Good afternoon and happy bank holiday to all of you! I really hope you’re kicked back, feet up with a nice steaming cup of something delicious in your hand. Or, you might be on your drive back from a long weekend away, maybe been shaking it up at a festival, gig or wedding? Whatever your plans were over the last few days, I hope you’re feeling rested and almost ready for the week ahead.
We’re so happy to share today’s real fairy tale woodland wedding with you, as we LOVE it for so many reasons – it’s totally authentic, set in the Welsh forest on the west coast and features the most beautiful decor, all created by Cathie (the talented bride) and the couple’s closest friends and family. Oh, and did I mention the ‘one-off’, bespoke wedding gown designed and made by Cathie and boho seamstress The Wedding Dress Maker? It’s so pretty, whimsical and elegantly encapsulates the woodland theme spot on. We really admire bride’s that have a clear and concise vision for their festival wedding, and Cathie really did ensure hers (and Jack’s of course!) played out perfectly on the day….
Our inspiration came from our love of the outdoors, our time spent at festivals, many outdoor parties and family camping holidays. We went for a sort of elegant boho theme crossed with a big handmade family wedding!
The forest belongs to Cathie’s father (I know!) and she grew up playing in the woodland where she finally married her Prince Charming! They used simple faux hanging flowers and wild bunches of garden-grown florals to decorate the ceremony and reception area. With a fun and upbeat celidh band, forest smoked meats and fish (Cathie’s chef brother-in-law made a woodland cooking pit and started the cooking the wedding feast among the trees at 5am!) with salads and condiments contributed by guests, this wedding was a real group effort full of love and positive vibes. Thanks to super photographer Manon Houston for sharing this gorgeous collection of images with us!
Here’s bride Cathie to fill you in on all the details….
Italian Proposal Across the Lake
We were on holiday in Italy with my family and went to a lovely restaurant on the last night. We ate pizza and admired beautiful views of Lake Iseo. Everyone left except us – we just looked at each other (over our ice-cream sundaes) and Jack said “If I had a ring…” I replied “You don’t need a ring.” At that moment Jack got down on one knee. We walked home hand-in-hand in the dark, with the sound of cicadas and the smell of a hot dusty summer. It was perfect.
Married in the Woods in West Wales
We were married at my parents’ woodland in Gwynfe, West Wales. We knew we wanted somewhere outside with a marquee and we were thinking of asking friends who had farms if we could borrow a field before my parents suggested the woods! My Dad is a forester and I’ve been going up to our woods since I was tiny. It’s a working woodland so it was a bit of a mission to get it all tidied up and ready, but we had a two year engagement so we had the time.
My mum mowed a big circle for camping in the meadow next to the woods and we made a little path that went right from the marquee and dance floor to the camping area. We hired a marquee for the dance floor and the main area where people ate – it was a very simple white one; we didn’t put up any sides so that people could still enjoy the views of the forest.
Cello Music, Welsh Hymns and Suspended Faux Flowers
We had a cello player to do all the music for the ceremony; he played before it started and then accompanied everyone singing our favourite hymn ‘Calon Lan’ in the middle. We did our vows in the middle of the forest, against a backdrop of hanging fake flowers which we suspended with fishing line. We had had our registry office ‘wedding’ a couple of days before, so on our big day we lead the vows ourselves which felt so much nicer than having a third person involved. The readings were read by my niece Jessica, and my uncle and Godfather Mike who’d chosen a poem.
DIY Chandeliers, Fairy Lights and Festoon Lighting
We also suspended the fake flowers around the marquee itself. We made chandeliers out of old hula hoops and hung fairy lights above the dance floor. We also criss-crossed festoon lighting across the dance floor and the food area. We used lots of flowers in pots from our families’ gardens to mark the aisle and dot around the venue. We hung paper garlands along all the paths and paper tassels and streamers in the barn.
Flowers from Mum and Dad’s Garden
Most of the flowers came from my Mum’s garden and also from Jack’s Dad’s garden; they both planted loads of sweet peas and other cottage garden flowers. We also asked any friends we knew who had gardens to bring us flowers, and the day before the wedding we made them up into hundreds of jam jars for the table tops. My bouquet and all the bridesmaids’ bouquets were from my sister’s garden.
Bespoke Embroidered Hand Stitched Dress
My dress was made by Emily from The Wedding Dress Maker. I knew I wanted something quite different from a big, meringue style dress; something much more simple and elegant for a woodland setting. Emily was amazing at taking my ideas and making them into something real and beautiful. Making a dress with her gave me such freedom of choice; we sat down together and chose the fabric, the cut, everything! And she had it ready in time for me to embroider some designs on it too.
My shoes were a last minute purchase from New Look!
Customised 1958 Hair Clips
My hair accessories were actually customised from a head piece worn by my Gran in 1958. I knew I wanted to wear it but the style wasn’t right for a modern wedding. Luckily, my bridesmaid Sarah makes custom headpieces – I gave it to her and she made it into six different beautiful clips which we fastened into my hair.
Pink Bridesmaid Dresses and Matching Flower Crowns
I gave everyone a particular shade of pink and then everyone chose their own bridesmaid dresses from ASOS, & Other Stories and Debenhams. Everyone has their own sense of style and their own beauty, which I really wanted to be reflected on the day.They all chose their own accessories, and I ordered them matching flower crowns from Forget me Not Flowers by Louise – these really tied all their outfits together.
Naturalistic Photographer
Manon Houston had photographed our friend’s wedding the year before and the photographs looked great. She’s a very naturalistic photographer which is what we wanted, and she’s such a lovely person. She fit right in with all the guests on the day.
Homemade Cake with Blackcurrants from the Forest
My brother Tom is a chef and he made the cake. It was his first wedding cake and I think it stressed him out a bit! It was a sponge cake with blackcurrant icing between the layers – the blackcurrants were actually grown by my Mum in the woods. My sister-in-law is a painter and so she used painted the outside of the cake.
Celidh Band and Spotify Playlist
We had a ceilidh band for the evening; it was the best way to get everyone up dancing for hours! Afterwards we had an 8-hour Spotify playlist set up with soul, rock and roll and disco. Me and Jack had spent months before the wedding adding to it and perfecting it.
First Dance
It was the title song from the Pixar movie Up. It’s actually called ‘Married Life’ and makes us both cry when we hear it; it’s an ode to people going off on an adventure together and talks about the ups and downs everyone has as a couple. It’s also a great song for the waltz – we started off dancing together and then each grabbed a partner from the audience until everyone was dancing.
Favourite Moment
Dancing, eating, sneaking off to our little bell tent to grab a minute together, the midnight picnic salvaged from the wedding feast, the speeches, the laughing… all of it! We can’t decide.
Any Advice?
My advice is to get as many people helping you set up as you possibly can! The more hands on deck the better. And on the day, just let go and enjoy it. It might not be perfect but it will be yours. Jack’s advice is to organise everything together and make sure both of you are involved in all the decision making. Also, don’t be afraid to make a giant excel spreadsheet!
The Line Up
Photographer: Manon Houston; Bride’s Dress: The Wedding Dress Maker; Bride’s Shoes: New Look; Bride’s Hair Accessories: Sarah Williams; Bridesmaid Dresses: ASOS, & Other Stories, Debenhams; Groom’s Outfit: Slaters; Florist: Forget me Not Flowers by Louise; Caterers: Oakley Burgers; Ceilidh Band: The Backroom Band; Cello: Jimmy Ottley
