I’m thrilled to share my enthusiasm for WWW readers Nat and Si’s enchanting woodland wedding, which took place on 4th August 2018 at the picturesque Wise Wedding Venue in Kent. What I love most is that their humanist ceremony allowed them to infuse the celebration with personal touches, making it truly unique. The couple didn’t stop there; family and friends contributed significantly to the finishing touches, adding a special charm to the day.
Nat had a clear vision for the florals – bright, beautiful, and free from any specific colour palette. And what a stunning result! The vintage-inspired decor was impressive in its own right, with many elements sourced from charity shops. The addition of romantic fairy lights and festive bunting only added to the whimsical atmosphere.
Livvy Hukins Photography did an outstanding job capturing the magic of the day, and I’m grateful for her generosity in sharing these beautiful moments with us.
The Proposal
In Cambridge, where our story began, Si popped the question on a drizzly summer afternoon. Initially hesitant, I agreed to revisit the city for a punt ride, only to be surprised by his meticulous planning. The rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we glided along the Cam, the colleges’ majestic architecture serving as a picturesque backdrop. As he moored the boat near one of the esteemed institutions, Si presented me with an unexpected proposal, carefully crafting every detail from the champagne toast to the al fresco picnic. It was a day that would forever be etched in my memory, a testament to his thoughtfulness and our love.
The Vision
We deliberately opted for an unconventional wedding celebration that would leave our guests feeling like they’re part of a big, joyful family gathering. Our top priority was to create an atmosphere that’s relaxed, welcoming, and full of good vibes – think great tunes, plenty of delicious grub and drinks, and zero pretenses. To achieve this, we decided to take on a significant portion of the decorations ourselves, embracing a DIY ethos that would add a personal touch to our special day. As a result, our wedding became an authentic reflection of who we are as a couple – imperfect, yet full of love and laughter. In the end, it felt like one big, happy family affair, with everyone pitching in to help us make it happen. Even the finer details were taken care of by our loved ones, from designing our wedding favors to arranging the flowers that adorned our venue on the day before the big event.
The Planning Process
We took a deliberate approach to planning our special day, opting for a leisurely pace that allowed us to avoid feeling hurried or overwhelmed. To achieve this, we secured our venue 18 months in advance, providing ample time to collect and curate the various elements that would bring our vision to life. This thoughtful approach gave us the freedom to focus on the finer details, from crafting decorations to meticulously planning every aspect of the celebration. One of the defining features of our wedding was the incorporation of flowers, herbs, and foliage – a theme that was expertly woven throughout by Nat’s brother, who designed our beautiful save-the-dates and invitations. His creative eye also shone through in our custom seating plan, where his images added an extra layer of personal touch to the overall aesthetic.
The Venue
In Kent, Paddock Wood’s Wise Wedding Venue was the only location that caught our attention. Having seen its enchanting atmosphere featured on a wedding blog, we knew instinctively that this was the perfect setting for our special day. The woodland surroundings, adorned with twinkling lights, whimsical treehouses, and suspended armchairs, perfectly aligned with our vision. Sam, the owner, has masterfully transformed the woods into a mystical realm, where we delighted in incorporating our own creative touches to his already charming space. A majestic old oak tree stands tall in a clearing, serving as the picturesque backdrop for our ceremony. As night fell, the lights embedded in the trees illuminated the woods, creating an ethereal ambiance that perfectly complemented our celebration. Throughout the venue, ponds and secret areas are aglow with soft lighting, and we were utterly enamored with every aspect of it.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Beauty
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Hayley for years through mutual friends. When I got engaged, I knew she was the perfect choice to help me look my best on my big day. Her expertise lies in using mineral-based products that create a natural, effortless finish – exactly what I was looking for. Despite my tendency towards rosy cheeks, Hayley worked her magic and delivered a flawless makeup job that exceeded my expectations. To ensure my look stayed fresh all day, one of my bridesmaids was always prepared with ‘refresher’ face spray to give my makeup a quick boost whenever needed. While I wanted to maintain a natural appearance without looking too ‘done up,’ I also knew I wanted to make a statement with a bold red lip color. After researching the best long-lasting options, I ultimately chose Fenty’s ‘Stunna’ Lip Paint – and it did not disappoint.
