Lauren and Luke’s Lynsted Park wedding in Kent was a true festival-style celebration, radiating joy and bohemian charm from start to finish. The couple’s big day was a masterclass in blending effortless style with infectious fun, as evidenced by their stunning outfits, vibrant tipi decorations, and lush summer blooms. Amidst the picturesque setting, not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the happy couple and their guests – just look at those beaming faces! The event also showcased the talents of Tailored Entertainment’s Festival Folk band, whose acoustic set had everyone entertained and singing along. Special thanks to Laura Debourde Photography for sharing these vibrant and captivating images with us.
Lynsted Park Wedding
The Proposal
As we strolled through Central Park’s winter wonderland in January 2019, Luke dropped a surprise on us. He had booked a special evening at an undisclosed restaurant, his lips sealed tight until we arrived. The crisp evening air only added to the magic as he led me towards the mystery destination. It wasn’t until we were mere steps away that Luke got down on one knee and popped the question. I’m grateful it was just the two of us; there’s something truly special about sharing such a moment in private, free from prying eyes. After I said yes, we headed to The Little Owl in Greenwich Village – the same spot where Monica and Rachel would have sipped coffee at Central Perk, had they been real. On our final day, we returned to that unforgettable spot in Central Park and attached a padlock as a symbol of our love, hoping to return in the future and relive the magic.
The Vision
Having a clear idea of what you want is crucial when planning your special day, but Pinterest can be a valuable ally. To get started, my partner and I attended around 4 wedding fairs together to gain insight into the various services suppliers offer and to gather ideas, prices, and inspiration from them. These events also provided a fantastic opportunity to chat with vendors, getting a better sense of what they can bring to the table. As a couple, we were always clear that we didn’t want a traditional, formal wedding. Being non-religious and laid-back by nature, we sought a relaxed celebration that would allow our friends and family to let loose and have a great time. Drawing inspiration from our experiences at Glastonbury Festival, we knew we wanted to incorporate elements of the festival into our big day – think giant tent (tipi) and live music – to create a lively, carefree atmosphere.
The Venue
After exploring three alternative options, we finally found our dream venue at Lynsted Park. As someone who values having control over specific aspects of my wedding planning process, I knew that finding a venue that allowed for flexibility was crucial. Most venues offer standard packages, which can be limiting if you have unique ideas in mind.
I stumbled upon Lynsted Park through the ‘A Kentish Ceremony’ website, and it turned out to be a hidden gem! The owners weren’t advertising their services at any wedding fairs or public events, making them stand out from the crowd. What’s more, Lynsted Park only hosts a limited number of weddings during the warmer months each year.
When we visited the venue, we were warmly welcomed by the owners, who shared our enthusiasm for the property. The ceremony could be held either indoors or under the picturesque gazebo. Beyond that, guests could enjoy the grounds for the wedding breakfast and reception, with complete freedom to plan as they pleased.
Planning a wedding from scratch can be daunting, especially when considering logistics like electricity, generators, and restrooms. However, Lynsted Park’s owners were more than happy to offer recommendations and advice, making it achievable if you’re willing to put in the effort. It was an enlightening experience, to say the least.
Your Outfits
I never felt the need to indulge in the traditional bridal shop experience, trying on multiple dresses only to be left with a hefty price tag. The idea of spending thousands of pounds on a dress that I’d only wear once seemed absurd. If I’m being honest, my heart was set on a Rue De Seine wedding dress for its bohemian charm, but unfortunately, they were well out of my budget.
As an alternative, I turned to the Monsoon website and stumbled upon two dresses that caught my eye. With the encouragement of their online presence, I made the trip to Bluewater and tried them on. One dress was surprisingly heavy, while the other felt like it was made for me. After finding ‘the one,’ I signed up for a Monsoon account, which granted me 20% off my first order.
If you’re planning to purchase your outfit from a retail store like Monsoon, I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter or waiting for a discount code. This approach helped me save a significant amount of money.
Meanwhile, Luke was on the hunt for a well-fitted suit that would complement his summer wedding attire. He decided to visit Savile Row in London, where he discovered a few stores offering measurement and tailoring services. Accompanied by his brother (the Best Man), my step-dad, and himself, they made a day out of it.
Before heading to London, Luke pre-selected a few suits on the store’s website, allowing him to showcase his preferences to the tailors. Given our summer wedding date, the suit they created was surprisingly lightweight, ensuring he stayed comfortable throughout the day. The store’s staff were incredibly helpful, and the tailors are actually based in-store, where they craft each suit before sending it via post a few days later.
