Lucy and Simon, thrilled to share their unforgettable wedding celebration with us! The lovely couple exchanged vows on August 1st, 2018 at the picturesque Godwick Great Barn and Hall in Norfolk’s stunning countryside. Their outdoor ceremony took place against a serene backdrop of rolling hills and tipis, setting the tone for an idyllic day. Following the ceremony, they transitioned to the rustic barn, where an evening of revelry awaited. The excitement only grew with the entertainment lined up, including Smith and Sons, a live band from our beloved WWW, as well as a glitter makeup station, tattoo artist, outdoor games, and crepe treats in the evening. It was truly an unforgettable experience!The wedding’s décor showcased beautiful touches, such as peacock chairs for the newlyweds at the top table, lush wildflowers scattered throughout, and stunning stationery. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the impressive tractor-trailer transportation, exquisite outfits, and a breathtaking sunset that capped off the night.We’re grateful to Rob Dodsworth Photography for sharing these remarkable images with us today! The memories they capture are truly breathtaking.
The Proposal
We’ve been together for 10 years, since we were just 18. While we’d discussed marriage before, I still couldn’t believe it when Simon popped the question! Our holiday to Lanzarote with my family was the perfect backdrop. For me, this place holds a special significance – I’ve visited every year since I was two, and it’s filled with fond memories. One evening, Simon suggested a walk before dinner, and I nearly ruined the surprise by inviting everyone else along. Thankfully, they declined! As we strolled down to the beach, Simon dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife. I think my elation was so palpable that I laughed! The proposal was intimate and heartfelt – utterly perfect. It was incredible to spend the following week celebrating in the sun with my loved ones, unwinding before the planning began.
The Vision
For us, the key priority was crafting an unforgettable day that balanced fun and relaxation. Given our strong connection to Norfolk, where we’re both from and now call home, it only seemed fitting to host our special day in this picturesque region. We were adamant about finding a venue that would allow us to put our personal touch on proceedings and, crucially, accommodate our closest loved ones, including the bridal party and immediate family, ensuring the celebrations could continue long after the sun went down.
The Planning Process
I savored every moment of planning our special day! I spent hours pouring over Whimsical Wonderland, gathering inspiration and researching vendors. Initially, the task seemed overwhelming, given my notorious lack of organization (an understatement!). However, Simon being the organized one in our household, created a spreadsheet to keep us on track. We were incredibly fortunate to have wonderful friends and family who lent a helping hand. Pippa, my trusty bridesmaid, assisted me in crafting 100 candles for our favors; my mom and stepdad worked tirelessly to fill hundreds of jars with chocolate buttons (although my stepdad may have had a slight advantage in the consumption department); and Simon’s mother kindly printed out everyone’s addresses, sparing us from handwriting each one. Every ounce of support we received made the process just a little more manageable.
The Venue
We embarked on a journey to find the perfect venue for our special day, and it wasn’t until we visited Godwick Great Barn in Norfolk that we knew we’d found our match. The moment we left the viewing, we were hooked and booked the spot straight away. What drew us to this stunning barn was its blank canvas, inviting us to add our personal touch and make it truly our own. One of the standout features was the duo ceremony option, allowing us to exchange vows either outdoors or indoors, depending on the weather. The picturesque setting, complete with hay bales and a field of sheep, was a major draw for us. We also appreciated that Godwick offered an unconventional yet charming way to arrive at the venue – a tractor and trailer that brought our bridal party in style. Ultimately, it was the luxurious farm house adjacent to the barn that sealed the deal for us. This spacious retreat allowed our entire bridal party to stay overnight, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, games room, and three cozy shepherd’s huts. One of these huts became our bridal suite, providing an unforgettable experience as we spent quality time together before the big day.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I embarked on the dress shopping journey, I felt an overwhelming sense of pressure to find the perfect bridal moment. Despite trying on various styles, I struggled to find one that flattered my figure. It wasn’t until I settled for a more traditional design that I finally felt a connection with the dress. The addition of a leather jacket by Back Chat Designs gave it a unique touch, and I loved the beautiful gold lace detailing. With the help of the lovely team at Heart Brides, we made some customizations to ensure the dress was truly mine. They replaced the corset back with buttons down the back and helped me choose a stunning cathedral-length veil. To give my feet a break after the ceremony, I swapped into my trusty gold glitter wedges. My hair accessories were from Crown and Glory, and my shoes were from ASOS.
