The joyful celebration of Sophie and Callum’s wedding, shared exclusively by WWW readers, is a visual treat that will delight fans of vibrant colours, DIY decor, and festival flair. On June 25th, 2019, the couple exchanged vows at Bert’s Barrow in Yorkshire, surrounded by lush greenery and rustic charm. The outdoor ceremony was followed by a lively barn reception, where the atmosphere was electric. Sophie’s passion for crafting and creating her own decorations shone through beautifully, with an abundance of playful pom poms adding a whimsical touch to the overall aesthetic. Ryan from Shutter Go Click Photography has kindly shared these stunning images with us, perfectly capturing the carefree essence of the celebration.
The Proposal
I never expected romance to be in my future, especially not from Callum, who’s notoriously unromantic. But during our three-week trip around Thailand, something unexpected happened. We’d been together for three years, and I had given up on the idea of getting married. I had planned a special day trip that included snorkeling and exploring a beautiful tropical island. It was my birthday, and to be honest, I was still upset with Callum for not wishing me a happy birthday beforehand. But all was forgiven when we were floating in the estuary of the island, and Callum got down on one knee with a stunning white gold ring in his hand, asking me to be his wife! The unexpected proposal was made even more memorable because it coincided with a national holiday in Thailand, which meant our celebration had to be completely alcohol-free. Despite the sobriety, it was an unforgettable night, and I still treasure the beautiful princess cut vintage-style ring he gave me – it’s the perfect symbol of his love and thoughtfulness.
The Vision
As soon as the proposal was made, my creative juices began flowing, and I found myself jotting down ideas in my notebook. As a self-proclaimed crafty enthusiast, I have a passion for beautiful art and unique celebrations. My dream wedding concept centered around a woodland festival theme, which resonated with me on multiple levels. Having always envisioned an outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature’s serenity, I was inspired by the rustic charm of woodland weddings. The idea of hosting a lively party with an abundance of flowers, colorful decorations, and merrymaking with friends and family only added to my excitement. The prospect of transforming our special day into a joyous festival atmosphere, complete with flower crowns, tents, and plenty of beer, left me beaming with anticipation.
The Planning Process
As soon as our Thailand trip came to an end, we jumped straight into wedding planning mode. Callum became the instant recipient of a non-stop stream of wedding ideas every other minute. When we returned home and things had calmed down slightly, we dove headfirst into the process. Two months later, we’d secured our venue and photographer, and everything else fell into place seamlessly. As someone who tends to be a bit of a control freak, I ensured that our planning was organized and meticulous – think Excel spreadsheets galore! Yet, despite my natural inclination towards precision, I remained surprisingly laid-back about the whole thing. All that mattered was ensuring we’d booked and paid for everything, and that we were making choices that would bring joy to those around us.
Budget
The project’s initial budget of around £12,000 was significantly exceeded, with the final cost coming in at roughly £20,000 – a substantial increase that required careful planning and management to achieve.
The Venue
We stumbled upon Bert’s Barrow by chance, thanks to a friend who had recently tied the knot there. Their glowing review led them to recommend it to us, given our own engagement. A September visit sealed the deal – we booked on the spot! This unique venue, set in Hillam, North Yorkshire, exceeded our expectations. As a working farm with two enormous potato stores and an open slate for creativity, it felt like our very own blank canvas. Moreover, the team’s exceptional hospitality and eagerness to help only added to its charm.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I prepared for my special day, I turned to a charming local boutique called ‘The Yorkshire Bridal Shop’ for my dream dress. The team’s expertise and warm hospitality immediately put me at ease. I had a clear vision – a bohemian, ethereal gown that exuded mystique. And, surprisingly, I left the shop with a stunning lace and tulle tea dress that perfectly captured my essence.
As someone who’s conscious about their plus-size figure, trying on dresses in sample sizes was daunting for me. However, the moment I slipped into this dress, chosen by my maid of honour, I knew it was the one. The confidence boost was incredible – I felt like walking down the aisle right then and there.
In a remarkable twist, over the course of wedding planning and the big day itself, I lost nearly four stone! This necessitated significant alterations to the dress, which the talented team at ‘The Yorkshire Bridal Shop’ skillfully tackled. They reduced the dress’s size by nearly three sizes without compromising its integrity.
My accessories were understated yet meaningful – my grandmother’s ring on one hand and Oliva Burton bee earrings to match with my wildflowers, symbolizing my love for bees.
