Helena in Suzanne Neville Geddes for a fun, relaxed 2-day wedding at Elmore Court

Helena and Phil's wedding is one of those weddings that drops into the inbox and makes you think "I wish I had been there!" Their 2-day celebration took place at the stunning Grade II listed Gloucestershire mansion, Elmore Court. The vibe was fun and relaxed, ending in one epic sounding party - we have photographic evidence that the bride ended up in a neon green wig and pink sunglasses; the must-have accessories for a Suzanne Neville wedding gown!

Read on to find out more about their day and Helena's gorgeous Geddes and her down-to-Earth approach to wedding dress shopping. Images taken by Gloucestershire wedding photographer Rob Tarren.

Suzanne Neville Geddes

I made 2 visits to Miss Bush. I knew I wanted to get my dress from Miss Bush as I love the ethos - having visited the boutique previously with my best friend for her wedding. My bridesmaid came to fist visit in the summer where I tried on more summery styles. I visited again in around November or December with my mum and we found the Geddes. By a quirk of fate there was a brand-new sample size hanging the store room, and it almost literally had my name on it.

The dress was high necked and long sleeved. No real room for jewels and accessories, really. I wore the earrings I wear every other day of my life (I'm a firm believer in wearing my best bling at all times). I bought a really cool pair of Fendi flats (from the outnet.com) - they were a kind of bruised raspberry colour, in suede with a pointy toe.

Dress Shopping

The chapel is beautiful, and Emma is very relaxed and normal. There's no such thing as a typical bride; but I definitely fell into the less neurotic end of the continuum. I'm glad there was no pressure to squeal or hold up a 'say yes to the dress' selfie frame. I'm quite a matter of fact (read: cold bitch!) I planned for the wedding day to be a glorious wonderful occasion, but I don't see it as being 'the best day of my life ever'. My now-husband and I have been together for a decade, we have a toddler and there are a couple of stepdaughters in the mix too. I felt a bit past the giddy extension-of-prom vibe that the wedding industry seems to promote a lot. Miss Bush is the perfect boutique for the grown-up bride, who knows her own mind and doesn't really give a shit what the rest of the world at large thinks about her. Soothing tonic to all the exclamation marks(!!!!!)

A fun, relaxed 2-day wedding at Elmore Court

We had a 2-night affair. We hired Elmore Court from Thursday midday and had a lovely 'last supper' for close friends and family in the house. The day itself was glorious. the weather was ridiculously good (it was during that 'warmest February ever' weekend). The sun shone; the champagne flowed. We hired Amber Persia (recommended by the venue) to do the flowers and styling. Amber was brilliant, came up with a lovely look book of 'theme' (deep burgundy, teal blue, dark purples with candles everywhere) and the floral arrangements and table settings all looked beautiful. My husband was keen to set up a 'lounge chill out area' between the tables and the bar area of the reception room - there was space to do this. Furniture hire is SO expensive, but on the night,  it worked so well - we had sumptuous velvet sofas and coffee tables covered in posies and candles within the theme. It was excellent.

I went a bit nuts on Amazon and bought about two hundred quid’s worth of silly fancy dress props, stick on moustaches, glow sticks etc which Amber arranged in a picnic basket next to the dance floor. I spent much of the night wearing a green wig, a Freddie Mercury moustache and a blue feather boa tied round my waist like a belt.

The best bits

Loved it all. Family and friends all being in one place. I loved the fact we had free run of our venue - a gorgeous stately home - so it was a bit like being a duchess or something. Really, really fun. I loved the ceremony, the confetti, the speeches the dancing. The sparklers round the fire pit. The lot really. I also loved the dinner the night before. I spent all night dancing to the Blue Lion Band (who were incredible, got so many comments 'where did you find them?!') and totally trashed my dress. 

Can't really choose. Don't want to!

Advice from the bride

No advice for choosing a dress really. You do you. If you like it, buy it. 

Wedding planning advice: outsource, outsource, outsource. If you can, get a stylist. She (or he, but probably she) will whittle down hundreds of options and present you with A, B or C. This is very non-stressful.  Get married off season. Every supplier bar one (mat leave) was available. And cheaper. Decisions can be made slightly later, and everyone is more chilled out. 

Create a seating/lounge/chill out area.

Finally if you can, don't mess about with other venues - just host it at Elmore Court. The venue is sublime. The team are super, super impressive. Everything was so slick. It all went to plan, and we had so much fantastic feedback from our guests. 'Best wedding ever' was mentioned a few times... Have to agree, really...