Today, we’re thrilled to share the enchanting destination wedding of Joe and Lina, which took place on June 15th, 2019, in a picturesque rustic barn. This magical setting served as both the ceremony and reception venue, with loved ones working together to bring their dream wedding weekend to life. The bohemian-inspired styling was simply stunning, featuring an epic flower arch at the aisle’s entrance, trendy signs, and a show-stopping cake table. Lina designed her own gown, a breathtaking lace creation with a low back and cap sleeves, complemented by fresh flowers in her hair. She looked absolutely resplendent. Joe and his groomsmen wore sleek navy suits paired with bow ties and braces for a stylishly modern look. The bridesmaids, on the other hand, donned elegant navy multi-way dresses that perfectly complemented the overall aesthetic. Everyone’s impeccable fashion sense is truly worth noting. Look out for the beautiful festoon lighting, lush bouquets, and romantic sunset portraits that captured the essence of this unforgettable celebration. A huge thank you to Clara Cooper Photography for sharing these captivating images with us.
The Proposal
After a whirlwind few years building our home, Lina planned an escape to Madeira. It was the perfect opportunity for Joe to pop the question.As we navigated the engagement process, many people asked when Joe would finally ask Lina to marry him. But what they didn’t know is that there was always a method behind Joe’s madness. He wanted to ensure he had built a life for Lina before asking her to be his partner in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, the process took longer than expected and drained more energy than anticipated.However, this extra time allowed Joe and Lina to face challenges together as a team, strengthening their bond and learning how to support each other through life’s ups and downs. And when the house was finally complete, there was only one thing left to do: propose!Lina sensed that we needed a break from it all and started planning a little adventure. Joe, ever the opportunist, let her take the reins, but he had a surprise up his sleeve. What emerged was an incredibly organized, itemized, illustrated, and thrilling trip itinerary… with one major twist! Madeira became our destination of choice, and Lina had planned out every detail.To be honest, Joe had no idea where Madeira was initially, but this chance to disrupt Lina’s plans was too good to pass up. And then there was the second test of Lina’s endurance: a 16km hike up the equivalent of 328 floors (twice as many as the Burj Khalifa) to the top of Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s tallest mountain.All alone, Joe searched for the perfect spot to ask the most important questions. He took Lina in his arms and asked: Will you promise me that we’ll keep going on adventures together when we’re grey and old? Will you still take care of me when my back gives out or I get sick? And will you always humor me geeking out about ventilation systems and other engineering things?Lina answered yes to all, and then Joe got to the point: Will you marry me? Lina’s response was a resounding ‘of course, baby! I would love to!’ So we were on top of the world… until we remembered that we had to walk all the way back down to the car! The rest of the trip became our own personal pre-honeymoon, and what better way to start our engagement than with a week full of adventures together?
The Vision
To create a setting that reflected Lina’s home and our shared design aesthetic, we sought out a location that embodied the essence of a Swedish summer. Our vision was to gather loved ones in a rustic barn surrounded by lush fields, during the long days of summer when the sun never dips below the horizon. This idyllic scene would be the perfect backdrop for an intimate celebration that felt both considered and relaxed, like an invitation to get to know us better. Every detail mattered, but we aimed for a sense of understated elegance rather than over-the-top formality. Ultimately, our goal was to create a space that would leave a lasting impression, one that we could return to in the years to come and still feel connected to nature’s beauty.
The Planning Process
We embarked on a thrilling adventure planning our Swedish wedding, commencing with selecting the perfect venue. As newly engaged couple, we began envisioning our special day about 1.5 years prior to the actual date. The excitement was palpable as we navigated the intricacies of planning a wedding in another country. However, it was a deliberate decision to choose Lina’s hometown, which allowed us to split the planning process between England and Sweden. This gave us ample opportunities to spend quality time with her family and tackle logistical tasks such as arranging caterers, venues, hair and makeup appointments. The constant communication and collaboration made the experience more enjoyable, despite its intensity.
Pinterest and Instagram served as valuable sources of inspiration, fueling our creativity as we crafted a mood board to streamline our decision-making process. Lina’s meticulous nature led her to create an exhaustive checklist outlining our requirements. As we opted for a DIY wedding, we enlisted the help of dear friends to bring our visions to life, both in England and Sweden. The days leading up to the ceremony were filled with laughter, fun, and cinnamon buns as we worked tirelessly to decorate the barn, savoring every moment in the summer house and sauna.
