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It’s always a delight to share in the joy and celebration of a summer wedding, especially when it comes to WWW readers Hannah and Mark. Their special day began on July 20th, 2019, at Huntsmill Farm in Buckinghamshire, a picturesque venue with rustic charm. The couple’s personal touches and creative details made their big day truly unique. I must say, the macramé backdrop was stunning, and the combination of blue florals and that show-stopping semi-naked cake left me in awe. What’s more, Shropshire Petals provided the confetti for the post-ceremony celebration, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Proposal
Mark surprised me with an unforgettable trip to Budapest for my birthday in 2018. He had meticulously planned every detail, from booking a stunning hotel overlooking the majestic River Danube to arranging a special meeting with my Aunt. Our days were filled with exploration, indulgence, and laughter. As we navigated the city, Mark would repeatedly whisper, ‘Don’t look inside my suitcase,’ hinting at a surprise waiting within. The night before my birthday, he organized a breathtaking cruise along the Danube, which left me in awe.
The next morning, Mark suggested we get ready for breakfast, and I was none the wiser to the incredible surprise that awaited me. As we prepared, he instructed me to sit down, eyes closed, and hands outstretched. When I finally opened my eyes, I found Mark kneeling before me, a radiant ring held aloft, asking me to be his forever. Tears of joy streaming down my face, I eagerly accepted the proposal.
That moment, with the tranquil Danube and the Chain Bridge majestically looming in the background, remains etched in my memory as one of the most magical moments of my life – a birthday I’ll always treasure.
The Vision
Our vision for the big day was a laid-back celebration that allowed us to be surrounded by the people who matter most – our loved ones. We were drawn to the concept of hosting a multi-day event where our family, wedding party, and closest friends could gather at the venue, creating a weekend-long experience filled with laughter, memories, and quality time together.
The Planning Process
As I reflect on our wedding planning process, I’m surprised by how much I miss it. Mark and I had a relaxed approach to planning, with him giving me the freedom to take charge while still offering his input and suggestions. To help us stay organized, my Mum gave us a comprehensive wedding planner folder that we used to track important details like guest lists and table arrangements. Meanwhile, Pinterest was my go-to resource for inspiration on everything from decor to attire.
Budget
The Venue
As we envisioned a laid-back, rustic celebration, we scoured the web for barn-style venues that would fit the bill. A friend’s suggestion led us to Huntsmill Farm, whose website piqued our interest enough to schedule a visit. And what a revelation it was! The moment we stepped foot on the property, we were smitten. It was as if the venue had been tailor-made for us – and with a perfect date available, it felt like fate had intervened. The converted barn is a blank slate just begging for creative expression, while the charming courtyard boasts festoon lights, benches, deckchairs, and more, providing ample opportunities for guests to take a breather from the dance floor. A lush expanse of grass stretches out, punctuated by delightful surprises like a vintage red telephone box. The cherry on top? Seven on-site cottages allowed our loved ones and wedding party to stay over, creating a truly immersive experience. Every last detail has been meticulously considered, and the venue’s warm, welcoming team was always available to lend a helping hand.
Your Outfits & Accessories
When it came to finding my wedding dress, I turned to Shop for Brides in Daventry, where a sale caught my attention along with that of my bridesmaids, Mum, and Mark. We decided to pop in and see what catches our eye. As I’d already had a clear idea of what I wanted – a slim-fitting dress with some kind of back detail – I tried on about six dresses before falling in love with two. After narrowing it down to one, I phoned Mark, only to be told it was too early to make a final decision as we hadn’t yet settled on a venue or date. He suggested I try more options on elsewhere, and the ladies at Shop for Brides kindly agreed to hold onto my chosen dress until then. In the end, no other dress came close to impressing me, so I returned to Shop for Brides to make it official. My final choice was an ivory gown with a lace upper body featuring simple beadwork and a completely cut-out back, complete with a train that showcased the stunning design. Looking back at my Pinterest boards later on in the planning process, I discovered I’d actually pinned the exact same dress – a sign, perhaps? To complement my dress, I chose dusty blue shoes with block heels, a simple drop necklace, and earrings, as well as a filigree-style hair comb.Mark, meanwhile, had been searching for the perfect suit. After ordering a few options from various websites without finding one that truly wowed him, we decided on a light grey hue and settled on an ASOS design featuring a subtle check pattern and slim fit. To make himself stand out, Mark opted for a matching waistcoat, which his two best men would also wear. For the occasion, they donned white shirts, brown belts and shoes, and light blue jacquard ties from Debenhams. Adding a touch of family history to the proceedings was Mark’s decision to wear Grampy’s silver tie clip, with the two best men following suit.