The pièce de résistance was a custom-made flower crown crafted by the talented Lucie from Into the Hedgerow on Etsy. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured that the dried flowers perfectly complemented my real bouquet. What’s more, her husband drove all the way from York to hand-deliver the eight crowns to me – talk about legendary service!
Beauty
As someone with an abundance of curly locks, I was at a loss when it came to styling my hair for the festival. After scouring Pinterest and seeking advice from my trusted hairdresser, we settled on a whimsical half-up, half-down style featuring intricate plaits and a delicate flower crown that perfectly complemented my features.
When it comes to makeup, I’m more of a natural look kind of girl, but I wanted something bright and festive for the occasion. Local makeup artist Rachel Taylor MUA has worked her magic on me numerous times before, so I knew she’d be thrilled to help me get into character.
The final result was a stunning copper-eyed look complete with fluttering lashes and subtle glitter accents that left me feeling like a radiant festival fairy ready to hit the dance floor. And as a self-proclaimed lipstick lover, I couldn’t resist going for a bold red lip – specifically Kat Von D’s iconic Everlasting Lipstick in Santa Sangra.
Groomsmen
When it came to planning the groom’s attire, we faced an unexpected challenge. Callum, the groom, is not a fan of suits and initially felt uncomfortable with the idea. As a result, the theme underwent several transformations before settling on a light blue suit from Marc Darcy paired with the ‘Arthur’ shirt, inspired by our shared love for Peaky Blinders. We had envisioned a summer-themed celebration that incorporated elements of the popular TV show. However, as Callum tried on the suit, he surprisingly felt at ease due to its perfect fit. To make a statement and add some flair, we decided that the groomsmen would wear waistcoats instead of full shirts. The bow ties were custom-made to match the blue theme, sourced through arsenicandoldlaceUK from Esty. Even our furry family member, Rufus, got in on the action with his own matching bow tie.
Bridesmaids
Before selecting my own wedding dress, I made sure to choose the perfect attire for my bridesmaids. Their dresses, a stunning bluebell blue hue that matches my favorite flower and color, were sourced from ASOS. The initial long designs didn’t align with my vision, so we enlisted the expertise of Yorkshire’s finest bridal shop. They skillfully altered the gowns to create a shorter, knee-length design with flutter sleeves, resulting in an ensemble that was both elegant and versatile – perfect for future wear. Each bridesmaid took charge of selecting her own shoes, with the maid of honor opting for a crisp white pair while the others chose subtle nude options.To complete their looks, I gifted each lady a delicate rose gold heart necklace from KukeeUK on Esty.co.uk. These understated yet thoughtful accessories beautifully complemented their dresses and added an extra touch of sophistication to our special day.
Your Photographer
Ryan, our exceptional photographer at Shutter Go Click Photography, left us speechless with his incredible work. His unique ability to capture the essence of a moment in an unconventional way made all the difference. With exceptional organizational skills, he ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing us to relax and enjoy the experience. As someone who’s not typically comfortable in front of a camera, Ryan put me at ease, making it seem like he wasn’t even there. His partner, who assisted him, was also warm and welcoming, adding to the overall pleasantness of the encounter.
The Readings & Music
The celebrant ceremony allowed us the freedom to curate our special day in any way we saw fit, which resulted in some truly unforgettable moments. My mom penned a heartfelt poem, while my stepdad also contributed a beautiful piece of writing. The real showstopper, however, was our maid of honor’s reading from Les Misérables, which brought tears to many eyes. As for the aisle walk, I chose Tom Walker’s ‘Just You and I’ – a song that holds a special place in my heart. Meanwhile, our exit song was none other than ‘Sweet Caroline’, a nod to my fiancé Callum’s beloved Castleford Tigers and their championship-winning anthem. What made this moment even more magical was the fact that it was all a surprise to Callum, orchestrated by me and my brother with utmost care.
The Cake
As we approached our special day, Callum and I felt compelled to uphold a cherished tradition – cutting a wedding cake. It was an act that seemed almost too late to consider, but we wanted to make it a moment to remember. And what a stunning creation Beth from Beth’s Kitchen crafted for us! We’d met over coffee to plan every detail, and the result was a breathtaking three-tiered semi-naked masterpiece adorned with florist-arranged blooms. The flavors were a delightful mix of Carrot Cake – Callum’s favorite – paired with traditional Victoria sponge in the middle and zesty lemon drizzle on top. It was indeed a showstopper! However, our excitement got the better of us, and we forgot to cut it on the wedding night. As a result, we found ourselves enjoying cake for far longer than anticipated, taking the entire masterpiece home with us and trying to share it with everyone.
