Magical Woodland Wedding Inspiration

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It’s always a big pleasure to be able to share the results of a creative collaboration on Love My Dress, but especially so when the creative team includes such talented individuals.

The team who produced these images were lead by Emma Hla, owner of Coco Wedding Venues (a beautiful wedding venue directory) who, together with our regular contributor Katrina of Katrina Otter Weddings, photographer Hannah Duffy Photography, wedding celebrant Tamryn Lawrence of Wild & Oak (yes, that’s the very same Tamryn who is also member of team Love My Dress!) and a host of other talented suppliers that you will find listed at the end of this feature – set out to produce a collection of images that would inspire those considering an outdoor wedding in a woodland setting.

Film by Roost Film Co

Regardless of whether that fits your ideas and visions for your own wedding, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love these photographs anyway. The magical location was GreenAcres – a location run by a team who is passionate about helping couples celebrate life’s defining moments in serene and peaceful woodlands. Handing over to you Emma…

Outdoor wedding ceremonies and blessings are becoming more and more popular and, when you visit such a naturally beautiful venue as GreenAcres, it’s easy to see why. An outdoor ceremony or blessing also gives you so much flexibility – you can pick the exact location you like, you can include any elements that you like and you really feel special. You’ve stepped right away from everything that’s expected and instead, you’re able to create something unique, personal and oh-so memorable.”

Images by Hannah Duffy Photography

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GreenAcres Chiltern is a such a special venue – from the moment you arrive you are immersed in a calm and tranquil environment. The ancient woodland, the meandering paths, the beautiful backdrops and the welcoming professionalism of the team make it an utterly unique and beautiful place for meaningful memories.

We couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic location for this late spring styled shoot – there were bluebells, there was fresh greenery and there was a definite sense that we had been let loose in a secret venue and were able to make it completely our own.

The ceremony is always the most important element of a wedding day – this is where a couple declare their unquestionable affection and we wanted to base our shoot around ceremonies in their various settings at GreenAcres. Both of our ceremony set-ups highlighted the intimate nature of a GreenAcres wedding.

You can escape, you can unplug and leave the everyday world behind you and just simply be present in the woodland to live the moment and celebrate the journey.

When you enter the Woodland Hall at GreenAcres you can’t help but be wowed. The expanse of wood, natural light and green woodland as far as the eye can see really is quite something. I first visited this wedding venue in Spring 2016 and the moment I saw this space I immediately painted this very ceremony scene in my head. It was such a pleasure to finally create it!

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Stationery is one of the first elements your guests see of your wedding day style, which makes it one of our favourite parts to design for editorials. We were lucky to have Merrie & Bright on board who created this simple but elegant grey suite with vellum overlays, script calligraphy and hand-drawn metallic details.

Merrie also created a rather large ‘Celebrate the Journey’ sign that we hung from a tree deep in the woods in order to reflect the ethos of GreenAcres.

GreenAcres is renowned for their bluebell woods, so with this pretty little flower making its short but welcomed appearance, we decided pale bluebell would form part of the palette and to compliment we chose dusky pinks and peachy accents. These colours worked so well against the natural greenery of our surroundings, it felt fresh, romantic and youthful.

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Our incredibly talented florist, Charlotte from Verity & Thyme, says; Acting as a doorway into the lush green woodland behind the Woodland Hall, the floral arch was created using seasonal foliage and boughs of blossom in an asymmetric arrangement to give a natural feel”.

Charlotte continues “Trailing stems of pink clematis were added for a splash of colour, whilst the elegant curved stems of Jacobs ladder and spirea were placed around the periphery of the foliage arch to soften the overall look. Larkspur, foxglove, Buckinghamshire bluebells, cow parsley, clematis and garden roses were used to create natural aisle runners in pops of dusky pink, bluebell and white, giving a meadow-like feel to the ceremony space.”

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Complimentary wooden fold chairs by Hire Love mirrored the stunning architecture of the building, a textured beni-ourain rug was placed under the arch and flickering candles in terrariums completed the scene. To one side stood a simple vintage table for the signing of the register.

Cherry Williams London was our bridal designer of choice and we love how this two-piece gown reflects the natural elements with the pretty applique petals on the top and petal trimmed dipped hem. Hair is kept modern and fresh in a ponytail which means these incredible gold Chimi Earrings are given all the attention they deserve. If you haven’t already bagged yourself some large earrings then do, seriously do.

Zoe & Morgan provided the jewellery throughout this editorial including the rings – here our bride stacks the Harmonia Wedding Bands with Holos Engagement Ring.

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Our posey style bouquet was created using flowers such as soft peach and cappuccino roses, white peony, white bluebell and a tumble of white clematis, mixed with tendrils of clematis foliage and delicate spires of Spirea. A truly romantic May bouquet bound with the softest silk ribbon by Kate Cullen.

I do believe every wedding deserves cake. We definitely heart cake and this creation by JEMIMA is no exception. A three-tiered, semi-naked cake with dusky pink ganache drips and seasonal fruits was incredible.

