Romantic, Elegant, Rose & Peony Filled Jewish Wedding 2

Hello there,

Sam and Luke's beautiful wedding yesterday got some sweet comments from you lovely lot. I think we're all agreed, peonies rock and Sam made a stunning bride! Onto Part 2, the fun filled reception where there's lots of love and laughter on the dance floor. Nick Tucker‘s gorgeous photography of the evening plays out like a classic film…

From the bride, Sam ~ We had 130 guests and wanted it to be elegant but with a party atmosphere which I really think we achieved. I wanted roses and peonies everywhere and lots of candles on the tables. We had tealights on the tables plus glass candelabras with white and pink peonies and roses cascading down in the centre of the tables. There were also beautiful chandeliers hanging from the glass ceiling at Botley’s which really added to the whole look. We had the help of Concept Events who ensured that the look of the room really lit up and changed colour once it got dark. They also wrapped material around the long stair case which we came down. I also bought some large stick flames for the back of the garden and the front so people would also see them when they were leaving.

The Paper Pretties Our invitiations were simple square cards with a silver border and silver raised old fashioned caligraphy style writing. Our menus on the tables matched the invitations as did the names of the tables. My husband and I had met in Ibiza four years ago and decided to name the top table Ibiza with all the other tables being the names of places we had been together since meeting.

I had also asked a friend with beautiful handwriting to write out the guest’s names onto ivory luggage style labels in silver pen. I then bought silvery/grey ribbon and full bunches of lavendar to wrap around and place on each person’s table setting. I also wrote special messages on the back to my parents, the girls that had planned my hen and anyone else who had helped! They took about 6 hours to put together (with the help of a friend!) but it looked stunning and really suited the look of the venue. Plus they smelt nice!!

The refreshments ~ For the reception we had peach bellinis, mojitos and champagne to drink. We had lots of little hors d'oeuvre going round such as mini fish finger and chips, asparagus tempura, veggie burgers etc.

For the main meal guests started with smoked salmon with an avocado and tomato salsa to start with freshly made bread. The main course was seabass, potato rosti and spinach. I’m a bit of a chocoholic and as we couldn’t decide which dessert to go for we decided on a little taster of both so there was a beautiful chocolate brownie with cinnamon ice cream and an apple tartlette.

Our cake was a red velvet cake from the Hummingbird Bakery in Soho. We wanted it to look very simple and elegant so it had plain white cream cheese icing with peonies around the side. I also bought some fresh rose petals to add around it. When we cut the cake the contrast of the white and red velvet could be seen.

The Wedding Music ~ Our band were fantastic and definitely ensured the wedding was a party! I am Jewish so when we walked down into the room after the reception we went straight into traditional Israeli dancing. My husband and I were soon lifted up onto chairs and it really got the party started.

We walked back up the aisle to ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. When we first walked into the room we asked for the music of ‘Heard it Through The Grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye which was a lot of fun. Our first dance was ‘Just the Two of Us’ by Bill Withers.

My husband had requested the song Tease Me by Chaka Demus & Pliers was on the bands playlist. He was so excited that he actually got up and sang the whole song with the band and did the rapping – the guests were cheering him on and going mad and it really made for a memorable moment!!

Sam's Advice ~ Relax and enjoy it as the whole day goes so quickly. It was an incredible day and everything went perfectly however it was nice to go on honeymoon and for life to go back to normal when we got back!

Elegant? Check. Party Amosphere? Double check.

Congratulations Sam and Luke! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous wedding with us.

Many thanks to Nick of Nick Tucker Photography for sharing these stunning images. Check out his website to see more of his work.