The whimsical Fairoaks wedding of Ellie and Nick in Herefordshire effortlessly won my heart. Their cleverly planned surprise celebration under the guise of a birthday getaway weekend was nothing short of magical. The revelation to their guests must have been thrilling, and the fact that they shared this special moment with just each other beforehand is truly romantic.What also caught my attention were the couple’s impeccable sense of style, which shone through in their fashion choices and the beautiful pastel-inspired wildflower florals. Rather than letting the rain dampen their spirits, they chose to take advantage of it, dancing under brollies with infectious enthusiasm. It was lovely to see that their harpist was recommended by Alive Network, a trusted wedding supplier.I’m deeply grateful to Patrick Partridge Photography for sharing these incredible images with us.
Fairoaks Wedding
The Proposal
In a twist on traditional proposals, we decided to plan our special day in secret. With the COVID-19 lockdown in place at the end of 2020, we seized the opportunity to surprise our loved ones with not one, but two celebrations – Nick’s postponed 30th birthday weekend and our own wedding! We had already booked Fairoaks Barns in Herefordshire for the occasion, envisioning a intimate gathering with family and close friends. The idea of surprising our guests, inspired by a couple who turned their supposed engagement party into a surprise wedding day, resonated deeply with us. With lockdown restrictions uncertain, we felt the pressure melt away – if we couldn’t make it happen, nobody would be disappointed anyway! We had always envisioned a small, weekend-long celebration where everyone could come together and enjoy the festivities. And so, Fairoaks seemed like the perfect setting to bring our dream wedding to life. As friends and family arrived on Friday, they were in for a surprise – instead of celebrating Nick’s birthday, we revealed that the real reason for the gathering was our engagement… and that the next day would be our special day! The excitement was palpable as we shared this unforgettable moment with those we love.
The Vision
We had envisioned a warm, romantic, and effortlessly natural wedding celebration where every moment flowed seamlessly into the next. However, we knew that bringing this surprise wedding vision to life would require meticulous planning and execution. To ensure our big day went off without a hitch, we wisely booked Georgina Rose Events at an early stage in the planning process. With Georgie’s expert guidance and on-site coordination, we were able to trust that every detail would be taken care of, allowing us to truly relax and enjoy the experience.
Budget
The Venue
Surrounded by the picturesque Malvern Hills, Fairoaks in Herefordshire proved to be the perfect setting for our dream wedding. The lovingly restored old barn buildings added a touch of rustic charm to our special day. As we opted to spend most of it outdoors, we were spoiled for choice when it came to capturing the breathtaking scenery on camera and film. The natural beauty of Fairoaks was so captivating that we didn’t need to worry about styling the space at all – it was already a photographer’s dream come true.
Your Outfits
I was supposed to go wedding dress shopping in December 2020, but another lockdown forced me to cancel all my appointments. Knowing I only had a month left before our big day, I took a risk and ordered my dream dress without trying it on first! While many might not be comfortable with this unconventional approach, I believe it’s possible for brides like me who have a clear vision in mind. By considering your personal style and the shapes that flatter your figure, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect fit.
I was thrilled to find my ‘Louie’ dress from Made With Love @avalouisebridal – Imogen was an absolute delight, and I was overjoyed when I finally got to try it on a few weeks before our wedding day. The exquisite 3D hand-stitched detailing reminded me of cherry blossoms, and I fell head over heels in love with it! I just couldn’t imagine taking it off.
On the other side of the aisle, Nick and his groomsmen opted for stylish stone-coloured linen blend three-piece suits from Moss Bros. With a keen interest in tailoring and suiting up for work, Nick wanted something special for our wedding day. The linen blend suits they chose were not only dashing but also incredibly comfortable to wear throughout the day.
The Ceremony & Music
We were thrilled to have @pipthecelebrant lead our special day with a celebratory ceremony that perfectly captured our personalities and resonated with our loved ones in attendance. The personalized touch was truly appreciated by all. Meanwhile, Jessica Louise’s enchanting harp melodies during the ceremony and reception’s arrival drinks and canapés were an absolute delight. Her unique pieces left our guests spellbound. As the night unfolded, The Parklife band took center stage, delivering a spectacular performance that had everyone dancing and letting loose after what felt like an eternity of missing out on live music. It was truly magical to see our loved ones come together to celebrate in such a joyful atmosphere.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
We had an absolute blast working with our photographer, @patpartridgephotography, who not only captured our special day beautifully but also became like family to us. His wonderful personality and expertise made our experience truly unforgettable. We’re incredibly grateful for the stunning photos he took, which perfectly capture the magic of our wedding day.
Our videographer, @mitchellclulow, was another great find, thanks to Pat’s recommendation. We immediately clicked with Mitch, and his exceptional filmwork resulted in a masterpiece that we can’t get enough of – I’ve watched it back multiple times already! Mitch and Pat worked seamlessly together on our big day, creating an atmosphere that was truly special.
One piece of advice we’d like to pass along is to consider booking suppliers who have worked together before. The chemistry between them can really make a difference in the overall experience. By having Pat and Mitch working together, it felt like we had a little team supporting us throughout the day – something that truly added to our joy and happiness.
The Styling & Decor
Charlotte, a talented florist from @bloomsbycharlotte, brought her unique touch to the ceremony by crafting arrangements that perfectly captured the whimsical essence of pastel wildflowers. She deliberately chose loose, flowing bouquets and a stunning floral arch that harmonized with the breathtaking Malvern Hills backdrop, allowing the natural beauty of the surroundings to shine through.
Memorable Moments
The memories of our wedding day are still so vivid, and one moment stands out in particular. While the photos taken by Pat capture the beauty of that day perfectly, the candid shots he took the night before of our reveal moment bring it all back to life. They’re a treasure trove of emotions and reactions that we’ll always cherish.Another special moment was the brief time my wife and I had together after the ceremony, when our wedding planner, Georgina Rose Events, took us up to the reception area to give us a sneak peek before the guests arrived. It was a lovely opportunity for us to take in the day’s events and savor the moment together.And then, of course, there was the rain that rolled in during the evening. We’d prepared for the possibility of bad weather with some stylish white umbrellas, but I have to admit, it wasn’t something we were particularly looking forward to! However, once the rain started falling, everyone just went with it and started dancing under their umbrellas. It was actually one of the highlights of the day, and Pat and Mitch’s photos really capture the fun and spontaneity of that moment.