CJ and Tom's Relaxed Garden Party Wedding in France

Today’s absolutely beautiful country-vintage-inspired wedding was submitted by Cambridgeshire florist, Katie, who we interviewed on the blog last week. Katie and her business partner Lisa provided the flowers and cake for this wonderful relaxed celebration and the Bride’s dress also came from Cambridgeshire bridal shop Shades of White. Which, given that the wedding took place in the charming town of Plumeliau in France, just goes to show the quality of our suppliers here in Cambridgeshire. These guys are internationally renowned!Everyone loves a destination wedding. The unfamiliarity of the landscape, the shops and street scapes lends a sense of exotic excitement to the photos. Of course, a French wedding is the epitome of romanticism and elegance. Even the sunshine in these wonderful shots from John Hope Photography looks chic. Soft, dappled and adding that ‘je ne sais quoi’. It’s just gorgeous!

Tom explained that French weddings have two ceremonies. The first is the legal ceremony and took place at the Mairie (Town Hall): “It was a little room with 2 officiators and we took just our dads, the best man and Marie, our friend who lives locally – she speaks amazing English and offered to come just in case CJ’s dad’s French vocabulary ran out!”

“Wedding 2 was at L’Eglise Saint Meliau (Church of St Meliau), the Catholic church opposite the Mairie. This involved a VERY quick dash back to Dad’s house for CJ to change dresses!”

The intimate first ceremony was a great opportunity for the couple to relax into their wedding day. CJ said, “My favourite part was meeting up with Tom and having a couple of minutes together before the Mairie wedding. We were so relaxed and happy, the ceremony was fun and informal with only a few people present, it was perfect for us! The boys also enjoyed this ceremony as one of the officiator’s dresses was completely see through!!”

CJ found her dress, which she sourced in Cambridgeshire alongside her flowers and cake, after nearly giving up on her ‘The One’ moment: “CJ was getting frustrated at not having a dress (having tried on SOOO many!) and decided to go to try on the 2 ‘favourites’ to force a decision. On walking into the shop there was a dress on a mannequin that was new in and on impulse she decided to try it on…hey presto!”

Their final UK Supplier was found after hours spent searching the internet for a photgrapher who could travel to France. “[John] was so accommodating; he even bunked with the neighbours for the weekend! He was great fun, and managed to make Tom feel relaxed even though he hates having his photo taken. We got some truly amazing pictures.”

“[Seeing our photos for the first time] was an amazing experience, like living the day over again. There are some beautiful pictures and memories captured. We will be eternally grateful to John for them.”

Tom proposed to CJ at her Dad’s house in Plumeliau and they returned to the house and garden for their evening reception following a ‘Vin d’Honneur’ at the Village Hall. CJ described the proposal: “We were in France on holiday at my dad’s house following my Mum’s recent passing. We spent the day reminiscing at some of Mum’s favourite places. When we got home we decided to have a BBQ and as I was preparing the salad Tom came into the Kitchen, dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him! Perfect end to a beautiful, emotional day (the style/location was very private which is also very like us!!)”

There is a real sense of home and family in these photos and I think that really brings a special magic to CJ and Tom’s day. They look so relaxed, happy and comfortable that I feel like their wedding style reflects their life and their personalities in a way that somehow feels like more than just a snapshot of a day. These photos seem to capture a lifetime and that can’t fail to put a smile on your face.

Kirsty xx