An Oxford garden party wedding – Lucy & Mark

Lucy & Mark planned their Oxford garden party wedding from Jersey, where they live. From my first Skype chat with Lucy we got on like a house on fire and when she told me that she would be channeling her inner Carrie Bradshaw & Audrey Hepburn for her wedding dress style, I grinned from ear to ear. On the morning of the wedding. I arrived at the cottage where she was getting ready and Lucy was even more bubbly and gorgeous in real life with a head of hair that would give SJP a serious run for her money! Her dress by Alan Hannah was pretty much made for her dainty figure and once the girls had helped her put it on, she literally took my breath away. What struck me most about Lucy’s entire wedding outfit though, was that gorgeous, radiant smile and sparkling blue eyes  – the same gorgeous blue eyes her mum & brothers Tom and Alex have.

 

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I then joined Mark and the guys at a very quaint stone church in the Oxford countryside. Lucy told me that Mark was really into his fashion and he seriously rocked his bespoke suit with a low dip waistcoat. I always enjoy taking shots of the guys before the ceremony starts at the church. The buzz & adrenalin among them is infectious and Mark’s warm smile would put anyone at ease.

Lucy’s brother Alex, is talented musician and played a beautiful song on his guitar, which he had written especially for their wedding day. I thought this was a lovely touch and the guests really enjoyed it.

 

We then made our way back to Mark’s dad’s house & breath-taking back garden in the heart of the English countryside, where they hosted a relaxed garden party reception to the sounds of a very talented sax player. Lucy wanted simple, pretty, understated elegance for their day and that’s exactly what we had! The marquees was decorated to perfection with elegant soft pink & whites and a naked wedding cake adorned with berries & roses – perfect for the setting. Lucy had gone all out on decorating the garden too, with paper garlands in the trees, blowing in the breeze. Later, once the guests were seated for the wedding breakfast, the speeches had everyone in stitches – especially the best men speech by Alex & James, who quite literally had guests (myself included) gasping for breath!

 

The highlight of the evening though, had to be their first dance, to “Greatest Day” from Take That (the song I walked down the aisle to back in 2009) with all their guests singing along and an explosion of colourful confetti turning the dance floor into a festival of colour! I got a little bit emotional listening to the lyrics of the song again after all these years & watching their guests embrace each other, celebrating with Lucy & Mark. A truly epic end to a beautiful day.

 

Lucy & Mark…I can’t thank you enough for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. Knowing how much this day meant to you and your families, it was a real honour to capture it for you and get to know you a little bit. The fact that you love your photos means the world to me and I really hope our paths cross again one day. Congratulations Mr & Mrs McQuillan.

 

Here are some of my favourites from the day – more than usual as there were so many highlights! Enjoy and if you’d like to, leave a comment at the end of the post.

* Lucy & Marks wedding was featured on Love My Dress here.*

 

Watch their wedding highlights film by Anna from Somma Productions here.

 

Signature

 

 

 

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Lucy & Mark’s super star wedding suppliers:

Videography: The very lovely Anna Somma

Lucy’s dress: Sorrento by Alan Hannah

Jewellery: Rhapsody Headband for the reception, pearl bracelet from MikiMoto, pearl earrings from Jersey Pearl.

Hair stylist: Abigail Vincent, Oxfordshire Wedding Hair

Make up: Rachel Silk

Mark’s suit: Bespoke, Roulette Jersey

Bridesmaids dresses: Brad from Madame Bridal

Wedding flowers: Daisies in Oxford

Wedding cake: Cake Sweet Cake in Oxford

Stationery: Handmade with the help of Lucy & Mark’s mums cutting out hundreds of hearts using various off cuts of beautiful Kate Forman fabric from home interiors. Lucy then made the invitations, orders of service, place cards and table numbers.

Favours: Truffles which were handmade in Jersey by La Mare Vineyard – a little nod to Jersey!

Giant light up letters: Vowed and Amazed

Music & Entertainment: Saxophonist – Kit Packham. Evening band: Embassy

Catering: Calcot Manor

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