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Relaxed English Backyard Wedding Complete With Disco Balls

November 14, 2022 | justine

There’s something so special about exchanging heartfelt vows in a setting where so many special memories have been made. After getting engaged at the bride’s childhood home,  Hannah and Lindsay knew that there was no other perfect spot to tie the knot than the place that holds significant meaning to both of them. With stunning views of the countryside, romantic garden florals, and a few disco balls thrown in for fun, their relaxed English backyard wedding was everything they dreamed of and more!

For their marquee ceremony, the couple kept the decor simple, letting the picturesque scenery and their love be the highlight of the day. After their sweet “I dos,”  they moved to the Raveningham Barn down the road for an intimate reception. With the help of their trusted vendor team, they pulled off the aesthetic they envisioned using long farmhouse tables filled with romantic garden blooms and greenery, vintage crockery, and gold cutlery. And finally, mirror balls, fairy lights, and soft draping tied the look together and added a whimsical feel to the space.

Wanting to make their big day extra special, the pair’s loved ones helped with some of the DIY wedding details—from the place cards to the guest book. Everything came together so beautifully, and thankfully, Georgia Rachael Photography was there to capture it all. Planning to get married at home? There’s nothing sweeter than hosting a wedding at a spot that holds a special place in both your hearts. Keep scrolling for backyard wedding ideas that will spark inspiration to help you plan the most memorable celebration.

The Couple:

Hannah and Lindsay

The Wedding:

Norwich, United Kingdom

How Their English Backyard Wedding Came To Be

We chose to have the ceremony in the garden of Hannah’s childhood home, where we also got engaged in January 2020. We had canapes, Pimms, and beer served in the garden from our family pub, The Tipsy Cow. The evening reception was held at Raveningham Barn down the road. We chose the barn as it is such a beautiful and intimate setting, as well as a blank canvas that we could work with. Our wedding was so much more beautiful than we ever imagined in every way possible. We were going for an intimate, relaxed English garden style with blush pinks, daisies, gold, and a hint of terracotta, plus a few disco balls thrown in for fun. Our dress code was “black tie/get dressed up to the nines.” Even though it was summer, we loved it. It just looked so lovely having everyone dressed up, and it translated so well in the photos and video.

Doing A First Touch Instead Of A First Look

We didn’t exchange gifts, but we did a “first touch,” which sounds funny. It’s like a first look, but we didn’t see each other. We stood back to back and held hands. We read each other a personal letter. This was such a special moment for us both to have with each other before the ceremony.

Personalizing Their Ceremony With A Ring Warming Ritual

We chose a celebrant wedding to have a more intimate and personal ceremony. Our lovely celebrant India FaceTimed us and provided us with a couple’s questionnaire and individual ones, plus a face-to-face meeting. India felt like an old friend by the end. She helped with many suggestions, one being a “ring warming.” Our wedding bands were tied on a ribbon and passed around to every guest. Each guest got time to say a prayer, blessing, or good thought over the rings. So the rings were “warmed” with love before we gave them to each other. We also had Hannah’s wonderful friend Amber read the poem “You are the Bubbles” by Rachel Bright.

DIY Details Were A Collective Effort From Loved Ones

We created the terracotta place cards with the help of family and friends. Hannah’s brother Douglas created the design of the table plan. Our sister-in-law Katya and friends Jodie and Esther helped create glass guest books. Our friends and family really were a blessing to us in preparation for our wedding. 

Advice From The Newlyweds

Our number one piece of advice is to 100% only invite people you genuinely want there—not who your parents want or everyone and anyone’s plus ones. We had fifty-five guests, and it was perfect. Secondly, create a mood board. This helped us see the vision and style of our wedding and how it would all come together. Thirdly, the small, thoughtful details make the day special but don’t get caught up in them. Remember, everyone is there to celebrate you and this new chapter of your lives as a couple. Fourth, use Google spreadsheets for all your vendors to keep track of spending and pay everyone on time. Fifth, have your wedding cake as dessert. This saved us money and avoided waste. Plus our cake was incredible. Sixth, Have an unplugged ceremony. And finally, enjoy it—the planning and the day. Give your phone to a friend and be in the moment as the day goes so quickly. 

