Crawfest Family Festival Wedding

Andy and Grace held their family festival wedding celebration back in the summer surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Their day was dubbed ‘Crawfest’ and the laid back party was all about great music and good hearty food.

I love all the children running around enjoying the surroundings and they were well catered for with a bell tent den. Guests picnicked in the grass, a bonfire followed and then everyone camped over to continue the fun times. There were some brilliant DIY projects undertaken, with hand crafted paper flowers, bunting and signage to name a few.

What a gorgeous couple and a glorious day. Thanks so much to Lily Sawyer Photography for sharing these delightful shots today.

THE PROPOSAL | 4 Handmade boxes containing the proposal were given over several months. The boxes were made out of materials we had used doing-up our home. “It was very frustrating to wait between boxes, but the end result was very romantic andbeautifully hand made.”

THE VISION | A family festival, very relaxed and fun, with good music and great, simple food.

THE PLANNING PROCESS | The planning started long before the wedding date was set, or the proposal delivered. Huge amounts had to be organized in a short time once the locations were booked, particularly as we were celebrating outside. Many friends and family were called on to help out.

BUDGET | £10,000

THE VENUE | North Hill Farm hired us the field (with water electricity and the most amazing Loos!)

We separately hired a brilliant “capri” style marquee from GP Marquees. They also provided the internal furniture and ran a cash bar on the day.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Dress from Monsoon (evening cover-up was plucked from the fancy dress box that night).
Shoes – simple M&S white flower crochet pumps.
Festival make up.
Hair – curled with a loose plait and gypsophila tucked in.

FINDING THE DRESS | A struggle. A couple of bad experiences in formal wedding shops and some searching online for dresses made overseas. Grace eventually found her perfect dress in Monsoon, a long flowing dress with lace detail straps.

GROOM’S ATTIRE | Reiss – Suit. Slim Fit Grey 3 piece suit.
T.M.Lewin – White shirt and burgundy tie.
Delicious Junction – Burgundy woven slip on shoes.
Button hole – Elderflower plucked from a tree.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Ceremony written and conducted by Grace’s close friend and Andy’s sister-in-law. It involved a ribbon tying commitment which was extended to all the guests; who had been given ribbons on their Festival Lanyards.
We entered to an acoustic instrumental version of Little Things by One Direction.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | Grace’s best friend Sian and Andy’s Niece, Kyra wearing dusky pink, Debenhams dresses and M&S pumps. Grace’s two nieces were flower girls. Wearing white Monsoon dresses, carrying and throwing woven baskets full of dried petals.

THE FLOWERS | Hand made from burlap, lace and material scraps. Much of which was from WRAP, a local art recycling project. Some gypsophila from Morrisons and eucalyptus from the garden was added as well.

THE CAKE | A four layer feast: Lemon, Coffee, Madeira and Fruit cake made by the Grace’s sister, decorated with figs and fresh, edible, organic flowers from Maddoxs. Plus scrumptious scones with cream and jam, made by Andy’s Mum.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Lily Sawyer, who is Andy’s Cousin’s wife, took some lovely reportage style shots and lots of great photos of all the decorations and details we had spent so much time creating.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Most of the decoration was made by us, our families and our friends.

In the main marquee we had metres and metres of bunting, made by the mother of the bride, using vintage fabrics and charity shop finds – Super sized crepe paper flowers – the bride and friends had several crafternoons making hundreds of fabric and paper flowers that we then made into large signs; Bar, Crawfest, and used in the bridal parties bouquets – jars were decorated for flower table displays, drinkers and lanterns by Grace and her Father – the table displays and cake were presented on rustic log slices.

We set up a chill-out/kids tent in our friend’s bell tent and filled it with paper pompoms, lights, cushions and bean bags and music-player. This was a big hit with our youngest guests and their parents.

There was a coconut-shy rented from a local church, welly wanging, tug-of-war and space hoppers. A dressing-up tent with hats, tails, wings, masks and costumes for the guests to play with, photo props and face painting.

Festival flags lined the main area, bunting was strung everywhere, plastic and paper flowers were hung all about, jar lanterns dotted the field and were used as personalised pitch markers, hay bales with specially made covers provided seating and an archway made from branches was used for the ceremony.

The evening was seen out round a big bonfire, with hot chocolate, marshmallows and sparklers.

We wanted good quality local food and asked a local Butchers to provide the catering. The tastiest ploughmans’ buffet, which people enjoyed in the sunshine, picnicking on hay bales, blankets and deck chairs. Filling, sausages and more were barbecued in the evening. Guests that camped were treated to an amazing full English breakfast cooked in the main field; to tempt them out of their tents.

Mountains of scones, made by the Groom’s mom, with fresh cream and jam were on offer in the afternoon, and of course the wedding cake.

THE HONEYMOON | Santorini, a Greek Island. Beautiful, romantic and sunny!

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | Looking out at the guests arriving and setting up camping from our tree house balcony.

Really emotional, touching ceremony.

Gathering round the fire at the end of the night.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Embrace the high street. Budget was tight and we used every discount code and cash back website we could. Places like Tiger stores and Monsoon were a godsend.

Allow time to make things and ask family and friends to help.

Spend money on marquee (venue), band and food/catering. However much you do to prepare, these three things will help to make sure you are free to enjoy yourself on the day and spend time with your guests.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Lily Sawyer Photography

Marquee | GP Marquees

Venue | North Hill Farm Glamping Glamping

Band | Jester

Caterers | J. & J. May. Butchers – 8 Main Parade, Chorleywood.

Edible Flowers | Maddocks Farm Organics

Hair & Make up | Sam & Sarah

Oh so amazing.

Andy and Grace, thank you so much for sharing your story with us today xo Lou