When it comes to animal lovers, Mathew and Hannah take the cake with their extraordinary wedding celebration. The couple’s passion for all creatures great and small shines through in every aspect of their special day. Not only did they have a delightful visit from alpacas and the adorable ring bearer dog Smudge, but they also incorporated a thoughtful nod to their love of dogs with an illustrated table plan featuring different breeds and matching table names. The attention to detail is truly remarkable.The ceremony took place amidst the picturesque Bedfordshire countryside at Escheat Farm on July 6th, 2019, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful blooms. The bohemian-chic atmosphere was further enhanced with vibrant tassel bunting and a roaming live band that kept the party going. And let’s not forget the sweet treats – a pink ice cream van added an extra layer of whimsy to the celebration.As I browsed through the incredible images, I couldn’t help but be charmed by the unique outfits, flower crowns, and overall aesthetic. It’s always wonderful to hear that Wedding Wonderland was able to assist with the planning process, making it all the more special. A huge thank you goes out to Bloom Weddings for sharing these amazing photos with us.
The Proposal
In 2017, we embarked on a three-week journey through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. My plan was to pop the question in Mexico, allowing us to spend the rest of our trip celebrating. Our first night was spent in Valladolid, where we stumbled upon a charming scene: the town’s residents had gathered in the square for a fundraiser, dancing and singing along to a lively brass band playing Latin tunes. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical, with couples young and old swaying to the rhythm. Little did I know that this would set the stage for my proposal attempt. Unfortunately, the ring was still back at our hotel, so we had to wait until the following day to make it official. We found ourselves at Chichen Itza, a former site of human sacrifice, where I got down on one knee in a puddle with an iguana watching curiously. Talk about an unconventional proposal setting!
The Vision
Our vision was to craft a day that embodied our unique spirits, a laid-back and carefree celebration surrounded by the serenity of nature. We envisioned an idyllic outdoor setting bathed in warm sunlight, filled with good company and the gentle hum of merriment. The goal was to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a bohemian festival, where laughter, adventure, and connection flow freely.
The Planning Process
From the outset, we took charge of planning every aspect of the wedding, beginning with the venue – a beautiful setting that included grounds and a tipi. With this crucial detail out of the way, we could focus on securing the services of a talented band and photographers. Knowing these pillars were in place, we felt more at ease, as even if everything else fell through, we had a solid foundation to build upon. Next, we turned our attention to catering, opting for an informal, relaxed atmosphere that would allow guests to mingle and enjoy their meals without fuss. To achieve this, we served tapas-style starters as canapés and followed with paella at the wedding breakfast, presenting it in generous portions on each table so that everyone could serve themselves and dig in.
The Venue
Despite living in London now, my co-author Hannah and I share a common upbringing in Bedford. The picturesque countryside surrounding Bedfordshire was our lucky discovery when we stumbled upon Escheat Farm. This idyllic setting boasted an orchard, paddocked fields, beautiful gardens complete with a serene pond and quacking ducks. Our gracious host, also named Hannah, kindly offered to oversee the entire operation, ensuring that even the smallest details were taken care of, such as determining how many forks we would need to rent.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I decided to go with a three-piece tweed suit from Vintage Suit Hire in Bedford, which proved to be an excellent choice given the overcast weather on the day. I could have easily overheated if the sun had been out, so I’m grateful for the cloud cover. What’s more, this company offers not only bespoke suits but also rental and purchase options, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution for special occasions. The quality of their products is top-notch, and I highly recommend them to anyone in need of a stylish tweed suit.Meanwhile, Hannah opted for a stunning Pronovias gown from Bridal Rogue Gallery in Marleybone. She looked absolutely breathtaking on the day, and her dress really added to the overall aesthetic of our special occasion.
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
As we got ready for the big day, I decided to extend a thoughtful gesture to our groomsmen by selecting two-piece suits that complemented my own attire perfectly. Little did I know, this decision would not only harmonize our outfits but also ensure they had just as much reason to break a sweat as I did in my own tailored ensemble – the thought of which brought me a certain sense of satisfaction.
The Readings & Music
As Hannah’s brother Alex is a talented musician, he played her down the aisle to a ukulele rendition of Israel Kawakami’s version of Over The Rainbow, setting the tone perfectly for our humanist ceremony. We opted for handwritten vows, which allowed us to infuse our unique personalities and humor into the proceedings. My sister and Hannah’s grandmother delivered heartfelt readings that added an extra layer of emotion to the day. To pay homage to my German heritage, we had a surprise performance by Hosen Brass, an oompah band specializing in modern songs played in their signature style, which got the party started immediately and kept it going all night.
