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As the sun shone brightly on July 14th, 2018, Dan and Katie’s joyous celebration came alive at The Long Barn in Hampshire. This picturesque setting served as the perfect backdrop for their special day, allowing them to bring their unique vision to life through a delightful mix of DIY elements. Despite encountering an unexpected obstacle when one of their original suppliers went bankrupt, the couple’s wedding planning was ultimately stress-free and enjoyable.Dan and Katie seamlessly wove their personalities and shared passions into the event’s details, showcasing their elegant taste. For instance, gin bottles adorned the tables, while the seating plan featured charming illustrated designs created by Katie’s mother – a lovely touch that added a personal flair to the proceedings.The floral arrangements, striking cake design, and stylish attire choices were all impressive aspects of this memorable day. Furthermore, it was wonderful to see Alive Network providing the entertainment and Mrs Bow Tie offering those exceptional stag pocket squares. A true showstopper!Three Flowers Photography had the privilege of capturing the couple’s unforgettable moments, which we are grateful to share with you today.
The Proposal
As we planned our getaway with Dan’s friend Nick and his girlfriend Emily, I expected a cozy cottage stay in the picturesque South Downs. However, things took an unexpected turn when Dan had to work late and we ended up departing at 10:30 pm. By the time we arrived at midnight, my excitement was tempered by confusion – there was only one bedroom, and Nick and Emily were nowhere to be found. Dan brushed off my concerns, whisking me away with a midnight feast of cheese and wine just as we settled in. The proposal caught me off guard, and I needed a moment to process before saying yes. Post-celebration, my appetite for the once-appealing cheese had vanished. It was clear that Dan was overjoyed at my response, devouring the entire spread with gusto! Our weekend escape involved leisurely strolls through the South Downs, soothing soaks in the hot tub, and sipping gin – a delightful respite from the initial surprise.
The Vision
As we exchanged our vows, family and friends were at the forefront of our minds. We prioritized ensuring everyone else had an unforgettable time, rather than letting our own special day overshadow theirs. With a significant majority of our 80-some guests falling between 25 and 35 years old, we knew our celebration would be anything but subdued. In fact, we relished the prospect of packed dance floors, flowing libations, and endless merriment throughout the 12-hour extravaganza. While we didn’t have a rigid theme in mind, our rustic yet refined, gin-infused wedding aesthetic evolved organically, incorporating lush foliage and rich copper accents.
The Planning Process
As the big day approached, we found ourselves exactly 12 months into the wedding planning process. We took a logical approach, scouring the internet for advice from recently wed couples, wedding blogs, and Pinterest. Google spreadsheets became our trusty sidekicks, helping us stay on top of bookings and arrangements. However, despite our best efforts to plan for every eventuality, we were still caught off guard when our caterers abruptly announced their bankruptcy just four weeks prior to the ceremony. With our food, staff, and even tableware in jeopardy, we were left scrambling to find a solution. Thankfully, Gastro Catering stepped up to the plate, agreeing to cater our wedding on short notice. Aaron’s team ran like clockwork, effortlessly calming our nerves as they brought our vision to life.
The Venue
From the moment we stepped into The Long Barn, we knew we’d found our perfect wedding venue. Its rustic charm and enchanting ambiance, complete with thousands of twinkling fairy lights suspended from the rafters, captivated us instantly. We fell deeply in love with the space, envisioning a blank canvas that would allow us to bring our unique vision to life. As a DIY-friendly venue, we had the freedom to curate every aspect of our special day, from catering and flowers to music and decor, creating an unforgettable experience tailored to our tastes.Located amidst the picturesque South Downs, The Long Barn boasts breathtaking views of rolling countryside that simply begged to be showcased during our outdoor ceremony. To ensure a seamless event despite unpredictable weather, we opted for an open-sided marquee that proved to be an excellent choice – providing shade on a sweltering hot day and shelter in case of unexpected rain showers.One of the venue’s most appealing features was its two on-site cottages, which allowed my bridesmaids and me to relax and get ready in comfort the night before. Meanwhile, Dan and his groomsmen enjoyed their own cozy retreat just a stone’s throw away.
