Roll up, roll up! Ladies and gentleman let me introduce you to the one, the only Mr & Mrs Smith’s funfair extravaganza!

Once again Brook Farm was transformed to make another couple’s wedding reception dreams come true. Jade and Martyn had taken their love of the fair and organised some good old fashioned fun for their guests.

Like all weddings there was a lot of teamwork required to pull it off but their roles were clearly defined with Jade providing the vision and Martyn making it happen. They had a whole host of helpers working together to finish everything off and the result was spectacular.

A marquee was erected and then Jade, Martyn and the team got busy.  Thankfully the delightful Rebecca Wedding Photography was on hand all day to capture the special moments from Jade and her bridesmaids arriving in some very cool camper vans (check out Custard Campers if this is your thing) right through to the end of the night.

I’m trying to work out how to describe the interior to you but nothing is doing it justice so let’s take advantage of the wonderful photos from Rebecca Wedding Photography.

Martyn & Jade had a blessing beside the lake and had created a shabby chic styled walkway. Jade left her guests guessing about her outfit a little longer as they had created a door for the big entrance. Once through the door the guests could be seen seated on wooden chairs and there were relaxed flower arrangements dotted around in all sorts of vintage jugs but my personal favourite was the two large milk urns – probably due to nostalgia as it’s a nice nod to the dairy farm we once were.

Their blessing was performed by a good friend who peppered the blessing with wit and sensitivity making the guests both guffaw and reflect. A perfect opening.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the outfits….

Jade’s dress was simply stunning.  It looked like a real vintage classic – off the shoulder, lace and lots of flowing fabric all set off by a sparkling headpiece.

As with a lot of bridal outfits it can be difficult to catch a glimpse of the shoes when there are long dresses involved but we spotted a pair of jewelled gladiators that were so fitting for the day. Jade had put her thinking cap on though as later on in the night she was rocking a pair of white ankle boots keeping any cold or dewy grass at bay while looking super stylish – big thumbs up!

Martyn and the groomsmen went for a classic grey trouser, crisp white shirt, tie and waistcoat number finished off with a buttonhole.

Irvin Leisure provided the funfair elements and it wasn’t long before there was a bustling crowd of guests amongst the stalls having a throw on the coconut shy, space hopping and seeing who really was strong enough to make the high striker ding! – Turns out they were a pretty strong crowd!

The fun didn’t end there as the guests were also treated to some crazy golf! Go Crazy Golf not only supplied the actual course but they also ran a competition which was a novel way to get all of the guests interacting and chatting with each other.

This relaxed reception called for relaxed fare, so the guests enjoyed a sumptuous feast provided by the English Hog Roast Co.

Festoon lights were zig-zagged between the trees and vintage lampshades were suspended amongst them giving an indoor/outdoors feel. They had strung up 150 metres (!) of festoon lighting all around the venue which looked good in the daylight but really cast a beautiful illumination during the evening, especially when reflected in the lake.

A fun filled day was enjoyed by all and a sudden change in the weather meant that the day drew to a close with a thick fog hovering just above the festoons which created a really magical atmosphere. One of the joys of having an outdoor celebration is that no matter how organised you are you just couldn’t have planned that ending!

Our second wedding of the season was between Jazz and Tom who wanted a laid back, country style reception and chose a tipi to complement this theme.

Tom and his groomsmen looked picture perfect in their tailored suits but they didn’t let that stop them getting involved and finishing off some last minute jobs. Bales had been hired from a local farmer and they soon got stuck in to positioning them all, creating a walkway ready for Jazz’s entrance beside the lake.

The pink jobs then got under way and Tom’s mum was soon busy covering the bales with some patterned white voile. She finished this off by placing a vibrant red flower on the top. Not only did this look good but it also meant guests would have a much more comfortable seat – a simple but effective solution.

Wild Ivy provided some gorgeous flowers that fitted the countryside theme and these were displayed in crates and vintage style jugs. They also created some stunning arrangements that were used for external decoration with two garlands fixed to trees either side of where the blessing was due to take place.

Before long the caterers arrived and soon a delicious aroma of Indian food began to arise making everyone look forward to the wedding breakfast.  Next up was the DJ who played a real selection of tunes and showed off his skills with seamless mixes from Bhangra to pop and back again.

Jazz wore a gold embellished dress and matched the sparkle with lots of jewellery including a beautiful finger bracelet and in true Indian tradition, Jazz and the closest family members completed their wedding attire with intricate henna decorations.