Hiring A Coordinator Made For A Stress-Free Wedding Day

One of the most important things for us when planning our wedding is that we wanted a stress-free day that flowed as seamlessly as possible. For this, we sourced Emily Andrew Events for day-of coordination. They provided much-needed support before the wedding. No question went unanswered, and they were fantastic on the day. Highly recommend it if you are having a marquee/garden wedding or one not at a traditional wedding venue.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Georgia Rachael Photography
Event Planning – Emily Andrew Events
Reception Venue – Raveningham Barn
Floral Design – Floral Sistas
Catering – North Norfolk Catering
Cake – Dust with Cocoa
Officiant – India Bel Ceremonies
Live Music – The Joe Ringer Band
Videography – Browns Films
Invitation Design – Gable and Gain
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Boho Beauty Box
Wedding Dress – Hera Couture via Homestead road Bridal
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Coast
Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Apparel – MJ Bale Australia
Groomsmen’s Accessories – Assefs Moree + Kullillaart
Bunting + Lights – Boomting Bunting
Rentals – Events Under Canvas, Array Wedding and Event Hire + The Banqueting Hire

 

Congratulations to Hannah and Lindsay on their relaxed English backyard wedding. And a big thank you to Georgia Rachael Photography for capturing all the beautiful moments and stunning details they can look back on and cherish for the rest of their lives.

A backyard wedding is a sweet, sentimental, and truly one-of-a-kind way to tie the knot. But keep in mind that it still involves a fair amount of logistics to pull off, so use your team of pros for their expertise to ensure your celebration is stress-free and one for the books!

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Classically Romantic Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

November 14, 2022 | justine

A charming industrial venue surrounded by beautiful stonework and gardens, luscious florals, and a dreamy muted color palette—Jillian and Tom’s Stone Meadow Gardens wedding is the very definition of classically romantic. Putting their full faith and trust in the experts, the pair relied on their talented team to create an effortlessly elegant affair filled with seriously gorgeous details. And even though there was a traditional element to their big day, the couple ensured that they infused unique pieces of themselves into their celebration.

For their ceremony at the Immaculate Conception Church, they did their best to put their own spin on it by including their loved ones in the program. The pastor also added a thoughtful and funny gesture by singing a personalized jingle for the couple. At the reception that followed, florist Central Park Flowers brought to life a show-stopping installation of blooms, cascading greenery, and branches that beautifully contrasted with the venue’s exposed brick and concrete backdrop. Tying the look together were cross back chairs and long farm tables adorned with a greenery garland and pops of white flowers.

If you’ve set your sights on a classic romantic featuring all the timeless, traditional, and personal touches you and your partner have in mind, then this is the perfect inspiration for you. This breathtakingly beautiful day was captured by Junebug member and photographer Brittany Boote. Keep scrolling for ideas that’ll never go out of style.

The Couple:

Jillian and Tom

The Wedding:

Stone Meadow Gardens, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, United States

Personalizing Their Church Ceremony By Including Their Loved Ones

We had a rather traditional ceremony in my childhood church that I still attend to this day. I decided not to go crazy into the details and just let the beauty of the church speak for itself. There were virtually no design elements to our ceremony, and we don’t regret it at all. We did personalize our ceremony by getting as many friends and family involved as possible. We had our cousins as ushers, our uncles walked family members down the aisle, cousins brought up gifts, godmothers did readings, friends read the petitions, and my best friend’s mother sang. Tom’s uncle also participated in the ceremony by serving as the deacon, which was very special. Our priest added a little fun to the ceremony by personalizing a jingle for us. He sang it aloud, and the whole church had a nice laugh.

Why A Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

Stone Meadow Gardens is a beautiful venue, so it truly stands out on its own, but it was transformed into something magical. Our favorite part of the whole design was the floral installation by Central Park Flowers that perfectly contrasted the beautiful rust-colored accent wall in the venue. It truly captured the romantic look we dreamed about. Stone Meadow Gardens was the first and only venue we looked at. We knew right away it was right for us. While the entire space was covered, one wall was exposed, allowing for an open feel. This was perfect for our summer wedding. 

Recommended Reading: Looking for affordable and chic bridesmaid dresses? Check out our round up of faves for stylish ensembles for you to shop guilt-free.

Making Sure They Had A Killer Cocktail Hour

The most important thing to Tom and me was that everyone had a good time and left full. We wanted a fun and inviting cocktail hour for our guests to set the stage for the rest of the evening. We accomplished this by welcoming our guests at the door with delicious signature cocktails and prosecco served from the cutest vintage mobile bar, Boujee Bubbles. Guests then made their way into the venue to enjoy an assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres along with a slider station and a Tuscan garden station. Everyone said they were full before they even ate dinner. Constantino’s Catering absolutely did an amazing job with the food.

Setting Up Different Lounge Areas At Their Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

The guests enjoyed eating and socializing while getting to sit back and relax on our custom lounges–created by Chippy White Table–that were positioned throughout the room. They also created a perfectly appointed lounge that sat in front of the floral installation, and this served as a special little spot for Tom and me to sit and enjoy the toasts from our friends and family.

Trusting Their Vendor Team To Bring Their Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding To Life

I had a really hard time describing a style that I wanted, but when it came down to it. I used words like romantic, whimsical, and classic. It sounds silly, but I just wanted everything to look pretty. We didn’t have super strong feelings about exactly how we wanted it to turn out. So we trusted our vendors to create something better than we could ever think of . I was often saying, “Just do your thing!” and gave them a lot of creative power.