The Details & Décor
As I envisioned our wedding decor, I knew I wanted an abundance of greenery and foliage intertwined with subtle copper accents. To achieve this, I combined unique vases from George at ASDA – including tea/ coffee canisters and traditional vases – with DIY elements. For instance, the glass candle holders, originally takeaway pots, were painstakingly decorated using copper leaf. I even used bay leaves from my parents’ garden to create a beautiful backdrop for our bar area and table plan, while the guest book was designed and made by myself.Our shared love of gin inspired us to name each table after a different gin we’ve tried. Each table featured its namesake bottle, which I decorated with copper, hessian string, and bottle lights. We collected more gin bottles than needed and spread them throughout the barn, filling them with bay leaves for added ambiance.My mum’s graphic design skills were a huge asset – she designed and printed our table plan, order of day, welcome sign, share the love cards, and pimp your prosecco sign. She even crafted our wedding invites from scratch.Given Dan’s Chinese heritage and his dad’s South London-based takeaway business, I wanted to incorporate this aspect into our celebration. I discovered favor-sized noodle boxes that I asked my mum to decorate to resemble traditional Chinese takeout containers. Inside each box, guests found a fortune cookie, Hong Kongese sweets, and a ‘double-happiness’ Chinese sticker.Other decorative elements came from Gumtree, Facebook market, and serendipitous finds. We used vintage items like a suitcase for our pimp your prosecco stand, wine crates, and a wheelbarrow to store beers during the welcome drinks. We even repurposed a cable reel in a car park as an impromptu outdoor table.
The Cake
Our discovery of Harriot from Jemima Cakes came about through a mutual acquaintance – our florist Lisa. What caught our attention was the variety of flavours we could choose from, each layer offering a distinct taste experience. We opted for carrot cake with orange filling, lemon cake with lemon filling, and brown sugar cake with chocolate filling, resulting in a truly delectable treat that also boasted impressive presentation.
Bridesmaids
The bridesmaids’ attire was a standout feature of the wedding, with each of them donning floor-length dresses in a stunning dusky pink/blush hue that flattered their individual skin tones. These elegant gowns were sourced from Monsoon, a deliberate choice made to complement the copper/rose gold accents that adorned the décor. In contrast, my 12-year-old niece stood out in a lighter shade dress procured from ASOS, adding an endearing touch of youthful charm to the proceedings.
Beauty
I had the pleasure of working with Tamara Tott, a talented and experienced makeup artist who I discovered after conducting thorough online research. Her expertise was evident in her work, and I was thrilled with my choice. I opted for a natural look for myself, aiming to enhance my features without looking too done-up. For my hair, I wanted a relaxed updo that would complement my overall aesthetic. The large braid flowing into my bun was a personal highlight of the day. For my bridesmaids, I wanted them to feel confident and comfortable in their styles, while still achieving a cohesive look. We settled on a mix of updos and downstyles, all tied together with a braid similar to mine. This allowed each woman to showcase her unique beauty without sacrificing our overall bridal party aesthetic.
The Readings & Music
We deliberately avoided a traditional church wedding, as neither Dan nor I have religious affiliations. A Register office ceremony wasn’t quite right for us either. We wanted our special day to be an intimate celebration of our relationship and the bonds we share with loved ones. That’s why we opted for a Humanist ceremony, led by Lisa von Fircks. This unique approach allowed us to craft a personalized ceremony that truly reflected our personalities as a couple. Lisa’s flair brought a perfect balance of humor, sincerity, and emotional depth to the proceedings. The experience was everything we had hoped for – a beautiful blend of laughter, tears, and joy.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I searched for my dream dress at Paverly Bridal in Wimbledon, one particular gown caught my eye – the ‘Maren’ by Maggie Sottero. This sleeveless, chiffon A-line gown with a deep V-illusion neckline and an illusion open back was unlike any other I had seen before. The subtle sparkle from its Swarovski crystals and delicate beading only added to its allure. Before trying it on, I had envisioned myself in a more bohemian, lacey number, but this dress surprised me with its understated elegance. I felt an instant connection with it, and my instincts proved correct – I looked stunning in it.
For my shoes, I opted for Monsoon’s wedding collection, choosing a pair that offered the perfect balance between comfort and style. As Dan and I are roughly the same height, I wanted to avoid anything too high-heeled that might make me tower over him. My hair accessories were custom-made by Victoria Fergusson from her Halo collection, featuring intricate foliage forms and Swarovski gems that beautifully complemented my bouquet and dress.
When it came to Dan’s attire, we had to find common ground. I wanted him to stand out among his groomsmen, so he agreed to wear a three-piece suit with a matching waistcoat for the ceremony – while the other boys wore two-piece suits. We found his wedding suit at Charles Trywhitt and had it tailored to perfection. Dan’s shoes were also from this esteemed establishment.
Groomsmen
To add some personal touches to the groomsmen’s attire, we asked them to wear their own blue suits with complementary accessories that wouldn’t match the bridesmaid dresses. For this, Dan and the other groomsmen opted for burgundy bow ties from ASOS, which were paired with pocket squares featuring miniature stags – a cute nod to their role as ‘the stags’ in wedding lore. The groomsmen’s outfits were rounded out with muted-toned socks in different colours, brown shoes, and braces. In the evening, Dan even swapped his waistcoat and belt for a pair of braces, giving him a stylish and unique look.
