A Dream Come True
A Dream Come True
The September wedding of Alice and José was a heady blend of colour, style, culture, family and romance.
The Perfect Venue
On the lookout for a special venue for their September wedding, Alice and José fell in love with Blackwell Grange, taking a leap of faith and booking during the major design and build project. The happy couple fell for the idyllic Cotswolds setting, the serenity of the Thatch Barn and the light, space and elegance of the Orchard Barn.
Setting the Scene
Alice and José focused on a blending of cultures and colours, gaining inspiration from their families and their passions in life. Natural colour combinations of peach, pale pinks and greys sat alongside bold and bright blooms and natural greenery such as ivy, eucalyptus and blackberries pulled from the hedgerow that morning!
“We didn’t need a theme for the wedding because we were the theme!”
Alice
Each of the table numbers was a hand-painted image of one of the many volcanoes surrounding José’s place of birth, while Ecuadorian scarves were provided by the groom’s family as favours for the guests. Menus, seating plans and other paper decorations were made by the bride and groom, adding to the personalisation of this remarkably stylish day.
“We wanted a relaxed, bohemian feel to the wedding, reflecting our personalities while incorporating local seasonal produce and the Latin American culture of the groom. A number of Ecuadorian elements were featured throughout the wedding.”
Alice
All About Flowers
Beautiful blooms were in abundance, from vibrant sunflowers to the delicate English roses carried by the bridal party. “I wanted to honour my parents by reflecting the same colour flowers they had at their own wedding.” – Alice
Flowers could be seen in every alcove throughout the ceremony and around the huge fireplace in the Thatch Barn. Moving through to the courtyard and the Orchard Barn, flowers included sunflowers roses, gerbera, gypsophila alongside herbs and foliage. Succulents were placed throughout the courtyard and topiaries and olive trees were accented with soft, white lights.
“After being horrendously let down by our florist, the amazing owner Didi and my incredible Mum got together to redo all the flowers. They created the most beautiful arrangement of flowers and decorations possible, far more than I could have possibly imagined originally.”
Alice
Bridal Style
The beautiful bride wore ‘Elise’ by Wtoo, a stunning gown with beaded straps, delicate lace and a show-stopping silhouette. “I loved the lace pattern while the sheath style allowed it to be very natural and free-flowing. I found it at the first boutique I visited and went back after being unable to forget it wherever else I looked!”
Alice accessorised with a diamond necklace, Ecuadorian pearl earrings and a delicate veil in fine lace with a silk trim.
The groom and his groomsmen looked the part in slate grey three-piece suits, coupled with a soft pink silk tie for the groom and floral pink ties for the party. And finally, Alice’s three bridesmaids wore floral dresses from Dorothy Perkins, in keeping with the style of the day.
Order of the Day
Following the romantic ceremony in the Thatch Barn, guests enjoyed signature cocktails and canapés in the Bar and Snug of the Orchard Barn. Blackwell Grange’s catering team served a delicious wedding breakfast, starting with duck and moving onto a pork main course. When it came to pudding, Alice and José chose Eton Mess and a passion fruit cheesecake.
“The cheesecake was designed specially by the chef to represent Ecuador.” – Alice
As day turned to evening, the newlyweds took to the dance floor to ‘Como Fue’ by Ibrahim Ferrer before a band helped blend their cultures through music, creating that party vibe. Stone-baked pizza was cooked outside in the herb garden, while an old-fashioned popcorn machine added a touch of fun and nostalgia.
Let Them Eat Cake
A fabulous three-tier naked cake consisted of a layer of lemon and blueberry, one of white chocolate and raspberry and one of salted caramel, stem ginger and pecan.
“It was decorated with a caramel drizzle and surrounded by fresh fruits. The guests were almost overwhelmed by it!”
Alice
Favourite Moments
“Naturally, saying ‘I do’ and marrying my best friend. Nothing could be better than that although the entire concept of bringing our families together in an intimate setting to eat and dance was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the full day.” – Alice
Advice from the Bride
“Relax and enjoy your day, it’s a once in a lifetime moment and one of the only times you’ll have the opportunity to be so surrounded by those you love the most all enjoying themselves.” – Alice
For more real wedding inspiration from this beautiful Cotswolds wedding venue, take a look at Danielle and Lorance’s fairytale wedding.
