We’re kicking off the week with a celebration of love, thanks to Jody and Anna’s intimate micro wedding at The Barn Didcot in Oxfordshire. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the couple managed to pull together their dream day in just three days, and it was truly breathtaking. From Anna’s stunning boho-inspired gown and dried flower bouquet to Jody’s effortless style, complete with braces and trousers, every detail contributed to an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. The trio of cakes, pampass grass decor, and even Anna’s denim jacket added a touch of whimsy to the proceedings. Jen Marino Photography did an incredible job capturing the joy and love on display that day, and we’re thrilled to share these gorgeous images with you.
Barn Didcot Wedding
The Proposal
Jody surprised me with a trip to Iceland in October, a destination I had always dreamed of visiting. We were celebrating six years together, and I couldn’t think of a more romantic setting. Originally, Jody had planned to propose under the breathtaking display of the northern lights, but two nights of bad weather thwarted his plans. Instead, he got down on one knee in our cozy hotel room, making the moment all the more intimate and special. Although I was initially disappointed that we didn’t get to see the aurora borealis, I was secretly thrilled that Jody chose to propose privately, sparing me from any public attention.
The Vision
We envisioned a laid-back celebration with a lively party atmosphere. Our hearts were won over by the first venue we visited, which offered stunning tipis overlooking the river and cozy bell tents for overnight camping. To keep our guests engaged during the day, we organized a caricaturist, vintage ice cream cart, garden games, and beer pong leading up to a disco in the evening. The venue presented itself as a blank slate, allowing my mum and close friend to assist me with decorating, incorporating plenty of greenery to harmonize with our earthy color palette. We had planned an impressive arch adorned with drapes and lanterns at its base, and I crafted exquisite lace decorations to hang from above. Jody’s mum and her husband kindly prepared sloe gin favors for all guests using berries harvested from the venue’s trees. Despite meticulous planning in July 2020, COVID-19 ultimately disrupted our plans.
The Planning Process
As the pandemic unfolded, my partner and I were faced with the daunting task of replanning our special day. Initially, we had to put our wedding on hold due to lockdown restrictions and my health struggles with ME. As our original plans were no longer feasible, we opted for a smaller, more intimate celebration. We booked a cozy log cabin getaway for our immediate families and planned a non-legal ceremony followed by a meal at a local restaurant and then a registry office visit to make it official a few days later. However, just two weeks before the new date, the government introduced stricter wedding guest limits. The thought of having to exclude more loved ones was unbearable, so we decided to take a risk and embark on an unprecedented adventure – finding a new venue, booking, and replanning our entire wedding in just three days, beating the clock before the new rules took effect!
The Venue
We chose The Barn in Didcot, Oxfordshire as the final venue for our son’s naming ceremony, a decision made easier given our previous positive experience at this picturesque spot. Mark and Trisha, the exceptional team behind the barn, went out of their way to ensure our special day was nothing short of magical. They alleviated any stress we may have felt by taking care of setup and providing refreshing welcome drinks upon arrival. To top it off, they served a delightful afternoon tea at each table, making every guest feel pampered. Their attention to detail and willingness to help with every aspect of the event left us feeling grateful and relieved. Despite last-minute rearrangements, we were fortunate that our location offered picturesque wooded areas nearby, where we could capture some stunning photos while our guests enjoyed a drink.
Groomsmen
In the realm of fashion, we find ourselves mirroring our children’s sense of style. Our eldest son Rhys, for instance, opted for a uniform that echoed Jody’s. The trousers were sourced from Moss Bros, while the shirt hailed from Next and the tie was purchased from the eclectic Daisy and Oak Studio on Etsy. Meanwhile, our pageboy Eden, the youngest member of our clan, donned dark brown trousers courtesy of Marks and Spencer. His ensemble was completed with a shirt, tie, and waistcoat acquired from Roco clothing online.
Bridesmaids
In terms of attire, our little princesses stole the show. Our eldest daughter and bridesmaid, Anais, donned a stunning burnt orange dress, which we conveniently acquired online from Lulus Weddings in America. Meanwhile, our younger daughter and flower girl, Ophelia, looked adorable in her mid-length ivory dress from Think Pink Bows, also sourced from across the pond. The similarities with my own attire didn’t go unnoticed – her dress featured a similar lace design to mine. To complete her look, she wore a burnt orange cardigan from Next, adding a pop of color to her overall ensemble.
