers, anemones, ranunculus)
- Floral arch
- Suspended balloon ceiling
- Sage
- Hand-crafted place cards
- Personalised ceremony
Budget
£25,000. We blew it! We spent approximately £30,000 excl honeymoon.
The Venue
Compton Verney, Warwickshire.
Your Outfits
The dress – I waited a long time to try dresses on as I was worried I’d struggle to find one due to being plus size. I researched dresses for nearly a year, before taking the plunge and booking an appointment at J&J Designs in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
I loved dresses by Allure, Justin Alexander and Pronovias. One of the dresses I liked when planning was called Molly by Abella, Allure Bridal – and this dress is the one that my mum and my two aunties thought I’d choose. Lo and behold, it was the one I went for. It was lovely as Molly was the name of my great-grandmother.
The suit – Josh and I had agreed that a blue velvet dinner suit would look great on him.
We ventured to Leamington Spa to window shop and 30 mins later, Josh and I had gone into Thorburns and chosen a burgundy/red paisley print suit jacket by Marc Darcy. It was not what either of us expected, but we were both blown away and I really loved being part of the choosing process.
The Ceremony & Music
We had two ceremonies in one day – mad I know! We firstly had a humanist wedding lead by the lovely Laura Gimson – @mycelebrantlife.
The ceremony was solely about Josh and I. How we met, how we get engaged, and how we were going to commit to one another. My mum walked me down the aisle. We had our musician Emily sing You And I Always by Jake Isaac during the ceremony, we did a ring warming which made it feel super special, and our guests announced us as husband and wife. I have never felt more special in my life!
We then held an intimate legal ceremony, with our wedding party only. I greeted every guest on their way into the ceremony which was lovely. This was so that we could be legally married on the same day as our main ceremony. We were both really surprised at how much we loved the ceremony – it was fun, and felt really special with it having only our very nearest and dearest in it.
Ceremony 1
- Entrance song: Simply the Best by Billianne
- Ceremony song: You & I Always by Jake Isaac
- Exit song: Feel So Good by Chris Malinchak
All were performed by Emily White on her electric piano and vocals.
Ceremony 2
- Entrance song: Beyond by Leon Bridges
- Exit song: Sonnentanz – Sun Don’t Shine by Klangkarussell
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
Ellie McClellan – Ellie Mac Photography – @elliemac.photography
Dan Watson – Made To Last Films – @madetolastfilms
The Styling & Decor
I wanted the theme to look clean and timeless. For the chapel, we had an ivory runner put down for me to walk down the aisle on, with baby’s breath garlands on the floor either side. We had an incredible broken floral arch outside the chapel, which was then relocated twice for photos by the portico of the house, and in the Adam Hall for the wedding breakfast.
I wanted my bouquet to have seasonal flowers. I have always loved bluebells and cornflowers, which were my something blue. We decided to add in dark red carnations to tie in with Josh’s suit. We also had anemones, ranculas, hellebores and eucalyptus. Flowers – Becky Watkin – Watkin & Berry – @watkinandberry.
Jules, my mum, made my wedding cake. It had three tiers and it was lemon sponge with passionfruit buttercream, decorated in fondant icing and pearls.
The wedding breakfast was held in the Robert Adam Hall. The room that made me want to get married at Compton Verney at the age of 21, way before I knew Josh existed.
The room was styled by Oxford Fine Dining, The Wedding House Droitwich and my florist Watkin & Berry. We wanted to make sure that the tables were not too thin, so we doubled up on the trestle tables, so that they filled the room nicely and helped it look balanced.
We ran sage runners down the table joins, and had flower garlands and tapered candles running down the length of the tables. My friend @stuido.pebbles and I made our placement cards, and we had scented candles are our wedding favours, with personalised initial stickers stuck on them.
The big feature of the room was the suspended balloon ceiling. They were installed by @bubblegumballoons.
The Honeymoon
We went to the Seychelles and spent two weeks on two different islands. Mahe the main island and Praslin a smaller island.
I have never and will never see beautiful beaches like there was there. We stayed at Constance Ephelia and Constance Lemuria.
Memorable Moments
- Being made to sing Loving You by Minnie Ripperton during my sister’s maid of honour speech, and the whole room joining in.
- I teared up during our first ceremony, and my lovely Brother-in-law Jethro threw a pack of tissues at Josh so I could dry my eyes.
- Josh’s face when he realised that I had surprised him with a live saxophonist for our evening party. I thought he was going to pass out! Lol
Advice For Other Couples
Make sure you remember to take a breather and think whether you are doing what you and your partner want to do, not other family members/friends.
Spend a few minutes during the day taking a step back and watching the day unfold. Seeing your friends and family laughing and chatting together is one of the best feelings ever.
Oh so magical!
Jess and Josh, I can’t thank you both enough for sharing with us your dreamy Compton Verney wedding.
Further Reading
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