It’s the dreamiest take-your-breath-away boho wedding for LOVE birds Katie and James.
This couple met when they were both students in Manchester and loved the city so much that they’ve now made Chorlton their home. Having started dating in 2010, it was in a well known après ski bar called La Folie Douce in Alpe D’Huez in February 2020, that James finally popped the question. Sneaking Katie off to a quiet section of the bar overlooking the snowy slopes (and both dressed in old school 80’s ski gear!), they excitedly shared the news to the friends and family who were with them on the trip.
However, on their return to the UK Covid 19 hit, and the world changed. Like many newly engaged couples at this time, Katie and James spent their lockdown distracting themselves with wedding planning. Thankfully, their original chosen wedding date didn’t have to be altered and their gorgeous wedding went ahead as planned.
Katie and James got married on Saturday 17th July 2021 at Pengenna Manor, a stunning 800 year old private house nestled in 300 acres of gorgeous Cornish countryside. Cornwall is such a special place for the couple with Katie’s parents having a cottage there and James also spending many childhood holidays in Cornwall too.
Pengenna Manor is a wonderfully versatile venue which was perfect for the couple’s style and worked well with the Covid 19 restrictions still placed on weddings. Katie and James got married in the gorgeous barn with its relaxed boho feel. Decorated with twinkly festoon lights, they chose locally grown, sustainable, wild seasonal blooms such as dahlias, roses and antirrhinum and textural grasses to complement the rustic style of the venue from Florist Emily Talling.
The barn, due to its open sides, was classed as an outdoor venue which meant they could have all 136 guests joining them. The couple chose navy suits for the groomsmen and a light blush pink colour for the bridesmaids to complement the colour scheme of the flowers. The ceremony was followed by outdoor drinks on the lawn and stunning music by Viva String Quartet. Guests were then welcomed to an exquisite open-sided marquee reception, which, thanks to the July heatwave, added to the relaxed summery boho vibes they had planned for.
Katie chose the stunning “Tommy” dress by Australian designer Made with Love to wear on her big day. This bold, boho inspired dress is romantic, glamourous but with a fun flirtatious side too. It was love at first sight for Katie who had spotted the MWL Tommy gown whilst scrolling through Pinterest! Knowing we stocked this designer she excitedly got in touch and the rest, as they say, is history.
Tommy has delicate spaghetti straps and not only a plunging neck but also has a daring low back too. With a gorgeous, fitted silhouette that hugs in all the right places, lace layers and a long train that we just adore, Tommy is simply captivating! Covered with beautiful, intricate beading and with a stretch crepe underlay skirt you can move freely in, it’s easy to see why Katie was totally in LOVE with Tommy. And when you know, you know! Katie picked out 4 dresses to try on before arriving here at LOVE but as soon as she tried Tommy on, she knew this dress was the one!
Katie didn’t want anything to detract from the detail on her beautiful Tommy dress, so she chose to wear a very simple veil. She added only her pearl earrings, which were a 21st birthday present from her parents, and her grandmas ring, to complete her final look. She looked absolutely amazing!
Despite her appointments with us at LOVE being at the height of the pandemic, Katie said that her experience with us was still as magical:
“They made us feel so special, the boutique is so beautiful, and you really feel they welcome you into their world. Despite all the Covid restrictions, it was still such a magical, special experience. I’d recommend them to anyone.”
Katie’s advice to brides planning a wedding is:
“After the ceremony, before you meet your guests for the drinks reception, sneak off with your other half for 5 minutes to soak everything in. After the barn we went into the house and had the best glass of champagne, taking in all the special things we’d said to each other. It was a really special moment just the two of us.”
After planning a wedding during a lockdown, it’s no wonder the highlight of the day for this couple was seeing, hugging, and dancing with all their favourite people after 18 months of not being able to.
We’ve simply LOVED seeing this beautiful barn wedding with its light airy aesthetic and relaxed summery boho vibes! Thanks so much to Ross Talling Photography for sharing these amazing photos of the day, and to the many other fabulous suppliers we’ve linked who made this wedding such a dream as well. Special thanks to Bars with Legs for managing the copious drink orders and DJ Paula Frost who kept everyone dancing until 3am!
If you’re in LOVE with Katie’s choice of dress and think that Tommy could be the perfect gown for you, then please get in touch. Email us at hello@lovebridalboutique.co.uk to make an appointment.