On September 14th, 2019, Adam and Amanda’s wedding celebration at Browsholme Hall in Lancashire exuded a playful and creative atmosphere. The event featured an unforgettable array of alpaca and llama guests, adding to the whimsical ambiance. The couple’s unique style was evident throughout the day, with Adam donning a stylish green wool suit, fish-print shirt, and knitted bow tie. Amanda looked stunning in her handmade, botanical-adorned green dress that perfectly complemented her partner’s outfit. The attention to detail extended beyond their attire, as many elements of their special day were DIY or handmade, including fun signs, adorable stationery, and a show-stopping cake. We’re grateful to Jules Fortune Photography for sharing these fantastic shots, which beautifully capture the joy and personality of this one-of-a-kind wedding.
Browsholme Hall Wedding
The Proposal
As we celebrated Valentine’s Day, marking the anniversary of our first meeting, Adam surprised me by presenting an abundance of gifts. Among them was a glass bottle containing a scroll, which he introduced as ‘instead of a card.’ With some anticipation, I opened it and found the words ‘To My Fiance on Valentine’s Day’ written inside. Initially, I was perplexed, thinking perhaps there had been a mix-up. Adam chuckled, assuring me it was just a joke, but then his hands began to shake as he produced a small box from behind his back. With a nervous grin, he popped the question, and my world came to a standstill. The shock and elation were palpable as I exclaimed ‘YESSSSSS!’
The Vision
As we planned the celebration, my partner and I sought to infuse it with personal touches that reflected our shared passions. With a love for nature, animals, and creative expression, we aimed to create an immersive experience that would delight our guests. My artistic side was eager to shine through unique decorations and thoughtful details. The venue itself – an original barn with stunning grounds and rustic backdrops – became the perfect canvas for our theme. We drew inspiration from the natural world, incorporating elements like wildflowers, tree stumps, and vintage bird cages. And, of course, we had to include Priscilla, our charming green Californian VW camper van, which fit seamlessly into our colour scheme.
The Venue
The Ceremony & Music
To create an intimate and serene ambiance, we opted for an acoustic duo featuring a talented singer who effortlessly performed a range of calming tunes. This included specially curated songs for our most poignant moments: walking down the aisle, signing the register, and enjoying our wedding breakfast. The goal was to craft a peaceful atmosphere that harmoniously blended with the rustic charm of the barn and its stunning natural surroundings.
Your Outfits
Adam’s stylish ensemble consisted of a skinny fit tweed wool green suit from Moss Bros, paired with a vintage fish print shirt from Simon Carter. His shoes were SOLE Leather brogues, which added a touch of sophistication to the overall look. To add some personality to his outfit, he wore mustard-colored socks and bowtie from Moss Bros. A unique fox pin from Etsy completed the look. In contrast, Amanda’s dress was a true masterpiece – a handmade creation featuring various materials sourced from Etsy and fabric shops. Her vision was to create a botanical-inspired, floral design with a green hue that matched their rustic earthy color scheme. To further enhance her outfit, she wore a floral wire headpiece and had handmade shoes from an esteemed shoemaker on Etsy. The pièce de résistance was the puffy frilly underskirt that added a playful touch to her dress. Her necklace was a stunning Michael Michaud piece from his ‘inspired by nature’ range, featuring real flowers and leaves. As for the bridesmaids, each had their own unique dress with a purple/mauve color scheme, which complemented Amanda’s green attire perfectly.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
Julie Fortune’s exceptional photography skills allowed our collaboration to flourish as she granted us creative autonomy from the start. Her intuitive understanding of our preferences put us at ease, making the entire photo shoot a seamless and relaxing experience.
The Styling & Decor
The decorations were a beautiful blend of rustic charm and whimsy, featuring gorgeous green drapes on the chairs and delicate lace drapes on the ceiling adorned with twinkling fairy lights. The cake, crafted by Adam’s sister, was a stunning naked masterpiece, comprising two tiers of rich chocolate and creamy vanilla, each layer smothered in a fine layer of buttercream and draped in a tumble of wildflowers. The floral arrangements were just as enchanting, with a curated selection of our favorite wildflowers spilling out of vintage crates, jam jars, and open birdcages. A subtle mauve and green color scheme tied everything together. Among the many thoughtful touches, I created needle-felted Alpaca and Llama decorations that added to the event’s unique charm. To further personalize the celebration, we built a miniature scale model of our wedding van, decorated with the same rustic flair as the real thing. Handmade signs from Etsy and my own handmade table plan, featuring a large birds nest with natural elements denoting each table layout, added to the day’s whimsy. We also got creative with the place settings, collecting pinecones and spraying them silver before using them to label each guest’s seat. Real dried flower confetti from Etsy brought an extra touch of magic to the proceedings, while our handmade guestbook, also purchased on Etsy, served as a treasured keepsake.
The Honeymoon
What an unforgettable two-week adventure we had in the city that never sleeps! From indulging in incredible foodie experiences to discovering hidden gems throughout the five boroughs, our trip was truly nothing short of extraordinary. As someone who’s typically anxious about flying, I surprised myself by taking the leap for this once-in-a-lifetime experience and now find myself eager to return to the United States. The perfect combination of ideal weather, a cozy hotel, and a packed itinerary ensured that every moment felt like pure bliss.
Memorable Moments
As we welcomed our VIP guests, Toby the Llama and Gary the Alpaca, the atmosphere was electric. The aroma wafting from the stone baked oven outside only added to the excitement – a delicious pizza feast was in store. But it wasn’t just about the food; the photoshoot with sparklers brought a sense of playfulness, as we let our hair down and had a blast. And then there was the row boat adventure, which turned out to be a hilarious learning experience for us all – especially Adam, who ended up being the sole instructor on how to navigate the waters.
Advice For Other Couples
As you embark on the planning journey, remember to infuse it with your unique personality. Don’t feel obligated to conform to societal norms; instead, prioritize what brings you joy and make the day a true reflection of your love story. For Adam and Amanda, their special day was all about embracing their quirks and having a blast together at Browsholme Hall. The couple’s wedding planning was a masterclass in creativity, with standout contributions from Jules Fortune Photography, The Potting Sheds, Moss & Simple Little Dress, Dreamcatcher Bridal, Faery Steps, DJ Raf Mobile Disco, Hannah Rose Music, Nidderdale Llamas, Sharon Woods Hair Design, Hotchpotch Crafts, Creative Events, North West Vintage VW, and @twelvethornton. The pièce de résistance was, of course, the stunning Michael Michaud necklace that added a touch of elegance to Amanda’s overall aesthetic. As we gaze upon the happy memories, we can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to share Adam and Amanda’s whimsical Browsholme Hall wedding with our audience.