Budget
The Venue
The rustic barn, surrounded by lush fields from June to August, offers a unique setting for your special day. The barn is divided into two distinct areas: a lower level gravelled space perfect for mingling or hosting a ceremony within the barn’s walls, and an upstairs area with beautiful wooden flooring ideal for dancing and dinner. With a capacity of around 100 guests, this charming venue boasts stunning big beams and natural light pouring in through the wide gaps between the timber cladding on the walls. As the sun sets, the upper space where dinner is held comes alive with a warm glow. We cherished the ability to access the barn early in the week, allowing us ample time to decorate it to our liking. The owners were warm and welcoming, making us feel at ease throughout the planning process. The added bonus of being able to drive past the venue at any time, reliving fond memories of our special day, was a truly wonderful experience.
The Flowers
With meticulous care, Lina curated her ideal floral arrangement by selecting and pinning her favorite blooms on Pinterest. This visualized vision, in the form of a mood board, served as a guide for the flower shop’s talented girl, who brought it to life with remarkable ease. Her creation – a stunning representation of Lina’s dream bouquet – was a testament to the power of collaboration and attention to detail.
The Readings & Music
As the big day finally arrived, the air was electric with excitement! The bride’s entrance was accompanied by Beyonce’s energetic hit, ‘Smash into You’, setting the tone for a memorable celebration. The introduction kicked off with a humorous first reading from Malin, one of the bridesmaids, who brought laughter and joy to the gathering.The vows were exchanged, accompanied by the sweet serenade of Tom Walker’s ‘Just You and I’. As the couple solidified their love, words of wisdom were shared, providing valuable insights for their future together. The second reading, a poignant passage from Krina Shah’s ‘THE MEANING OF LOVE’, was beautifully read by Sarah, the mother of the groom.As the newlyweds made their exit, they did so to the upbeat rhythms of Honne’s ‘Good Together’, leaving behind a trail of happiness and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Lina took matters into her own hands when designing her wedding dress, as she couldn’t find one that met her expectations. Her experience as a designer made it a fun and creative process, with Ivory and Grace providing excellent support and accommodating all her requests. Unbeknownst to Joe, the process was quite complex, but he was thrilled with the outcome. For shoes, Lina opted for Paradox London’s Pink Women’s White Conchita Mid Block Heel T-bar Shoes, which featured block heels that made walking on uneven terrain easier. As an outdoor wedding was planned, this was a crucial consideration. The shoes proved to be surprisingly comfortable for someone who wasn’t used to wearing high heels.To complete her look, Lina added Swarovski earrings and adorned her hair with flowers.In contrast, Joe approached his wedding attire with a more relaxed attitude. He left the decision-making to Sam at Dress2Kill, who worked closely with him to create a bespoke ensemble that met his specific requirements. Despite being someone who typically throws on whatever’s available in his wardrobe, Joe was surprisingly invested in the process. He wanted a look that was both stylish and practical for future social events.With Jesse and PJ’s support, as well as Lina’s input through a mood board, Dress2Kill crafted a wool worsted jacket, matching waistcoat, and twill shirt that exceeded Joe’s expectations. The outfit was further enhanced by the addition of Hammond & Co.’s burgundy chinos, which were tailored to match Loake Lincoln olive suede slip-on shoes. A knitted burgundy bow tie served as the perfect finishing touch.
Beauty
In the picturesque city of Karlstad, there are two standout names that couples in love should know about – Bride Hair and Makeup. For brides-to-be, a hair salon like Salong Idun stands out for its expertise in making wedding-day tresses truly unforgettable. Meanwhile, I Make You Karlstad is a go-to destination for makeup enthusiasts seeking top-notch beauty services to enhance their natural glow. With Anamaria Hässler at the helm, this dynamic duo ensures that every bride looks and feels like a million bucks on her special day.
The Details & Décor
It took a collective effort from our closest friends and family to transform a rustic hay shed into a breathtaking celebration space. The journey began with late-night discussions, Pinterest research, and design tweaks. With Lina taking the lead on planning, the process became surprisingly streamlined. We enlisted the help of Tom, whose stationery business (madebywoodandwood.com) provided essential materials for the magazine and interior décor. Additionally, PJ’s impressive joinery skills (PJLC.co.uk) crafted wooden items like cake stands and a ‘love swing’. However, the true triumph was the way our loved ones came together to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Nicole, Chloe, and Fliss (ottihome.co.uk) foraged for local flowers and birch trees in the woods with Lina, while others built curtains and strung up meters of festoon lighting. The end result was a testament to the power of teamwork and the unique details that only come from having an incredible support system behind you.
The Cake
In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, we opted to honor the Swedish tradition of FIKA – a time-honored celebration of conversation, camaraderie, and, of course, sweet treats! We indulged in seven delicious cookies, or as the Swedes would say, ‘lagom’ – not too little, not too much, but just right. Why settle for a single cake when you can have a delightful assortment to savor between meals? Our selection is designed to be shared with loved ones, fostering a sense of community and warmth. So, go ahead, indulge in the goodness and remember, sharing is indeed caring!