Wedding Advice: A Wedding Planner Is An Invaluable Resource

Our wedding planner Danielle Pasternak was a godsend. She was with us since the beginning of the wedding planning process, and she was the best investment. I trusted her opinions and suggestions. And it made the entire process less stressful, knowing we had someone to support us along the way. I didn’t worry about how the day would turn out.  At the very least, I suggest a wedding coordinator. As a bride, you want to enjoy your wedding day. It goes by so fast, and you really need to soak up every minute. You don’t want to be fielding questions all day or be the person people come to for every little thing. Danielle and her team handled everything for us. Tom and I were able to have fun without being in charge of the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Keeping The Dance Floor Packed Was A Priority

Dancing was the next most important thing to us. We wanted everyone to be on the dance floor enjoying themselves, and we were able to accomplish this by getting an amazing DJ. There was not a single moment that people were not dancing. We had people of all ages on the dance floor, which made us so happy.  DJ Tonez kept the party going all night. He read the crowd and kept the people dancing and having fun. I’d like to think people left full and happy, and for that, Tom and I are proud. 

A Memorable Last Dance That Included All Their Guests

The day became more fun as time went on. The most memorable part was the final minutes of the reception. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tom hopping up on the DJ’s booth to dance, so I ran over to join him. If you know us, this is very out of character for Tom, but not so much for me, so I absolutely loved seeing him get into the music and enjoy himself. We had a blast, and the crowd loved it. After all the high energy from the evening, DJ Tonez slowed it down a bit for the final song of the night, a song we both love, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton. All of our guests gathered around us as we did a final dance. It was so emotional and special. We both hugged and kissed every guest around the circle as a huge thank you for coming. And at that moment, I felt so very grateful and loved. It was the perfect way to end the night.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Brittany Boote
Event Planning – Danielle Pasternak
Ceremony Venue – Immaculate Conception Church
Reception Venue – Stone Meadow Gardens
Floral Design – Central Park Flowers
Catering – Constantino’s Catering
Cake – Electric City Bakehouse
DJ – DJ Tonez
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Philly Hair and Makeup Company
Wedding Dress – Van Cleve Bridal
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Reception Dress + Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Bella Bridesmaids Allentown
Groom + Groomsmen’s Apparel – Jos. A. Bank
Rings – Jangmi Jewelry
Rentals – Chippy White Table
Transportation – Martz
Photobooth – Metro Photo Bus
Calligraphy – Classique Keepsakes
Signs – Unforgettable Events
Audio Guestbook – Echo Phone
Prosseco Truck – Boujee Bubbles

 

Congratulations to Jillian and Tom on their classically romantic Stone Meadow Gardens wedding. And a big thank you to Junebug member and photographer Brittany Boote for capturing all the lovely timeless details soon-to-be-wed couples will want to save on their mood boards. Be inspired by more elegant celebrations like this by checking out Brittany’s profile in our directory of photographers from around the world

An enchanting venue, lush florals, plenty of greenery, and meaningful personal touches—you can’t go wrong with these tried and tested wedding details that will never go out of style. If you and your partner dream of an elegant affair that’s heavy on the romance, check out our planning and budget guides to get you started!

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Flower-Filled Feathertop Winery Wedding

November 13, 2022 | justine

With a picturesque backdrop of the Victoria Alps, thick pine forests, and rolling vineyards, Kiera and Jared’s Feathertop Winery wedding had the perfect setting for romantic “I dos.” Using white decor that complemented the natural surroundings, show-stopping floral arrangements, and lush greenery—the couple’s vision of sipping wine and dancing all day with loved ones came to life in a truly spectacular and breathtaking way. 

True to form, the pair had a fun start to their celebration with a first-look prank. Two of their friends dressed in gowns surprised Jared before Kiera’s final reveal. After the lighthearted moment, the couple made their way to their vineyard ceremony and exchanged sweet vows with two gorgeous floral pillars framing them and the beautiful landscape. The couple wanted to take full advantage of the scenery with a reception overlooking the estate. Featuring an all-white tablescape with beautiful blooms in red and pink, they dined under a canopy of thick vines and fairy lights

On top of all the eye-catching details, the couple incorporated personal touches throughout the day, making their celebration even more special. Don’t just take our word for it. Keep on scrolling to discover more about their heartwarming wedding journey and take in all the swoon-worthy moments captured by Junebug member and photographer Rachael Emmily

The Couple:

Kiera and Jared

The Wedding:

Feathertop Winery, Porepunkah, Victoria, Australia

Recommended Reading: 24 Wedding Perfumes For Your Special Day

Junebug Member Rachael Emmily’s Thoughts On this Feathertop Winery Wedding

When I met Kiera and Jared for the first time, I felt like I’d known them forever. They’re two of the kindest, most beautiful souls. They both have a passion for music, so Kiera contacted some of their favorite musicians to record a video message for Jared. Jared’s sister handed him an iPad with all the recordings. Everyone wiped away tears as they gave Jared advice and well wishes. To help calm Jared’s nerves, Kiera organized two of his mates to dress up and surprise him for the first look. They didn’t have a big bridal party but had their sisters stand by them and help them get ready. The styling was colorful and fun, just like the two of them.

