A Slow Wedding
Homemade with Intention
From handwritten notes for every guest to hand-sewn gift bags waiting in their rooms, care, time and the people around them shaped Ellie and Evie’s slow wedding. Nearly everything in their life together is second-hand or homemade. It felt natural for their wedding to follow the same approach.
Rather than creating something for a single day, they chose a wedding made with intention. Decor was selected to be reused. Friends crafted many of the details. Nothing was done for the sake of polish. The focus stayed on making time, taking things slowly and celebrating in a way that felt honest.
Photos throughout from Becky Weir Photography
Home From Home Celebration
Widbrook Grange offers the kind of comfort that encourages people to settle in. Just ten minutes from where Ellie grew up, it a natural choice for Ellie and Evie. The venue provided a familiar, grounding backdrop for a slow wedding that unfolded over a whole weekend.
Having one venue where everyone could stay changed the pace of the day. Guests could change outfits before dancing. They could retreat to their rooms when they needed to. Everyone came back together without the pressure of rushing on.
“Having one venue, where everyone could sleep over, made the day so relaxed. It enabled everyone to have an outfit change before the dancing and recharge in their rooms if needed. It also means you don’t have to spend any of the evening saying goodbye to people, you’ll see them all at breakfast,” Evie and Ellie told us.
made slowly by many hands
Handmade and second-hand pieces gave this slow wedding its look and feel. The couple gave careful thought to how things would live on afterwards. Some items were made specifically for the wedding – others were chosen or created with reuse in mind.
Evie painted the backdrop for the ceremony which now hangs in their flat. The flowers were seasonal and homegrown on the couple’s shared allotment – friends arranged them the evening before the wedding. A childhood friend baked the cake which was topped with two salt and pepper shakers Ellie’s mum made at her pottery class.
Love this? Why not take a look at our blog: 5 Sustainable Wedding planning tips
Guests were invited to bring their own bakes. Together, they filled a dessert table that replaced a formal final course.
“Polished and perfect wouldn’t have felt quite right. Everything was personal, slightly wonky and totally joyful,” they told us.
Top tip from Evie and Elli: “Embrace the mismatch! Don’t worry too much about everything being cohesive, especially if you’re trying to save money with second hand items. No one really cares if your napkins are the same shade of orange as your menus!”
Letting go of the rules
Ellie and Evie chose to get ready separately. Then, after a first look, they walked down the aisle together to their friend Eddie, who acted as celebrant. They held the legal ceremony a few weeks earlier which allowed the wedding day to focus on the people gathered and the commitment being celebrated.
“Separating the legalities took the stress out of the wedding day. It avoided travelling between venues and meant we had more time to invite guests to speak in the ceremony,” they told us.
With the formalities removed, the ceremony became something shared. Loved ones shaped it through their contributions.
Slowly Living the day
Outfits and personal styling were kept simple. Comfort guided every decision. The focus was on how the day would be lived in.
Ellie’s white wedding dress was one of the few items bought new. At £100, it was difficult to turn down. Plans are in place to dye it and turn it into a two-piece so it can be worn again.
Ellie and Evie did their own hair and makeup. They treated the morning like any other slightly dressed-up occasion. A lie-in felt more important than an early start.
Top tip from the couple: “If hair and makeup isn’t for you, don’t bother. Feeling like yourself is more important.”
We think you will love: Celebrating Mother-Daughter Bonds Gilmore Style (all about sustainable style and making the most of those moments with your loved ones)
the people who held it
Widbrook Grange played a central role in making the weekend run smoothly. Guests felt well looked after throughout their stay.
“Widbrook Grange were absolutely brilliant. The guests felt so well looked after with their beautiful rooms and delicious food. The team there are so experienced. The whole weekend ran seamlessly because they were ten steps ahead of everything,” Ellie and Evie told us.
Becky Weir Photography captured the wedding with the same sense of ease. The focus extended beyond the couple to the wider community around them.
“We knew her style would suit us perfectly. When she sent the initial photos, we couldn’t believe how she captured every single guest and all the emotions so effortlessly. Couldn’t recommend her highly enough. Our guests thought she was brilliant and were so appreciative of the candid photos she took.”
Photography: Becky Weir Photography
Venue: Widbrook Grange