Beauty
The bridal beauty experience truly shone when I had my hair trial with the exceptional Flamingo Amy. I yearned for a unique hairstyle that would make me feel extra special, so I opted for a 50’s-inspired Marilyn Monroe look and fell head over heels in love with it. With her incredible talent and intuitive understanding of my vision, Amy created stunning styles not just for myself but also for my bridesmaids. Meanwhile, the talented Leanna Stibbon from Love Moi make up worked her magic on me, expertly transforming my natural look into a flawless, long-lasting masterpiece that boosted my confidence to rock a bold red lip. I was initially apprehensive about having my makeup done, but Leanna’s professionalism put me at ease. Later, Love Moi make up returned for our reception, teaming up with The Glitter Bar! Initially, some people doubted the value of a glitter bar, but I’m thrilled I persisted and now we have cherished memories of the queues that formed all night as everyone – including my Nan and photographer – got glittered up. We’ve captured some fantastic photos of the revelry, featuring our loved ones dancing with sparkly faces at the end of the night, which are among our favorite mementos.
Groomsmen
When it came to dressing his groomsmen, Simon turned to Pure Brides in Norwich, opting for a hired ensemble that perfectly reflected his vision. The team had an impressive range to choose from, thanks to Simon’s clear direction on what he was looking for. To add a personal touch, Simon presented each of his groomsmen with a pair of vibrant socks, a nod to his own affection for bold footwear. These thoughtful touches really made the photos pop!
The Readings & Music
For our special day, we curated a playlist featuring iconic film scores that held sentimental value to us. As I walked down the aisle, the sweet melody of ‘How Long Will I Love You?’ from ‘About Time’ accompanied me, while our return walk was underscored by Hall and Oates’ upbeat tune ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ from 500 Days of Summer. This nostalgic soundtrack set the tone for our celebration. Our first dance, a deeply personal moment, was soundtracked by the music of Mumford & Sons, our all-time favourite band. We’ve had the privilege of seeing them live in Iceland, and their song ‘There Will Be Time’ holds a special place in our hearts. In fact, it’s so emotive that it always brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it now! To make our celebration even more meaningful, we invited two dear family members – my sisters – to share readings with us. They brought the house down with their renditions of Edward Monkton’s ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’ and ‘The Lovely Other Dinosaur’, transporting us to a whimsical world of love and wonder.
The Flowers
As I walked through the forum spring wedding show in Norwich, my eyes landed on Judith from Peony Floral Designs, and her stunning wild floral displays immediately caught my attention. Her enthusiasm for her craft was palpable, and it was clear that she shared my passion for creative wedding ideas. Together, we brought our vision to life with large, lush centre pieces featuring wild flowers, button holes adorned with delicate blooms, and a picturesque aisle lined with flora. The pièce de résistance was the stunning draping of flowers over the tipi where we exchanged our vows. But that wasn’t all – Judith also worked her magic on the staircase in the barn, creating a breathtaking display of trailing foliage and candles. She added the perfect touch to our peacock throne chairs by adorning them with lush foliage, and even incorporated gin bottles filled with stems throughout the venue, paying homage to our love of the spirit. Despite my last-minute requests and potential annoyances, Judith remained an absolute star, patiently accommodating my whims and offering helpful guidance every step of the way.