Groomsmen
Mark’s attire mirrored that of the other grooms, with the exception being his addition of a waistcoat. In contrast, the best men opted for sleek blazers, a subtle yet stylish distinction that set them apart.
Bridesmaids
We had fallen in love with a particular dress from ASOS – a dusty blue number with a mesh layered bottom and an embroidered camisole top. But, being the thorough planners that we are, we decided to pay Wed2B a visit to see if they had anything that might just pip their competitor’s offering to the post. As it happened, they did have a shade of blue that perfectly complemented our wedding theme. The girls all tried on various styles and, as an added touch, we’d brought along one of the ASOS dresses for comparison purposes. Despite initial fondness for the ASOS dress – which we thought would slot nicely into our relaxed wedding vibe – we all agreed that Wed2B’s offering looked slightly more flattering and grown-up. What really sealed the deal, though, was the fact that every girl chose the same style of neckline: a pleated front and a low cowl neck on the back. They all looked stunning in their dresses.
Beauty
With a stack of leaflets from various wedding fairs showcasing the work of local hair and makeup artists, I narrowed down my options to Emma Goodwin Hair and Makeup after reviewing their portfolios and testimonials. Prior to making a final decision, I sought the input of my bridesmaids, who would also be receiving beauty treatments on the big day. Their unanimous approval cemented my choice. At my trial session, I had the pleasure of meeting Alison, the talented stylist who would be working her magic on our hair. Both Emma and Alison exuded warmth and professionalism, even at an ungodly hour on the wedding day. Despite the early start, they managed to keep spirits high and deliver exceptional results.
Your Photographer
As soon as we got engaged, I was convinced that Sam Bennett would be the ideal photographer for our special day. A friend’s recommendation had already piqued my interest in his work, and after sharing some of his stunning images with Mark, he was equally impressed. What struck me most about Sam was how effortlessly he made us feel at ease during our pre-wedding shoot. When it came time to capture the magic on our actual wedding day, having Sam and Shannon – his second shooter – around felt like having two more friends joining in on the celebration.
Your Filmmaker
Initially, our focus was solely on photography, but a chance encounter with childhood videos featuring Mark’s family members sparked an instant transformation in our creative vision. The art of videography resonated deeply with us, capturing the essence and personality of those featured with unparalleled precision. This epiphany led us to reach out to Sam, inquiring about the availability of his talented videographer, Shannon, for our special day. It was one of the wisest decisions we made during the wedding planning process.
The Details & Décor
Our rustic wedding celebration featured elegant simplicity, letting the beautiful venue shine through. I took on the majority of the decorative tasks myself, learning to create a stunning macramé wall hanging that Kate adorned with flowers during the ceremony and later at the reception. This impressive piece became a focal point behind us throughout the day.Initially, I planned to learn pyrography to craft personalized name cards. However, I opted for wooden hearts instead, beautifully calligraphing each guest’s name on them. For the table numbers, I designed clear acrylic signs with white-painted numbers and a subtle dusty blue background. Emma, my helpful bridesmaid, assisted with painting the backgrounds.We created a warm welcome sign using wooden pallets, as well as an order of the day sign with Sophie’s assistance. To add some playful charm, we crafted a noughts and crosses game from the same pallets, using silver-painted X’s and O’s.As unique wedding favors, we ordered personalized M&Ms featuring our names, which we individually wrapped in twine for a charming touch. The combination of these elements worked beautifully with dusty blue napkins, wooden hearts, and more.For our guests to deposit cards and presents, we hired vintage suitcases from Nickie and Little Orchard Vintage Hire. Nickie also provided us with a sweet cart that exceeded my expectations!The rustic DJ setup from Smooth Move events perfectly complemented the barn’s atmosphere. We further personalized the celebration by ordering real confetti petals from Shropshire Petals, which our guests delightedly scattered from wooden baskets.One of our best decisions was hiring a photobooth – we worked with Photohoof and set it up in the courtyard. Everyone had an absolute blast taking memorable photos with us.
