I’m thrilled to be sharing Ian and Millie’s enchanting woodland wedding at Weddings In The Wood, where my own special day took place. Their bohemian-inspired celebration was a true masterpiece, with burnt orange and green hues blending seamlessly together. The flowers were breathtakingly beautiful, and the DIY decorations added a personal touch that made their big day truly unique.
New Forest Wedding
The Proposal
As the Christmas season unfolded, Ian’s thoughtful gestures didn’t go unnoticed. He had surprised me with a unique wooden train advent calendar, cleverly hiding little treats in each drawer for me to discover over the 24 days leading up to December 25th. As I eagerly opened one of the drawers on Christmas Eve, my heart skipped a beat as I found a beautifully wrapped ring nestled among the tissue paper. But it was what happened next that left me utterly speechless – Ian, with our little one by his side, got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever. The romance and surprise of the moment still leaves me feeling grateful and loved.
The Vision
As we scoured the landscape for the perfect outdoor wedding setting, our hearts skipped a beat at the thought of exchanging vows beneath the majestic canopy of trees. The forest ceremony area at our chosen venue was love at first sight. Our dream was to create an atmosphere where loved ones could let their hair down and truly revel in the joy of the occasion – think music, dancing, and an infectious sense of relaxation. Originally slated for last year, our postponement led us to a serendipitous surprise Christmas Eve ceremony that was an intimate and serene affair. This time around, we craved a celebration that would be filled with family, friends, and a palpable sense of camaraderie.
The Ceremony & Music
The celebration began with a beautiful ceremony, officiated by my aunt Angela – a registrar who brought her own personal touch to the proceedings. A reading by my stepdad added an emotional depth to the occasion. Before the ceremony, we were treated to a haunting performance by a harpist in the woods, and our walk down the aisle was accompanied by the iconic sounds of Dire Straits’ ‘Romeo and Juliet’. As the ceremony concluded, we were serenaded by Josh on saxophone during the post-ceremony drinks. For the main event, we had booked local band Stolen For The Party, who also happened to be a favorite at my mum and stepdad’s wedding – and it was only fitting that we danced our first dance together as a family to their music. But the pièce de résistance came when, after my mum finished her speech, a surprise waiter began belting out a tune, soon joined by another. It was a moment of pure magic, reminiscent of a conversation I had with my mum five years prior – it seemed she had arranged this very scenario as a surprise for us. As the whole marquee erupted into song, it was clear that this was an experience none of us would ever forget.
The Venue
Your Outfits
During my trip to Essex with my bridesmaids, mum, and mother-in-law, I stumbled upon Rock The Frock, a treasure trove of alternative and modern dresses that left me utterly impressed. After encountering some disappointing experiences at other dress shops, I was thrilled to find a gem like Rock The Frock, whose staff – particularly Mollie – were incredibly helpful in finding my dream dress. The dress itself is the work of the talented Poppy Perspective, whose designer Phiney sent it directly to me during lockdown, just before our initial wedding date of July 25th, 2020. Our communication remained seamless throughout the pandemic, and Phiney even conducted my alterations at one of her pop-up shows in London. Her kindness and dedication to creating the perfect dress were a testament to her kind spirit. Meanwhile, Ian opted for a tailored suit from Moss Bros, paired with a Hugo Boss shirt and Sebago shoes.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
We’re still awaiting our wedding video, which was commissioned through my friend’s company, PressPlayWeddings. In contrast, our photographer, Sasha, has already delivered an exceptional collection of photos that perfectly capture the candid moments and emotions we cherish. Rather than traditional posed shots, we opted for snapshots of joy and laughter, and Sasha exceeded our expectations by seamlessly capturing these fleeting moments with her camera. Her unobtrusive presence allowed us to relax and enjoy the wedding while she worked her magic behind the lens.
The Styling & Decor
The wedding decorations were refreshingly understated, with most elements crafted by ourselves. The pièce de résistance was the cake, designed by Purely Scrumptious, whose owner’s daughter is a close friend of mine (and the mother of my dear friend Willow, who had the honor of walking down the aisle alongside our son Sidney). As we indulged in a sumptuous dessert table featuring an assortment of sweets and homemade treats from loved ones, we didn’t even get a chance to savor the cake until the next day! We devoured it with our families, relishing every bite. The flowers adorning the aisle were created by harvesting cuttings from a friend’s garden, while the buttonholes, bouquets, and hat were expertly crafted by Blossom Boutique. I had brought in some artificial flowers I’d made for our Christmas Eve wedding to ensure a cohesive color scheme, which surprisingly matched beautifully with the fresh blooms, giving them a unique summer twist. The feedback on my hat was overwhelmingly positive, with many complimenting its stunning beauty and how well it complemented the surrounding flora.The overall aesthetic wasn’t intentionally themed, but we inadvertently gravitated towards a palette dominated by green and burnt orange hues.As part of our DIY endeavors, I repurposed a vintage record player that once belonged to my step-grandmother as a one-of-a-kind guestbook. We utilized Ian’s uncle’s old records for guests to sign their names. Additionally, I personally hand-painted the beer pong table with a sentimental image of us in the center. My artistic endeavors didn’t stop there – I also crafted the archway and macramé pieces myself, bringing an added touch of personal flair to our special day.
The Honeymoon
Memorable Moments
As I reflect on our special moments, a few stand out in my mind. The serenity of the setting was perfect – the gentle petals falling from the trees, illuminated by warm sunlight as we exchanged our vows. It’s the little things that make memories so vivid, like sharing a beer behind the bushes before the confetti cannons went off. Then there were the surprise singing waiters, their harmonies blending in harmony with the joy of the celebration. And let’s not forget the unbridled energy of the dancing that followed – it was infectious! Of course, things got a little wild as the night wore on and the shots kept flowing…