Photography by Florence Fox
Gorgeous Woodland Wedding at Abbey Home Organic Farm…
Today we share with you a really beautiful, woodland wedding held at The Abbey Home Organic Farm, in Circencester. This gorgeous festival inspired day also featured Mr & Mrs Unique supplier Jan Knibbs from Atelier 19 Cheltenham, who embellished and customised Suzanne’s stunning wedding dress which she found on Etsy.
Festival loving couple Suzanne and Des really wanted to bring their love for music and partying into their special day. With a gorgeous woodland ceremony, a tractor ride, hearty organic food and a glitter station; it was a joy filled day surrounded by their nearest and dearest..
Florence Fox Photography…
What was your favourite part of the day?
The beautiful ceremony in the woods.. It was very personal and laid back.
How did the day unfold?
They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony under a tin shack and all their guests were transported there by tractor and trailer! I absolutely love shooting weddings outdoors, there’s so much more freedom to move and I love being around the elements.
The celebrations continued back at the farm with delicious locally sourced food, speeches and a LOT of partying, including a glitter bar as well.
Suzanne & Des…
Was there an overall theme to your day?
The overriding thing that we wanted was for it to be an informal gathering of our family and friends, with everyone invited to the whole day (rather than having separate evening invites). We love going to music festivals, and since our favourite – Glastonbury – had a fallow year in 2018, we decided we’d have our wedding over the weekend it would have taken place. We were so lucky to find Abbey Home Farm as a venue, with a tin shack in the woods licensed for wedding ceremonies, a stone circle and full organic credentials. We incorporated other festival elements to the day, including lanyards detailing the order of service, a map of the farm and a timetable of when things were going to be happening. And a glitter station!
How would you describe your day?
It was very romantic, relaxed and sunny! It was quite surreal watching everything we’d planned unfolding before our eyes in the most natural and informal way. Everything, from transporting the guests by tractor trailer up to the woods for the ceremony (which was giving me the logistical heeby-geebies before the day!), to the amazing organic produce we enjoyed at the reception, to the music and dancing, it all exceeded our wildest dreams. Seeing all the most special and important and special people in our lives all together in the same place, all for us, was a bit mind-blowing! It was the best party ever.
How long were you planning it for, and what was the best bit?
It was just over a year in the planning. For me, the best bit was walking into the woodland glade to discover all our friends and family there waiting for the ceremony to start.
What are your favourite details of the day?
There are too many to remember really. I loved my outfit which Jan Knibbs at Atelier 19 helped me put together. The ducks and lanyards we had printed for all the guests looked amazing, and then we had empty gin and whisky bottles with green candles in on each table.
How did you find your suppliers, and why did you decide on them?
We found the Farm when researching unusual wedding venues, and as soon as we met with Hilary (the owner), knew straight away that we wanted the ceremony there.
Florence was recommended by another photographer and she made us feel at ease straightaway when we met her and did a “snap and chat” engagement shoot a few months before the wedding.
Jan Knibbs has a shop in the Suffolks area of Cheltenham, which I’d been past a few times, and then one day took a dress I’d found on Etsy which was a bit too short to see what she thought I could do with it.
Tell us about your wedding outfits, and why you picked them.
My Etsy off-white cotton and lace dress was just what I wanted, but it was too short for my liking. Jan from Atelier 19 added a hand made petticoat made from 1920s upcycled material so it had more layers, then added handmade buckle clips to go on my green Dr Martens, a matching belt and hair clips for the bridesmaids. She then cleverly suggested I could carry a embroidery hoop instead of flowers (which I didn’t really want) whcich she stretched some lace over and added embroidered song lyrics to it. I was channeling one of my favourite singers – Stevie Nicks – when thinking about my outfit so we used some of her lyrics.
Do you have any advice for couples currently planning their wedding, for either the planning or the lead-up?
I think the best advice would be to remember that – although a magical, wonderful day – it’s the marriage that’s the important bit! Try not to get stressed out by details which won’t be nearly as important in years to come. Everything just runs by itself on the day if it’s all planned out, so relax and enjoy it.
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