Today’s featured real wedding is a masterclass in love, color, and personality. The joy radiates from every capture by Curious Rose Photography, which readers Ros and Chris discovered through our platform. And what a celebration it was! The outdoor ceremony, held beneath a eucalyptus tree with a handmade paper cone backdrop gently swaying in the breeze, was the perfect blend of relaxation and fun. With personal touches woven throughout the ceremony, every moment felt meaningful to the couple. The festivities then shifted to The Secret Barn in West Sussex, where peonies and handcrafted details created a whimsical atmosphere. A ‘Best Day Ever’ banner served as a striking centerpiece, surprisingly a simple DIY project that added to the characterful barn’s charm. I must say that Ros’s lace Rue De Seine wedding dress, with its bohemian flair, was perfectly paired with a colorful flower crown and bold red lips. Chris and his groomsmen, meanwhile, opted for navy tweed suits and bow ties from Vintage Suit Hire and Mrs Bow Tie, exuding effortless style.
The Proposal
In November 2016, Chris orchestrated a romantic proposal in Copenhagen, marking our 10-year milestone together. My packing skills left much to be desired, with frigid temperatures making every layer feel like an icebox. Undeterred, Chris had meticulously planned the day to culminate beside a stunning river. We settled onto a bench, where I, oblivious to his intentions, prattled on about trivial matters (completely unaware of the life-changing moment unfolding). As we stood up, I bemoaned the chill and asked if we could continue our stroll. Chris’s response was characteristically thoughtful, remarking, ‘I’ve got something that might warm you up,’ as he reached into his pocket for the ring. Though my initial reaction was likely not what he had envisioned, it added to the humor and charm of the moment. After I’d recovered from the shock, we celebrated with a night out at the bars.
The Vision
The concept of our outdoor oasis wasn’t formalized; it was more of a collaborative, organic process. We had a general sense that we wanted the atmosphere to be laid-back and spent as much time outdoors as possible. Given our shared passion for crafting, we knew there would be an assortment of eclectic treasures scattered about.
The Planning Process
As we embarked on planning our celebration, we adopted a deliberate approach, taking things one step at a time. We secured the venue early on, following up with key decisions every now and then to maintain momentum. What’s more, we made sure to infuse our planning process with enjoyment, ensuring that our preparation wasn’t solely focused on the end goal of one day. Our strategy turned what could have been a monotonous task into a year-long adventure, replete with memorable experiences like a road trip to Calais with friends, a group outing to Covent Garden Flower Market, numerous craft nights, and multiple wine tasting sessions. By involving as many people as possible in the preparation, we transformed our celebration into an inclusive and joyful experience that brought us closer together.
The Venue
We selected The Secret Barn in West Sussex for its untouched beauty, allowing us to shape our special day into whatever we desired. Hannah from Petal and Feast expertly oversaw the venue, exuding a calming presence that kept us at ease throughout. The main draw for this location was the serene setting of our ceremony beneath the sprawling eucalyptus tree and lush apple orchard – it exceeded our expectations in every way. After the wedding, we were thrilled to have 40 close friends join us for an impromptu camping adventure, complete with cozy bell tents. The morning after proved to be a highlight when our friends gathered to relish bacon sandwiches and reminisce about the previous day’s events. A hidden gem of this venue is its accommodating policy towards self-provided beverages – no corkage fees or restrictions meant significant cost savings for us.
The Readings & Music
Your Outfits & Accessories
I had reservations about wedding dresses, thinking they wouldn’t flatter my figure. A couple of visits to shops left me unimpressed, so I was thrilled when I discovered a designer that resonated with me. As fate would have it, the only shop carrying Rue De Seine was hosting a sample sale the next day in Brighton – and I managed to squeeze in a last-minute trip with friends to snag my dress. My choice was driven by comfort, fun, and a desire for something truly bridal. The lace is stunning, and I adore its shape! Being a sample, it was significantly cheaper than usual, leaving me with some wiggle room for alterations – a blessing given my aversion to full-length gowns. To ensure maximum dancing freedom, I cleverly secured the dress using massive metal crocodile clips. Remember, your dress shouldn’t get in the way of having the time of your life!
My sister crafted my veil from fabric we selected together at The Silk Society in Soho. They offer an array of bridal fabrics and were incredibly helpful. What’s more, it was a fraction of the cost of buying one – and all the more special for being handmade.
Hannah from Petal and Feast created my flower crown the day before the big day. It featured fresh peonies, roses, and greenery – I absolutely adored it!
Chris, an RAF pilot, opted not to wear his uniform on our wedding day. Instead, he rented a bespoke tweed three-piece suit from Vintage Suit Hire, which he fell in love with at first sight. They offer a range of unique options, including tweed suits – Chris being a huge Peaky Blinders fan! He chose blue as it complemented the groomsmen’s attire and added a touch of brightness with bow ties from Mrs Bow Tie and Vintage Suit Hire.
The Flowers
The Details & Décor
As we approached the wedding day, our philosophy was ‘the more, the merrier’ – a mantra that guided our creative endeavors. We amassed a collection of glass vases from IKEA and charity shops over the course of a year, transforming them into an array of beautiful containers for our floral arrangements. The favors, crafted by friends and family, were miniature bottles filled with limoncello and sloe gin, adorned with personalized labels that doubled as place settings.Chris’s love affair with cornhole led us to enlist the help of a local carpenter who created custom boards from scratch, far more cost-effective than purchasing them online. We discovered that seeking out local artisans can be a game-changer when it comes to unique and budget-friendly solutions.The three crafts that took up significant time but yielded incredible results were: creating our ‘BEST DAY EVER’ banner – a relatively simple task that involved measuring, cutting, hemming, and adding the iconic phrase with fabric markers. The photo table plan was another story altogether; we spent months tracking down guest photos, printing them on square paper in black and white, and affixing them to a large wooden board, finishing it off with fresh foliage along the top. And then there was the cone backdrop – a friend’s initial promise of a wedding arch ultimately gave way to our cone curtain, which required the laborious task of cutting and stacking over 1000 cones. Despite the monumental effort involved, the final product was breathtaking, serving as both the ceremony and photo booth backdrop. We’ve kept it as a symbol of our friendship group’s commitment to one another, vowing to break it out at every major milestone from now on.
