When Yellow Bird Photography captured Jo and Jimmy’s special day at Bignor Park, the result was a whimsical and deeply personal celebration of their love. The perfect blend of pretty pastel blooms, English summer rain, and the couple’s shared passion for music and musical theatre came together in a truly unique and unforgettable way.
The DIY garden wedding was filled with creative touches, from big, fluffy hydrangea bouquets to hanging jars of ‘freshly picked’ arrangements suspended above the reception tables. Even Jo’s stunning Claire Pettibone wedding gown was a work of art, perfectly complemented by a delicate white rose threading through her braided hairstyle.
As I delved into Jo’s heartfelt and detailed account of their day, I found myself beaming with joy, laughing at the couple’s infectious energy, and even tearing up at the sheer romance of it all. That’s not even mentioning the love poem they penned together for their wedding ceremony – a truly moving expression of their devotion to each other.
From The Bride…
After attending 29 weddings over three years, we’d seen our fair share of beachside ceremonies in Ibiza and rustic church services in Northern Ireland. Our goal was to create an unforgettable experience that broke the mold. We sought a setting that blended effortlessly with nature, where every detail told a story about us as a couple. That’s why we chose to exchange vows amidst lush greenery and celebrate our union in an historic stable block.
The atmosphere was relaxed, with a riot of colors that didn’t clash – a true reflection of who we are as individuals. Our wedding was a testament to the power of personal touches, a celebration of our love that left a lasting impression on all who attended.
The Bride and Groom’s attire
I opted for an unexpected yet harmonious pairing: Willow by Claire Pettibone with Swarovski-encrusted Moscow shoes by Benjamin Adams. This fusion allowed for a versatile look that effortlessly transitioned from day to evening, showcasing Jimmy’s impeccable style. His bespoke grey suit and shirt were elevated by a light gold pocket square and tie, which added a touch of sophistication.
Sentimental yet thoughtful was the pink lining of his suit, embroidered with our names and wedding date – a heartfelt tribute to my late father, who often wore pink. Furthermore, our wedding rings also feature this special embroidery, serving as a meaningful reminder of our love story.
The Flowers
My floral arrangement featured a delicate blend of sweet peas, honeysuckle, and freesias in cream and yellow hues that harmonized perfectly with my wedding dress. To complement the bridesmaids’ attire, I incorporated dusky blues and lilacs into the mix despite my dad, Den, passing away six years prior, I wanted him to be a part of my special day, so I incorporated a framed photograph of him into my bouquet’s design.
The frame was not only a meaningful tribute but also served as my ‘something borrowed’ – courtesy of Lotte. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were simple yet striking, featuring single stems of hydrangea in varying colors. These beautiful arrangements not only adorned their chairs during the ceremony but also became an integral part of the garlands that lined the entranceways.
The Ceremony
One lazy Sunday afternoon, Jimmy and I retreated to a cozy country pub near home, where we penned a poem together titled ‘Love Is,’ our collaborative effort reflected the shared values, affectionate moments, compromises, and endearing quirks that make our relationship unique. The poem was a heartfelt expression of all the reasons why we adore each other.
As the afternoon wore on, our friends Chris and Greg took center stage, performing an unforgettable rendition of ‘All I Want is You’ by Barry Louis Pollack with Greg’s soulful harmonies and Chris’s impressive vocal range, their impromptu duet turned into a hilarious comedy routine that left us in stitches.
The highlight of the day arrived when our friend Tom crafted beautiful arrangements for a medley of songs I had chosen – ‘June Bride’ from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Nat King Cole’s timeless classic ‘When I Fall in Love,’ and Jimmy from Thoroughly Modern Millie five talented friends from my musical theatre circle joined forces to bring the medley to life, resulting in a truly unforgettable performance that will always be remembered as one of the day’s crowning moments.
Love is…
Love is the small things, like running home to see his face or agreeing on a paint colour. It’s about embracing imperfections, like not correcting her grammar or getting upset when she corrects yours. Love is also about showing kindness, such as letting her steal your change or taking care of household chores like bathing the dog. It’s the little acts of love that make life more enjoyable, like making tea for each other, even if you don’t drink it yourself.
Love can be quirky too, like giving each other funny names, like Plimsoll the dog, or celebrating Wednesday with a bouquet of flowers. It’s about sharing experiences, like going on a moped adventure along the coast or watching your partner’s favourite TV show. Love is also about supporting each other, whether it’s rescuing her when she runs out of petrol or finding something positive to say about a disappointing event.
Ultimately, love is about believing in each other and knowing that you’re always there for one another, no matter what.
