“I fell in love immediately with how Jonny captures people and emotions. Instantly we wanted him documenting our day. Jonny is so natural and warm and has great ability to see those little touches.”
A Timeless 1920s Celebration at Hampton Manor
Stylistically, Eliza and Richard embraced a fusion of 1920s elegance with the Glasgow School, reflecting Eliza’s roots. Inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, they incorporated subtle design cues into the flowers and their wedding “thrones.” Spring blossom played a symbolic role, representing new beginnings, with cherry blossom sprigs adorning both the garden and reception room.
Above all, their aim was for the day to feel light, fun, and celebratory, with nothing taken too seriously, aside from the vows. Every moment was filled with laughter, joy, and shared memories.
The ‘Thrones’ and Floral Touches
Eliza loved the Mackintosh-inspired chairs that served as their wedding “thrones.” These became cherished keepsakes and now take pride of place in their home. The flowers were another standout feature, with fritillaria and other carefully chosen blooms creating a cohesive vintage-Glasgow aesthetic.
Personal touches added warmth to the day. Homemade favours, including Richard’s famous fudge individually wrapped in small birdcages, and packets of wildflower seeds for the bees, added charm and character. Eliza’s homemade veil completed the bridal look, creating a sense of intimacy and individuality that she treasured.
Vintage Wedding Dresses with a Personal Twist
Eliza wore two dresses for the day, both eBay bargains that perfectly captured her vision. The main gown was an Eliza Jane Howell Lucille column dress in blush, paired with a homemade veil and Rachel Simpson shoes. For the evening reception and dancing, she switched into a glitzy second dress, complemented with an Eliza Jane Howell Romanov headpiece. The bridesmaids wore Biba dresses with Kurt Geiger shoes, completing the vintage-inspired aesthetic.
Richard’s Groom Style
Richard’s vintage-inspired attire had character and charm. He discovered his main suit at Age UK, picking it up for just £10, bow tie included. For the evening ceilidh, he wore a hired kilt and a tweed jacket and waistcoat from Moss Bros, perfectly complementing the overall theme.
Advice for Future Brides and Grooms
Eliza and Richard recommend enjoying the planning process and looking for creative ways to save money, such as sourcing items second-hand. They also found that choosing a low-season wedding can yield excellent packages in luxury venues.
On the day itself, nerves are normal, Eliza even had a shot of Silent Pool gin before taking her vows to calm the jitters!
What did you want from your Hampton Manor wedding photographer?
I know I didn’t want the traditional and formal so after a google session I stumbled on Jonny Barratt’s website. I fell in love immediately with how he captures people and emotions. We knew instantly we wanted him documenting our day. Jonny is so natural and warm he made it easy for us to become used to being photographed. I had no doubts or worries about the quality of the photographs or his ability. We felt so confident booking him to capture our special day.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
Well we are a long established couple so we will be looking at developing new interests and skill sets. Perhaps a move towards semi-retirement in a few years! As we age together I hope we continue to grow in different but complimentary ways with our various careers and interests and keep our relationship fresh. In the meantime there are our dogs and nine year old son, Theo, grown up children and grandchildren to keep us busy!
SHOUT OUT TO THE WEDDING SUPPLIERS
We hired event stylists, Ava Events. Amanda and Amy are just fantastically talented and lovely to work with. Seeing the flowers was the biggest surprise on the day. I cried when they arrived and when I saw the reception venue, it looked so pretty and ethereal.
Make up artists: Justine Bunting at Hampton Manor | Hair: By the fabulous Fay and Siobhan at Hairhostess | Rings: G.L Bicknell and Sons, Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. We have always used them in the past. | Photo Booth: Beas Boothes | Jazz band Ocean Arda played through the wedding breakfast | Our fabulous ceilidh band was called Musical Roots
LOOKING FOR A RECOMMENDED HAMPTON MANOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Does my wedding photography butter your parsnips? Then please get in touch, I’d love to hear more about you and your wedding day plans.
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