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Our woodland helpers at GreenAcres cut this log cake plinth which sat atop a pale blue chest. Trailing lengths of pink clematis, boughs of May blossom and wisps of spirea and cow parsley tumbled out of the chest, weaving in and out of the drawers for a truly natural feel – as if they had simply grown there over time.

Who doesn’t love a wander in the woods…? The fresh air, nature and a hearty dose of hand-holding is right up our street, so for our portrait session we took our bride and groom into the ferns – it was all rather gorgeous.

Our bride wore a silky, loose-fitting dress in the prettiest of pinks and we swapped the earrings for a golden crown from Perfect Day Bride. We also opted for bit of wild with this second bouquet! Charlotte explains; Buckinghamshire bluebells, sweetly scented white lilac and pops of dusky pink and peach roses were used to create this natural and wild bouquet. Arching stems of jacob’s ladder were used to give shape and structure, whilst the star-shaped heads of clematis and delicate blush spray roses softened the overall look.”

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Our groom cut quite the figure in grey denim, white shirt, olive braces and brown leather boots. Perfect woodland attire! Oh, and who says flowers are just for the girls…? We love this trailing statement buttonhole!

Florist Charlotte says; “Dainty buds and sprigs of foliage were used in dusky rose and blush pink, soft bluebell and white for the buttonholes. Heads of purest white clematis nestled between fluffy spray roses in barely-there blush, creating a more traditional style buttonhole with wisps of bluebell and foliage to give a natural feel. We then added trails of white clematis, with its twisting bud heads and bold star-shaped flowers, and longer lengths of foliage and spirea to create a statement buttonhole.”

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“We worked with wedding celebrant Tamryn Lawrence of Wild & Oak who wrote bespoke vows for our couple that reflected their outdoor celebration in the woodland. Individual vows and ceremonies bring a whole new layer of personalisation to your wedding and they’re probably our new favourite emerging wedding trend – you’ll be seeing more celebrant-led ceremonies for sure.”

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We love the beautiful velvet VOWS books by Elmo Paperstories used in this shoot; the perfect (and prettiest!) place to keep those precious words safe on the day and long after your wedding…

As we stand beneath the trees on our wedding day, I make my vow to stand by your side for the rest of my life.
I promise that I will give you shelter and safety. I will be constant and unshakeable, strong and enduring for all time.
Like the trees that surround us now, we will continue to grow together and find a space in the world that’s ours and ours alone.
My darling, through sunshine and rain, I will always love you. Whether the skies are grey and heavy or clear and blue, I will always love you.
On our wedding day, in these woods, I say to the world that I love you with my whole heart and for my whole life.

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I think my favourite part of this shoot has to be the woodland blessing. It’s an explosion of colour, flowers and boho love. A wooden ‘Wedding this Way’ sign, created by Merrie & Bright, points guests in the right direction, hinting at something special beyond the trees.

As they make their way around the woodland path, glittering candles come into view and mark the beginning of this magical setting.

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A jigsaw of Persian carpets lead us to this amazing double peacock chair, another Hire Love gem. From each side of the chair, floor standing curved arches reach out into the woodlands. The arches were created using the palest peach Pampas Grass to give height and movement, surrounded by a mass of foxgloves, larkspur, cow parsley, pale pink astilbe and clematis.

Plenty of fresh green foliage was used to blend the arch seamlessly into the grass below. The aisle leading to the ceremony space was lined with floral runners using the same ingredients, to lead the eye to the ceremony space.

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You might notice there’s a little sign for guests asking them to be fully present; unplugged weddings are growing in popularity and increasingly couples are asking their friends & family to focus during this important part of the wedding celebrations. We’re all for switching off the tech when you’re in such peaceful surroundings.

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For this final look, our bride wears a delicate blush pink tulle and lace creation by Cherry Williams London. Makeup has been kept natural and fresh throughout the shoot thanks to Tori from Tori Harris Makeup, but for this super romantic dress we wanted soft loose curls. A simple flower crown and the most gorgeous rose-gold Tara Goddess ring are all the accessories required.

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If you marry in May and you’re lucky enough to catch the bluebells, then we heartily recommend capturing some beautiful portraits, whilst treading carefully of course! I think we were all swooning as our groom took hold of his bride’s hand and twirled her around amongst the sea of pale purple flowers. It was the stuff of dreams I tell you.

Capturing the day was our wildly talented duo – Hannah Duffy Photography and Roost Film Co. We’ve worked with both separately before, but combined it’s a dream team! We love how they’ve interpreted our woodland adventure.

Lastly, a huge thank-you to everyone at GreenAcres Chiltern for being such wonderful hosts and for fully embracing our vision. The whole team absolutely adored their day in the woods and creating these images, beneath the trees and among the bluebells, was such a treat. It’s fair to say that we all fell in love with woodland weddings.

Emma x

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Emma Hla is owner of Coco Wedding Venues – a stylish directory that will help you find your perfect wedding venue.

 

Credits & Thanks

Annabel

Annabel View all Annabel's articles

Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.

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