Bridesmaids
The five bridesmaids were a diverse group, each representing a distinct era in my life – childhood friends, school chums, university companions, and newer acquaintances from my time in Norwich. Initially, I was hesitant to dress them all alike, but fate intervened when Joy introduced me to an exquisite dark green tea dress that seemed tailor-made for the occasion. Its wraparound design flattered each of their figures, creating a stunning visual cohesion on the big day. To really drive the point home, I added some gold sparkly Mary Jan shoes – because why not?! Each girl was given the freedom to style her hair as she pleased, which led to a delightful array of individual personalities shining through. I’m still grateful for all their support, physical and emotional help, and the unforgettable hen party they planned – it was truly a day to remember.
The Flowers
As I envisioned it, the flowers would be a defining aspect of our special day. I yearned for a whimsical, carefree arrangement that reflected my personality. Initially, I aimed to create six bouquets and button holes myself, but soon realized the task would become overwhelming, so I gratefully enlisted the expertise of Blooming Green’s lovely ladies. Their contribution proved invaluable, yielding exactly the look I desired – vibrant, stunning blooms that perfectly complemented our relaxed, colourful theme. To further enhance the atmosphere, we opted for a ‘pick your own’ wedding flower service at Blooming Green, allowing us to select all other flowers for tables and decorations just two days prior to the wedding. The experience of wandering through the gardens on a serene morning, surrounded by nature’s beauty, was an idyllic way to begin our celebration.
The Cake
We were thrilled when Annie, Nat’s talented cousin and renowned baker, took charge of the dessert planning. She outdid herself by crafting a show-stopping three-tiered masterpiece featuring alternating layers of vibrant fruit, rich chocolate, and light-as-air Victoria sponge cake. To complete the stunning presentation, Annie and the family adorned it with fresh flowers and added a personalized touch – a beautifully carved wooden log bearing our initials. The final product was everything we had envisioned, and even Granny, who spent years perfecting her own cake-baking craft, would have beamed with pride.
The Readings & Music
As Nat walked down the aisle to Damien Rice’s ‘The Blower’s Daughter’, I joined her for our own special moment to Crystal Fighters’ ‘You and I’. Since the venue wasn’t licensed for legal weddings, we had an intimate family-only ceremony in Norwich a week prior. This allowed us to craft our ‘big’ wedding ceremony without constraints. With no religious affiliations, we chose a humanist ceremony that reflected our personalities. Our celebrant took the time to get to know us and tailored the ceremony to our unique story. We also penned our own personal vows, making it an incredibly emotional and intimate experience.Our three chosen readings, delivered by our mothers and Nat’s cousin Becky, added another layer of depth to the ceremony. They selected passages that resonated with them, resulting in three beautiful readings that harmonized with the day’s atmosphere. Si’s mother read Bob Marley’s ‘He’s Not Perfect’, while Nat’s mother read Maya Angelou’s ‘Touched by an Angel’. Becky chose Neil Gaiman’s ‘All I Know About Love’ – it was a tear-filled moment for everyone!Later, The Anthem took over the evening with their infectious energy and music. We knew that dancing would be a vital part of our celebration, and this talented band did not disappoint. Capturing some of the most memorable moments are photos of our friends and family letting loose on the dance floor, as well as the band encouraging everyone from toddlers to enthusiastic sisters-in-law to take turns on the guitar and drums!For 18 long months, we struggled to pinpoint the perfect song for our first dance. Not having a single ‘our song’ made it even more challenging – but we finally agreed upon Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ just days before the wedding. And, as evidenced by the roaring cheers and dancing that followed, it was an inspired choice!
