It’s a fairytale come true! Lauren and Graham’s boho-chic pampas grass-filled barn wedding is a must-see. Held at The Barns in East Yorkshire, their special day was nothing short of breathtaking. What’s more, this beautiful couple pulled off an affordable wedding by choosing to tie the knot on a weekday. This clever move allowed them to allocate their budget more wisely.The attention to detail in their wedding style was unparalleled. Lush flower arrangements in bohemian hues, hanging pampas grass, macrame details and rustic wooden accents all combined to create a visually stunning atmosphere. And let’s not forget the star of the show – Lauren and Graham themselves, looking absolutely radiant on their big day.The icing on the cake? The incredible work of Kazooieloki Photography, who captured every moment in their signature style. We’re thrilled to have these amazing shots shared with us, giving us a glimpse into this unforgettable celebration.
Pampas Grass Barn Wedding
The Proposal
As we celebrated Lauren’s birthday on October 2nd, 2018, the morning unfolded with a sense of calm. Graham, our two children – Isla and Reuben – and I enjoyed a leisurely start to the day. The kids surprised me by bringing breakfast in bed and instructing me to get ready for an adventure out. Once I was dressed and made my way downstairs, they presented me with some thoughtful gifts to open. It was then that Isla handed me a special package, and as I unwrapped it, I discovered it was a beautiful ring. The moment was elevated when Graham got down on one knee, accompanied by the kids, asking me to spend forever with him. What resonated deeply was his decision to involve our children in this intimate moment – it truly reflected our values as a family. Isla’s infectious enthusiasm added an extra layer of joy, making the proposal feel even more personal and authentic.
The Vision
We share a passion for the unconventional, which made it clear that a traditional, cookie-cutter wedding wasn’t in our future. Lauren’s affection for all things vintage only solidified this notion. We yearned for a celebration that mirrored our unique personalities and reflected our eclectic taste. A relaxed, bohemian-inspired affair with whimsical touches was the perfect fit for us. As introverted individuals with a tight-knit circle of friends, we didn’t envision a grand spectacle but rather an intimate gathering that felt like a family reunion.
Budget
After nine years together, Graham proposed and we had already discussed our dream wedding day. However, considering we’d been living together since school, moved out at 17, started a family by 23, and bought a house, money was a major concern. We knew we had to plan a budget-friendly wedding. To be cost-effective, we made compromises when necessary. One clever move was booking our venue on a weekday, which saved us significantly compared to a Saturday. This also helped with availability for other suppliers, as they often had more weekdays free and some were even cheaper during the week. We skipped an expensive main course and opted for antipasti instead, which was a hit with guests. We also sourced our own desserts and used our wedding cake, finding this option to be more budget-friendly. To save on stationery costs, I designed templates using Etsy’s downloadable designs, printed them myself, and bought cards from eBay. A friend helped me print the invites and place cards, which was a huge cost-saver. We even created our own sweetie and temporary tattoo stations, drawing inspiration from easy-to-execute DIY ideas online. Not only did this save us money, but it also allowed us to spend quality time together as a couple, planning every detail of our special day.
The Venue
As soon as we began searching for the perfect rustic, vintage, boho-inspired barn wedding setting, we knew exactly what we were looking for: twinkling lights, a relaxed atmosphere, and an unpretentious vibe. We started by inquiring at another venue that initially seemed promising, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out, leaving us initially disappointed.
Undeterred, we turned to Google and discovered The Barns in East Yorkshire – a charmingly rustic barn that had remained largely untouched, unlike many others we’d come across. We fell head over heels for the exposed brickwork, beams, and original windows, which transported us to a bygone era.
Our minds were already racing with ideas on how to make the most of this unique setting – envisioning stunning photoshoots, envisioning the venue’s rustic charm setting the tone for our special day.
What really sealed the deal, though, was the shared vision between Kate and Ed, the venue owners. Throughout the lead-up to our big day, they made thoughtful improvements that preserved the barn’s original character while still enhancing its natural beauty.
The addition of drapes flowing through the beams, twinkling lights scattered throughout the barn, and cozy chesterfield sofas gathered around the firepit all combined to create an enchanting, intimate atmosphere that truly feels like a special place. It’s as if time stands still within those walls.