The Readings & Music
Your Outfits & Accessories
I had fallen head over heels for a dress I spotted on Pinterest while planning my imaginary wedding several years prior to getting engaged. The bohemian, simple design resonated deeply with me, but the catch was that it belonged to an American designer, Dreamers and Lovers, without a showroom in England. With only one shop visit under my belt, where I struggled to find anything that caught my eye, I couldn’t shake off the memory of the dress online. Jody, aware of my fastidious nature, encouraged me to reach out to the designer, suggesting it was worth exploring. So, I took a chance and contacted them, which led to a sample being sent my way. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew that this was the one I wanted to wear down the aisle. I shared my measurements with them and trusted their expertise to craft the dress without ever meeting in person.As someone who defies convention, I opted to pair my dream dress with a pair of Dr. Martens. Jody, meanwhile, chose dark brown trousers from Moss Bros, a Next shirt, and a tweed tie handcrafted by Daisy and Oak Studio. He decided against wearing a jacket, as he tends to shed it after 10 minutes and roll up his sleeves anyway.Both our rings and my engagement ring came from Beaverbrooks.
Beauty
As I prepared to walk down the aisle, I took on a dual role – not only was I getting ready for my big day, but I also helped my bridesmaid and flower girl feel their best. With the help of our trusted florist, Florence and Flowers, we adorned our tresses with beautiful blooms, adding a touch of elegance to our overall look.
The Flowers
After a thorough search, we finally found the perfect florist for our special day on Etsy – Florence and Flowers. We opted for dried flowers, which added a unique touch to our overall aesthetic. To ensure that our bouquets and button holes complemented our outfits perfectly, we sent the florist high-quality images of our attire and my hair color. This allowed them to create bespoke pieces that harmonized with our vision. When unforeseen changes affected our plans, Florence and Flowers demonstrated exceptional flexibility and promptly dispatched our order.
The Cake
When I wanted something truly unique, my friend stepped up to the challenge of creating a triangle-shaped cake adorned with dried flowers. Despite being tasked with this unconventional project at the last minute, she demonstrated incredible skill and creativity by crafting a masterpiece that not only met but exceeded our expectations. Her ability to find dried flowers that closely matched our bouquets was the perfect finishing touch, making it a truly unforgettable dessert.
Your Photographer
We enlisted the expertise of the talented Jen Marino as our photographer. While I’m typically nervous in front of the camera, Jody has a natural charm that shines through. What impressed us most about Jen was her ability to capture genuine moments without forcing artificial poses. Her flexibility and understanding were invaluable in helping us navigate the chaos on our wedding day. As our photographer, she radiated calmness, putting us at ease and even coaxing a smile out of me – a feat that’s rare for someone as camera-shy as I am.
The Details & Décor
I was fortunate enough to have my mother’s support in planning every detail of the event. Additionally, a close friend who had recently started their own business specializing in décor rentals kindly offered to lend me any items we hadn’t already acquired. I’m deeply grateful for her generosity, as she allowed us to borrow her frame and lanterns, which enabled me to create our ceremony arch as envisioned.
The Honeymoon
After finalizing our cabin reservation, we opted for a relaxing getaway amidst nature’s serenity to unwind from the whirlwind of wedding preparations. A tranquil retreat was just what we needed to recharge and refocus.
Memorable Moments
What stands out most to me is Jody’s endearing moment of putting his braces on incorrectly, resulting in a noticeable wedgie! On a more sentimental note, having my son accompany me down the aisle was truly special. He’s never one for attention, so I was thrilled he agreed to participate. My daughters’ reading skills shone through as she confidently delivered her speech, leaving Jody and me beaming with pride. We also cherished our woodland photoshoot, which produced stunning results and allowed us to steal away from the chaos for a bit. Perhaps most remarkably, our last-minute changes led to an unexpected but meaningful coincidence – we exchanged vows on October 12th, 2020, coinciding with the exact date of our first meeting eight years prior and two years since our engagement.
Advice For Other Couples
In hindsight, not stressing about inviting everyone was a blessing in disguise. It allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the celebration with our closest loved ones. The small guest list gave us the opportunity to genuinely connect with each person throughout the day, creating memories that will last a lifetime.As someone who’s meticulous by nature, I initially found it challenging to relinquish control and let things unfold organically. However, the sudden change of pace forced me to realize that only I would truly notice if every detail was perfect – and that realization gave me peace of mind.A huge thank you goes out to Jen Marino Photography for capturing the beauty of our special day. We’re also grateful to Dreamers and Lovers for making my dress dreams come true, The Barn Didcot for providing a stunning venue, Florence and Flowers for the gorgeous flowers, Lulus for the beautiful bridesmaid dresses, Think Pink Bows for the adorable flower girl attire, Moss for being an amazing groom, Daisy and Oak Studio for crafting exquisite ties, Beaver Brooks for creating stunning rings, Made by a Friend for baking our delicious wedding cake, and Bride for doing my hair and makeup. Last but not least, Weave and Bloom did an incredible job with the decorations.It’s truly hard to put into words just how special this day was. But I think it’s safe to say that Jody and Anna’s wedding at The Barn Didcot was absolutely breathtaking.