The Cake
When my sister decided to take on the challenge of baking a cake for 120 people, she wisely recruited a friend to help her – thank goodness! I’m not sure how many eggs they used in total, but let’s just say it was a significant amount. They opted for a simple design and added some fresh flowers as decoration. As luck would have it, my mum had stumbled upon my grandparents’ vintage wedding cake decorations, which were beautifully incorporated among the floral arrangement. It didn’t take long for the entire masterpiece to be devoured within an hour! As an aside, Rosie, my sister’s friend, has since decided to turn her baking skills into a professional venture – a decision that I think everyone in our social circle would wholeheartedly agree is a wise one!
Bridesmaids
I deliberately opted for distinct bridesmaid dresses, recognizing that each of their unique tastes and styles would be compromised by identical attire. Instead, we settled on a loose theme of reds, pinks, flowers, and navy, leaving the final choice up to them. With no rigid plan in place, it all worked out for the best! Each bridesmaid selected her own dress, but kept me informed along the way. I’m confident they felt more at ease wearing their personal choices, and who knows – maybe we’ll see these dresses pop up at future celebrations too, perhaps even reappearing from Reformation or Whistles.
Beauty
While I’m not typically enthusiastic about makeup and hairstyles, Poppy’s relaxed demeanor and expert guidance made me feel at ease. Trusting her entirely, we opted for a natural look with a bold lip color and effortless curls. Had I attempted to do my own makeup and hair, the morning of the wedding would have been filled with stress and anxiety. Instead, I was able to enjoy a worry-free morning, thanks to Poppy’s skillful touch.
Your Photographer
We discovered Laura’s work on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, where it was clear that the couple and their guests felt at ease in her presence. Her photographs showcase a natural, unforced quality that we adore. We initially met with Laura in Birmingham a few months prior to the wedding, where we sipped coffee, chatted extensively, and even had a mini photo shoot to help us get comfortable in front of the camera. As a result, we not only trusted Laura to capture our special day through her lens, but we also genuinely enjoyed having her around. In fact, she became an integral part of the celebration, staying long after the formalities were over and joining in on the fun until the early hours of the morning.
Your Filmmaker
I never thought twice about hiring a videographer for our wedding until I heard it was one of my friends’ biggest regrets from their big day. It’s safe to say that after experiencing the impact it had on capturing our special moment, I’m extremely grateful we decided to invest in a professional video. Alice, like many other vendors we worked with, was an absolute pleasure to be around – her relaxed demeanor made it easy for us to spend time together, which is crucial considering you’re spending most of your day with them. In fact, our videographer did such an amazing job capturing the mood and joy of our wedding that it’s become a treasured keepsake we cherish. Check out the final product here: https://vimeo.com/281784104
The Honeymoon
As a wedding gift, our RAF friends surprised us with a three-day getaway, sending us off on an adventure right after the big day. Our haven was the one-of-a-kind Humble Bee in Devon, a charming abode shaped like a bee hive that provided the perfect setting to unwind and recharge. And speaking of adventures, we’re gearing up for our proper honeymoon – a two-week road trip through California in September, which promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Memorable Moments
Advice For Other Couples
Embrace a stress-free approach to your wedding planning by focusing on making meaningful choices along the way. As you select elements that resonate with you, the overall outcome will naturally unfold. It’s essential to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to achieve perfection, as this can lead to frustration and burnout. Instead, consider involving close friends in activities that bring you joy – like wine tastings! When planning your special day, prioritize taking time to truly appreciate every moment. If there’s one thing to deliberate carefully, it’s the ceremony itself. By doing so, you’ll be able to savor the experience and create lasting memories.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
We’re thrilled to have had the pleasure of capturing Ros and Chris’s special day. Their wedding was a true celebration of love, surrounded by some incredibly talented vendors. From Curious Rose Photography’s stunning images to Ginger Alice’s captivating videography, every detail was meticulously planned and executed. The Secret Barn provided a unique and intimate setting for the ceremony, which was beautifully complemented by Petal and Feast’s exquisite flowers and catering. Rosie Willis’s delectable cake was the perfect sweet treat to follow the nuptials. Truly Medley Deeply’s live music kept the party going all night long, while James Dye’s DJ skills had everyone on their feet. Temporary tattoos from Doris Loves added an extra touch of whimsy to the proceedings. The bride and groom looked stunning in their Rue De Seine dresses and suits from Vintage Suit Hire respectively. London Fitting Rooms ensured that the dress alterations were a breeze, and Anthropologie provided the perfect shoes for the big day. Poppy Talullah’s makeup and hair artistry added an extra layer of glamour to the overall aesthetic. Even the transportation, courtesy of Brooklands Wedding Cars and Bell Tents, was a unique and memorable experience. Of course, no wedding is complete without some delicious cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy, and Mrs Bow Tie’s expertly tied bow ties were the perfect finishing touch. And finally, we’d like to extend our gratitude to Ros and Chris for allowing us to be a part of their special day, and for being such wonderful clients.