Your Outfits
Lauren had always envisioned her dream wedding dress – a unique and bohemian masterpiece that reflected her personal style. She had spent hours curating inspiration boards on Pinterest, but nothing seemed quite right. That was until she stumbled upon the ‘Ghost Orchid’ dress shop, which promised to deliver something truly one-of-a-kind. After trying on several dresses, Lauren felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of stunning options available. Katey, the shop owner, pulled out a few pieces that she thought would suit Lauren’s taste, but it wasn’t until she tried on ‘The One’ – a vintage-inspired masterpiece designed specifically for the founder’s own wedding – that she truly felt like she had found her dress. Despite being over budget, Lauren knew this was ‘the one’, and with the help of her mother, she was able to make it a reality.In the meantime, Graham had been busy planning his own attire for the big day. After Lauren showed him some inspiration photos featuring groomsman in tweed suits and flat caps, he knew he had found the perfect look. The pair came across Tweed and Groom through Instagram and were immediately drawn to their rustic-chic designs. They booked an appointment and tried on several options before finding the perfect fit. To complete his look, Graham discovered beautiful velvet amber bow ties by Belfast Bow Company on Etsy. After creating a mood board with the dresses, flowers, and color schemes, they knew these would be the perfect finishing touch. The suits perfectly complemented the wedding’s rustic and vintage aesthetic.
The Ceremony & Music
We opted for a non-traditional wedding ceremony, eschewing the typical church setting in favor of a relaxed and modern celebration. The venue’s license to host weddings allowed us to exchange vows in their picturesque barn, where we could keep things brief and get straight to the point. We wanted to enjoy the day with our loved ones and each other, so a short service was just what we needed.Lauren has always been an acoustic music enthusiast, so it was no surprise that we fell in love with the idea of having a singer playing an acoustic guitar during our ceremony. At a wedding fair, we stumbled upon Michael Mulholland, whose beautiful voice and harmonica skills left us smitten. We were initially hesitant to book him due to budget concerns, but after attending a date night at our venue during COVID-19 lockdowns, we were convinced that he was the perfect fit. His soulful voice perfectly complemented the romantic atmosphere of our venue, making it an unforgettable experience.As Lauren walked down the aisle, Michael’s rendition of City & Colour’s ‘Northern Wind’ set the tone for a beautiful moment, with lyrics that resonated deeply. Similarly, his performance of Maggie Rogers’ ‘Love You For A Long Time’ as we left the ceremony was a perfect fit, capturing the essence of our special day.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
As we began planning our special day, we stumbled upon Kazooieloki by Lauren while browsing Pinterest. What caught our attention was a candid photo of the groomsman that exuded a sense of coolness. The photography style resonated with us, and we couldn’t help but feel excited when we discovered the photographers were local to us – it was meant to be! Although we hadn’t yet settled on a venue or date, we knew we wanted them as our photographers. Lauren reached out to them, and after discussing details, we became even more convinced that they were the perfect fit. Once we had a date set, we booked them immediately. Fast forward to today, Richard and Christine not only captured our special moments but also became dear friends. We’ve even had the pleasure of collaborating with them on family photoshoots – they truly are talented individuals. Having them behind the lens felt like being in safe hands, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Similarly, while searching for videography inspiration, we came across their work with Ghost Orchid, where Lauren purchased her dress from. We were impressed by their similar style to ours and knew they’d be perfect for our wedding. It was essential to us that we had a video of our day to relive the memories, share with loved ones, and have moving footage and audio.
The Styling & Decor
Lauren’s vision for the big day was brought to life with a touch of vintage and bohemian charm. She scoured high and low for a stylist who could help her achieve this unique aesthetic, and finally found the perfect match in Claire’s Born Boho. The two were in constant contact, planning every detail to ensure that the day reflected their personal style. Lauren raved about how Claire understood her vision and added just the right amount of character to the celebration. Meanwhile, Zara from Floral & Lace was tasked with creating a stunning floral arrangement that would perfectly capture the autumn colours and vintage vibes that Lauren adored. The result was breathtaking – a symphony of flowers that added an extra layer of romance and whimsy to the proceedings. To complete the look, the couple sourced their wedding signs from Etsy and incorporated plenty of natural elements like wicker and bamboo into their decor. And, of course, they couldn’t resist adding some earthy tones with brown suits and rust-coloured bowties – a nod to their shared love of autumn hues.
The Honeymoon
As we prepared for our special day, we decided to put off planning a honeymoon until after the wedding. Our top priority was ensuring that everything went smoothly on the big day itself. One minor hurdle we faced was that neither of us had up-to-date passports, which made international travel more complicated than anticipated.
Memorable Moments
It was a truly unforgettable day that exceeded our expectations. One of the most standout moments was when Lauren’s family surprised us with a heartfelt video message filled with well wishes from special people in their lives. The video was cleverly hidden away, and it brought tears of joy to our eyes as we watched messages pouring in from loved ones. Another highlight was watching Lauren’s family members – all dressed up in ABBA costumes – bust a move to the iconic tunes in a music video that took us on a lively tour of the garden and Cleethorpes seafront. The whole experience left us grinning from ear to ear, with memories we’ll treasure forever.