A Southdowns Manor Wedding with Handmade Details

Back in February, Nathan from Libra Photographic launched his Valentine’s competition where one lucky couple would win their wedding photography package with him. Well, Ellie and Geoff were that lucky couple, and I am super-excited to share the pictures from their amazing day.

Ellie and Geoff chose the beautiful Southdowns Manor, set in the heart of the West Sussex countryside, as the venue for their wedding celebrations. The venue was the perfect backdrop for stunning wedding pictures to treasure forever.

The couple used very relaxed, natural styling in hues of pink and green to complement the surroundings, including lots of handmade touches to make their wedding personal. Elegantly styled tables included tall candelabra with handmade flower garlands delicately draped around the base, and each place setting had a handmade name tag and pretty beaded chair tie.

Ellie rocked a LouLou wedding dress ‘Anette’ with satin pleated bodice and full tulle skirt, and her bridal bouquet full of beautiful blooms with pops of pink and green look amazing against her ivory dress. The bridesmaids’ gorgeous mint green dresses worked so well with the colour scheme too.

I’m over the moon to share Ellie and Geoff’s wedding day, captured so perfectly by Nathan of Libra Photographic…

Fresh and Natural

“Geoff and I met at the All Bar One in Gunwharf Quays, six years ago, and he proposed to me at Lepe beach in the New Forest. We went for breakfast in Winchester, followed by a walk around the New Forest. It wasn’t a proper surprise because I had already chosen my engagement ring, but I didn’t know when or where the proposal would take place. We celebrated afterwards with an afternoon tea in Beaulieu.

“We had a traditional church ceremony followed by a reception in the countryside at Southdowns Manor. As it was a summer wedding we chose a pink and green colour scheme, which we thought would look fresh and natural.”

Extra Detailing

“I bought my LouLou wedding dress from Twirl Bridal in Petersfield. It was a satin dress with a pleated bodice and wide neck line with full silk organza skirt with train. Extra buttons down the full length of the dress added extra detailing.

“I originally wanted a fitted wedding dress but I tried on so many and couldn’t find any I liked on myself. My mum picked this dress and said I should try it as it was a different style to everything else I had tried. As soon as I tried it on I knew it was the dress for me. I loved it, felt comfortable, and as soon as I added the full length veil I could see myself walking down the aisle wearing it.

“Geoff chose a blue check Herbie Frog blazer and trousers, complete with waistcoat and black shoes. We told his ushers and best man to wear blue suits of their choice. My bridesmaids wore mint green dresses called Laila from WED2B, a pleated A-line style with a romantic cowl back which suited all my bridesmaids. We chose the bridesmaid dresses before I had picked my wedding dress, but they ended up being very similar in style so complemented my dress well.”

Arts and Crafts

“I wanted my bouquet to look organic and full with lots of foliage, keeping to the pink and green theme. Our wedding flowers included Ammi majus, bloom chrysanthemum, eryngium, veronica, spray rose, pink rose, avalanche white rose, eucalyptus and variegated pittosporum.

“My Auntie is very handy with arts and crafts. She made the table plans, ‘Welcome to Our Wedding’ sign, name tags, garlands to decorate the candelabra centrepieces, as well as letters and photo frames to decorate the welcome area.

“She used decoupage to make the photo frames, initial letters and the word love, placing diamanté around the edges to finish the look. Layered paper doilies representing each table gave a 3D effect to our canvas mint green table plan, and handmade crepe paper flower garlands with artificial foliage sat at the bottom of our candelabras, tied with pink and green ribbons.

“My friend from university made our wedding cake, decorating a simple two-tier iced vanilla sponge cake with pink and green ribbon to tie in with our colour theme. Our florist made a cake topper, using the same flowers in my bouquet.

“A saxophonist played as our guests arrived at Southdowns Manor, and in the evening the soul, funk, pop and garage band, ‘Party Up’, performed. I really wanted a band rather than a DJ as it’s the bands that get everyone on the dance floor, and I wanted everyone up dancing with us. We chose ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls as our first dance song because, after listening to at least twenty songs, it was the only one Geoff would agree to dance to!”

Special Moments

“We were so lucky to ‘win’ our wedding photographer, Nathan from Libra Photographic. I saw the Valentine’s giveaway competition advertised online, and you had to say why you should win. To be different I thought I would answer with a poem, and I was over the moon when I found out we’d won.

“Having seen examples of Nathan’s work online already I knew his documentary style was exactly what I wanted for our wedding. The photographs are one of the most important things to consider, as you will look back on your day in the future and remember special moments.

“Nathan’s patience and charm really helped with keeping the day running smoothly. He was organised, engaged with our guests so well (especially the children), and captured so many special moments throughout the day. He even caught me having a cry before I left for church — I didn’t even realise he was there!

“Our favourite pictures were taken in a harvested corn field next to Southdowns Manor. I’m so glad Nathan persuaded me to walk through the fields in my dress, with my shoes sinking into the ground! The photographs are amazing! The contrast of colours in the setting sun looked magical; he knew just the right time to get the shot!

“Every part of the day holds great memories for us both. The day flies by so my advice to other couples is to try and enjoy every moment. Also, stick to your budget as it’s easy to get carried away. If you have friends/family who can help out then utilise their talents as it can save a lot of money.”