If you’re looking for some elegant Cotswolds wedding inspiration, then today’s blog post is definitely one to bookmark. Actually, there’s no time like the present - so let’s dive straight in, shall we? Cups of coffee or glasses of wine at the ready…
Elizabeth and Joe's luxurious wedding day was an absolute dream to be a part of. As they live in America, they were really keen to show off English style as much as they could, especially for the American guests who’d flown over for it. With this in mind, the vibe of the day was what I would describe as Quintessentially English – classy and oh-so refined, whilst still being the night of their lives and a totally unforgettable occasion!
A Quintessentially English Cotswolds wedding
This Quintessentially English styling meant that grandeur and old-style charm were the order of the day. Fittingly, Elizabeth and Joe had chosen two incredibly beautiful, historic settings: they wed at the stunning Bristol Cathedral, and held their reception at one of the best Cotswolds wedding venues around, Grittleton House.
Their venues were so iconic, in fact, that we decided to use a bespoke venue illustration for the invites. I set to work on an artistic, fine line drawing of Bristol Cathedral which we could use to convey to their guests the splendour of the space, and the day it was shaping up to be.
After chatting with Elizabeth and Joe about what they did (and didn’t) want to establish their vision, I could immediately imagine these invitations being printed on handmade cotton paper. (You mean, you don’t think in cardstock?!) It was the perfect paper choice because it’s crisp and classy, yet soft to the touch and totally luxurious. I also love the fact that it’s handmade, and the knowledge that someone took as much care into making it as I did into designing it. Luckily, Elizabeth and Joe were down for this too!
Photography: @kristinsautter
Something Blue
With a beautiful spring pastel palette forming for this Cotswolds wedding, as evidenced in those stunning Bijoux Floral arrangements and the bridesmaids’ incredible dresses, we chose light blue for the accent colour. It brought enough of a contrast to really pop, but also brought a contemporary freshness and a lightness that was also important. We emphasised this even more with an envelope in the same shade, and finished it with a gold wax seal as another nod to that opulent quintessential English vibe we were going for.
This pale hue carried throughout the day. In fact, Elizabeth had two Something Blues on her, with both her shoes and ring box matching. Plus, the classic car in which she travelled to the ceremony, accompanied by her Dad, was a dreamy duck egg blue.
After the ceremony, Elizabeth and Joe both travelled in this car to their reception venue, Grittleton House, where tables were laid with more exquisite florals and pale blue taper candles set in ornate gold candle holders. At each place setting sat a pale blue napkin and a hand-lettered place name, in the same crisp cotton paper.
Photography: @kristinsautter
A dreamy Cotswolds wedding venue
One of the best things about English weddings is the amount of history that’s within our reach at all times. As Elizabeth and Joe had selected Grittleton House, a stunning country house – and one of the dreamiest Cotswolds wedding venues – as their space, it was important to create stationery that would help guests navigate the day without vying for attention with the ornate patterns and colours already present on the historic walls.
With that in mind, guests were greeted to the reception by two large easels, displaying the Order of the Day and the seating plan in the same font and colour as the invitations. Elegant, flowing floral arrangements in white, light pink and pale green adorned tables as well as framing windows. And can we just discuss that cake, please? Four indulgent tiers of buttercream goodness, finished with delicate flowers and mounted on a gold stand.
Photography: @kristinsautter
Delicate details
Look closely and you will notice that this signage, including the table numbers, also featured a delicate branch motif, which echoed the gold seal from the earlier stationery. So often we think of opulence as having to be big, flashy and in-your-face, but this Cotswolds wedding just shows that in actual fact, attention to smaller details like this can be much more impactful!
It was a total honour to be part of Elizabeth and Joe's Cotswolds wedding day - I loved translating the Quintessentially English theme into the stationery, and helping bring such a wonderful couple’s vision to life.
Planning your own Cotswolds wedding and looking for a stationer? Or perhaps you’re getting married further afield, but want stationery that’s classy yet contemporary? You’ve come to the right place! Check out my wedding portfolio, and get in touch here - I’d love to chat.
Supplier List
Planner: @hostweddingsandevents
Ceremony Venue: @bristolcathedral
Reception Venue: @grittletonhouseevents
Photographer: @kristinsautter
Videographer: @vogueweddingfilms
Florist: @bijouxfloral
Cake: @joannapydacakestudio
Car: AJE Classics
Bride’s Dress: @sarehnouri
Men’s Attire: @domsmobilemenswear
Stationery: @ivyinks.studio
Ceremony music: Bristol String Quartet
Second line/Drinks Reception: The Mississippi Swamp Dogs
Band: Soho Collective via @tailoredents
MUA: @ellehitchensmakeup
Hair Stylist: @louisealway
Linen: @88eventscompany
Tableware: @theluxecollectionuk
Transport: @eurotaxis_eurocoaches