A Vintage Afternoon Tea Wedding at Elford Village Hall

For Helen, 44 and Malcolm, 48, their wedding wasn’t about tradition; it was about fun, family, and celebrating their love their way. On their third marriage, they ditched formality for a quirky, 1950s-inspired day. They tied the knot at the Burton Registry Office and then celebrated with an afternoon tea wedding party at Elford Village Hall! Complete with lawn games and a bake-off instead of a cake they created a day that was perfect for them, filled with loved ones and lots of laughter. Read on for their unique love story and wedding day highlights…

“We met through work and were together a long time before we decided we wanted to marry. He proposed to me on the Love Lock Bridge in Bakewell with our kids and dogs present.”

“The venue was a beautiful old-style village hall that had everything we needed for our quirky 50s-inspired wedding, including lawn games, bouncy balls, welly wanging and a coconut shy. My best friend and bridesmaid who helps organise weddings helped us create the perfect day and took inspiration from all the things we wanted and liked in everyday life.”

A Vintage Afternoon Tea Wedding at Elford Village Hall

“I crocheted my own dress so I could make it fit as I wanted, and Malcolm wanted smart comfort rather than all the formality. Blending our families was easy, and we knew we wanted them all to be a special part of our day. Mal’s kids were our page boy and bridesmaid.”

“We wanted to make sure everyone was included in our wedding day! This was why we chose to have lawn games and competitions. It had to be relaxed and entertaining for all ages. Our wedding was very informal compared to our other marriages. Our priorities were the two of us and our love for each other, and it was a big, fun celebration. It was less about the actual ceremony and formality. No speeches. Not even cake. We made it one of the competitions for the guests to bake the cake in a village fair bake-off completion style. Our ethical elements included reselling and passing down as much as possible from our own day. We also borrowed as many items as possible to keep waste down.”

What was the best part of your wedding day?

“Other than saying I do, we loved the whole day, but one of our big memories was the old-fashioned coach back from the ceremony, and we all sang Ilkley Moor Bar Tat, amongst other old-fashioned tunes.”

Do you have any advice for weddings later in life or for second marriages?

“Do what makes you happy and ignore everyone else’s opinions on what makes you happy.”

And any advice for finding LOVE again?

“If it’s meant to be, it will be”

Helen and Malcolm’s wedding was a beautiful reminder that love is about happiness, authenticity, and celebrating in a way that feels right for you. Their vintage-inspired, fun-filled day at Elford Village Hall perfectly reflected their personalities, proving that weddings don’t need to follow tradition to be truly special. From heartfelt moments to playful competitions, their celebration was all about love, laughter, and making memories with family and friends. No matter when or how you find love again, their story proves that the best weddings are the ones that feel like you!