A Romantic Vintage Destination Wedding in England

Leoma and Gary

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Polly Alexandre Photography

London-based couple Leoma and Gary Harper describe their wedding as traditional tweaked with personal and DIY touches. Pair that with Devon, England, and a picture-perfect setting, and you've got a wedding to remember. On April 21, 2012, they tied the knot -- seven years after meeting -- with 100 of their loved ones and enough memories to last a lifetime.

01 of 18

The Fashions

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Leoma glowed in a Jenny Packham "Marie Louise" dress and headdress. The silk was accented with Swarovski beading and like all of the designer's dresses, had a lovely blue ribbon sewn to the inside. The bride's 1920's art deco drop-earrings and diamond bracelet (a gift from Gary a few years prior) were the perfect finishing touches.

The groom got "suited and booted" at Marc Wallace. His blue custom three-piece suit, ivory tie, and Thomas Pink shirt looked sharp.

02 of 18

The Girls

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Polly Alexandre Photography

All three bridesmaids wore short chiffon dresses from Nordstrom.

03 of 18

The Bridal Party

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Gary's cousin Aemelia, and Leoma's friend's daughter Ava served as petite attendants. They wore dresses from I Love Gorgeous and Ralph Lauren.

04 of 18

Pretty Posies

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Polly Alexandre Photography

The flower girls carried tiny nosegays of fresh blooms.

05 of 18

Driving in Style

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Because the couple loves vintage cars, they decided to incorporate a few into the bridal party's transportation. For example, the lucky bride and her father rode to the church in a 1936 Daimler limousine.

06 of 18

The Ceremony

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Polly Alexandre Photography

The afternoon service at St. Michael's Church began to the sweet sounds of harp and violin music. Décor was kept minimal -- save for a few floral arrangements created by the bride and some candles. Recitations of Corinthians 13 and "A House of Stone" by Carmen Bugan followed, along with a rendition of "Ave Maria" as the couple signed their marriage certificate. They left the church to Henry Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary."

07 of 18

The Ride

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Polly Alexandre Photography

The newlyweds decorated their getaway car, an old Austin Healey 3000, with a custom license plate that read "Mr and Mrs Harper 21st April 2012" and "just married" cards strung with ribbon by the bride.

08 of 18

The Trip

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Polly Alexandre Photography

A 1950s bus transported guests to and from the church.

09 of 18

A Costume Change

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Leoma topped her dress with a stole from Sasso Timeless Bridal Boutique to keep away the spring chill before posing for photographer Polly Alexandre during cocktail hour.

10 of 18

DIY Details

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Leoma found a template for matchbox covers online, printed them onto paper, then used them to wrap up inexpensive supermarket versions.

11 of 18

The Reception Venue

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Polly Alexandre Photography

A friend suggested Combe House for their celebration. After seeing it for themselves, they were smitten. The romantic country house on hill overlooking the valley offered the beauty and intimacy they desired.

12 of 18

The Reception

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Their wedding feast was prepared by the venue's two master chefs and served in the Green Mural Dining Room.

13 of 18

The Tables

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Leaf-shaped table number cards from Vintage Twee were customized in French as a nod to the bride's mother's roots and displayed in Cox & Cox holders. Leoma further embellished them by punching each one with a small butterfly.

14 of 18

The Favors

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Mooks Design used the couple's monogram for the labels for favor tins filled with hearth-shaped mints.

15 of 18

The Cake

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Polly Alexandre Photography

A three-tiered dark-chocolate cake (with a tier of fruitcake on top) was covered in slick white frosting and decorated with tiny pearl-like beads and sugar flowers by Cake Matters. In addition to the cake, other sweets were set out in glass jars gathered by the bride, with striped paper bags to pack them up in as a take-home treat.

16 of 18

The Photobooth

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Polly Alexandre Photography

The Photo Lounge snapped passport-size photos of guests with top hats, wigs, and glasses. The pictures could be added to the guestbook or taken home as favors.

17 of 18

The First Dance

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Polly Alexandre Photography

The new Mr. and Mrs. danced to Eva Cassidy's version of "At Last".

18 of 18

Sources

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Polly Alexandre Photography

Photography: Polly Alexandre Photography

Location and catering: Combe House

Flowers: Emma Vowles Flowers

Cake: Cake Matters

Music: The Walpot Brothers; GJs Discos; Adam Isaac; Celine Dos Santos

Photobooth: The Photo Lounge

Videography: Pete Cox

Wedding bands: DeBeers; Garrard

Hair and makeup: Ellie Tobin

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