The Details & Décor
As we navigated the stress of planning our special day, one aspect stood out as particularly daunting: determining the right quantities. Having had a colorful bunting at our proposal in Central America, we wanted to recreate that magic for our big day. We turned to HEMA and discovered a beautiful Peruvian-inspired option. The question was, how much would we need? This uncertainty weighed heavily on us throughout the planning process. Would we have too little or just the right amount of bunting, flowers, and drinks? Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the day before or morning of that we finally got our answer. In a last-minute move, we purchased colorful candles to add some much-needed height to the tables, as we had opted for a more minimalist approach to flower arrangements.In a nod to our shared love of dogs, we named each table after a different breed and created an adorable dog-themed montage on the table plan. To add a personal touch, I picked up some affordable chalkboards from Hobbycraft, along with chalk pens, and crafted custom signage for essentials like toilets and donuts. Hannah’s bridesmaid Ella even lent her artistic skills to handwrite place names onto leaves in gold pen.We borrowed an old leather suitcase to create a unique card and prosecco station, and scored a set of flip flops from a friend’s leftover wedding gear – perfect for tired feet at the end of the day.
The Flowers
In terms of floral arrangements, we opted for a natural and effortless approach, allowing greenery and vibrant wildflowers to take centre stage. The bridesmaids’ flower crowns were crafted with delicate gypsophila, while Hannah’s custom design perfectly mirrored her bouquet. Our florist of choice was Daisy Ellen. While flowers are undoubtedly breathtaking, we consciously kept our arrangements understated, despite our enthusiasm for the idea. Had our budget allowed, we would have indulged in more elaborate designs.
Your Photographer
After conducting extensive research on various wedding photography platforms and websites, our search yielded a list of approximately five talented photographers that caught our attention. Bloom Weddings stood out as our top choice, and we were fortunate enough to secure their services early on. We were particularly drawn to their understated color palette, effortless naturalistic style, and exceptional ability to capture genuine, heartwarming moments. Their portfolio also featured some breathtaking animal photography, which was crucial for us given that our wedding party included a furry ring bearer and two alpacas. What’s more, Anneka and Chris, the talented duo behind Bloom Weddings, are newlyweds themselves, allowing us to enjoy not one but two skilled photographers capturing our special day for the price of one.
The Cake
When it came to celebrating our special day, we decided to do things a bit differently. Rather than indulging in traditional wedding cake, we opted for a show-stopping tower of Krispy Kreme donuts that proved to be an instant hit with our guests. In fact, the treats were so popular that neither Hannah nor I got a chance to indulge – they were all gone too quickly! To add an extra layer of fun and whimsy, we also hired an Instagram-worthy ice cream van from Penelope’s Vintage Ice Cream. The sweet treat was a delightful surprise for our guests and a lovely way to cap off the celebration.
The Honeymoon
Picking up where our journey had begun with the proposal, we embarked on a five-week adventure that took us through Central America, specifically Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, with a brief layover in Miami.
Memorable Moments
Hannah’s wedding celebration was truly unforgettable, with moments that stood out as particularly special. For instance, there was Smudge’s impressive feat of bringing the rings and then graciously sitting on Hannah’s dress during the signing of the register. The ceremony itself was also a highlight, followed by a series of lively speeches. As if all that weren’t enough, the alpacas let out a collective scream, adding to the excitement. Meanwhile, our first dance was accompanied by the infectious energy of an oompah band, whose arrival had everyone forming sweaty circles and jumping up and down in unison to the tunes of Mumford and Sons. With so many incredible moments to cherish, it’s no wonder that day will always be remembered as a truly great one.
Advice For Other Couples
As you embark on this significant event, remember to enjoy the journey. It’s inevitable that stress and demands will arise, with multiple parties vying for your attention. To minimize anxiety, cultivate a mindset of flexibility and acceptance, allowing things to unfold as they may.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we celebrated the union of Mathew and Hannah, one of the most delightful aspects was the incorporation of pets into their special day. The addition of Smudge the dog as Ring Bearer brought an undeniable charm to the proceedings. It’s a wonderful way to infuse personality and affection into the wedding celebration. Some of the other notable vendors included Photographer Bloom Weddings, Hair stylist Liz at EI Styling, Make Up artist Katie Giles MUA, Dress designer Pronovias, Florist Daisy Ellen, Suit provider The Vintage Suit Hire Company, Caterer Ashridge Delicious, Band Hosen Brass, Tipi rental Tipis4hire, Wedding Directory member – Wedding Marquees & Tents, Alpaca providers Pukkapacas, Cake supplier Krispy Kreme, Ice Cream Van operator Penelope’s Vintage Icecream, Celebrant Lorna Nunn, DJ Just Smile, and Refrigeration, Tables & Chairs rental Jasper’s Hire. The catering was handled by Ingle and Caves Butchers Marston Moretaine, who provided a succulent Hog Roast. Signage, Stationery & Place Names were skillfully managed by [email protected]. We’re thrilled to have shared this joyous occasion with Mathew and Hannah, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their trust in us – thank you, and congratulations! 😊