If you were to look up the word “anglophile” in the dictionary, you’d probably find a picture of me. Okay, okay… maybe you wouldn’t find my exact image, but a girl can dream. Because when it comes to people obsessed with all things England, it doesn’t get much bigger than my love for Jane Austen, Princess Kate, The Beatles and The BBC. And when I spotted this lovely countryside affair captured by Weddings by Nicola & Glen, I added to the list of reasons I ADORE England faster than you can say “amazing.” It’s classically elegant, filled with personal touches and downright pretty. See it all in the full gallery.
From Weddings by Nicola & Glen… Philippa and Louw’s wedding was a fusion of English whimsy and romance with an African-inspired twist. This London couple decided to get married in the stunning Oxfordshire countryside in the village church where Philippa’s parents reside. They held their reception in a very rustic barn a mile away from the village, where they could have a relaxed celebration and transform the space to really showcase their personalities. With the couple’s love of travel and the groom being South African, these elements inspired the details for the day. Philippa sourced vibrant African fabrics to use as tablecloths and created traditional English bunting with an African twist. The couple’s six-month long honeymoon traveling from England to the southern most tip of Africa by car was the influence behind the table plan, which was a giant map of the African continent with the guest names and gold stars denoting the route they planned to take. To keep the atmosphere as relaxed as possible, Philippa organized a system where all the guests would help with the serving and clearing of the food, thus negating the need for waitstaff on the day. Duties were coordinated by various colored ribbons attached to each guest’s name tag. The table names were maps of the different countries guests were allocated to on the map. The food itself was delicious but informal, with charcuterie boards for starters, a hog roast for the entree and Eton Mess for dessert. Philippa made her own bouquet, and together with her friends, she created all the floral displays for the day. During a trip to the Covent Garden flower market in London a few days before the wedding, they bought beautiful English flowers and South African proteas. The proteas brought an African spice to the dreamy and delicate English flowers. The wedding cake, also made by a friend, featured traditional African craft copper wire bicycles and real flowers.
The church ceremony did not escape the South African influence either, with all the guests practicing traditional hymns in Louw’s mother tongue of Afrikaans before the start of the ceremony. Having Philippa’s brother-in-law conducting the ceremony was a lovely personal touch. Most of the wedding coordination and duties were administered by friends and family. Philippa’s best birds (as she did not have official bridesmaids) did her makeup and hair in the morning, and she wore her grandmother’s vintage heirloom jewelry. It was also a group of friends and family who dressed the barn with the bunting, lanterns and fairy lights for the reception, and friends of the couple took turns to DJ in the evening. The wedding car for the day was their newly acquired Toyota Hilux, which was to be their mode of transport for their honeymoon travels. It was an amazing and inspiring wedding to capture as it was so unique to this vivacious couple.
Wedding Photography: Weddings by Nicola & Glen / Ceremony: St. James Church in Somerton, Oxfordshire, England / Reception: Troy Farm in Oxfordshire, England / Floral Design: DIY by the Bride + Friends / Catering: The Food Workshops / Wedding Cake: DIY by a Friend / Wedding Invitations: Oxford University Press / Wedding Dress: MiaMia Bridal by Alan Hannah via Morgan-Davies Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Her Own / Bride’s Jewelry: Her Grandmother’s / Groom’s Suit: Walters of Oxford