Starting Their Feathertop Winery Wedding Day The Fun Way With  A First Look Prank

Our first look was a memorable part of the day. To understand why you must know the backstory. Over the years, I had caught the bouquet at other weddings three times. The running joke was, “Three strikes and you’re out.” When Jared finally proposed in 2020, he started by saying, “Third time’s a charm.” So this was my chance for payback. At our first look, I had two of his best friends to do the first look in white dresses. Jared was surprised and disappointed seeing his best mates in dresses that were designed for people three sizes smaller than them. After the second “surprise,” it was my turn. Jared turned and was relieved to see me saying, “Third time’s a charm, babe!”. These have become some of our favorite photos, which has really set the feel for the rest of the day.

The Inspiration Behind Their Feathertop Winery Wedding

Our wedding was based on three important things to us: mountains, music, and fun. We decided to get married in front of Mount Buffalo in high country Victoria as it had become a special place for the both of us over the years, and Feathertop Winery had always been a dream wedding venue for us. The sunset over the mountain from the winery was simply divine! Our love of music brought us both together at the very start. Throughout our wedding, we had an eclectic mix of music. We even gifted our guests with a playlist of our favorite songs and ones chosen to be part of our special day. Finally, we decided to optimize our day by spending the most time with our guests—whether singing and dancing or sitting with them for a conversation, plus vino. Our wedding was bright, fun, and filled with genuine joy!

Personalizing Their Ceremony By Having Their Loved Ones Participate

We were lucky enough to have our family involved in every aspect of our ceremony—from Jared’s brother-in-law conducting our ceremony and having our niece be the flower girl to our sisters being our “best people.” It made for an intimate and special ceremony with lots of laughs. We also decided to plant a blueberry bush during the ceremony, as they can live up to 70 years. To symbolize their commitment to helping us grow in our marriage, we asked our guests to place a trowel full of soil into the pot as they came into the ceremony. It was a sweet sentiment; every time we water our blueberry bush, it reminds us of our loved ones.

Wedding Advice: Choose Your Wedding Priorities Together And Stick To Them

Choose the three aspects of the wedding that are most important that you couldn’t skimp out on. For us, it was the venue, music, and photographer. We did all the rest on a tight budget, and it didn’t bother us. It made for a wedding that we loved.

Taking Dance Lessons To Prepare For Their First Dance Was The Best Decision

Due to the pandemic, our wedding was delayed twice, which in hindsight, was a silver lining for our poor dance moves. We decided to do dance lessons to have fun together. It also kept the excitement in our relationship in the lead-up to our wedding. We hadn’t told anyone that we were learning. Our first dance was a quickstep to “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by Leo Sayer. We mucked the dance up multiple times, but it didn’t matter. No one had noticed. We cannot recommend doing this enough! 

Shop Similar Custom Neon Sign: 1. Wedding Neon Sign 2. Custom Neon Sign Wedding Decor 3. Custom Name Neon Sign

Giving Each Other Meaningful Gifts

Jared gifted me with Miss Dior perfume. Another piece of good advice we received was to pick a perfume for your wedding day and wear it for your anniversaries and date nights to take you back to those happy memories. I gave Jared a video of some of his favorite musicians wishing him a happy wedding day! Some of them brought us together all those years ago, so it was a full-circle moment.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Rachael Emmily
Event Planning – Courtney Conroy
Venue – Feathertop Winery
Floral Design – Flowers by Lindy
Cake – Mosaic Patisserie
Live Music – The Quinn Brothers
Invitation Design – September Creative
Makeup Artist – Rachel Mead
Hair Styling – Emma McGlone
Wedding Dress – Karen Willis Holmes
Bridal Accessories – Peggy and Twig
Bridesmaids’ Apparel –
Groom’s Apparel – Politix + Shona Joy
Groomsmen’s Apparel –
Rings – Tink Jewellery

 

Congratulations to Kiera and Jared on a flower-filled and heartwarming Feathertop Winery wedding. If you’re looking to infuse your big day with meaningful moments that reflect your and your partner’s love story, be sure to read our guide to planning a unique wedding of your own. 

And a special thank you to Junebug member and photographer Rachael Emmily for capturing all the stunning details of their celebration and sharing them with us. To see more of her talent and gorgeous weddings like this one, check out her profile in our directory of talented photographers from around the world.

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