Tom and Jazz had everything under control and organised things so well but as with any kind of event sometimes things don’t always go according to plan…. One of the most common questions I am asked about outdoor weddings is what happens if it rains? Well Jazz and Tom have first-hand experience of this now and can tell you that the show must go on. In a nut shell that is it. It’s always a possibility so you just need to have a plan B, and they did. Guests were ushered into the tipi, a new area was set up inside and the blessing took place. I’m not going to suggest that this wasn’t disappointing for them but if it rains, no matter what venue you’re at, you need to take cover and head indoors. However, the beauty of experiencing rain here is you actually still get to enjoy the great outdoors which is probably one of the reasons you decided to have your special day outside – let me explain. Jazz and Tom had a tipi and the side was up so that even though everyone was inside you still felt like you were outside and were able to enjoy the magical views. In fact there is nothing like a sprinkling of rain to freshen things up and brighten the colours of the countryside.

And that is how you do an outdoor wedding with a bit of rain. I think it is worth taking a leaf out of the new Mr & Mrs Pitt’s book. They were so genuinely thrilled with their day here and embraced the great outdoors whatever the weather.

So the wedding continued in full swing, everyone enjoyed themselves, the rain departed, the DJ started and Jazz, Tom and all of their guests continued their celebrations late into the night.

The force was certainly strong at Brook Farm at the weekend…..

Saturday saw Dylan and Emma kick off our wedding season and give us a lesson in STYLE.

The weather on Saturday was perfect; blue sky, warm sunshine and a slight breeze to help the confetti along its way.

Emma wanted her wedding outfit to be a little different from the norm but not too far removed from a traditional wedding gown. She opted for a silver, halter neck top that was embellished with crystals meaning she literally dazzled in the sunshine and a skirt that was so gorgeously full it could apparently stand up on its own!

Not to be outdone, Dylan and the groomsmen styled it out with grey tailored suits and the most immaculate white trainers I’ve ever seen.

They organised a blessing which was performed adjacent to the lake and Emma and her bridesmaids made their entrance amongst the pine trees which provide a natural but spectacular walkway. The feel for the day was very relaxed and guests were seated on hay bales to witness the blessing but perhaps the most important detail is that some special words were read by some special people.

The Bride is a Dance Teacher and simply oozes creativity which was oh so apparent when you saw the decorations. The tipi was adorned with some classic wedding decs that work so well. Think lace panels on the table, coloured pom poms suspended from the ceiling, simple jars with lace and beautiful flowers, ribbons, giant balloons and a sprinkling of star wars confetti…. Ok, the latter is not something I’ve seen before but one that paid homage to the couple’s first meeting and first connection and the star wars accent sprung up again a little later in the day….

The fine weather meant that guests were able to enjoy to a variety of lawn games and could choose from crochet to sack racing. Catering was provided by the lovely ladies from Main Ingredient who came along in their food van, dropped the hatch and provided some delicious food served with smiles nearly as big as the bride and groom’s!

Naturally Emma and Dylan were surrounded by their nearest and dearest and there really is nothing more important than celebrating your special day with all of your friends and family by your side. They help create the special moments and stories that you treasure in your happily ever after and it is this which makes the day so memorable.

Emma’s brother is a Sound Engineer so who better to get the party started? He took to his decks and started the evening’s entertainment but before too long Emma was introducing some special entertainment of her own… Some of her third year dance students took to the floor and before you knew it they were flipping, body popping and throwing some serious shapes all to the guests’ whoops of delight. What a great way to get the party started. Now what could top that? Surely that was the entertainment over with…

Well before the students could catch their breath and with quite literally 21 seconds to go… the music stopped and the guests were introduced to a famous film score from a galaxy far far away…

Dylan and Emma then took to the dance floor wearing Jedi robes – the couple’s transformation was uncanny. The only give away was the sparkling dress and suit trousers that became visible after every turn. Suddenly the music changed, the jedi robes were off and the dance off began! It was the guys vs the girls in a flash mob spectacular. I’m sure even Darth Vader himself would have been whooping and cheering along with the rest of the crowd. It was fabulous! I don’t think you could have asked for anything more from Dylan and Emma’s close friends and family who have given them one of the best wedding presents of all – a treasured memory.

The evening continued with great success, there was a beautiful sunset and the whole day was captured by the very talented Marie Wooton Photography.

So our first wedding of 2015 and our first ever blog close on a tremendous high. We wish the new Mr & Mrs Williams all the very best and hope that they enjoy reminiscing about every single part of their special day.