Hannah, a gardener, married trainee stonemason Jacob on 12th August 2023, with a ceremony at their local church, followed by a reception at The Bridges Pub in Ratlinghope, Shropshire.
The couple wanted to create a celebration that was intimate and unpretentious and that focussed on the connections and simple joys that define their relationship. Hannah grew all the flowers for her wedding from seed and the couple ensured locally grown food was served to their guests. They managed to do everything for just under £7k.
This delightful, fuss free wedding has really struck a chord with my heart and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.
Our day was stripped of any unnecessary frills, designed to highlight down-to-earth, real love in a setting that resonates deeply with us both. This approach extended to every aspect of our wedding, from the venue choices—a church and a pub that have been central to our journey, to the menu crafted from locally sourced, organically grown ingredients.
Our wedding wasn’t about grand gestures or elaborate decor; it was about celebrating our love and the community that supports us, in the most authentic way possible. In essence, our wedding was an expression of our lives together, an intimate gathering that celebrated love, local bounty, and the beauty of simple, meaningful traditions. It was a day that perfectly captured the essence of who we are and the life we aspire to continue building together.
Bridal Beauty & Accessories
I wore a waltz-length in a champagne colour, from The Wedding Veil Shop. In the church I just wore a simple pair of gold flats.
However, for the majority of the day, I found comfort and familiarity in my well-loved Blundstones – boots that have been a dependable companion through many a day spent in the garden. Initially slipped on for our walk from the church to the pub though the woods, their presence on my wedding day was unplanned but wholly appropriate.
In the evening I wore a pair of Esska ‘Penelope’ heels – the perfect choice for an evening filled with dancing and celebration.
My earrings were a treasured pair of gold drop earrings, ‘something borrowed’ from my mother; which my father had purchased during his time working in Somalia. These earrings have always held a special place in my heart and beautifully completed my wedding day look.
Not being accustomed to wearing much makeup, I was initially apprehensive about looking too different or not feeling like myself. However, Emily understood my concerns from the start. She took the brief and executed it flawlessly, striking the perfect balance between making me look special and ensuring I felt comfortable and true to myself. Her skill in enhancing my features while keeping the makeup subtle was exactly what I had hoped for. I felt beautiful and, most importantly, like an elevated version of myself.
I also wore a dab of lavender oil to calm and centre myself.
Bridesmaids
Deciding on bridesmaids, flower girls and page boy outfits presented an opportunity to embrace a philosophy close to my heart— individuality and comfort. Rather than prescribing a uniform look, I encouraged my them to all wear whatever made them feel comfortable and confident. I provided a palette of colours that aligned with the wedding theme but the final choice was theirs to make, and a few decided not to go with those colours at all. This approach was about more than just clothing; it was a celebration of their unique personalities and our shared values.
The result was a beautifully diverse array of outfits that reflected each individual style. This choice underscored a broader theme of my wedding: the celebration of personal journeys and the authenticity of relationships.
This decision, much like the choice of my own dress, was a reflection of the day’s deeper significance. It wasn’t just about adhering to tradition or creating a perfect visual. It was about honouring the individual journeys that brought us together and the collective journey we were celebrating. My bridesmaids, page boy and flower girls each in their chosen attire, stood by me not just as part of a ceremonial duty, but as irreplaceable characters in the story of my life.
On the morning of my wedding, my bridesmaids presented me with a small but symbolic gift—an evil eye charm. This emblem, steeped in history and meaning, was their way of offering protection, warding off any negative energies, and blessing the day ahead.
Photography
Our discovery of Laura of Curious Rose Photography came through the modern-day magic of social media—specifically, Instagram. Browsing hrough her portfolio, we were captivated by her ability to capture candid moments with an authentic touch.
But it was the phone conversation that followed which truly sealed the deal. Her enthusiasm, understanding of our vision, and warmth over the phone left me with no doubt that she was the one.
Laura’s role on our wedding day went far beyond that of a traditional photographer. From the moment she arrived, she possessed a wonderful presence, blending in so seamlessly it was as if she was simply another guest at our celebration. This ability to integrate so effortlessly was precisely what made her stand out.