The Décor & Details
As our special day approached, we encountered numerous logistical challenges – not to mention the torrential rain that poured down on us just days before the wedding, followed by a gusty week leading up to the big day. Despite these unforeseen circumstances, we decided to take matters into our own hands and get creative with the decorations. We crafted wooden signs and hung them strategically throughout the grounds and building, directing guests to various areas.
The ceremony garden was transformed with two grand garlands suspended above the entrance, as well as another one in the Greek loggia where we exchanged our vows. In the walled courtyard, we set up personalized photo timelines for each of us, which converged at the moment when we first met. These were then strung together on brown twine using wooden pegs. The atmosphere was further enhanced by festoon lights adorning the walls.
We also displayed pictures of our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings on the cake table, serving as a charming nod to our heritage. In the bar area, we installed large wooden letters spelling out ‘J&J’ alongside an assortment of candlesticks in varying shades of gold and silver. In the stables where the stalls were located, we set up a unique guest book featuring postcards from us or specifically tailored to individual guests.
These were then attached to string running along the walls using pegs. Next door, we created a DIY photo booth using my camera on a tripod with a remote control and clear instructions for our slightly worse-for-wear guests. A box of props, including hats and wigs, was provided by our photographers, leading to some rather interesting discoveries when reviewing the photos the next day.
To accommodate our diverse guest list, we designed a seating plan using tonally floral fabric strips, which we humorously titled ‘Oh God, who have they put me next to?’. The menus were created in dusky pinks and blues, featuring ‘J&J’ on one side and the menu on the other. Given my background as an actress, we borrowed theatrical terms for our speeches, including ‘The Overture’, ‘The Leading Lady’, ‘The Leading Man’, ‘The Producer’, and ‘The Ugly Sisters’.
For the food courses, we employed titles like ‘Act 1: The Alternate’, ‘Act 2’, and ‘The Encore’.
Hanging Flowers
To transport guests to an enchanted outdoor setting within the dinner marquee, we incorporated elements that would catch the light and evoke a sense of whimsy. This was achieved by suspending tea lights and flower-filled jars from silvery wire above the long trestle tables, creating a warm and inviting ambiance reminiscent of a lush meadow. The effect was so captivating that we’ve since recreated this feature in our own home, incorporating it into our decor as a nod to the memorable evening.
The Favours
The small, brown favour bags were tied with ribbons featuring romantic phrases, such as ‘to have and to hold’. Each bag contained seeded hearts and printed cards with instructions on how to plant them. The kids received similar bags filled with sweet treats like candies and push pops. To keep their energy levels up, they also had lunch boxes stocked with a variety of food items and an array of games and activities to enjoy.
Additionally, each child was provided with a table set up with a paper cloth, allowing them to unleash their creativity and create a massive group drawing – something that we have proudly kept as a memento.
The Photography
Yellow Bird Photography’s Tyson and Elle went above and beyond in capturing our special day. We chose them because of their exceptional work, genuine enthusiasm, and relaxed approach – qualities that aligned perfectly with what we were looking for in wedding photographers. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to meet Elle until the big day itself, she turned out to be a warm and unobtrusive presence behind the camera, effortlessly capturing our moments without making us feel self-conscious.
The rain that rolled in on our wedding day threw a wrench into every carefully laid plan, but Tyson’s ability to think on his feet and adapt to the situation made all the difference, ensuring that our celebration remained stress-free and enjoyable.
Favourite Moments
As we exchanged our vows, time seemed to stand still. The quiet atmosphere allowed us to focus on the true significance of our union – committing ourselves to each other. Unlike many weddings where the bride and groom’s attention is drawn to the registrar or vicar, we made a conscious effort to maintain eye contact with one another. It was as if we were the only two people in the world.
The solemnity of that moment was heightened by the understanding that our love would be the foundation on which we built our life together. In fact, I’m not sure we ever broke eye contact during the entire ceremony, and when it was all over, we knew that our bond would continue to flourish, with us gazing into each other’s eyes for a lifetime. It’s moments like these that make our special day truly unforgettable.
Suppliers…
As we exchanged our vows, time seemed to stand still. The quiet atmosphere allowed us to focus on the true significance of our union – committing ourselves to each other. Unlike many weddings where the bride and groom’s attention is drawn to the registrar or vicar, we made a conscious effort to maintain eye contact with one another. It was as if we were the only two people in the world.
The solemnity of that moment was heightened by the understanding that our love would be the foundation on which we built our life together. In fact, I’m not sure we ever broke eye contact during the entire ceremony, and when it was all over, we knew that our bond would continue to flourish, with us gazing into each other’s eyes for a lifetime. It’s moments like these that make our special day truly unforgettable.