Bridesmaids
In terms of attire, the bridesmaids – Sara, Malin, and Nicole – were given the freedom to select their preferred shoes and hairstyles, allowing for personal expression. Meanwhile, Daniel, the groomsmen’s leader, opted for a navy blue suit with trousers from Hammond & Co., perfectly complementing the multiway bridesmaid dress in a matching hue. To further harmonize with the groomsmen, he paired his suit with a crisp white shirt, navy braces, and a knitted tie from ASOS.
Groomsmen
Pj and Toastmaster Jesse, the best man duo, stood out in matching Navy jackets and twill shirts courtesy of Dress2Kill. To distinguish themselves from Joe, they added a touch of elegance with knitted ties. The trio complemented their outfits with burgundy trousers and Loake slip-on shoes, creating a cohesive look. In contrast, the groomsmen Tom, Jordan, Andreas, and James were given a more relaxed yet stylish ensemble. Their twill white shirts and matching burgundy trousers were paired with navy-colored braces, knitted bow ties, and slip-on shoes, resulting in a visually appealing combination. As if to tie everything together, all flowers were beautifully arranged by Blomsterlandet.
The Honeymoon
After months of diligent saving, we finally had the chance to treat ourselves to a well-deserved getaway. While Croatia is often touted as an ideal destination for a mini-moon, we decided to venture further afield and head to Bali – a tropical paradise that promised sun-kissed days, crystal-clear waters, and a tranquil atmosphere perfect for recharging our batteries.
Your Photographer
When selecting Lucy as our wedding photographer, we had already narrowed down our options from tens of talented individuals across Sweden and the UK through a rigorous vetting process. Our initial conversation with her stood out for its relaxed and personal tone, leaving us confident that she was the perfect fit for capturing our special day. Her accommodating nature and flexibility made the planning process seamless. She traveled to Sweden with a second shooter, effortlessly blending in with the crowd and making everyone feel at ease. What impressed us most was her ability to seamlessly capture intimate moments between guests, often disappearing into the background to get those authentic shots. It’s not meant as an endorsement, but we genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better experience or outcome!
Your Filmmaker
Memorable Moments
We exchanged our vows amidst the serene backdrop of the forest at sunset, with a lovely surprise – we completely forgot to coordinate with the photographers! The memories we created were all the more precious for it. Our friends also brought their A-game, regaling us with hilarious speeches and playful jabs that left us in stitches. The outpouring of love from everyone was truly overwhelming. What made this celebration even more memorable was the quality time we spent with loved ones over three days – from games and dinner on the first day to a beautiful wedding ceremony and a relaxed fika session in Linas aunt and uncles’ garden. Seeing how our friends and family genuinely connected with each other was a truly special experience.
Advice For Other Couples
Let go of the pressure and expectations others may have for your special day. It’s a rare opportunity to be a little selfish, so seize it! Instead of worrying about what everyone else wants, use this time to create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday or simply want to mark the occasion with a bang, make it a day that you’ll cherish and laugh about long after it’s over. And don’t worry about the details – trust that those in charge of planning have everything under control. Your job is to show up, relax, and enjoy the ride. So go ahead, be a little demanding (just for one day, we promise!), and make this a day you’ll always treasure.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we gaze upon the enchanting photographs of Clara Cooper Photography, it’s clear that every detail of Joe and Lina’s special day was meticulously crafted to create a truly unforgettable experience. The bride’s custom-designed dress by Ivory & Grace is a stunning focal point, perfectly complemented by her pink shoes from Paradox. The groom’s dashing suit from Dress2kill, paired with his Loake shoes, exudes charm and sophistication.The beauty of the day was further enhanced by the exquisite bouquets and buttonholes created by Blomsterlandet, while Idun Hairdressers worked their magic to create a stunning hairstyle for the bride. AnaMaria’s expert makeup skills added an extra layer of glamour to her overall look. The delightful catering provided by Matstudion ensured that every guest left with full bellies and happy hearts.The venue was transformed into a floral haven, courtesy of Otti Home, while Made by Wood and Wood took care of the stationery and signage needs. PJLC’s contribution to the event included swing and joinery items that added an extra layer of whimsy to the proceedings. Rounding out the behind-the-scenes team was Natalie Pluck, who served as a second shooter for the special day.It’s no surprise that we’re thrilled to share this dreamy film with you – it’s truly worth watching! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Joe and Lina for trusting us with their wedding story and allowing us to relive the magic. Thanks again, and best wishes!