The Flowers
Our meeting with Kate from The Greenery was an absolute delight. As we sat down, we were greeted with the warm aroma of freshly baked homemade brownies – it was a lovely touch! Kate’s enthusiasm and expertise shone through as she listened to our ideas and transformed them into a beautiful reality. We had brought some vague notions about flowers and foliage to the table, inspired by Pinterest images and Mark’s clear vision for a lush display. Kate expertly guided us through the process, suggesting flowers that complemented our chosen colors and theme. The final result was a stunning combination of soft pastel blue and cream hues, paired with silvery green foliage and subtle blush pink accents. Our bouquet featured roses, delphiniums, nigella, poppy seed heads, and eucalyptus, arranged in a loose, cascading style tied with a naturally dyed silk ribbon that flowed beautifully down the length of the arrangement. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were smaller and tied with twine, perfectly matching the best men’s boutonnieres. Mark’s lapel piece was a charming combination of smaller flowers from my bouquet. For the venue, we decided to create a showstopping flower arrangement in two rustic milk churns outside the main door. Down the aisle, large jars filled with delphiniums and foliage added a lovely touch – these later found new life as decorations on the tables and in the little alcove areas. Kate also worked her magic on flowers for our mums to wear on their wrists, for the bridesmaids’ hairpieces, the cake, and a stunning garland featuring plenty of trailing foliage to adorn the macramé wall hanging I crafted.
The Cake
Claire from Bake my Cake proved to be a fantastic choice for our wedding cake. Her expertise and creativity allowed us to bring our unique vision to life. We commissioned a semi-naked cake on a wooden log slice, adorned with real flowers and intricate fondant decorations.
To deviate from the traditional bride and groom toppers, we opted for a bear and mouse pair – Claire’s suggestion of adding blue ties and flowers behind the mouse’s ear added a charming touch.
As our beloved dog Echo couldn’t attend the wedding, we wanted to include him in some way. We sent photos to Claire, ensuring she captured his distinct coloring, expression, and sleeping pose perfectly. The result was astonishingly lifelike – even down to his curled up posture.
We decided on three flavors: decadent chocolate baileys, rich salted caramel, and classic Victoria sponge.
The Honeymoon
As we embarked on our blissful honeymoon adventure, my partner and I chose the Hotel Grand Mediterraneo Resort in Corfu as our idyllic getaway destination. After exchanging our vows, we took to the skies, departing for a 10-day all-inclusive sojourn of relaxation and rejuvenation. Our luxurious abode featured an indulgent private pool, providing the perfect haven for us to unwind and bask in each other’s company.
Memorable Moments
As we stood there with Sam and Shannon, they casually mentioned having smoke bombs in their car, prompting an impromptu suggestion: why not give it a try? The four of us – along with my three bridesmaids and Mark’s two best men – ventured into a nearby field, where we spent the next hour laughing and taking photos that would become some of our favorite memories from the entire experience. The atmosphere was infectious, with everyone having an absolute blast. In fact, it was this exact kind of unbridled joy that my partner Mark and I had envisioned for our special day – a celebration that would bring people together, create lasting memories, and leave us all feeling elated. And in many ways, the days that followed only reinforced this sense of perfect chaos. Waking up the next morning to see everyone emerging from their cottages, sharing stories and coffee as they relived the highlights of the previous night’s revelry was a truly special experience – one that left me beaming with pride and gratitude.
Advice For Other Couples
While it’s natural to want everything to be perfect, remember that imperfections are what make life worth living. Take a step back with your partner and absorb the atmosphere together. Let go of any stress or pressure you may be feeling and simply enjoy the moment.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The perfect blend of rustic charm and timeless elegance was on full display at Hannah and Mark’s special day. The couple brought together an impressive array of talented suppliers to bring their unique vision to life. From the stunning photography and film work by Sam Bennett Photography and Film, to the lush greenery provided by Florist Greenery, every detail was meticulously considered. Emma Goodwin Hair and Make Up ensured that Hannah looked absolutely radiant on her big day, while Huntsmill Farm served as the idyllic backdrop for the celebration. As members of the Wedding Suppliers community, The Rustic DJ and Smooth Moves kept the party going with their infectious energy. Of course, no rustic wedding would be complete without a few key elements: a gorgeous dress from Shop for Brides, confetti courtesy of Shropshire Petals – a member of the Wedding Flowers & Florists community – and an array of adorable bridesmaid dresses from Wed2B. The pièce de résistance, however, was the incredible prop hire provided by Little Orchard Vintage Hire, which added a touch of whimsy to the proceedings. Rounding out the festivities were a decadent cake from Bake My Cake and a hilarious photo booth courtesy of Photohoof. And as if all that weren’t enough, the happy couple treated their guests to sweet treats from M&Ms – a thoughtful touch that left everyone feeling grateful for the joyous celebration. Lou