The Ceremony & Music
We were torn between hosting our ceremony inside the venue’s house or outside beneath the picturesque gazebo, surrounded by lush gardens. Despite my initial dream of exchanging vows under the open sky, the unpredictable weather forecast left us on edge. The venue team, however, was phenomenal in their approach. They assured us that a decision would be made at the 11th hour based on the weather conditions. As it turned out, they delayed placing the chairs until just a couple of hours prior to the ceremony. Miraculously, the weather held up, and the staff swiftly relocated all 64 chairs to the garden, where our gazebo decorations were expertly set up.For our ceremony music, we opted for discreet speakers hidden among the trees at the front, connected via Bluetooth. This meant that someone had to be in charge of playing the desired tunes – a task we delegated to the Best Man. We simply used Spotify to play my walk-up-the-aisle song, Twin Atlantic’s acoustic hit ‘Hold On’, which held sentimental value as it was a favorite of both Luke and me.We chose to keep our vows concise and sweet, aiming for a ceremony that wouldn’t bore our guests with lengthy vows we’d witnessed at other weddings. As non-traditionalists, we wanted the ceremony to be a swift yet meaningful moment between just us, our closest family and friends, and the universe. It was lovely to have that special time together.Following the ceremony, I curated a six-song playlist for 20 minutes while we signed the register beneath the gazebo. The whole experience went smoothly, with the sun shining down as we sealed our love.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
When searching for a photographer, my priority was finding someone who could capture bright, fun, and natural moments from our special day. I grew tired of seeing photographers use dull filters that drained the color and vibrancy from their shots, leaving them looking grainy and lifeless. That’s when I stumbled upon Laura Debourde at the Rustic Kent Wedding Fair in April 2019, before we had even finalized our venue or date for the big day.
Laura was warm and welcoming, and as I flipped through her photos on her stall, I knew she was the perfect fit for us. Her professionalism shone through in every interaction, from emails to updates, and even a pre-wedding Skype call where we bonded over our shared love of dogs and TV shows like The Office U.S.
Laura offered an engagement-style shoot a few months before the wedding, which allowed us to meet her in person and get a feel for her photography style. I highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity if you’re offered it – it can feel awkward at first, but it’s a great way to connect with your photographer and get comfortable with being photographed.
In contrast, my filmmaker experience was marred by a last-minute crisis when the original videographer contracted Covid just six days before our wedding. I was left scrambling to find a replacement, which was both stressful and overwhelming. Fortunately, the unavailable videographer’s friend at TDH Media was able to step in and save the day, providing a seamless transition despite the short notice.
Even under those trying circumstances, TDH Media’s professionalism and friendly demeanor put me at ease on the wedding day itself. I’m forever grateful for their quick thinking and expertise in capturing our special moments.
The Styling & Decor
As our wedding planning got underway, I embarked on a 18-month journey of preparation. With ample time on my hands, I took it upon myself to curate many of the decorations, including crafting the table plan, designing a pallet display, creating place cards, lighting candles and arranging flower jars. The beauty of getting crafty lies in its simplicity – don’t be afraid to get creative!
In a two-year span, my partner and I collected an assortment of items – gin bottles, jam jars, and pasta bake containers – which we treated as ‘free’ treasures. One evening, I spent quality time with my mother and friend wrapping jute rope around 80 jars while sharing laughs and sipping drinks. Online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace proved to be excellent resources for finding deals.
When it came to our wedding cake, we opted for a more unconventional approach – cupcakes! My mother spent an entire year perfecting her buttercream swirl recipe, resulting in scrumptious treats that were devoured on the night. To complement our cupcake assortment, we purchased a naked cake from Marks & Spencer.
For a touch of elegance, we ordered a personalized wooden cake topper through Etsy and adorned it with high-quality artificial flowers – both of which can be treasured for years to come.
The Honeymoon
Our initially scheduled honeymoon for September 2021 was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic’s impact on flights. Undeterred, we’ve since rebooked and are now eagerly anticipating our three-week California adventure in September 2022, which promises to be an unforgettable road trip experience.
Memorable Moments
As I look back on my special day, it’s the candid moments with loved ones that truly stand out. Although it can feel like a whirlwind trying to connect with each guest individually, it’s those fleeting interactions that create lasting memories. And let’s not forget the joy of dancing and celebrating with friends and family – it’s an unbeatable feeling! My partner and I also cherished our time together during the couples photo shoot, taking a moment to step away from the festivities and capture our love in photographs.The weather played its part in making the day truly unforgettable. Despite some afternoon and evening showers, our venue team handled everything seamlessly behind the scenes. During the ceremony, the sun shone brightly, setting the tone for a beautiful celebration. We even managed to squeeze in some lawn activities and group photos before the heavens opened up again.As we transitioned guests to the tipi for the wedding breakfast, our photographer asked us to take a few minutes for ourselves. We ended up snapping many romantic couple shots, but just as we were wrapping up, the clouds darkened and thunder rolled in. Luckily, everyone was safely indoors by then, and we both made it into the tipi just as the rain started pouring down. Our photographer even captured this dramatic moment on camera – talk about a bonus!The rain subsided within an hour or so, allowing our evening guests to arrive without any issues. However, the water had seeped into some of the outdoor lighting, causing a power outage in the evening. This was one reason I invested in a backup generator (a valuable lesson for anyone hosting an outdoor celebration). As we waited for the issue to be resolved, the band treated us to an impromptu acoustic set on the lawn – it was pure magic! The venue’s swift work getting everything back up and running allowed our party to continue without a hitch.