We’re big fans of weddings that blend different elements to create a unique celebration of love Kate and Tom’s special day at The Secret Walled Garden in Wasing Park was the perfect embodiment of this approach Warren from Howell Jones Photography captured the magic of their wedding with his candid photography style, which beautifully showcased the fusion of traditional elegance and whimsical fun.
The stylish couple looked stunning on their big day, with Tom sporting a three-piece navy suit and Kate shining in her gorgeous Pronovias wedding dress, paired with glamorous waves The bridesmaids added a touch of sophistication in grey Virgos Lounge attire, nodding to the Gatsby-inspired vibe of their party While their classic attire, DIY stationery, and traditional ceremony exuded timeless charm, the fun really kicked off with their cool tipi garden party.
The floral-laced decor and impromptu crooning and dancing into the wee hours made for an unforgettable celebration that truly stole the show.
Wedding Day Snapshot
The Theme
We settled on a fusion of ‘Gatsby glamour’ and ‘whimsical fairy party’, blending the best of both worlds To achieve this, we opted for a unique setup featuring tipis adorned with twinkling fairy lights and tent poles wrapped in lush ivy and vibrant flowers Our colour palette was a harmonious blend of gold, peach, and blue, which added to the whimsical atmosphere.
Moreover, we ensured that there were plenty of thoughtful, handmade elements scattered throughout, making sure that every detail reflected our personalities and contributed to an unforgettable celebration.
The Flowers
To create a visually stunning entrance to the tipis, my mum started cultivating a variety of plants in gold-potted planters months prior to the wedding This thoughtful gesture not only added to the overall aesthetic but also served as a beautiful surprise for our guests The bouquets and centrepieces featured a harmonious blend of blue hydrangeas, larkspur, white and peach roses, eucalyptus, ivy, and white liatris, sweet peas, and freesias, which added a touch of elegance to the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the gentlemen sported crisp white rose buttonholes, subtly complementing the overall floral arrangement.
Favourite Moments
The memory of walking down the aisle with Tom, where he first laid eyes on me, remains etched in my mind However, it’s the moment at the end of the night that we both cherish – when our friends hoisted us onto their shoulders and the entire gathering came together to harmonize John Farnham’s iconic ‘You’re the Voice’ It was a truly unforgettable way to cap off our special day.
The Decor & Details
We decided to infuse our personalities into the decor by adding a personal touch to the band’s kick drum, placing images of ourselves on John and Yoko’s iconic faces through photo editing We also opted for a luxurious gold backdrop for the stage, which added an air of glamour to the overall ambiance To create unique place name holders, we purchased bags of toy plastic animals from eBay, gave them a golden makeover, and surprisingly, they became such a hit that guests took them home as souvenirs.
The photobooth’s retro aesthetic was another crowd-pleaser in the evening hours I invested considerable time scouring vintage markets to source antique glass tea light holders, which we used to adorn the tables, adding warmth and character to the setting.
Advice for Other Couples
We opted for a unique mode of transportation – a vintage red bus stocked with prosecco – to transport our guests to the reception, while my partner and I made our way separately in our own car Little did we know, this brief moment of separation would provide us with an opportunity to pause, reflect on our recent union, and truly cherish this special time together.
I highly recommend carving out a quiet moment for yourself during the chaos of the wedding day to let the reality sink in – you’ve just married your best friend And when all is said and done, remember that every moment counts, as they can quickly slip away Enjoy the little things, like the warm glow of candlelight or the sound of loved ones laughing together
The late-night dancing sounds like an absolute blast, doesn’t it.
And Kate’s stunning wedding dress deserves special mention – it truly was a showstopper A huge thank you to Warren at Howell Jones Photography for capturing this magical day with such precision and style We’re also grateful to the lovely couple, Kate & Tom, for sharing their enchanting secret garden wedding with us
Get inspired by more breathtaking Real Weddings.
