DIY weddings make a personal statement

Wedding costs are rising all the time and I am beginning to see a trend against commercialism. Some brides are turning their backs on the long list of wedding industry suppliers and doing it themselves. No longer just for rustic weddings, more and more brides are bringing a beautifully creative and personal touch to their wedding celebrations.

Rebecca’s brooch bouquet by Michele Knibbs, Muscari Whites Bespoke Events Florists. Photographer Juliet Lemon

When my assistant Rebecca married her lovely husband Angelo she wanted a day that was unique and special to them both.

Unusually, Rebecca decided she would carry a brooch bouquet to compliment her original 1950’s wedding gown.

At the hen party, her mother suggested it would be nice if we all contributed a vintage or personal brooch to create a lovely keepsake for Rebecca.

Buttonholes and corsages were also made from brooches, buttons and trinkets and personalised to reflect the wearer. Interestingly, despite Rebecca’s mother being a florist she decided to decorate the venue with silk flowers and very large ivory paper roses. The effect was stunning – the venue looked beautiful and cut back on a lot of the expense of using real flowers.

Buttonhole by Michele Knibbs, Muscari Whites Bespoke Events Florists. Photographer Juliet Lemon
Bridesmaids, holding felt flower bouquets by Katie, bride.
Jessica, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture, flowers by Paula and Fiona. Photographer James Feare

One of my bride’s, Jessica, took inspiration from the forest inspired wedding dress and cape I made for her that featured handmade lotus flowers and vines over hand cut lace.

She took this theme and created a unique look for her winter forest wedding, interpreting it when she iced and decorated her wedding cake with the help of her sister.

The tiers of cakes were made by different members of her family each making a different flavour.

The wedding was very much an extended family effort: the groom’s mother, Paula, made origami lotus flowers to hold sugared almonds as the favours – all 180 of them!

Paula also made Jessica’s forest inspired bouquet and decorated the church and venue with the help of family friend Fiona.

Katie, bride holding a button bouquet by Pumkin and Pye

If you don’t feel you have the creative skills needed to create your own alternative bouquet, buttonholes and corsages there are companies that specialise in these items.

Katie, a bride with a love of all things craft, chose to carry a button and felt flower bouquet made especially for her by Pumkin and Pye in her favourite spring colours.

She then decided to make her bridesmaids’ bouquets herself from felt flowers that matched the floral print on their dresses – this also meant they all had a keepsake.

Katie also made felt roses for the buttonholes, bunting to decorate her venue, name cards for the seating plan and personalised make up bags as gifts for her bridesmaids.

Wedding dress and veil by Elizabeth Bessant, wildflower bouquet. Photographer Stacey Fabre. Hair and makeup Gabie Lindie.

Recently I had a photoshoot in the beautiful Surrey Hills for my new bridal collection.

Unperturbed, when the florist let us down the night before we gathered long stem daisies, country garden and wildflowers for our model to hold.

No ribbon, no arrangement, just totally natural even the stems weren’t trimmed to the same length and it looked amazing.

So don’t worry if your wedding budget is tight – often these events are the best because everyone has put in so much love and care…