As January reaches its midpoint, it’s hard to believe how quickly time is passing. For those yearning for warmer weather, longer days, and joyful celebrations, I’m thrilled to share an unforgettable wedding tale from Hannah and Josh. Their special day took place on September 29th, 2018, at The Barn at Upcote in the picturesque Cotswolds. The rustic charm of the venue was perfectly complemented by a relaxed atmosphere, complete with exciting entertainment options for their guests. From laser clay shooting to live music and a photobooth, there was never a dull moment.The rolling countryside surrounding them played a significant role in shaping their rustic chic décor. Wooden elements, hessian, twine, and flowers worked together in harmony to create a beautiful setting. The venue’s wooden signage, ladder seating plan, and log slice centrepieces were particularly striking. The addition of gypsophila added a touch of softness, while the abundance of greenery and delicate florals brought everything together.Their furry family member, donning a dapper bow tie, even joined in on the fun during their portraits with Siobhan Beales Photography. It’s hard not to fall in love with these adorable images. We’re grateful to be sharing them with you today.
The Proposal
It was February 2017 when my birthday surprise took an unforgettable turn. Josh had planned a trip to Bruges, and after instructing me to dress up for a night out, he dropped down to one knee. With nearly 11 years of relationship history between us, it was only natural that I said yes! What made the proposal even more impressive was the fact that Josh had chosen a stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring all on his own, without seeking any advice or assistance. To make matters even more remarkable, he managed to keep the whole surprise under wraps until the big moment in Bruges. The rest of the evening was filled with joyous tears and champagne.
The Vision
As we envisioned our special day, a charming countryside setting with an effortless, laid-back atmosphere was paramount. Our primary goal was to create an experience that would delight everyone involved. To harmonize with the rustic backdrop, we opted for decorations that felt organic and natural, incorporating elements like wood, twine, and hand-picked wildflowers. One of our key decisions was to take a hands-on approach to planning and organizing the event ourselves, allowing loved ones to simply revel in the anticipation leading up to the big day.
The Planning Process
As our special day approached, my partner Josh took the reins in planning the event, leveraging his experience in the industry. With catering, floristry, and entertainment secured, we enjoyed a brief respite before delving into the finer details. To keep everything organized, we created a comprehensive wedding spreadsheet that allowed us to track progress and stay within our budget. The spreadsheet proved invaluable during the final month, ensuring we didn’t overlook any crucial elements. Throughout the planning process, we also drew inspiration from Pinterest, curating looks and feels for our big day.
The Venue
From the outset, we had a clear vision for our special day: a romantic celebration in Oxfordshire, with the ceremony and reception taking place under one roof. As soon as we laid eyes on The Barn at Upcote, we knew it was destined to be our wedding haven. Nestled in the heart of rural England, this charming venue boasts multiple barns to choose from, each exuding a unique charm. The main barn proved an ideal setting for our vows and reception, while its clever layout ensured that our guests could move freely between the various spaces – regardless of the weather – without ever feeling confined.
Your Outfits & Accessories
It wasn’t until six weeks before my big day that I began to question my initial choice of a traditional wedding dress. The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt. That’s when I decided to start looking for something new. And what a stroke of luck! The first shop I visited ended up being where I found my dream dress – the Liliana from Phase Eight. The intricate lace and bead details immediately won me over, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I put on the dress. To let the dress shine, I kept my accessories simple: no veil, just beautiful earrings from Liberty In Love. And to ensure maximum comfort, I opted for flat navy shoes from Boden – at 5ft10, every inch counts!
Beauty
I sought a relaxed and effortless makeup look that aligned with my everyday style, where I typically opt for minimal cosmetics. Additionally, I envisioned an updo incorporating a braid, paired with some floral accents. To achieve this vision, I selected two suppliers recommended by the venue: Wedding Paint and Juliet Draper Hair and Make-Up Artist. Before the big day, I had trial sessions with both professionals, which allowed me to gauge their capabilities and provide feedback. I was thoroughly impressed with the results and confident in their abilities. On the wedding day itself, they exceeded my expectations, arriving promptly and contributing to a sense of calm among the party. With years of experience under their belts, they offered valuable tips and guidance throughout the event, ensuring that my hair and makeup remained flawless from start to finish.
Bridesmaids
When it came to selecting attire for my loyal entourage, I opted for a straightforward yet stylish approach. My sister and closest childhood friend were honored to serve as my two bridesmaids. To ensure our harmonious cohesion on the big day, I decreed that navy would be the dominant hue. This allowed us to enjoy a vast array of options, ultimately leading us to choose stunning maxi dresses adorned with intricate lace details at the top from David’s Bridal.
The Readings & Music
As we envisioned our special day, we wanted to make it a truly family affair. We invited Josh’s sister and my brother to participate in the ceremony by reading two meaningful passages. We gave them the freedom to choose their own readings, which they did. Hannah’s brother, being part of a band, selected the poignant lyrics from Wooden Star, a song about companionship that resonated deeply with our relationship. Meanwhile, Josh’s sister opted for ‘What I Learned About Love, I Learned From My Dog’, another nod to our beloved little companion. The atmosphere was warm and intimate as we exchanged vows, with Glasgow Love Theme by Craig Armstrong playing softly in the background – a song that holds a special place in my heart. It’s also recognizable from the iconic film Love Actually. As newlyweds, we walked out to (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson. Our first dance as husband and wife was set to Do You Remember by Jack Johnson, a song that brings back memories of our relationship’s early days. To keep the celebration going, we hired Renegades of Rock, a talented band known for their energetic performances and vast playlist of crowd-pleasing songs. They treated us and our guests to two lively 1-hour sets during the reception, filling the air with joy and music.
