Enchanted Woodland Boho Wedding

Remember The Magic Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton? I have to say it was a childhood favourite of mine and upon hearing that bride Corrina used the book to inspired her nuptials to Christopher, it flooded back memories of the magical tales. I must dig out my own copy. Anyway I digress, because this enchanted woodland feel wedding was just spectacular. Let’s find out why.

Corrina and Christopher were married on the 6th August 2016 in a church ceremony followed by a feast at Kingsbury Barn and a party at The Inn on The Park in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The woodland portraits are some of my very fave images here alongside the DIY décor, which included logs, moss and rustic place settings. It all came together so wonderfully.

Corrina chose a boho feel gown by Kula Tsurdiu and accessorised it with a stunning floral flower crown, which her bridesmaids were also treated to. Lucky girls indeed, make sure to take a peek at their flowing frocks too.

Many thanks to Richard Savage Photography for providing these magical shots.

THE PROPOSAL | It all began with a surprise trip Zurich for the weekend where I was shown the sights of the city and stayed in the lovely wellenberg hotel. This was all masked with the fact that it was my 30th birthday, therefore it was all a big surprise.

When thinking that the holiday was over, I was then whisked away on the interlaken to Grindelwald.

We checked into our hotel (he chose a room that had a view of the north face of the Eiger – a world-famous summit of the alpine that I had been wanting to visit since my parents had) and then the following day we got the train to the top of the Eiger. It was at this point, when standing on the outside top platform of the Sphinx Observatory, over looking the glacier that he got down on one knee and popped the question. I of course said yes and then we sledged back to the hotel from Kleine Scheidegg, 9600 meters down the mountain. I was then treated to a special dinner prepared and pre organised by the hotel accompanied with fresh roses and then we had the outside jacuzzi area all to our selves, which was sunken in the snow over looking the mountain. An absolute dream! And a holiday that I will treasure always.

THE VISION | Enchanted Woodland – I love trees!

As a young girl I grew up reading a lot of Enid Blyton. One book in particular has stayed with which is The Magic Far Away Tree. I had this for my inspiration.

We wanted it to be rustic and relaxed and personal to us both with bohemian vibe.

In my head I saw lots of trees with butterflies and fairy lights sunken in a pots that were over flowing with glistening green moss. And for the cake stand there would be a gigantic 4 tiered wooden sliced structure that would be covered with cupcakes and flowers (you know, the usual).

THE PLANNING PROCESS | Because we had such a tight budget it was imperative that I researched as much as possible into suppliers and how we were going to decorate.

I wrote up a list that entitled ‘things to buy’ ‘things to make’ and ‘things to design’.

The aim was that we make as much of the decorations as possible.

BUDGET | £8000

THE VENUE | All in St Albans – Hertfordshire

St Michaels Church – Ceremony

Kingsbury Barn – Feast and Speeches

The Inn on The Park – For Dancing the night away

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | Laura Summerson, Boutique Manager (my dress guru) helped me out so much when choosing my dress. The whole experience was just perfect and I couldn’t speak highly enough of this beautiful boutique in the Nottingham Lace market.

My vision was floaty, lacy and magical and that is exactly what I got. Accompanied by a full length veil with delicate flowers sewn in.

I got some flat sandals with sparkly bits on from BHS in the sale at a steel of £7.

FINDING THE DRESS | I tried on all sorts of types of dresses but as beautiful as they all were, they seemed a bit too glamorous or sexy, which wasn’t the look I was going for.

I saw the dress that I wanted but it was double my budget so I had to leave it. A month or so after I got a message from the shop, inviting me to the sample sale. I went along and the dress that I couldn’t afford was in the sale! I tried it on again and I was love with it even more. I had to have a few minor alterations but other then that, it was perfect!

GROOM’S ATTIRE | The grooms outfit was a relaxed country style with rolled up sleeves and tweed waistcoat and trousers.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | I walked into the church to Ben Howard “Old Pine” (an old favourite of mine that means a lot to the two of us from past memories) and we excited to Paulo Nutini “Pencil Full of Lead” a fun up beat song that we ran out of the church too.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | My big sister Sam Fretwell, my Maid of Honour Ellen Rudge, my beautiful uni bestie Hannah Norman and my childhood bestie Rebecca Smith.

