As a travel enthusiast, I’m sure you’ll find inspiration in Em and John’s (aka Foster) vibrant wedding celebration at The House Meadow in Kent on a sun-kissed summer day. This joyful event was filled with creative DIY decorations, personal touches, and a dash of whimsy. One standout element was the customized Guess Who game, while the illustrated tea towels featuring all the guests and the intricately threaded table plan added an extra layer of charm. The couple’s sensational outfits, colorful blooms, outdoor ceremony, and stunning cake only added to the overall sense of wonder. A huge thank you to Livvy Hukins for sharing these breathtaking photos with us. I’ve been following [WWW] for years, drawing inspiration from their outdoor, festival-themed weddings that first sparked our own vision for our special day.
Travel Theme Wedding
The Proposal
As we embarked on a scenic hike up Ben Lomond mountain in New Zealand, the picturesque backdrop served as the perfect setting for Foster’s surprise proposal. My request to model my luggage tag on my backpack, a common ask of him when I’m promoting my brand, caught him off guard. Despite it not being his favorite task, he enthusiastically took charge, directing me to gaze out at the breathtaking view. When I turned around, he was down on one knee, taken aback by my initial reaction – ‘bloody hell Foster!’ – before a more traditional ‘YES’ followed. We felt incredibly fortunate that fellow hikers nearby captured the special moment from afar, providing us with cherished memories.
The Vision
As we approached our special day, we crystallized what mattered most to us: an atmosphere of fun, vibrancy, and relaxation, punctuated by creative and unique touches. The 14-month delay due to Covid-19 had only strengthened our resolve, allowing us to prioritize the essentials. Initially, we considered a smaller wedding earlier in the year, but we knew that sacrificing half of our guest list would leave us with regret. Instead, we opted for an intimate gathering of around 65 loved ones – including those who made the long journey from abroad, despite some unfortunate absences due to logistical constraints.As expatriates living in Hong Kong for four and a half years, we craved a grand celebration that would bring our friends together. This desire inspired us to infuse Asian elements into our wedding, incorporating bamboo steamers serving macarons, birdcages as decorations, and authentic Thai street food in the evening. Our ‘travel theme’ evolved organically, seamlessly integrating with the picturesque rural Kent setting.From the outset, we envisioned an alfresco ceremony, lawn games, and a fire pit – essential elements that would create a lively, joyous ambiance.
Budget
In a surprising turn of events, we managed to create most of our event décor ourselves, eliminating the need for a costly tipi rental. This DIY approach not only saved us money but also allowed us to spread out the expenses over an extended period, thanks to the Covid-related delays. Although we’re still unsure about the exact total cost, the added time frame provided a welcome silver lining.
The Venue
We took a chance on The House Meadow in Hong Kong without having visited it before. We were smitten by its unique charm and decided to roll with it, securing one of the last available dates before we missed out. It was love at first sight! The picturesque venue boasts an old barn nestled beside a serene lake, surrounded by ancient oak trees and a gazebo – the perfect setting for our whimsical wedding celebration.
The countryside surroundings were nothing short of breathtaking, providing the relaxed, unconventional atmosphere we desired. Our point of contact, Clare, was exceptional in accommodating our demands and stressors resulting from COVID-19. We were given free rein to craft our special day, which we took full advantage of.
The venue served as a blank canvas for our creativity. We exchanged vows beneath the majestic oak tree, converted the gazebo into an exclusive gin bar, partied in the barn, and created cozy outdoor seating areas throughout the property. As the sun set, we released floating candle boats onto the lake, delighting our guests.
Our attendees adored the location, particularly the transparent toilets that offered a unique view of the farm’s horses grazing in the distance.
Your Outfits
As I tried on around 10 dresses, nothing quite seemed to fit until I slipped into the Frida gown by Maggie Sottero from Go Bridal in Tunbridge Wells. Initially, it didn’t align with my initial vision – it was strapless and featured a sheer middle panel – but something about it just clicked, and I felt an instant sense of comfort and confidence. Given its unique qualities, I decided to go with it. To fine-tune the design, I got it altered to fill in the middle panel for added coverage and add off-the-shoulder straps adorned with extra lace from the designer. On the big day, I paired it with a simple veil and chunky heels from Kurt Geiger, feeling like the best version of myself.In the year leading up to our wedding, I also had the opportunity to create personalized bomber jackets for each of my bridesmaids and Mum – and, of course, one for myself. I wore mine in the evening when the temperature dropped, capturing a photo of it on the morning of our special day.
