Relaxed Countryside Wedding in Blue & Pink

Have you ever visited north Norfolk? If not I promise you it’s just glorious. So I am over the moon to be featuring this beautiful countryside wedding, featuring a wow factor ceremony location at Holkham Hall today.

Let me introduce you to Henry and Rebecca who tied the knot on the 2nd June 2018 and held their reception at Henry’s parents barns, with yurts for dancing in. It was all just perfect, their relaxed country vision really came to life on the day. They included touches such as pheasant feathers and antlers to inject the country theme into the décor. Alongside architectural touches as a nod to Rebecca’s career. Just wonderful.

The pink and blue hues worked together so beautifully, with the bridesmaids in blue and florals in the same tones. So pretty! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a gorgeous greenery laden cake, the confetti cannon cake cutting and sublime outfit choices.

We have Luis Holden Photography to thank for sharing with us these absolutely beautiful photographs with us.

The Proposal

Henry worked for Holkham Estate at the time and so gave me a tour of the estate and finished the tour with a beach walk with our Bulldog. The beach was quite busy so he said we should go into the sand dunes not wanting anyone to see him, and proposed once we had climbed to the top.

The Vision

We knew from day one that we wanted to get married at Holkham Hall and that the reception would be in one of Henry’s parents barns, with a couple of traditional yurts as a bar and dance floor, as we felt that it would be nice to have a separate place for people to dance so that people could talk in the barn.

We wanted a relaxed, country themed wedding but with a dramatic ceremony location that had a WOW factor. We both love the countryside so wanted to incorporate pheasant feathers, antlers, shot gun cartridges. I am an architect so I also wanted this to be incorporated into the day.

The Planning Process

Being an Architect I am quite used to planning projects. So it wasn’t actually that hard. The hardest part is having a reception at home because you need to think about every detail including things like ice / toilets / seating etc. I also made a lot of items for the wedding which took up A LOT of my spare time.

Another hard part was the guest list do I need to say any more!

The Venue

Holkham Hall wedding – River Farm Barn reception.

Beauty

Hair was done by my hairdresser Amy Rasberry.

Makeup by a friend Holly Wright.

The Readings & Music

The music at Holkham was by Matthew Preston, I hear that the groomsmen were making requests whilst waiting for us to turn up and he was able to do almost any song. He is very talented.

Your Outfits & Accessories

My dress was from Camilla Brides I knew exactly what I wanted and Alison and Paula made the experience one to remember. I picked my material, and lace and Paula assisted with the shape to best fit my figure.

I had a custom made pheasant feather head piece from Etsy.

My shoes were from Ted Baker in the blue colour to match the bridesmaids.

Groomsmen

The suits – we wanted Tweed to fit in with the theme and they came from Amazon.

The Flowers

We chose Flowers at the Forge, Nathalie was fantastic so enthusiastic and full of great ideas. She did the bouquets, milk churns, signing table flowers and button holes. Nathalie listened to our colour requirements and that we wanted natural looking bouquets with meadow flowers and feathers.

Your Photographer

Mr Luis Holden (also known as the camera ninja) we loved having Luis capture our day he creates natural photos and doesn’t force you into regimented photos. We were able to enjoy our day and hardly knew he was there. He is such a lovely guy with a bubbly personality and made us feel totally at ease.

The Details & Décor

We wanted to create a country themed wedding as we both love being out in the country side and both work with farmers, I am an architect so I tried to get a couple of architecture bits in as well. We had a lot of pheasant feathers / antlers/ gun cartridges / a house card box, house centre pieces / a drawing board for the table plan and an architectural drawing as the table plan.

Julie Abbs Catering – Tris worked with us and made a bespoke menu Henry is a deer stalker on the weekends and provided the venison which Julie Abbs turned into various different options including burgers / kofta / samosas and sliced fillets. Tris also made sure everything was perfect in the barn and our barn yurt.

The Cake

Henry and I aren’t big fruit cake lovers so there is a lady on the north Norfolk coast who prices for sponge diameter (not occasion) so we asked for a plain 4 tier cake that the florist decorated. The company is called Aunty Sam’s Cakes. All the different flavours were great.

The Honeymoon

We went to Bali- which was a much needed break after the build up to the wedding.

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaid dresses were Kelsey Rose, I really struggled to find dresses in the dusky blue, I also had 5 bridesmaids who couldn’t come to a decision on dresses so I just bought them all from Ebay and had them altered. The girls all chose their own shoes and I made clips to make them kind of tie together.

Memorable Moments

My little brother walking me down the aisle as my father sadly passed away when I was 15.

During the ceremony, the best man gave Henry the wrong ring.

On the drive to River Farm THE RAIN in our borrowed Aston Martin that had a leaky windscreen. Then discovering that one road has been closed because of the rain and then having to go through a massive puddle and all dash board lights coming on!

Then discovering the carnage, the rain had caused on our reception, one collapsed gazebo and a wet barn.

We were also meant to be sleeping in a yurt that night that got flooded so ended up getting a last minute taxi home (mini bus in style) ha.

Advice For Other Couples

Be warned if you have a wedding at home it is hard work.

Count all the glasses in and out as you get charged for missing ones.

If you are making something it will take up A LOT of time.

Mostly enjoy every minute it is officially the best day of your life.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Henry’s parents for letting us use their barn and making the gardens perfect for the big day.

Both sets of parents for their financial assistance with the day.

The family friend for lending us the Aston Martins!

How very lovely.

Henry and Rebecca, thank you very much indeed for sharing with us your wonderful wedding story xo Lou