Family comes first at Jess and Rob’s rustic DIY wedding

Jess, 25, and Rob, 28, weren’t in a rush to get married after becoming engaged, instead prioritising buying their first home.

But as Jess puts so well, life had other plans. “We discovered that Rob’s sister – also my best friend and therefore maid on honour – is terminally ill, so we decided we would get cracking and plan a wedding in a matter of weeks,” explains Jess.

They married at their rustic DIY wedding on April 29, 2018 with 100 guests. Their ceremony and reception at Worton Hall was the ideal barn venue and a good deal having booked so last minute.

“We hired a big cottage for some of our guests the night before our wedding, which meant by dinner time, the ice was well and truly broken and people who had never met before were dancing on tables together,” laughs the bride. “It also meant it felt like we were extending our wedding by an extra day – although the hangovers the morning of the wedding were definitely not as well received!”

The DIY styling was obviously a hit, with perspective guests of the venue asking if Jess and Rob could style their wedding too!

Photos courtesy of Bumps 2 Ballgowns Photography.

“Our guests have all said that they loved the personal feel to the day, as it was clear it was something we had worked so hard to create ourselves,” smiles Jess.

“We wanted a rustic barn venue that was in between our two families (London and Gloucestershire),” Jess says of Worton Hall.

“We haven’t been able to bear to part with anything that was left after the big day, because every part has such a strong connection to someone we love,” explains the bride.