Monday Moods: I feel... married.


We flew in from India,
relaxed for about a second at our flat, 
and started gearing up for the wedding
of our good friends,
Neil & Julie.

Ever since I moved to England, 
I've dreamed of attending a wedding here.

The movies had assured me that
it would enchanting,
I could wear some cool head gear,
and odds were in my favour

since he seems to be in every British wedding movie ever made.

It was pretty obvious that their wedding would be gorgeous
after seeing the itinerary on their wedding site.

I just didn't plan on how stunning the day would be.

The wedding was at the Oxford Oratory,
afterwards mingling in the courtyard
, a NOLA style parade led us through the windy streets of Oxford
and on to the reception,
held at Oxford's famous Bodelian Library.

First we had a drinks reception in the famous outer quad,
were given private tours of the 600 year old library,
and eventually, were invited in to dinner inside.

Julie used the setting's theme to make the reception amazing.

Vintage English books were used as center pieces
place settings were personalized book marks,
and the favours were these pretty Penguin Classics Books.

I was drooling,
and couldn't wait to share the reception with you.

Don't worry though. 

When the professional pictures come in,
I'm going to be sharing them with you.

You'll see pictures of Julie looking perfect,
Neil looking dapper,
and a wedding with a New Orleans style parade
that is gonna make you loose it.

Cheers to Neil & Julie-
to a beautiful couple,
sweet friends,
and top-notch party planners!

{if you dig Julie's style, you might be a fan of her pinterest boards!}

mandatory wedding picture

The groomsmen hanging out with Mr. Thomas Bodley, himself.

Holly & me... Pre-dinner reception in the quad of the Bodelian.

 And what was served for the pre-dinner drink?  Pimms No. 1.... naturally.

My friend, Renee, and her initial reaction to walking into dinner. We all were felt blown away!
Have you ever seen anything more beautiful? I haven't.
This is so perfect. Remember when I blogged about this same place just the other week?
It was used to film the infirmary in Harry Potter?
So this is an English Rose. No wonder they have such a nice reputation. Gorgeous!
The perfect setting.
Bride's Chair.
Vintage books Julie & Neil collected over the year at local charity shops. Imagine their new library!

My lovely accessory for the evening: The J. Lhuillier clutch that I won for the Royal Wedding!
Whoever said British food isn't good never tried this goat cheese-crowned delight.



Personalized book plates and notes inside the books given as party favors were a clever way
 of expressing thanks and creating a lasting momento of your wedding.
Don't you like the cake topper? It was originally used at Julie's grandparents wedding. Isn't that sweet?
Love the simple roses. Perfect, I tell you!

You can visit the Bodelian when you come to Oxford! To see this room (and where it was filmed for Harry Potter), it costs a few "quid,"  I think £3. If you are in the main quad of the library,
just enter in the door behind the statue of Mr. Bodelian.


*all images are original to Aspiring Kennedy

25 comments:

  1. LOVE IT! All the details are amazing and LOVE your friend's pink dress. Pretty, pretty!

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  2. That is such a beautiful wedding, my husband is going to love the books as favours and the setting.

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  3. Thank you Lauren for posting these pictures! Julie and Neal had an amazing wedding. I'm not surprised in the least. Beautiful!

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  4. Pimms cup... yes please! Lovely wedding~

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  5. Wow... That wedding is insanely gorgeous! Exactly what I would expect of an English wedding - lucky girl getting to experience it!

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  6. wow what a beautiful venue, and i love the decor! xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  7. I have too many things to say and I cannot get the words together (as it's much too early on this monday morning). Simply stunning. I love every little bit and piece. Congratulations to your friends!

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  8. it is too beautiful! love the flowers!
    xo emily

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  9. I think this is how I envision British weddings to be- glad to know at least one is true! The personalized book plates are the sweetest idea!

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  10. it looks incredibly stunning, beautiful little details and what a fantastic setting and you Lauren, are beautiful!

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  11. UH-MAZING. Every little detail is perfect. The party favors slay me!!!

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  12. omg wedding-gasm! this is insane. i am in love!

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  13. Wow wow wow! I just love everything- and those favors are incredible! So personal and charming and lovely.

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  14. My gosh, that is the wedding to end all weddings, isn't it? What thought went into all the details, down to the library cards with notes! The groomsmen's bow ties are adorable. And your clutch is to die for!

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  15. What a perfect day. Oh happiness!

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  16. I can't imagine a more perfect dream wedding...Julie did a magnificent job of planning, evey detail is breathtakingly memorable and lovely...and that cake, please...just gorgeous!
    Thank you so much for sharing...
    xo J~

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  17. Oh my!! Penguin books+free food=a perfect evening!

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  18. oh my goodness, what an amazing wedding. everything is just awesome. but i think my favorite detail, by far, are the customized thank you notes in the style of a checked out book. so cute!! i have a friend using vintage vignettes with flowers as her center pieces for her wedding coming up and i can't wait to see how it comes out.

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  19. Gorgeous - I'm using the black and white grosgrain striped ribbon in my wedding! I cant wait xx

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  20. Aaah I am swooning! What an absolutely gorgeous wedding! All the details are just fabulous. And you look hawt, my dear :) xoxo

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  21. Awww, I love this post Lauren. Thank you for being there and making it special. I was wondering why all of a sudden I had more followers on Pinterest. Love it, thank you!! xoxo

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  22. you wanted a british wedding, and you got the full on british wedding! this all looks so beautiful :) i used to cater waiter events like this, and while i can't imagine having a big fat wedding, they were always really special and fun events :) i'm glad your wish came true (and your bag is amazing!)

    x.

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