PICTURE POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND

What a whirlwind weekend. Did you have fun? We took a mini road trip to Yorkshire to attend the magical and twinkling – handmade wedding of Sara and Rory. From the minute the invitation arrived with its delicate botanical illustration – I knew this was going to be a special day.Autumn tiptoeing in with rosehips in the hedgerows, as we crossed from the South to the North. The sky darkened and rain fell, but only for that one evening. On the day of the wedding the sun came out and everything was perfect. From the home baked cakes – made by the guests (and the bride), to the floral explosion – spectacularly arranged by Fiona of Firenza Flowers.Over two days this ordinary cow shed was dusted with handmade magic by Sara and Hannah with help from friends and family. Tables were set and the bubbles were on ice as we all waited for the bride to arrive. I thought I would leave Sara’s dress hidden for when she shares her wedding pictures with the world. I cannot wait to see them!The prettiest flowers, greenery, candles and special vows all swirled together with music, dancing, merry-making and candle light. A very special evening indeed, we were so happy to be there with Sara, Rory, Orla and their family and friends. Including some peeps we have been looking forward to meeting after speaking on Ig! The lovely Emily and Harrison, Jules, James and Oscar, Freya and Adam and our dancing partners for the evening – Nicole and Alan.Tiny Orla and the biggest Café au Lait dahlias – I have ever seen!A spinning Frankie about to set an entire tube of soapy bubbles free into the air.The favours were these beautiful hand shaped pinch pots – above, all made by Sara, Hannah and Fiona with ceramicist Sarah Jerath. Such a lovely detail, we will treasure ours always. Cake! So much cake, I tasted as many as I could. Then burnt as much as possible off with some céilidh dancing! A few too many glasses of prosecco for most of us taking part and the poor dance master must have felt like he was herding kittens, very tipsy kittens.Sara’s bouquet was a beautiful mix of wandering blooms all swirling this way and that.Tea lights and leaves. Ivy, sweet peas and clematis were draped along the walls, cattle barriers and barn doors, with hundreds of flickering candles and shimmering holders everywhere. We laughed, danced and drank, then slept in the field next to the barn. It was too wet on the ground for me to brave setting up our tent, so I insisted we make a nest of linen and pillows in our van! We woke up to a beautiful Yorkshire sunrise and then hit the road back home – with a few stops on the way. Congratulations to Sara, Rory and their tiny Orla xxx