Have you ever considered transforming your mothers wedding gown to use for yourself? That’s exactly what this bride did with stunning results and of course it has such special meaningééò and impact when you surprise your Mum as in this case! Make sure you read Ashley’s account of this moment belowééò it’s really rather special!! The inspiration for Ashley and Derek’s wedding came from their childhood and family memories. Growing up simply and enjoying a lot of time in nature they wanted to honour this in their day. When they saw the beautiful barn and the peaceful fields at GEDNEY FARM, they knew they’d found the perfect venue. And bonusééò it’s a great place to return for anniversaries! MINT PHOTOGRAPHY have done a magical job of capturing the day, with beautiful images throughout the property’s extensive grounds of the couple with their bridal party.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: I knew this would be quite the process for me. After trying on dress after dress, they all started to feel the same. That beautiful moment every bride describes when they knew it was “the one”, seemed to feel further and further away. This is when I did what no bride should do – I settled for something that just felt pretty and fit the bill. Not much of an emotional connection, but planning a wedding in less than five months meant I was limited on time.
A few weeks after the order was placed and I was able to check that off the list, I decided to take my mother’s wedding gown to be refitted into a rehearsal dinner dress. As I stepped into her chiffon gown, placed my arms through the sleeves and secured the turtleneck top beneath my chin, a feeling came over me that I had never experienced before. In that moment I felt as though I was surrounded by all the women who loved me more than life – my grandmothers, my aunts, and my mother. This dress didn’t only fit perfectly, but it brought forth all the happiest of memories and most beautiful feelings of comfort along with it. The seamstress detached all of the material above the chest, and as I stepped into the mirror I knew it was the one I needed to wear on my wedding day. I waited right before the wedding ceremony to surprise my mother. I don’t think one day goes by that she doesn’t bring up how much happiness that brought her. I feel the same way.
That dress defined what I wanted my wedding day to be – a tribute to the ones who taught us what love means, and a celebration of my husband and I carrying on those lessons of love to our own family one day.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: We wanted to keep it simple so we went with peonies, creamy roses and lots of greenery. It was our goal to have the flowers look as though they came right from the fields surrounding Gedney.
FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: The large oak tree standing over us as we shared our handwritten vows and poured our hearts our in front of our loved ones.
WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Don’t waste time stressing over detail. Make one decision at a time, and move on. Planning should be fun and a positive experience you remember together. And when you wake up on your wedding day let go of all the planning and just enjoy yourself. Everything will come together somehow, and it WILL be perfect.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? It feels almost impossible to choose because we have so many. Deryk’s most memorable moment is when he saw me turning the corner in the field about to walk down the aisle. My most memorable moment is when Deryk shared his vows and when I surprised my Mom with her dress.
Photographer MINT PHOTOGRAPHY / Videographer YELLOW HOOK PRODUCTIONS / Cake & Catering GEDNEY FARM / Florist PAUL MCLAUGHLIN / Stationery WEDDING PAPER DIVAS / Venue GEDNEY FARM / Gown BRIDE’S MOTHERS DRESS / Shoes FRANCO SARTO / Jewellery PEARL HEIRLOOMS / Scans RICHARD PHOTO LAB
