A Weekend Wedding | Alice & Alastair

Loquet Bridal | A Modern Love Story

Set amongst the idyllic rolling countryside of Herefordshire, Alice and Alastair tied the knot in front of 120 guests with palpable magic in the air. With the surrounding fields peppered with accommodation for their guests in the form of enchanting bell tents, their rustic venue The Haybarn adorned in cascading vines of ivy and a silent disco in tow, this was a weekend wedding that all would remember. Elegantly embracing every moment, be it heart-stoppingly romantic (Alastair’s gift to Alice – more on that later) or not quite to plan (the couple’s first dance song), their picturesque celebration proves how important it is to plan your day, your way…

Your Day caught up with Alice to discover everything from the couple’s favourite moments, to their own advice for other couples about to tie the knot or start the planning process…

#1 What attracted you to your venue?

We knew we wanted a rustic setting in a barn with lots of outdoor space and a relaxed atmosphere not too far from where we live in Bristol. We really wanted to be able to have people stay overnight in bell tents and to be able to have the place for the whole weekend with the freedom to make it feel exactly as we wanted it. We went to see quite a few venues but most didn’t have all of those options. When we met the girls at The Haybarn they just seemed so relaxed, a lovely family business which wasn’t just a wedding factory. They made it seem very personal and we just loved the atmosphere there.

#2 Did you stay in the bell tents?

The night before the wedding I stayed in one of the buildings and Alastair stayed in a tipi with the groomsmen. On the night of the wedding we stayed in a shepherds hut which was right next to the bell tents and it was so perfect because we all stayed up by the fire pits roasting marshmallows and singing to the silent disco together.

#3 What you drank…

English champagne.

#4 What you ate…

Atozest Catering: we had canapés to begin with then shared platters of roasted chicken and lamb or a nut roast with Mediterranean vegetables and potatoes followed by lemon tart with raspberry coulis. Then we had a hog roast in the evening (we were supposed to be having a pizza van but they cancelled on us just four days before the wedding due to Covid so we had a last minute panic to find an alternative, but it turned out perfectly).

#5 Did the venue influence your choice of decor?

Definitely – we wanted the decor to complement the barn and cart shed (where we had the ceremony) so we went for lots of vines of ivy and a flower arch for the ceremony which we thought looked really nice with the rustic barn and outdoor spaces. I (Alice) always dreamed of a flower arch – they just look so beautiful, so we started with that and then the rest of the decor was built around it. My mum and auntie made A&A letters that we put around the venue and we used loads of fairy lights to add an extra element to the spaces in the evening. We wanted the tipi area to feel a bit like a mini festival so we got shepherds hooks and lanterns and made lots of bunting which looked great! Alastair is a very keen cyclist so we put lights around bike wheels and used them to show the entrance to the camping area.

#6 What feel were you hoping to create for your big day?

We really just wanted everyone to have an amazing day, for it be relaxed, fun and a good party which we had all missed for so long due to Covid.

#7 What was it like working with Wild Fern Wedding Photography?

We heard about Meg from a friend and just fell in love with all her images straight away. She was amazing both in the lead up and on the day. We had a difficult lead up due to covid but she was very supportive and always there to discuss any issues with when needed. On the day she worked with Kirsty a second shooter and they were both brilliant at relaxing us both while also helping the day move along when needed. We felt completely comfortable being photographed by them on the day and felt like we’d been friends forever! Having them capture the moment Alastair gave me a bench he had made from oak from The Haybarn was so special and a moment we will never forget.

#8 Who designed your wedding gown?

I actually saw my dress on Pinterest months before I went dress shopping and saved it as my inspiration thinking I wouldn’t be able to get that one, but one similar would be nice. I researched some bridal shops that had Rembo Styling dresses or similar styles and booked appointments. I think it was probably the third dress I tried on in Martin Charles Design Studio and I just loved it. I went with my mum and auntie as I really wanted it to be a surprise for my bridesmaids. We only went to one other shop that afternoon and the next day I went back and got it! Martin did an amazing job at altering it closer to the time.

#9 What accessories did the bride pair her gown with?

I wore my mums tanzanite necklace and got earrings made to match my engagement ring (a sapphire with diamonds around the edge). I wore really simple shoes from John Lewis because I just wanted to be able to dance all night long and be comfortable!

#10 Talk us through what the groom wore…

Alastair wore his family tartan made for him by Macgregor & Macduff complete with a Sgian Dubh, sporen and a kilt pin. I had got him some boxers with my face on to wear underneath but we forgot to take any photos of them!

#11 Were there any particularly special, standout moments for you as the couple?

Alastair giving me the handmade bench from oak from the Haybarn was so special. How he managed to make it in secret in our house I will never know! We both also just loved dancing all night at the silent disco and sitting by the fire pit eating marshmallows with all our friends.

#12 We loved your choice of flowers and your floral crown, tell us more about the flowers you chose and why…

Thank you! I ended up finding Poppy Sturley to do our flowers through a recommendation and we’re so glad we found her! We decided to go for largely neutral colours with some dusky pinks and blues. We wanted it to be timeless with a hint of colour but nothing too bright as the groomsmen were wearing all different tartan trousers which had a lot of colour in them. Poppy worked her magic making the most incredible flower arch for a backdrop for the ceremony (which I could see going up throughout the morning of the wedding which really helped build the excitement)!

My floral crown was actually made of material because I really wanted something that would last forever as a keepsake. I found the lady that made it at a wedding fair and just fell in love with it. She made one specially for me with the same colours as the flowers and with some of my mums wedding dress lace in it which was so special. I wanted something a bit different but that also wouldn’t look out of place in photos in years to come.

#13 What would your advice be as a couple to other couples planning their big day? What have you learnt on your planning journey?

Our planning journey was quite a rollercoaster with covid and even four days before our wedding a bridesmaid got covid and our evening caterers cancelled on us, so it was drama until the end! We are both massive advocates for just doing what you want for your wedding day. Do what suits you as a couple not what you think others want you to do. At the end of the day you only get one wedding day so it was really important to both of us that the day was how we wanted it. It’s easy in retrospect to say but really try to take in and make the most of every moment because it goes so quickly. Try to take some time just the two of you to soak it all in. It’s just the best day, enjoy it!

#14 Is there anything you would do differently if you could do it again?

We would make sure the flash is on for disposable cameras! Most of ours where far too dark so thats definitely a top tip!

And also make sure you check the version of your first dance before the day… we had thought the band was going to play an acoustic version of Beyoncé’s “Love On Top” but as soon as we heard the first note we realised they were playing the normal version so we had some interesting dance moves going on! Looking back though its one of our favourite memories of the day so make sure you embrace those moments when things go wrong!