Happy Monday lovelies :-) I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We are starting the week with some serious style, you are going to just adore this wedding.

Keith and Katherine married on the 3 ^rd May 2014 at the beautiful Axnoller in Dorset. They envisioned a relaxed and informal day, which they planned from the other side of the world, which is by no means an easy task I imagine. Nevertheless their wedding looked perfect; a sun shining countryside setting, fresh white flowers and subtle classic detailing.

Katherine wore an elegant Simonelli Bridal wedding dress with a pretty flower waterfall plait hair style while Keith donned a bespoke navy suit. Such a loving happy day.

Thanks so much to the wonderful Lisa Dawn Photography for sharing her photographs today.

THE PROPOSAL | We had discussed getting married on many occasions however I most definitely wasn't expecting the proposal when it happened! We had returned from Australia for a few weeks as my Mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the news, we were coming to the end of a wonderful trip when we decided on a sunshine filled walk on Branscome beach in Devon - a special spot where my family and I spend many a Christmas morning walk.

Unbeknownst to me, Keith had taken my Dad out for an Otter Ale to discuss the finer details of my hand in marriage and towards the end of the walk along a secluded path with the sea behind us, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him - shocked, my reply was something along the lines of - 'not here someone will see!', but of course said yes and we celebrated in a local thatched pub with Mum & Dad in the sunshine.

The timing was so perfect allowing the opportunity to celebrate at home with my parents before heading back to Australia where we live today.

THE VISION | Our vision was really relaxed and informal - reflecting our personalities and the two of us as a couple. We wanted a stylish yet relaxed day with guest feeling at ease during the whole day from ceremony to party.

The venue helped immensely as we were so lucky that Axnoller is so naturally stunning from the interior style to the magical gardens and courtyard allowing for the ceremony and reception to be held in one location.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | Living in Australia made the planning process a little more tricky, we spent some time looking at pintrest boards and blogs as well as talking to friends who had been through the process - we collected a range of images and styles and created a moodboard for flowers, colours, finishes and design which proved invaluable in bringing our ideas to life.

We also couldn't have managed without the amazing help from my parents in the UK who acted as our eyes and ears, and visited a range of venues for us - meaning that we were able to plan as much as we could from Australia and finalise the finishing touches in the weeks prior to the wedding.

THE VENUE | We wanted a venue that would allow for our close friends and family to stay over the bank holiday weekend - as we live so far away it was the perfect locations with 2 beautiful barn conversions and the stunning Axnoller House all situated together in one really special location.

It was really important for us that the day was relaxed yet stylish and Axnoller has both in abundance.

Along with the accommodation, the grounds are just perfect with beautiful lawns and 2 Tuscan style courtyards - Alo Brake the venue owner is so flexible and happy to work with you to tailor-make your perfect day and we loved the flexibility and style that Axnoller had to offer.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | I went for a simple, fitted heavy silk with fine beaded one-shouldered, sash-back detail. I also tried a beautiful veil made by my very talented friend in Melbourne, Lani Cush, however on the day I felt that the back of the dress was so beautiful that I didn't want to cover - I also wanted to echo the relaxed feel of the day so decided on small sprigs of gypsophila in a waterfall plait.

FINDING THE DRESS | It was a difficult time with my Mum and bridesmaid's being so far away but my amazing friends in Melbourne provided the best advice with a few skype home sessions during our store visits!

After trying a selection of traditional and vintage 'lace' style dresses, I was recommended Simonelli Bridal in Melbourne - Julie Simonelli is the most amazing designer and the personalised service was invaluable as I was working and living between States at the time.

I knew that I was looking for something different but had always thought I would wear a lace or beaded 1920's style dress - however these didn't seem to hit the mark so when I tried my dress for the first time I fell in love and it was the only dress that brought a tear to my friends eyes - which is always a good sign!

GROOM'S ATTIRE | Keith was working in Hong Kong a few months before the wedding and was able to get his suit tailor made in dark navy. We wanted the suit to reflect the relaxed feel of the day whilst also looking special so the addition of a waistcoat, tie clip and brown brogues really tied the outfit together.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Keith's Uncle, Rev. Purvis Campbell worked closely with us to put together our blessing - we were keen to bring laughter and love into the ceremony and included readings by Pam Ayers read by my Fairy Godmother Annie as well as the Irish Blessing read by Keith's Aunt Heather. Purvis started the ceremony with a wonderful introduction to Keith as a young boy and our time together in Ireland which was a lovely personal touch - there was also prayer and traditional blessing finishing with Ian Towers (pianist) playing Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder as we walked down the isle as man and wife.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | I love navy (hence the navy & white theme) so spent a long time looking for simple navy dresses. I was keen for the bridesmaids to be comfortable (one fabulous bridesmaid had her first baby 2 weeks before the wedding) and in keeping with the relaxed nature of the day - it was hard to find a style that suited a new mum as well as the rest of the girls (I was keen for them to wear the same style) so was lucky enough to find a simple navy silk wrap-style dress in the Australian store Saba - although not a traditional bridal store, the dresses were perfect!

THE FLOWERS | We had a conservative budget when it came to flowers so worked with our florist Sabine at Glily Flowers to maximise the floral decoration on a small budget - we were really keen to keep navy and white theme and had really loved images of white-on-white weddings which was our inspiration for the flowers and marquee - keeping the style stripped back and simple.

Having worked at the venue before, Sabine suggested complimenting the beautiful colour of Axnoller's stone with cream Tuscan-stone effect pedestals for the ceremony and vases for the tables filled with mounds of white gypsophila - this theme was continued in simple button holes and bridesmaid bouquets each with navy and white ribbon. A really great way to add a stylish yet cost effective touch.

THE CAKE | We decided on a savoury cheese cake with a selection of local Dorset cheeses decorated with sprigs of gypsophila and peonies - the cake proved to be a real focal point and was laid out for the evening food with a selection of crackers and chutneys.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Lisa Dawn Photography - We spent some time looking through blogs and websites and were really keen to capture a relaxed, soft, reportage style rather than anything too dramatic - we fell in love with Lisa and Scott's style as soon as we saw their website and were really lucky to secure their booking as they are really popular.

They are a husband and wife team who are really respectful and you almost forget they are there - providing the natural, relaxed images of our day.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | We were really so lucky that Axnoller is so naturally stunning from the interior style to the magical gardens and courtyard - we were able to let the venue shine and add small touches such as pompoms in the trees leading to the ceremony.

As well as pompoms and flowers, Alo also provided the most beautiful parasols with chimes that rang in the breeze on the terrace during our drinks reception.

THE HONEYMOON | After a surprise 3 day stop over in Paris we flew to Florence and drove through Tuscany to Sienna stopping at some beautiful hotels along the way - the weather was perfect and the food & wine even better - It was the perfect trip!

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | We will always remember the sun shining down on us during our ceremony and of course the party with all of our fabulous friends and family.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | We would say try and work with all that your venue has to offer as less is often so much more.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Pianist | Ian Towers

Band | Tinman and their DJ Rick Scrinson

Photographer | Lisa Dawn Photography

Wedding dress | Simonelli Bridal (Melbourne)

Bridesmaid Dresses | Saba (Australia)

Hair & Make-up | Annabel Hornsby

Flowers | Glily Flowers

Venue | Axnoller (Alo Brake)

Caterer & Cake | Gordon Sutherland Catering

Utterly gorgeous.

Thanks so much to Keith and Katherine for sharing their lovely wedding story with us here at WWW XOXO Lou