Bridesmaids
The bridesmaid’s dresses were sourced from ASOS, with my little sister’s dress coming from Monsoon. This decision proved to be a convenient one, as it allowed each bridesmaid to select a style that suited her taste and try them on at home, given their geographical dispersal across different parts of the country.
In addition, I gifted my bridesmaids with personalized bracelets from Lisa Angel in Norwich, which offered an impressive range of gift options.
The Details & Décor
As we envisioned our wedding, we wanted it to be an authentic celebration of our love and shared passions. Without a specific theme in mind, we aimed to incorporate elements that spoke to us as individuals and as a couple. This included nods to our favorite film, 500 Days of Summer, with a bespoke ‘I Love Us’ cake topper and a walk down the aisle set to Hall & Oates’ romantic hit, ‘You Make My Dreams Come True.’ Simon’s love for The Lord of the Rings was also acknowledged through map-of-Middle-Earth cufflinks. I surprised him by concluding my vows with a heartfelt declaration: ‘I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all of the ages of this world alone.’ With 14 tattoos that I’m deeply passionate about, we set up a tattoo station with personalized designs that proved incredibly popular, and our first dance was a tribute to our favorite band, Mumford & Sons. The evening’s entertainment featured a folk band that kept everyone dancing until the night drew to a close.Simon, being a skilled graphic designer, took charge of designing our wedding stationery from scratch. He even created whimsical cartoons of each guest for our table plan and place names, which added a touch of humor and personality to the overall aesthetic. We based our design on pastel-hued illustrations of our chosen flowers, which Simon skillfully crafted using his artistic skills. A custom-designed logo featuring hand-drawn illustrations of the Godwick ruins was another unique element that tied in with our wedding’s visual identity.In a departure from traditional wedding planning, we opted not to hire a stylist, preferring an effortless, ‘unplanned’ vibe. However, we were fortunate enough to receive guidance from Penny at The Little Lending Company, which led us to rent various items from her collection, including the tipi ceremony structure, table plan frame, wicker ‘thrones,’ and geometric candle holders.We also collaborated with Lou Lou Loves Vintage to source some special touches, such as garden games, a Polaroid guest book, and tattoo station equipment. Meanwhile, Mitre Farm generously provided us with their beautiful biodegradable petal confetti, allowing us to hand-pick the petals we wanted to use at the wedding. This memorable experience brought us even closer together as we prepared for our special day.
Your Photographer
We were fortunate to work with the talented photographer, Rob Dodsworth, who brought his unique brand of relaxed humor to our special day. His portfolio immediately caught our attention, showcasing a candid photography style that we felt would perfectly capture our personalities. As soon as we met Rob, we knew he was the right fit – his easy-going nature and quick wit put us at ease, allowing us to focus on enjoying each other’s company rather than worrying about posing for hours. The result is a set of natural, authentic photos that beautifully convey the joy and laughter of our wedding day. We couldn’t be happier with Rob’s work and would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer who can capture life’s special moments in a way that feels truly genuine.
Catering
We indulged in afternoon tea, pairing it with a selection of fine wines, including Prosecco and Beer. As we transitioned into the evening, a crepe van arrived on the scene, accompanied by an impressive tower of artisanal cheeses. A special treat came courtesy of family friend Sabrina, who crafted a breathtaking cake for our celebration. The array of flavors included the tart and citrusy lemon and elderflower, the rich and decadent chocolate, and the classic Victoria sponge with its sweet strawberry jam accompaniment. We also enjoyed an assortment of delectable red velvet cupcakes. As Simon would attest, the cake tasting was a pivotal moment in our planning process – a true highlight!
Your Filmmaker
In hindsight, we’re grateful that numerous wedding blogs advised hiring a videographer – it’s a piece of advice that resonated deeply with us. Initially, we hadn’t planned on having one, but after reading countless recommendations, we decided to take the plunge, albeit at the last minute. We were fortunate that our photographer recommended Pete Henderson, who was just starting out in his videography career. Despite being new to the scene, he delivered an outstanding final product that has left us beaming with joy. To this day, we’ve watched it countless times, reliving the magic of our special day over and again.
