We joined Sophia and her bridal party at her family home in Coggeshall for bridal prep. Everything was so chilled and was going perfectly to time.
Maria, Sophia’s sister kindly showed us around the garden where the reception was later going to be taking place and she also took us to see a gorgeous location just up the lane where the hay had recently been stacked up high after the harvest, this seemed the ideal spot to take Sophia and Dan later on for their couple photos.
Whilst Sophia’s parents were putting the finishing touches in and around the tipi and the garden, the girls were just finishing their hair and makeup ready to get into their lavender dresses. Once everyone was ready Sophia did a reveal in the garden where everyone turned around to see her in her dress.
After a few bridal party photos, we headed off to meet the boys at The Chequers pub in Great Tey. They were chilling, having a beer and putting on their buttonholes. With the pub being just next door to St Barnabas Church where they would soon be tying the knot the guests made their way up and were soon in their seats awaiting the arrival of Sophia and her Dad.
The ceremony itself was full of lots of emotion, especially so when Sophia’s sister Maria read her reading, there were lots of teary eyes in the building. After the ceremony, the guests lined the path ready with confetti in hands, once Dan and Sophia reached the end covered and wearing many petals it was time to go on to the reception. A lot of the guests did not know what to expect when they reach the house as the tipi was a surprise.
It was in and around the tipi when you can appreciate the amount of hard work and time that went into their D.I.Y wedding. They made all of the garden games, from ‘Tin Can Alley’, ‘Ring Toss’ and ‘Coconut Shy’ each of the games went down really well as it was easy enough for guests to have a game whilst catching up. Let’s just say some guests were very competitive which was fun to see! As well as this, many handmade origami cranes were hanging from the trees for good luck.
For their wedding breakfast, Sophia and Dan had opted for an afternoon tea, to be followed by yet another surprise and that was the Ice Cream Van, this went down a real treat with all ages! Molly Moo’s Ices know what makes a great ice cream, having had one myself it was easily the best ice cream I have ever had, and I’ve had a lot of ice cream!
Before the evening guests arrived, we took Sophia and Dan down the lane for 10 minutes of golden hour photos (my favourite time of day for light, so dreamy!). Soon after we were back evening guests were beginning to arrive which meant we were close to the dance floor was opening!
Thank you, Sophia and Dan, for having us be a part of your wedding!
GG
Make-up: Alina from A.A.MUA
Hair: Amber French
Florist: Florum Flowers, Coggeshall
Cake: Sarah Burder
Caterers: Taylor and Hall, Colchester
Ice Cream Van: Molly Moo’s Ices
Tipi Company: Events Under Canvas
Photography: Gemma Giorgio Photography
See Sophia and Dan’s wedding featured on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings blog here!