The Flowers
We opted for flowers that harmonized with the rustic, country theme and incorporated hues of blue and burgundy to complement the bridesmaids’, groom’s, and groomsmen’s attire. Given the venue’s recommendations, we chose AQUA Wedding Flowers & Events, whose owner Jo was familiar with the location and had a portfolio full of stunning work. The bouquet, buttonholes, and centerpieces featured an eclectic mix of astilbe, astrantia, veronica, lisianthus, gypsophila, thistles, stocks, wax flowers, delphinium, and foliage. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were comprised mainly of gypsophila, while jars of the same flowers added a touch of cohesion throughout the venue. Each arrangement blended seamlessly with the setting, and I’ve even preserved my own bouquet to treasure for years to come.
The Details & Décor
To bring our rustic, natural vision to life, we incorporated wooden details, fairy lights, candle-lit jars, and flower arrangements throughout the venue. We also added some whimsical farm-themed elements, such as vintage wellies overflowing with flowers and a pitchfork sign. To make it even more personal, Josh’s dad crafted most of the wooden decorations, while my uncle penned our table plan, menus, and place names. The end result was a seamless blend of elements that beautifully captured our unique style.
To keep the party going during cocktail hour, we set up lawn games like giant tic-tac-toe and laser clay shooting – which became an instant hit with our guests!
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we lit up the evening with a cozy fire pit, blankets for snuggling, marshmallows for toasting, and enormous sparklers. To top it off, we had a photobooth that proved to be a massive hit – I’ve always loved them as a guest, and it’s wonderful to look back on all the silly photos and see our friends having the time of their lives.
Groomsmen
When it came to finding navy tweed suits for Josh that would complement his unique style, we faced a challenge. To add some individuality, we opted for slightly different suits from Vintage Suit Hire Company, which offered a fantastic courier service as part of their package. This convenience was particularly valuable since our post-wedding plans included a romantic getaway on honeymoon. For the groomsmen, we sought a more relaxed look by pairing navy waistcoats and jackets with burgundy ties and navy chinos. The end result garnered plenty of positive feedback from guests, who praised both Josh’s and the groomsmen’s stylish ensembles.
Your Photographer
After scouring numerous photographer websites, we were drawn to the style of Siobhan’s wedding photography. From our initial consultation, we felt at ease with her approach, which allowed us to plan our day around spending quality time with our guests. On the big day itself, Siobhan exceeded our expectations – her laid-back and friendly demeanor put us entirely at ease. She went above and beyond to capture a diverse range of photos, even incorporating our dog into our couple’s shoot. Our package included a pre-wedding photo session, which was invaluable in helping us get comfortable in front of the camera and building a rapport with Siobhan.
The Honeymoon
As we celebrated our special day, we indulged in a little luxury – not one, but two honeymoons! Our first getaway was an action-packed 5-day adventure in Rome, where we immersed ourselves in the city’s rich history and devoured all the delicious pizza and gelato we could get our hands on. And for our ‘proper’ honeymoon, we’ve got a real treat in store – a 2-week escapade to Sri Lanka, packed with exciting experiences waiting to be discovered.
Memorable Moments
Our entire day was nothing short of perfect, with every moment weaving together seamlessly. Even looking back, we’re left wanting more. The first time we shared a glance before I exchanged vows was undoubtedly a standout moment for us both.
Two other comical yet unforgettable moments that stand out were the surprise entrance to AC/DC during the wedding breakfast and one of our groomsmen pulling off an impromptu light show by simultaneously lighting 40 sparklers. While it’s certainly not an experience we’d recommend trying at home, it added a unique touch to our special day.
The Cake
In a departure from traditional cake-cutting ceremonies, we opted for a more unconventional approach, allowing us to select the exact flavors that suited our taste buds. As frequent visitors to Hunters Cake Café in Witney, we knew their homemade cakes were a cut above the rest. To cater to our guests’ diverse preferences, we chose five unique flavors: Oreo, Biscoff, lemon and poppy seed, Victoria sponge, and toffee apple. This generous selection ensured everyone could indulge in at least one of their favorite treats.
Advice For Other Couples
Make time during the week and on the actual day to pause and fully absorb the moments. We had a decent gap between the ceremony and wedding breakfast, followed by another between the breakfast and first dance. This allowed us to relish each moment without feeling rushed, chatting with our loved ones as we went. Similarly, don’t worry about the finer details in the days leading up to the big day. It’s amazing how effortlessly everything falls into place, almost as if it’s magic. The suppliers are incredibly skilled and dedicated to making your special day perfect, putting their expertise to good use to ensure every detail is taken care of.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The photographer behind the beautiful memories captured on Hannah’s special day is Siobhan Beales Photography. The picturesque venue where it all took place is The Barn at Upcote. With hair styled by Juliet Draper Hair and Make-up Artist and make-up courtesy of Wedding Paint, Hannah looked absolutely stunning. The gorgeous blooms that adorned the space were provided by AQUA Wedding Flowers & Events. Her breathtaking white dress was from Phase Eight, while her bridesmaids donned stunning dresses from David’s Bridal. Josh, on the other hand, looked dashing in his Walker Slater suit, with his groomsmen sporting stylish jackets from The Vintage Suit Hire Co. To add some extra fun to the celebration, the couple had a photobooth courtesy of Party Foto Pod and even treated their guests to a thrilling game of laser clay pigeon shooting with Clayzer. Food and drinks were expertly handled by McBaile Exclusive, with Renegades of Rock providing the lively tunes throughout the evening. Adding an extra touch of whimsy to the atmosphere were the lovely fairy lights provided by Every Event Hire. And let’s not forget the scrumptious cake crafted by Hunters Cake Café – a true showstopper! I must say, it was truly a gorgeous celebration, and Hannah and Josh are to be thanked for sharing their love story with us.