The Flowers
We entrusted Lily Lupin’s Lisa to create our wedding flowers, and it was a decision that paid off in every way. Months prior to the big day, we met to discuss the overall aesthetic and my ideas for the arrangements. From the start, I felt confident in her abilities, thanks to her bohemian and natural approach that lets the flowers take center stage. I opted for her services because I adored her style, which eschews perfection and manicured arrangements for a more organic look. With limited knowledge about flowers, I asked Lisa for a design featuring plenty of greens and foliage, complemented by whites and creams, with a wild and free-spirited feel. She delivered on all fronts, selecting each bloom with meticulous care and recalling details from our initial conversation that even I had forgotten. The result was an English country garden-inspired masterpiece, complete with daisies and thistle-like flowers nestled among eucalyptus, rosemary, and mint. The aroma was intoxicating! To tie in with the groom’s burgundy ties, Dan and his best man sported ripening bramble on their buttonholes, while I had a small cluster of brambles discreetly tucked away in my bouquet. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were smaller versions of mine, which we later used to create a stunning display at the top table by placing them in various-sized vases – another inspired idea from Lisa. Each arrangement was beautifully wrapped with hand-dyed silk ribbons.
Your Photographer
I was thrilled to discover our photographer, Sarah, through a serendipitous connection on Facebook. While browsing, I stumbled upon stunning wedding photos taken by Charlotte from Three Flowers Photography, an old school friend’s special day. Although Charlotte was already booked, her right-hand woman Sarah was available and agreed to capture our own big day.
What drew us to Sarah was her natural approach to photography. She blended seamlessly into the background, often leaving us unaware of her presence. Our priority was capturing the essence of the day through action shots rather than stiff, posed photos typical of traditional wedding photography.
Sarah’s creativity shone during our couple’s portraits when she suggested a picturesque cornfield just in time for sunset. The resulting photos are some of my favorites from the entire experience. Her patience also came in handy when dealing with Dan’s lighthearted banter, which had us all in stitches.
Your Filmmaker
As we delved deeper into our wedding planning, having a videographer wasn’t an initial priority for us. However, as the big day approached, we realized how fleeting the experience would be. My grandmother’s declining health was also a concern, and we wanted to find a way to make her feel included in the celebration. We discovered Dom through Bidvine, and from our first interaction, he proved to be an exceptional professional. His communication with us and other vendors on the day was seamless, allowing him to seamlessly blend into the background like our photographer. The final products – the highlight reel and feature-length video – are masterfully edited, leaving my dad in tears each time he watches them. It’s a decision we’re thrilled with, and I wholeheartedly recommend considering a wedding videographer to other couples. The day may pass quickly, but a well-crafted video allows you to relive the moments and appreciate the tiny details that might have gone unnoticed during the chaos of the celebration.
Memorable Moments
The wedding celebration fueled by alcohol brought forth a plethora of unforgettable moments, including instances where guests let their hair down. These memories include: a school friend dozing off in the open field, a groomsman sneaking away with a bridesmaid, a hockey team member making a quick exit without his trousers, the father of the bride deviating from his script during the speech, and the groom and best man being overcome with emotions on not one, but two separate occasions – tears of joy.
Advice For Other Couples
It’s crucial to consider wedding insurance when planning your special day. A sudden issue with our caterers, which was a reality for us, highlighted the importance of this type of coverage. Luckily, we had paid them on credit card and were able to recover the costs. In hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise, as it prompted us to purchase wedding insurance and avoid any potential financial losses.In addition to protecting your investment, consider hiring a professional videographer to capture the memories of your big day. The pace of the event can be overwhelming, but having a visual record will allow you to relive the moments for years to come, especially if loved ones are unable to attend in person. A wedding video is not only a treasured keepsake but also an excellent way to share the experience with those who couldn’t be there.Ultimately, it’s essential to prioritize enjoying your wedding day. While minor mishaps may arise, they will be easily forgotten as long as you’re having fun and surrounded by loved ones. Focus on savoring the moment, and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The photographer, Three Flowers Photography, captured the essence of Dan and Katie’s wedding. The bride wore a stunning Maggie Sottero gown from Paverly Bridal, paired with Monsoon bridal shoes and adorned with Victoria Fergusson hair accessories. The groom looked dashing in his Charles Trywhitt suit and ASOS bow tie, complete with a pocket square designed by Mrs Bow Tie, a member of the Wedding Directory’s Groom Style team. The ceremony took place at The Long Barn, officiated by Celebrant Lisa von Fircks, with catering provided by Gastro Catering. Fresh flowers were arranged by Lily Lupin, while Tamara Tott handled hair and makeup for the bridal party. Dom Balls captured the special moments on camera, and Jemima Cakes provided a delicious cheese cake with Godminster Cheese as the centerpiece. The wedding entertainment was brought to life by Adelaide Trio via Alive Network, Wedding Directory member, DJ Markus, and a string trio from the same directory. Finally, MacroVision Graphics Ltd, managed by the bride’s mother, handled the wedding stationery and signage.