The dresses were a dove grey, full length floaty style, nice and neutral for a base for the eccentric flower crowns and wild flower bouquets that I envisioned.

THE FLOWERS | After visiting many florists and being treated in the usual (non personal way) I was a little disheartened and worried. This was until I came across a local lady who works from her glorious wooden cabin at the bottom of her magical garden. I emailed her first and then I received a call shortly after from a lady called Anne. When I got off the phone I knew from then that I had found my florist. The first consultation was amazing, she new exactly what was in my head and I had no doubt that she would choose and arrange the perfect flowers for our day. I was blown away by the hand tied flower crowns and matching bouquets and button holes! She even helped with styling our centrepieces and table flowers, she was my flowery godmother!

THE CAKE | Individual cupcakes with iced leaves and branches to go with the woodland theme. The top cake was constructed by my beautiful (mother to be) bridesmaid Hannah. I bought 2 Victoria sponges from Sainsburys, popped them on top of each other and iced around the edges and top and then placed some flowers on top to match the table decorations (the top cake cost me £4).

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER | Richard Savage Photography

Booked at the last minute due to being let down by my original photographer, Richard and Gemma saved the day. What an amazing couple, it was like they were part of the wedding party, we instantly clicked and they really did go above and beyond all expectations!

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | Nearly all of the decorations were hand made and crafted by myself or Chris and we had a lot of help from friends on the day.

Items included;

Wooden slices, which were a contribution from my friend Carol’s wedding that took place earlier on in the year.

I collected jars (mainly Whole Earth peanut butter jars) and then hand wrapped lace (from eBay) around for decoration.

My main centrepieces – I bought 53 artificial manzanita trees off eBay. They were sunken in hessian covered pots, overflowing with glistening green moss. I styled them with ivy that I took from my garden and handmade feather butterflies and micro led fairy lights.

The favours were handmade wood slice coasters – we went foraging and found some perfect sized branches that had fallen off tress and sliced them up into coasters, we then varnished them both sides and I incorporated them into the table settings which were wrapped with twine, around a napkin with a name tag attached.

The Bar – We hand made this from reclaimed scaffolding planks and free pallets. Chris is quite handy when it comes to DIY and loves any excuse to get his drill out. We decorated it with one of my many small trees and created a Gin Station and Pimms cooler along with fruit water and juice bar. We had buckets of beers and ciders that guests helped them selves too. I designed the B A R Letters out of wood that hung over the station and Chris cut them out and then I painted them.

The Sweet Stand – Hand made from free pallets and decorated with tree slices and flowers and trees. I painted the sign myself and my bridesmaids decorated the supermarket bought cakes with fresh fruits and cream and added mini bunting signs with the cakes names.

THE HONEYMOON | South of France – Theoule Sur Mer, we stayed in a friends apartment, which they kindly lent us for a week for free. So we booked a hire car and organised some roads trips down the coast. We visited Mougin, Valbonne, St Tropez, Cains and many other little idyllic French villages along the way.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | The speeches were by far the most emotional and funny! The best man was very funny and lets say enlightening and my dads was something I will never forget! He had nearly everyone in tears.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Steel a few moments by yourselves to take in the day, it goes by so quickly! Don’t stress if things don’t go as you planned, it really doesn’t matter, what matters is that you are having fun with your family and friends!

Don’t drink to much or you will end up doing the ‘Oops Upside Your Head’ at the end of the night.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE | With out the help of my family and friends none of the special day would have been possible. It’s to them I give by biggest thanks too.

Photography | Richard Savage Photography

Tables, chairs and cutlery | Jaspers

Handmade Butterflies | E Crafts

Dress | Kula Tsurdiu

Food | Spitting Pig Hertfordshire

Flowers | Betty And Bear Flowers

Venues | Kingsbury Barn & The Inn on The Park

How very perfect.

Corrina and Christopher, I cannot thank you both enough for sharing your story with us xo Lou