There's nothing better in our book than when a couple makes their wedding day their own. And for London couple, Lisa and James, there was nothing cookie cutter about their Castle Leslie wedding. This Irish bride and English groom said their vows with a personalised humanist ceremony, before treating their guests to a reception that was filled with fun touches like their very own cigar bar and DIY favours. With ultra glamorous style and gorgeous florals, this upbeat, romantic wedding is brimming with inspiration, and was captured beautifully by Signature Photography. Let's take a look, shall we?
Lisa's fab Louboutin's are just the start of her stunning wedding day style.
Lisa and James met at their office in London. “I was on a year placement from Queens University Belfast and got talking at the christmas party (how cliché),” recalls Lisa. “Him being English decided to email me in Irish (hoping to impress), however needed some input from one of his Irish colleagues to help with the Gaelige. I got an email ‘’ Is maith liom fir’ to which I replied ‘’ Is maith lion fir freisin’’. Clearly a set-up, but it still scored some brownie points for effort. Six months later we were dating and never looked back.” We can’t believe it took six months with a smooth move like that!
Nothing like a spot of clay pigeon shooting to settle those pre-wedding nerves.
The couple love to surprise each other with trips away, so Lisa says she wasn’t suspicious when James planned a surprise holiday for her birthday, “However on the way (running late) to the airport we take a diversion at London Bridge station and I find myself suddenly going into the Shrangi La in the Shard, and checking in.” We’re already loving this proposal story!
Lisa explains she was totally confused as she thought she was en route to the airport. “We get to our room on the 60th floor which has amazing views all over London. We go for a dip in the infinity pool watching the bustle of London below, we have dinner and some cocktails and then we go back to the room to grab some coats as we fancied popping out to buy some champers from a supermarket down the road. When we get there James starts pointing out from our room all the significant places from our relationship, where we first met, where we first lived, where we first said ‘’I love you’’ and then before I knew he was on one knee, as I was just as quick hugging him before he had a chance to even get the ring out.”
What an epic proposal! But as if that wasn’t enough, Lisa got to make that trip to the airport after all, “The next day we flew to Bali for two weeks. He did good.” Um, wow!
This photo table plan looks so cool, and while it seems like a simple idea, we know from experience, a project like this takes a lot of work.
Are this pair not the most adorable ring bearers you've ever seen?
This couple only need three words to sum up their day, “Upbeat, fun and personal.”
Lisa says she and James were eager to create a wedding that reflected them. “Something natural, relaxed and about us. So we went for a humanist ceremony so had to find a celebrant. After this, the priorities were the band and the booze.”
Oh, the excitement!
Lisa's mam walked her up the aisle - don't these two look gorgeous!
The couple loved being able to set the tone for their relaxed wedding with a personalised ceremony. “Being a humanist ceremony we had lots of flex and decided to have one of our best friends start the ceremony with a little introduction about us and how we met – it was funny, cheerful and a perfect start to the ceremony.”
These protea and eucalyptus bouquets are just stunning - so fresh and modern.
Lads, lads, lads!
These muted grey bridesmaid dresses are so beautiful - the flash of sparkle gives them a little old Hollywood glamour.
Let's take a little moment right now for Lisa's jaw-dropping Grace Loves Lace wedding dress. Her half-up hairstyle is so glamorous and that protea and rose bouquet give the whole look an effortlessly cool feel.
Castle Leslie was the perfect setting for the couple and their 135 guests, “Stunning venue, 10 minutes down the road from the bride’s home, nothing else would have worked so well,” says James.
James' navy wool suit, with grey and burgundy accents is so stylish too - what a pair of beauts, these two!
Lisa & James were one hands-on couple. Not only did they create their own wedding stationery, the grew the succulents at home and gave them to their guests as favours in handmade concrete pots. What a nice touch!
There were lots of luxe touches throughout the day, from the gold-dipped wedding cake, and the glass and brass lanterns, to the glass frames and abundant foliage.
Looks like this lot had a great night!
Lisa and James have some simple but super helpful advice for other couples. “Be chilled – and plan ahead, get as much as you can done as early as possible so you can relax and have fun with friends and family on the run up.”
After such an incredible engagement trip, I had a feeling this couple would have something special planned for their honeymoon. And of course, they did. “We spent two weeks in the Philippines – couldn’t recommend it any more, particular Tao Tours where we spent five days on a boat exploring the many beautiful deserted islands between El Nido and Coron.”
Beautiful photographs to round off a beautiful celebration - thanks so much to Lisa & James for sharing their big day and to Signature Photography for sending these pictures our way.
