With their inspiration rooted in their love of autumn, specifically pumpkins, Jessica and James’ wedding that was a beautiful blend of American “fall” wedding aesthetics with their own rock n’ roll edge.

The couple wanted a day that felt right for them; one where they were most comfortable, rather than pandering to the expectations of others. This meant no speeches, quiet areas for guests who might feel overwhelmed, and a general sense of doing things their way. “Neither of us like big events or socialising, so we did everything we wanted or would want if we went to a wedding!” Jessica told us. “It is scary walking into a room and everyone standing up to look at you!”

Their ceremony featured a soundtrack of country music and old school rock n’ roll. Jessica and James opted for standard vows out of nerves but added a personal touch with a custom poem read by their friend Lyndsay.

One of the standout features of their wedding was Jessica’s totally custom, sparkly silver dress. She was shocked at how affordable it was to have something designed for her when compared to other options. “The bridal shops I went to were rubbish”, she continued. “In the end, I designed my dress from scratch with the design support of Caroline and it was PERFECT and totally affordable!! It cost me £1,500 which was a lot cheaper than I found with some more standard wedding dresses!”

The reception featured DIY decor made from items bought from IKEA, gorgeous autumnal florals and, of course, lots of pumpkins. One of Jessica’s favourite moments was the shock on their guests’ faces as she and her bridesmaids moshed to System of a Down. “It was priceless!” she laughed.

Jessica found the wedding industry to be overwhelming at times, but was grateful for the help of her best friend, Amy, a wedding coordinator and Rock n Roll Bride magazine!

Her advice to other couples is to take their time while planning and to pursue their specific vision. “If you want something specific, it is out there! It just might take a while to find, but don’t give up on your dreams!” she concluded, “Also DO NOT use cheap smoke bombs from Amazon! I last-minute ordered some, and they burned holes in my sister’s dress and a groomsman’s suit. Two of the party got burned by the ash—it could’ve been really bad!”