Hayley and Jon’s wedding was utterly devoted to their love of music and the outdoors. The theme developed throughout the planning process and as the list of musicians grew H & J realised they were planning a festival wedding.
Arrival
Guests arrived and settled into their bell tents as the bridal party handed out embroidered blankets and personalised lanyards. These small touches reflected the bride’s love of the small details that are so important for the overall guest experience. Guests were then welcomed into an al-fresco dinner with cocktails and live jazz, setting a relaxed atmosphere for all to ease into the weekend. Children were playing football and games on the large lawns, the sun was shining and the tone was set for a chilled and happy weekend.
Wedding day
The happy vibes flowed into the following day. Hayley and her bridesmaids spent the morning laughing and getting ready in the couple’s luxury bell tent while their guests indulged in the spread of delicious breakfast options. At midday, the group gathered on the lawn for a champagne reception while solo singer Louise and her pianist created the atmosphere. Guests then strolled towards the woodlands that surrounded the barn to take their seats in a beautiful new location. Hidden by the arching trees was their ceremony space, designed to fit within a specific opening with views through their fabulous floral arch across acres of fields. Each area of the wedding had been meticulously planned so that guests felt like they were exploring new landscapes as the day unfolded.
Hayley and Jon, along with their bridal party followed hand in hand behind a procession of pipers into the wooded wonderland. Their ceremony was personalised and heartfelt, expertly executed by Fi Tillard their warm and welcoming celebrant.
After their emotional ceremony, guests gathered once again on the lawn to listen to the beautiful vocals of Louise while enjoying champagne and canapes.
At this point, the barn had not been entered by anyone and as the announcement was made for guests to take their seats the enormous barn doors were released. Rows of long farmhouse tables covered in greenery and breathtaking floral arrangements were the start of this beautiful scene. The tables were filled with candles and candelabra and festoon lighting hung from the ceilings, the vast space was designed to feel intimate while bringing the outside in for a seamless transition from woodland to dinner. Beautiful charger plates, gold cutlery and gold rimmed glassware sat in each place setting. The fire was roaring at one end and the sweet sound of the string quartet was playing from the other. The cake was even designed with a woodland theme in mind and was painted in situ with a moss effect during the morning set up.
Post dinner, guests wandered outside for fresh air and of course… cocktails, signifying the beginning of the party. The duelling pianos began performing on the outside stage with a very merry crowd joining in with their interactive set.
Just across the lawn was a separate, brightly lit stretch tent filled with the famous cross-town ice cream, a photo booth and a glitter artist. The fire pit was roaring and the kids gravitated toward the fun to roast marshmallows while Alex Coleman began his set inspired by Hayley & Jon’s previous musical experiences that included crowd interaction, musical instruments and singing along to classics.
As Alex’s set came to a close, rock music began bursting out from the barn and The Jukeboxes played H & J’s first dance ‘I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing, Aerosmith’. The wedding day came to a spectacular finish with DJ Steve, a family friend with some serious tunes and everyone stumbled back to their tents.
Survivor’s breakfast
The morning after the wedding came with a few sore heads and lots of bloody Marys. As guests recovered from the night before, a gospel choir sang them back to life from the outside stage while bouquets of flowers from the weekend were gifted to all. The wedding was a weekend that I will truly never forget, the Emily Rose team worked tirelessly to pull together months of hard work and the couple’s vision became a reality.
Team
Venue: Wick Bottom Barn, Celebrant: The Smiling Celebrant , Florist: Hibiscous & Hodge Photographer: Louisa Jane Photography , Film: Bon Amour , Embroidered Blankets: Peridot Bridal Caterers: Berry Blue, Bar: Cartails & Events, Lighting & Sound: Light Fantastic Tableware: Duchess & Butler
