Nikita and David’s intimate barn wedding ceremony in April this year was held at Cruck barn in the beautiful Yorkshire village of Appletreewick nestled in the valley. It was a stunning fusion of two places, cultures and lovers. The fern and the white rose representing Nikita’s heritage David’s Yorkshire roots. And the sun didn’t disappoint, in fact it was more like a summer’s day! Beautiful memories of their special day were captured by the very lovely and talented Sarah at Folega Photography and are also featured in Love My Dress (10th July 2015). We have selected our favourites and given you a taste of how we made their ceremony personal and unique.
Nikita looked like a goddess in a soft, dreamy backless dress with beautiful english white rose details from the Australian boutique Grace Loves Lace; it suited her perfectly, understated beauty and full of romance. Nikita chose a pair of Melissa shoes with a raspberry heart design, although most of the day she went barefoot!
Her custom made crown was made by Beauxoxo.Nikita arrived in a Morris Minor, vintage style.
Nikita made her entrance with her dad to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo. Their ceremony told of a love story of a how a young, rough and tumble, tom-boyish girl living in Auckland, New Zealand and a young lad from who grew up in pubs, people watching and being entertained by their evening brawls; who played in pub football teams, fixed bikes and went hunting with his Dad; found themselves twenty years on in this off the beaten track barn in Yorkshire marrying their soul mates! It told how their relationship was sealed with a kiss at platform 16 at Leeds station and “how falling in love was like owning a dog”, their beloved dog Oscar to be precise! One of David’s Best men read this lighthearted poem by Taylor Mali we chose for them.Like all our ceremonies Nikita and Davids’s ceremony was written for them, they choose the traditions that were meaningful to them and we also incorporated some borrowed traditions and personal touches from Nikita’s Maori hertitage and gave them a new twist. Both parents welcomed their new son and daughter-in-law by presenting them with necklaces and placing them over their heads. Then, their personal promises and vows to each other were sealed with a handfasting using a third necklace made from tiny snail shells called “managai eis” that are unique to place called Managai Rorotonga, part of Nikita’s dad’s heritage. In traditional wedding ceremonies mum’s disappointingly tend not feature, but we have a more inclusive approach and so for Nikita and David’s ceremony “mum” was definitely the word, we asked David’s mum to read a surprise poem for them on their wedding day “A Lovely Love Story” by Edward Monkton. It couldn’t have been more true or more lovely! They took their first steps as husband and wife to “Polkarekare Ana” by Hayley Westenra.
We only give one piece of advice to couples and that is to find a quiet spot and have five minutes to take it all in. Here’s Nikita’s quiet spot!
“I just wanted to take a moment to contact you and say a HUGE thank you for your beautiful ceremony at Nikita and David’s wedding celebration on Thursday. It was the perfect start to what went on to be a perfect day – not only for the bride and groom – but also family and friends who attended. (And We could not have asked for better weather! ) Many of the guests spoke of how much they had enjoyed the ceremony and how unique to Nikita and David you had made it, whilst still maintaining a sense of the traditional from both cultures.
Once again – many, many thanks, Susan” Mother of the Groom.
If you would like us to create a more personal and unique ceremony at your private home or estate, an off the beaten track or alternative wedding venue or an outdoor location and tap into our boutique wedding services then drop Jan a line: ceremonies@janshillito.co.uk. You can find more inspiration and real weddings here.
Contributors:
Independent Celebrant: Jan Shillito, Celebration Ceremonies & Weddings
Photography: Folega Photography
Venue & Catering: Cruck Barn, Craven Arms Appletreewick, Yorkshire
Flowers : A colleague
MUA: Hannah Louise Beauty
Hair stylist: Emily Taylor, La bella Boutique, Skipton
Dress: Grace Loves Lace, Australia
Shoes: Melissa Shoes
Bridesmaids dresses: Oh My Love
Groom: 3 piece tweed suit Next, Shirt Charles Thywrit
Shoes: Grenson
Transport: Morris minor, Classic Car Hire North