The Details & Décor
For 18 months leading up to the wedding, Nat and her family collected eclectic treasures or crafted whimsical decorations. Local charity shops near Nat’s workplace even reserved their most unique teapots and jugs for us, resulting in a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns adorning our reception. The woodland venue perfectly complemented the summer fete ambiance created by the bunting, with metres of it wrapped around the space. We also had piles of crocheted blankets on hay bales surrounding the evening’s bonfire, as well as treehouses aglow with fairy lights. A friend crafted a willow basket for confetti and giant obelisks adorned with lights and flowers. The end result was a riotous celebration of colour that perfectly reflected our free-spirited nature. We cherished every aspect of our DIY approach – the fact that nothing matched, yet everything seemed to belong. Juliet from Juliet’s Café in Tunbridge Wells outdid herself with an exquisite spread of canapés, including specially prepared sausage rolls for Nat’s father. We opted for a relaxed, sharing-style meal, featuring slow-cooked lamb and a medley of delectable salads courtesy of Sam at the venue. Juliet also created a show-stopping pavlova for each table, which still receives rave reviews. In the evening, we indulged in towers of cheese and pork pies from The West Country Cheese Co, accompanied by homemade chutneys crafted by Nat’s mother.
Groomsmen
Si was fortunate to have two exceptional best men and three helpful ushers on his special day. Unfortunately, one of his trusted best men, Simon, was unable to attend due to the joyous arrival of his newborn baby boy. However, Will rose to the challenge and delivered a hilarious and cringe-worthy speech that left everyone in stitches. The three ushers, comprising Si’s brothers Harry and James, and Nat’s brother Matt, played a crucial role in bringing everyone together in the clearing, and we are deeply grateful for their assistance.
Your Photographer
When it comes to having our photo taken, Si and I are both incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. It’s no surprise then that finding a photographer who could make us feel at ease was top priority. That’s when we discovered Livvy Hukins at a wedding fair in Kent – we knew she was the one for us. From the start, Livvy put us at ease with her approach to ‘posing without posing’ and even encouraged us to book a pre-wedding engagement shoot. This was a fantastic way to get used to being in front of the camera, and it also gave us a chance to really get to know our photographer. We chatted with Livvy via Skype to discuss our ideas, and her laid-back demeanor and willingness to listen meant we ended up with photographs that we’ll treasure for years to come. On the big day, she did an amazing job of capturing candid shots – she was so stealthy that many people thought she was a distant relative! Her ability to blend in and capture real moments is truly impressive.
Memorable Moments
As I reflect on the most cherished moments from my wedding day, one stands out as particularly idyllic: the quiet intimacy shared with Si after everyone had departed. We lingered in the marquee, savoring our final glasses of rosé and indulging in a simple yet satisfying repast of cheese and chutney sandwiches. As we strolled through the woods to our secluded wedding night treehouse, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment wash over me. This peaceful, unassuming moment at the end of our euphoric celebration seemed the perfect harbinger for our new life together as husband and wife.
Advice For Other Couples
Savor the process of planning your special day and don’t rush into decisions. Remember, your wedding is a celebration of you and your love story. Give yourself time to refine your ideas and make adjustments as needed. This approach allowed us to enjoy a stress-free experience, knowing that we were honoring our own vision for the perfect wedding. And when it comes to personal touches, don’t be afraid to add your own flair – whether that means bold red nails or a daring lipstick choice. Ultimately, your wedding is a reflection of who you are as a couple, so prioritize what matters most to you and ignore external expectations.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As the photographer, Livvy Hukins Photography, captured the joyous moments of the celebration, the guests were treated to a delightful culinary experience at Juliet’s Tunbridge Wells. Meanwhile, Hayley Newman ensured that the bride looked radiant and beautiful throughout the day. The music was provided by The Anthem, setting the tone for an unforgettable afternoon. The picturesque venue, Wise Wedding Venue, served as the perfect backdrop for the happy couple’s special day. Fresh blooms from Blooming Green added a touch of elegance to the proceedings, while stylish suits courtesy of The Vintage Suit Hire Company complemented the occasion nicely. A unique and charming wedding decoration was provided by Karen Bek, featuring willow baskets and obelisks that added a whimsical flair to the event. Guests were also treated to an array of delicious treats, including cheese and pork pies from West Country Cheese. As Rachel so eloquently put it, ‘Just so lovely! Thank you ever so much Nat and Si for sharing your special woodland day with us all.’