Woodland Countryside Camp Wedding

Be still my beating heart. I am in wedding heaven today. Why? Because this wedding is so connected to the countryside and the couple just radiate love and style in equal measure. FTW.

Sarah and Toby were hitched on the 23^rd July 2016 in a church ceremony followed by an outdoor woodland ceremony and tipi reception at WWW Supplier Love family members, Wasing Park in Berkshire. The setting was so idyllic and magical, I mean just imagine partying into the early hours beneath the canopy of trees. The focus was on creating a relaxed atmosphere and they added personal touches all round. There were the most divine blooms, which included peonies and daisies, not to mention oodles of lush foliage used throughout.

Sarah looked effortlessly beautiful in her custom made French lace and silk gown by Dana Bolton, which she teamed with a long veil. Toby was super cool in his Reiss ensemble and desert boots. Their bridal party meanwhile rocked their gorgeous outfits too, with the girls in pink and the boys in mismatched suits. Amaze!

Thanks so very much to Joanna Nicole Photography for sharing these remarkable shots with us.

THE PROPOSAL | Toby proposed in September 2015 whilst on holiday in Croatia, beside the harbour of a little fishing village on our favourite island… that we keep going back to.

THE VISION | We wanted a relaxed outdoor wedding inspired by our love of the English countryside and the outdoors. A woodland setting was perfect. The giant hat tepees fitted the vision, and with the sides rolled up we still felt like we were outside. We wanted the party to carry on late so made sure we were somewhere where our friends could camp over after and we could have a big campfire.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | Started in January 2016, so we only had a little over 6 months. After finding our perfect venue it was important to get all the right finishing touches. The real hard work began 2 days before the wedding when the family, bridesmaids and groomsmen all pitched in to get the site ready.

THE VENUE | Sacred Heart Church, Henley followed by humanist blessing and reception at Wasing Woodland, Aldermaston.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Handmade dress by North London dress designer Dana Bolton, veil from Love You Bride, hair accessories from Accessorize.

FINDING THE DRESS | I visited a few dress shops but as soon as I tried on Dana’s designs at her studio I knew I had found the woman for the job. She makes the most beautiful boho inspired dresses using gorgeous French lace and silk, you can also be involved in the designing process so your dress is customisable and truly unique

GROOM’S ATTIRE | Suit from Reiss, shoes Camper, tie Zara.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe, excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bride and Groom entrance song: Coat of Arms by Cat’s Eyes. First Dance: Katy Song by Red House Painters. DJ: Chris Relevitch, later with an extended session by the groom!

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | Becky Beyts, Cammy Beyts, Dot Levine, Monica Dunne and Sarah Hosny.

THE FLOWERS | Cherubs Floral Design. Bridal bouquet consisted of: white peonies, and loads of tanacetum daisys, lavender, rosemary, fresh mint. Astrantia in white and dusky pink, white astlibe, alchemilla mollis, ammi majus, white / blue agapanthus.

THE CAKE | Made by Nicola Walsh of Vanilla Spice Cake Company. A 4 tier rustic buttercream iced cake with different flavoured layers including: lemon sponge with lemon curd and lemon buttercream, vanilla and baileys sponge with baileys buttercream and a vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and vanilla buttercream.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | The wonderful Joanna Yates of Joanna Nicole Photography.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Cherubs Floral Design provided the table flowers and decorated the woodland pagoda. Guests place settings had an enamel mug with handwritten name tag (to be used with the beer and cider kegs) and came with a jar of homemade jam made by father of the bride Hugh Beyts with organic produce from his allotment. Woodland decorated with paper decorations from Talking Tables Decadent Decorations. Signposts were hand painted onto drift wood collected by my aunt from beaches near her lighthouse in Scotland.

THE HONEYMOON | We had a ‘mini-moon’ with 3 nights in a yurt on a beautiful secluded farm in Dartmoor, Devon and 4 nights in a cottage in Bodrifty, West Cornwall. We’re still planning our main honeymoon!

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | The tulle of my dress skirt acted like a mosquito net and houses a number of flies and bugs! It all added to the authentic outdoor experience! It was a blisteringly hot day and it was so wonderful to see all our favourite people sprawled out in groups on the grass enjoying the beautiful setting.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | All the hard work and stress IS worth it! On the day itself just enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast, and relax as no one will notice if there are a few things that aren’t precisely how you envisioned them.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Joanna Nicole Photography

Venue | Wasing Park Woodland *WWW wedding directory member*

Tepee, tables, chairs, lighting and furnishings | Stunning Tents Company

Bell Tents for Glamping |  Lulubells

Dress | Dana Bolton

Veil | Love You Bride

Flowers | Cherubs Floral Design

Cake | Vanilla Spice Cake Company

Make up | Mako

Hair | Salon One, Reading 0118 947 2312

Catering | Nyama Catering

Just magic.

Thanks so much to Sarah and Toby for sharing their epic celebrations with us here today xo Lou