Today’s real wedding was an absolute blast. David and Charlotte’s outdoor festival affair was a masterclass in elegance, charm, and unapologetic fun. The talented duo of James & Lianne expertly captured the couple’s joyous day.
The Colour Palette
I confess, the decision to have multiple colors for my bridesmaids and wedding color scheme was largely driven by my own indecision. I yearned for a vibrant yet vintage-inspired celebration reminiscent of an English country garden, so I drew inspiration from Cadbury’s iconic mini eggs. The resulting pastel palette added a playful touch to our special day.
As part of the preparations, we organized a fun afternoon with friends and family to create 100 meters of bunting that perfectly matched my color scheme. Meanwhile, three of my closest friends went above and beyond by crafting additional flags to serve as a unique guest book for my wedding present.
The Decor & Details
We had our hearts set on an outdoor wedding, but with a large guest list, we needed a venue that allowed us to bring in our own suppliers to keep costs under control. Moreover, we were smitten with the idea of incorporating tipis into our celebration, as they offered a cozy atmosphere and a unique scent reminiscent of our trip to Peru several years prior.
When we stumbled upon The Hideaway online, it checked all the boxes – affordability, exceptional facilities, and ample space for guests to camp or stay overnight. Given that many of our loved ones were traveling from Lancashire, we prioritized finding budget-friendly accommodation options in the surrounding area for those who wouldn’t be camping.
The Flowers
To create a unique and cohesive aesthetic, we repurposed items from the cafe where Zoe works, such as jam jars and Fentimen’s lemonade bottles, to serve as vases for the flowers. We also borrowed cream jugs to enhance the English country garden ambiance. By requesting soft colours from the florist, we ensured that the bouquets complemented the bridesmaid dresses and bunting.
To add an extra touch, we asked the florist to incorporate long ribbons into the bouquets, which tied in beautifully with the flowing lengths of the dresses. In a creative endeavor that involved our friends’ contributions, we crafted nearly 200 bottles of hot chocolate mix, which not only reflected the camping and campfire theme but also provided additional color and decoration for the tables.
DIY Tips
When it comes to DIY wedding decorations, I highly recommend enlisting the help of family and friends to create bunting together. Not only is making your own bunting a cost-effective option, but it’s also a fun way to bond with loved ones in the lead up to the big day. And let’s not forget the bonus of enjoying tea and cake while you work. On the other hand, hot chocolate favors might not be the best choice for larger weddings, as we found out firsthand when making them for our special day.
The key is to keep things simple by only including the necessary ingredients and doing thorough taste testing before filling the bottles. For kids’ activity packs, I loved preparing personalized ones for our little cousins and think they enjoyed them immensely. With a bit of creativity and some helpful internet tips, it’s possible to create engaging age-appropriate activities that will have everyone talking.
When it comes to fans, I relied heavily on expert advice from Wedding Bee and discovered the genius of using packing tape to secure the flowers. Don’t forget to stock up on double-sided tape for a seamless finish. The flower patterns we used were sourced from Creative Market, and they added a beautiful touch everywhere they were placed – including our table names, which featured Harry Potter-inspired place cards with love quotes on the reverse side.
Lastly, making signs was an absolute blast, and the best part was that they were completely free. With some old wood, leftover paint, and a bit of TLC from my dad, we created beautiful rustic signs that added a personal touch to our wedding.
The Refreshments
We decided to shake things up with a hog roast at our wedding breakfast, which offered a unique twist on traditional catering and proved to be a cost-effective option for our large guest list of 180 people. The Hog and Apple exceeded our expectations with their culinary expertise, delivering a high-end dining experience in the midst of a rustic setting. Every detail was meticulously attended to, including the timing of food service, which is no small feat considering the scale of our event.
Our guests were treated to an impressive array of options, including an Italian-style meat platter, salads, and side dishes beautifully garnished with edible flowers. Vegetarian choices were also plentiful, catering to the 25 guests who followed a plant-based diet. The pièce de résistance was the succulent hog roast, served with crispy wedges, an assortment of salads, and an array of condiments.
To satisfy our sweet tooth, we indulged in light, fluffy sticky toffee pudding that melted in our mouths. Later in the evening, we treated our guests to gourmet-style hot dogs and cheese-drenched chips – a delightful conclusion to an already impressive culinary journey.