Rime Arodaky wedding dress for a Rainy Day Wedding on a Farm

GemmaJames 76

I have a strong suspicion that you’re going to fall in love with today’s wedding. If you’re on the hunt for inspiration for a boho, countryside fiesta of a day then you are very much in the right place.

Travel down to Surrey with me for the wedding of yoga instructor Gemma to James, a regional sales manager. They married on 22 September 2018 at High Billinghurst Farm, Dunsfold, Surrey in a celebration full of natural elements and fresh green foliage inspired by their love of bohemian, festival culture and minimalist design. The farm, with its remote, rustic setting and ‘blank canvas’ barn was the perfect backdrop for the couple to get creative.

Photography by Maja Tsolo

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The bride’s love of boho styling is perfectly displayed through her choice of gown, a Rime Arodaky number featuring a leafy-lacy low-backed T-shirt bodice and a button-through skirt with a puddle train. I really like the unusual, laid-back vibe of this gown, which she selected at The Mews Bridal in Notting Hill.

“I loved the French chic cut, the beautiful material, the quirkiness and playfulness of the details, and the fact it was so comfy to wear.”

For added drama, a simple, silk tulle veil flowed behind her from the full floral crown of foliage, white roses and tiny white flowers. This was actually made from scratch by Tahaany Payne, one of Gemma’s very talented bridesmaids.

Statement blue and gold earrings from Monica Vinader and a bracelet from a boutique on Exmouth Market finished her look, along with a splash of Narcisco Rodriquez perfume. The overall vibe is effortlessly-boho, just gorgeous for the countryside wedding.

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ASOS, a real favourite with Love My Dress brides, was the source of these minty green halterneck bridesmaid dresses. Worn with silver strappy ASOS shoes and Not On The High Street earrings, the girls’ look was glammed up even more by elegant up-dos, styled by Bridal Hair by Olivia.

She also styled Gemma’s blonde hair into a plaited crown, and her make-up (and trade-mark eyeliner flick) was applied by Magui. The bold pop of red of her lipstick is so fun.

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Florist Mad Lilies has totally nailed the wild and natural look that James and Gemma wanted, putting together such glorious armfuls of fresh foliage and pretty white flowers in the hand-tied bouquets.

The barn itself also looks wonderful with the foliage garlands along the table centres, leaf-wrapped beams and showpiece floral arrangements here and there.

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Have you seen the statement arrangement of leaves against one wall, too? It makes a gorgeous backdrop for the more formal photographs.

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James and Gemma met when they were just 18; “One of my bridesmaids introduced us at a party – just one month before heading to separate universities. We took the first few years quite casually but our shared love of music and group of mutual friends strengthened our relationship.”

“After studying we decided to move in together and set up a home in London. James proposed on our eight year anniversary (after some encouragement from Guy Garvey – one of James’ music heroes who he happened to meet on a train earlier that year!). I said yes, and just over one year later we were married.”

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The couple were lucky enough to fall in love with the very first venue they viewed, High Billinghurst Farm. Thankfully, its spacious barns meant that there was plenty of room to shelter from the pouring rain.

“We knew straight away it was the one for us! Remote, rustic, surrounded by nature and a creative blank canvas.”

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James looks wonderfully cool and modern in his dark blue Moss Bros three-piece suit and burgundy tie, finished with a delicate buttonhole by Mad Lilies.

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The civil ceremony was held in the barn against a wall of fairy lights. The bride entered, after having sheltered from the rain under a massive umbrella, on the arm of her father Richard as Bon Iver’s ‘Holocene’ played.

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James was waiting at the top of the aisle with the celebrant, Miranda Ash. I have to say here how much I adore the mother of the bride’s outfit – she looks so elegant in her fitted dress and amazing hat, and the colour suits the day so well.

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James and Gemma had written and tailored the whole ceremony themselves with Miranda Ash and exchanged rings from Diamond Palace in Hatton Garden.

“Miranda was incredible! She really took the time to get to know James and I on a personal level, and we felt a deep connection with her by the time we got to our wedding day. She helped craft the ceremony so that its sentiment was extremely personal and meaningful to us. We included readings and song lyrics throughout the ceremony, as well as having a symbolic candle lighting and a few surprises along the way.”

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“It was so personalised, meaningful, emotional and uplifting. We actually wouldn’t have done anything differently in hindsight – the pouring rain meant the whole day was inside, but the venue was perfect for this and it created a really intimate and special energy on the day.”

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We have photographer Maja Tsolo to thank for these gloriously romantic images, which I feel really do capture the magical feel of the barn and the joy of the newly-weds.

“We couldn’t recommend Maja enough – she is so warm, approachable, friendly and she completely understood our vision from the word go. She was extremely professional and discreet on the day, and despite the rain pouring down all day she used her creativity to style and capture some absolutely stunning photos indoors that we will cherish forever.”

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“We’ve had endless comments about how beautiful the photos are and I can’t stop looking through them.”

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The barn looks totally dreamy adorned with plenty of foliage and furniture from Anthology Vintage Hire. For a romantic, magical feel hundreds of fairy lights and pillar candles lit the space, and more personality was added by the calligraphed stationery, created by the bride. She’s added a quirky, playful vibe with her choice of words, which I just love. Instead of favours, the couple made a donation to the Alzeimer’s Society.

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The newly-weds and their guests feasted on food from Urban Pantry, whilst the cake was made by the bride’s clever mum.

“We went with a three-tiered citrus theme (coconut-lime, lemon drizzle and chocolate-orange), finished with marbled icing and natural flowers.”

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In the evening, the festival well and truly kicked off with live music from Festival Sons. What do you think about the newly-weds choice of first dance song – ‘Heroes’ by David Bowie?

“We wanted to start married life with an epic, uplifting and unforgettable anthem that everyone could dance to.”

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Words of Wedded Wisdom

“It’s not the end of the world if it rains!”

“Have a vision and stick with it. Be decisive and make choices that are personal to you. Remember it is your day, and at the end of the day people will respect and love what you have chosen because it is what you wanted – not anyone else.”

“Last but not least, enjoy every single second because it doesn’t last long!”

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Such great words of advice; thank you Gemma. It’s been so much fun to share your beautiful day on these pages today so thank you to you and your new husband, and also to your photographer Maja Tsolo for these lovely images.

Are you planning a farm wedding? We have so many other weddings to help you plan your own vision here.

Ele xx

Credits & Thanks

 

Eleanor Crossland

Eleanor Crossland View all Eleanor's articles

Ele lives in the Lincolnshire countryside, close to the beautiful coast. A qualified Pilates teacher, she loves fitness, yoga, Pilates and has a healthy addiction to baking, writing and travel.

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