The Details & Décor
As I set out to plan the perfect festival-themed decor for my special day, I spent hours scrolling through Pinterest, determined to create as much as possible myself. The vision was clear: a whimsical celebration with vibrant colors that would keep our guests entertained and delighted.To bring this vision to life, I enlisted the help of my brother, who crafted two impressive 4ft letters – ‘S’ and ‘C’ – which we adorned with hundreds of woolly pom poms. Yes, you read that right – over 600! It was a labor of love, but the end result was well worth the effort.As we deliberated on what other elements to incorporate into our décor, we ultimately decided on simplicity as the key to success. We hung colorful paper lanterns from the barn’s roof, thanks to the help of my trusty team of friends and family, who worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life. Outside, a beautiful bunting added to the festive atmosphere, while inside, we created a DIY photo booth with the aid of Hire My Selfie! – a lifesaver on the day before the wedding.The pièce de résistance, however, was our very own glitter bar. Men and children alike adored it, and it truly stole the show, leaving everyone in awe.
The Flowers
As the wedding planning progressed, it became evident that flowers would play a pivotal role in bringing my vision to life. Initially, I had considered enlisting the help of my mum, but as time passed, I felt that would put too much pressure on her and detract from her own enjoyment of the day. A friend’s recommendation led me to Blossem, who proved to be an absolute gem. Our initial meeting was incredibly productive, with me surrendering creative control to her expertise and trusting that she’d bring my floral desires to life. My primary goal was a stunning flower arch for our ceremony, complemented by scattered wildflowers and vintage Gin bottles throughout the venue. Blossem exceeded my expectations in every way, even including a thoughtful touch – allowing guests to take home their own bouquets as a memento at the end of the night.
Memorable Moments
As the night wore on, our revelry only intensified, fueled by an abundance of spirits. Despite being thoroughly besotted, I couldn’t resist the urge to keep dancing, convincing everyone to join me at the bottom of the barn for a raucous rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at ear-shattering decibels. The ensuing video has become a cherished keepsake, still making appearances on Facebook stories to this day.The eclectic mix of men sporting glittery eyebrows and beards brought laughter and mirth to the proceedings, while the impromptu hay bale battles ensured that every guest departed with a delightful souvenir – a sprig of straw in their clothing. Amidst the joyous chaos, it was a special treat to share the day with our beloved pride and joy, Rufus the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Honeymoon
Our two-week Italian adventure was the perfect honeymoon getaway. We wandered hand-in-hand across Venice’s iconic bridges, sipped Aperol spritz beneath Rome’s starry skies, savored authentic Neapolitan pizza, and marveled at the ancient ruins of Pompeii. A highlight was climbing Mount Vesuvius, feeling the rush of adrenaline as we took in the breathtaking views. And of course, no trip would be complete without indulging in a glass (or two) of limoncello in Sorrento and Amalfi – the sweet taste of paradise.
Advice For Other Couples
It’s the imperceptible moments that often fly under the radar, but they’re just as significant. As you settle into married life, don’t overlook these subtle pleasures. Instead, take a step back, savor each experience, and allow yourself to truly delight in the little things – like sharing laughter with your partner, enjoying quiet moments together, or simply appreciating the beauty of everyday moments. Your relationship is worth cherishing, and it’s the tiny details that can add up to make it truly unforgettable.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we reflect on the enchanting wedding celebration of Sophie and Callum, it’s clear that their special day was the culmination of meticulous planning and creative flair. Behind the lens, Shutter Go Click Photography captured every precious moment with finesse, while Bert’s Barrow provided a picturesque backdrop for the proceedings. The dapper Marc Darcy donned his finest attire, complemented by the elegant dress from The Yorkshire Bridal Shop. Sweet treats were courtesy of Beth’s Kitchen, whose delectable cake was the perfect treat to accompany the joyous atmosphere. Blossem’s beautiful blooms added a pop of color and romance, with Rachel Taylor ensuring Sophie looked stunning on her big day. ASOS, meanwhile, provided the bridesmaids’ outfits that perfectly complemented the overall aesthetic. As we look back on this unforgettable celebration, it’s clear that Sophie and Callum’s love shines brighter than any spotlight – thanks for sharing your joyous occasion with us! Rachel x