The Honeymoon
Our post-wedding celebration was a family moon to Lanzarote, where we soaked up two weeks of sunshine, indulged in sea and sangria, and reveled in non-stop laughter. The memories from that trip remain etched vividly in our minds. Later in October, we embarked on an adventure to Riviera Maya Mexico, spending a week exploring the region’s natural wonders. We ventured to the top of Coba Maya, swam alongside majestic turtles, and sipped tequila as we savored every moment of our relaxing getaway.
Memorable Moments
As the night drew to a close, the most enduring memory of our special day unfolded. The dance floor was alive with energy as the band finished their final set, and in unison, our loved ones begged them for ‘just one more.’ Obliging, they launched into a rousing rendition of ‘Champagne Supernova,’ with our family and friends joining in, creating an unforgettable moment that would become synonymous with our wedding. The song’s significance only grew as the years passed, transporting us back to the joy and magic of that day every time we heard its familiar chords.
In the midst of all the celebration, a few moments stood out for their sheer brilliance – like the first glimpse of Simon, beaming with happiness, or the emotional highs of listening to his heartfelt vows. For me, those vows marked the peak of my personal euphoria, leaving me grinning from ear to ear.
Little did I know, however, that a tiny, uninvited guest was about to crash the party. Mid-vow, a wasp became lodged in my veil, sending my heart racing with panic. But, true to his heroic instincts, my dad sprang into action, expertly rescuing me from the unwanted intruder. I may not have been thrilled with the unexpected interruption, but I’ll always cherish the memory of that moment – and my dad’s quick thinking!
Advice For Other Couples
I remember getting caught up in the minutiae of wedding planning, stressing over table arrangements and trivial details that ultimately didn’t have a significant impact on the big picture. On the day itself, things might not go exactly as planned – the wrong items end up in the wrong places, we forget to give thank-you gifts to the mothers, or the aisle flowers don’t make it to the top table. But the truth is, none of these minor mishaps will matter once you’re swept up in the romance and magic of the day. You’ll be too busy taking it all in to notice any imperfections.
I also learned that having disagreements with your partner or others about specific details is normal – it’s natural to have differing opinions, but remember that ultimately, it’s your special day, so prioritize your own desires and don’t worry too much about what others think. They’ll come around once they see your vision come to life.
Perhaps most importantly, make sure to carve out some time for just the two of you amidst all the chaos – take a moment to look at each other, breathe it in, and soak up every second of this unforgettable experience.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The picturesque Godwick Great Barn and Hall served as the idyllic backdrop for Lucy and Simon’s unforgettable wedding celebration. The talented photographer Rob Dodsworth Photography captured every cherished moment, while Expresso & Christophe’s Crepes satisfied guests’ sweet tooth cravings. Lucy’s radiant beauty was enhanced by Flamingo Amy’s stunning hair creations and Leanna Stibbon’s flawless makeup artistry. Love Moi Make Up added a touch of whimsy with their glittering offerings. Heart Brides designed the lovely couple’s enchanting attire, while Peony Floral Design brought vibrant life to the venue with their exquisite floral arrangements. The expertly crafted wedding film by Henderson Taylor Films will forever preserve this joyous occasion. To ensure every detail was meticulously executed, Lucy and Simon relied on trusted vendors like The Little Lending Company & Belles and Beaus Wedding Styling formerly Lou Lou Loves for equipment hire and Pure Brides for their dashing groomsmen attire. As a special nod to the happy couple, Mitre Farm provided confetti for the celebratory send-off. Later that evening, Smith and Sons via Tailored Entertainment got everyone on their feet with their lively band performance. Last but not least, Wedding Directory members – Wedding Entertainment ensured that every moment was filled with joy and laughter.