Blog Post

Sarah & Darren's Outdoor Wedding Reception

  • by Natasha Gilchrist
  • 31 Jul, 2018

What a wonderful day we had co-ordinating Sarah and Darrens wedding!

After booking their ceremony at Highcliffe Castle, they decided to organise and plan their own wedding reception in a field with a beautiful twist!

With 1950’s styling, Sarah wore an elegant flowing dress with a stunning victory roller hairstyle. The unique 50s twist was also worn by the bridesmaids who all had similar hairstyles with matching floral vintage style dresses. A perfect combination and not the norm you tend to see, which is why I loved it!

From planning every last detail starting with the marquee, to booking the fish n chip van and making all of their own fabulous props and decorations, Sarah & Darren had done an amazing job in planning everything perfectly.

Photo Credits: Stephanie Atkins Photography
Once they had organised everything and ticked them off the list Sarah got in contact with me to ask whether I could help with co-ordinating their day.

Of course, I was delighted to say 'Yes!'

Being a D.I.Y wedding reception it meant that there were no on-site caterers and there would be quite a few jobs that they would need help with. This made it all the more exciting for us.

Ellie and I started by making the welcome drinks of Pimms, which looked great all lined up in the mason jars. 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Atkins Photography
Which followed by directing their guests up to the fish n chip van after they had paid a visit to the home-made photo-booth, which I hasten to add was incredible. Darren is clearly very handy when it comes to making things!

For pudding we made Eton Mess and after clearing the tables we served it to all of the guests, who seemed more than happy with their classic summer pudding!

Oh, and don’t forget the pouring and the serving of the toast drinks, you can’t have speeches and a toast without champagne!

Photo Credits: Stephanie Atkins Photography

Although Sarah & Darren provided plenty of wine and prosecco during the wedding breakfast, the invite stated ‘Bring your Own Drinks’. Who doesn’t love a bring your own? With the drinks flowing somewhat there was such a lovely laid-back atmosphere. With big ice buckets under the tables the guests were able to keep all of their drinks chilled well into the evening.

My imagination went into overdrive as I thought up a poem that Sarah could display so all of her guests knew about the ice buckets…

‘To make sure your drinks stay nice and cold, 

You can put them down you don't need to hold!

We have numbered ice buckets for you to use,

To ensure we know whose drinks are whose!'

The day continued with awesome music from Still-Moving DJ’S who played an eclectic mix of records along with live percussion, gramophones and of course the dinosaurs! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for something a little different to your standard DJ and music.
Photo Credits: Stephanie Atkins Photography

The naked wedding cake certainly had the WOW factor with a quirky flamingo cake topper that Sarahs mum added as a surprise. With Sarahs love for flamingos, it certainly made their cake unique and personal to them.

Photo Credits: Stephanie Atkins Photography

Into the evening we laid out the buffet table of a 5 layer cheese-wheel cake along with crackers, pickles, hams and chutneys. Sarah & Darren certainly made sure their guests didn’t go hungry during their wedding day!

In-between all of this we ensured everything and everyone was in the right place and at the right time and all the little things that people don’t tend to think about were done. We lit the evening candles, turned on the fairy-lights and moved all of their wedding gifts to a safe place so they didn’t have to think about it after a few drinks!

With everything running to plan and in fact a little earlier than scheduled it meant that everyone could relax and get on with partying properly, resulting in very little hanging around for their guests, which was great!

Photo Credits: Stephanie Atkins Photography

Sarah and Darrens wedding really was an absolute pleasure to co-ordinate and it just shows if you are brave enough you really can create the wedding of your dreams from scratch. With so many wonderful suppliers out there, nothing is impossible and with a little imagination and creativity you can make your wedding day your own.

I can’t thank Sarah and Darren enough for letting us be a part of their special day…Thank You!

Huge Congratulations to you both and we wish you the happiest future together!

Lots of Love

Photo credits go to the fantastic Stephanie Atkins Photography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieAtkinsPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieatkinsphotography

The other photos were taken by me!

Also, take a look at Still-Moving DJ's http://www.still-moving-djs.com ...amazing musicians and chaps!


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