The Ceremony & Music
The ceremony took place beneath the majestic Ancient Oak Tree in the picturesque House Meadow, nestled beside a serene lake. The walk from the barn around the lake and across to the aisle felt like an eternity – but I was grateful for the extra time to soak up the atmosphere and catch up with my dad before exchanging vows. Our friend Charlotte Andrew’s soulful rendition of the Detectorists theme song accompanied me down the aisle, her violin melodies perfectly capturing the joy and intimacy of the moment. Mark, a trusted old friend and policeman by profession, brought his unique blend of authority and familiarity to the proceedings, making our ceremony feel truly personal and meaningful. We celebrated with a rousing sing-along to The Beatles’ classic ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’, while my mum delivered two poignant readings that left us all in awe. As we danced down the aisle to the upbeat strains of ‘I’m a Believer’, a shower of homemade petal confetti added a whimsical touch to our special day.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
Our photographer, Livvy Hukins, truly embodied the essence of our special day. Her exceptional skills and keen eye allowed her to capture every moment of joy, from tender couple shots to lively moments on the dance floor. It was as if she had a sixth sense, knowing exactly where to be to capture the most magical memories.
The Styling & Decor
As a designer, I cherished the opportunity to infuse our wedding celebration with unique, handmade elements that reflected our personalities. The extra year leading up to the big day allowed me to meticulously craft each detail, making it all the more special. Foster’s thoughtful gift of a Cricut machine enabled me to create an abundance of décor and signage, further personalizing the experience.To pay homage to our travels, we assigned each table a different country that held sentimental value. For the centrepieces, I designed 3D photo sculptures of each trip, securing them under glass bell jars and pairing them with hand-embroidered flags bearing each country’s name and icon. The top table was dedicated to New Zealand, where we exchanged our vows. Each place setting featured a custom-made ticket, crafted using my Cricut machine.We also designed a vibrant, threaded seating plan on a wooden sign, which served as a beautiful display outside the barn. My brand @chasing_threads_ is deeply rooted in travel and stitching, so it was natural to draw inspiration from these passions.To commemorate our special day, I commissioned my friend Rosie Upright, an illustrator extraordinaire, to create unique tea-towel designs featuring each guest’s likeness. These became the wedding favours, serving as a lovely memento for those in attendance and those who could not join us.I also utilized these drawings to craft ‘Guest Who’ boards, which I designed, laser-cut, and assembled with hinges. Each board featured one of our cherished guests, and we placed them on tables throughout the day, allowing friends and family to play and mingle freely.The gazebo was transformed into a DIY gin bar, adorned with photographs and bunting created by my mum. We filled it with vintage furniture from Anthology and added a playful touch with straws featuring our faces.See Rose Design florist brought the venue to life with their stunning, bright floral arrangements, decorating the swing under the oak-tree, the aisle, and throughout the barn.I also utilized colorful silks I had acquired in Hong Kong to create three pinwheel tapestries, which we hung behind the top table in the barn. Our wedding cake was a simple yet elegant three-tiered lemon, chocolate, and vanilla masterpiece, adorned with mini bunting, flowers, and a custom ‘Wooohoooo’ sign I designed using my Cricut machine.
The Honeymoon
Following our wedding, we decided to take a mini-moon to the Isle of Wight, which proved to be an ideal setting for relaxation and unwinding. Our accommodations at the Honeymooners Ark were particularly impressive, boasting a hot tub nestled in the midst of a serene environment – it was the perfect way to calm down after the whirlwind of wedding preparations. As we look ahead, we’re eager to embark on a more extensive adventure, with Costa Rica topping our list once travel restrictions ease.
Memorable Moments
As we exchanged vows, I was deeply moved by Foster’s heartfelt words – a far cry from his typically reserved nature, but perfectly capturing the beauty of our ceremony. The atmosphere was electric, with not a dry eye to be found. This personal touch made the experience truly unforgettable.The pièce de résistance came during my Maid of Honour’s speech, where she delivered a hilarious rap that left everyone in awe and stitches! It was a true showstopper.Another highlight was the golden hour we enjoyed after dinner, surrounded by our closest friends gathered outside our DIY gin bar. With all the formalities behind us, it was the perfect moment to take stock of everything we’d created and bask in the joy of the occasion.