Laura made us and our guests feel completely at ease, capturing the day’s events as they naturally unfolded. Her approach allowed everyone to be fully present, enjoying each moment without the awareness of being photographed.
The comfort and authenticity Laura brought to our wedding day were invaluable. She didn’t just photograph our wedding; she became a part of it, contributing to the joy and ease of our celebration. Her work captured the essence of our special day—not just the big moments but the fleeting ones too, preserving them in a way that felt true to the experience.
How They Met
Our love story traces back to our teenage years, filled with crushes veiled by mutual shyness. The true beginning of our romantic journey unfolded in our late 20s, under the most serendipitous of circumstances—our parents swapping family homes in a twist of fate that felt straight out of a novel.
Jacob’s proposal came under the glow of the Wolf Moon, amidst the scenery of Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran, next to a waterfall. The moment was unexpected; I had just taken a brief detour for a wild wee (!), returning to chat about the beauty surrounding us, unaware of the life-altering question he was about to ask.
The rest of that joyous January was spent travelling Scotland, basking in our engagement bliss and sharing the wonderful news with family and friends. Our engagement spanned 19 months, a period filled with lots of real life situations to navigate like moving house (twice) and starting new jobs.
Jacob wore a tailor-made suit by Moss Bros.
The Flowers
Taking on the task of growing, harvesting, and arranging all the flowers for our wedding was a monumental undertaking that truly tested me! At the time, I was working as a Cut Flower Gardener at Linley Garden, so the decision to bring this significant part of my life into our wedding was instinctive—I couldn’t imagine celebrating without the personal touch of flowers I had nurtured from seed.
In the days leading up to the wedding, the magnitude of this task became fully apparent. To gather the abundance of flowers needed, I organised a ‘harvesting party.’
Friends and family joined me in the early hours at Linley garden, where we filled buckets upon buckets with a variety of blooms, each one chosen for its significance and beauty.
The mechanics of arranging such a vast quantity of flowers could have been daunting, but luck was on my side. A friend, with past experience as a florist, offered her expertise, guiding us through the complexities of floral arrangement. Alongside her and a few other close friends, we spent the day before the wedding transforming these blooms into the decorations and bouquets for our day. It was a whirlwind of activity, fuelled by teamwork, and the shared joy of creating something so meaningful and so beautiful.
Evening & Dancing
Initially, we hadn’t scheduled a first dance, but Jacob played ‘Islands In The Stream’ by Dolly Parton because it’s a song with great sentimental value for us. This led to an impromptu first dance, which was an unexpected delight!
A few friends who are DJs very kindly turned our reception into a lively party late into the evening.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
My advice is to prioritise your happiness and wishes. Remember, it’s your day. Ensuring you’re happy is the key to everyone else enjoying the celebration too. This might mean addressing and managing the urge to please others—a challenging task, but incredibly rewarding in the end.
This obvious to say but often forgotten and overlooked – it’s crucial to recognise that a wedding isn’t just about the festivities of one day; it’s the celebration of your relationship and the commencement of your married life together. Instead of pouring all your resources—be it time, energy, money, or emotional investment—into this single event, consider the broader picture. Reflect on the values you hold dear as a couple and the life you envision together in the long run. That is more important.
The process of planning a wedding can unearth a lot of significant issues, from family dynamics and financial considerations to personal identity. It’s a time that might prompt you to carry forward longstanding beliefs or baggage. I was going through a serious health challenge at that time which meant changing a lot of things about how we had originally thought about planning our day. found immense value in seeking support during this time from lots of different people. Coaching sessions with my coaches, Maisie Hill and Sas Petherick were a huge turning point, helping me shed unnecessary beliefs and gain clarity on what truly mattered to me in the wedding planning process and beyond.
I would have gotten some video footage as well as photos. Capturing the laughter, the music, the spoken words, and those fleeting, unrepeatable moments would have added another layer to our cherished memories. It’s a gentle reminder for future couples to consider the addition of video footage!
Lastly, amidst the whirlwind of your wedding day, find a moment to connect with your partner. Just the two of you, take a breath, look into each other’s eyes, and acknowledge the incredible step you’ve taken together. This moment of pause and connection will be one of the treasures you carry with you long after the day is over.
