Emily and Sean a super duper couple and a dream to work with. Not only are they such a beautiful couple that ooze style, they are beautiful on the inside too, so kind and thoughtful and it’s no wonder they are surrounded by so many friends who also adore them. Their boho woodland wedding ceremony and celebrations at Camp Katur was one of our favourites of 2014. Festival Brides loved it too and what’s not to love? It was outdoors, in a beautiful meadow surround by woodlands, the atmosphere was chilled and the sun was shining. Sean and Emily wanted Emily and Sean wanted to create one of those life-experiences that reinforce friendships and consolidates relationships; they both felt it was time to “say out loud”, in words, what they really feel about each other and the commitment they had already made to be together.
They wanted their ceremony to be totally unique to them, not traditional, quirky fun and meaningful that told a romantic, moving story of their relationship and love for each other told in their own style.
Their outdoor wedding was a weekend affair not just a wedding day. It was a chance for friends and family to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life to reunite, catch up, chill, dance, eat and be merry sleeping under the stars. Emily: “It sounds cheesy but our friends and family were probably the biggest inspiration for our wedding; we were very clear about wanting to have a weekend-long celebration for everyone to enjoy and get stuck in – and party and celebrate and dance with us! Our friends/family are all very laid-back and enjoy life.” The ceremony as held in the woodland, we styled the circular area using hessian and white lace drapes and ties and simple ferns to create and alternative “altar”. The aisle was lined with tree stumps topped with a plethora of vintage jugs and teapots filled with flowers grown by Sean’s mum in her allotment; just knowing the TLC that had gone into growing and nurturing made them so very extra special. Emily: Jan arranged all of the decoration and styling of our woodland ceremony area on the day – she helped us to plan everything in the lead up to the wedding and gave us some amazing ideas for how the area would look.”
Sean and his groomsmen had their own dressing room yurt, outdoor shower and had even remembered to bring a long mirror. We love his Emily and Sean socks especially knitted for him by his very talented mother in law- such a lovely touch.Emily look stunning in her backless lace number designed and made for her by Vivienne at Sophie Louise Bridal Boutique in Boston Spa, North Yorkshire. Yes, she looked a million dollars but everything was about the experience and creating memories; her mud-caked shoes are kept in the box to serve as reminder of the how much fun she had.
Guests made their way into the woodlands to the seated area collecting confetti cones of dried petals, lavender and rice.
Emily and her entourage of beautiful bridesmaids, also dressed in white, added the finishing touches as she waited to be escorted down the aisle by her dad who was wearing a fabulous red top hat! We love this cheeky shot as Emily head off to meet her groom to the sound of her entrance song “Strangers” by The Kinks, “We are not two we are one”
Emily: ” Music was a huge inspiration for us. My Mum & Dad were real music lovers and so I was brought up with the wonderful tones of The Velvet Underground, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Motown…. I could go on forever… and Sean certainly gets his love of funk & disco from his parents too. So having the right music was really important to us as it just sets the theme of the day and can be hugely emotional”
Emily: “The ceremony itself was wonderful – crafted for us by the amazing Jan Shillito and just so personal and beautiful. We love our family and friends as well as music and readings so all of this played a huge part in our ceremony. I love literature so Jan included quotes and readings by Oscar Wilde and the very beautiful and romantic “I carry your heart” by EE Cummings; Sean is more of a self-confessed geek so we incorporated “Notes on Marriage” by Charles Darwin. The ceremony ended with Sean and I walking back down the aisle to “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones. We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting way to mark our marriage.”To marry or not to marry? was Charles Darwin’s big question in his notes on marriage so, we asked for a little help from their family and friends … it was a resounding YES, YES YES!!In a traditional ceremony and wedding celebrations the mother of the brides and groom don’t feature, they are always “backstage”. Not Emily and Sean’s mums, they were each thanked for their unconditional love, encouragement and support they have shown throughout their lives; for allowing them to be themselves and follow their own paths and dreams in life. As a token of their appreciation Emily presented each of the mums with a flower from her bouquet.
Before they exchanged rings and completed their personal committment to each to each each made personal declaration and promises to each other.
Emily’s started with:”For most people, today is just an ordinary day. The sun rose, the earth will spin, babies will be born. But for me, today is an EXTRA-ordinary day, because today I get to marry my best friend.” Sean’s started with: “Emily, you are the biggest part of me. My best friend, my lover, my confidant and my darling. You are the most beautiful person I have ever met and I simply think you are wonderful in every way that I can conceive.”
To complete their ceremony Bridesmaid Zoe beautifully read the very romantic “I carry your heart” by EE Cummings. Such a moving reading and the perfect end. Our newley weds were then showered with the rice, lavander and petal confetti- a fab biodegradable alternative but it hurts!!!!!
The celebrations continued over in the sun-kissed meadow and Papkata with fish and chips feasts, a friends and family bake off, pork pie wedding cake, a surprise musical procession by The New York Brass Band and dancing round the fire under the stars ’til the early hours.
Emily: ” I don’t know what we would’ve done without Jan – she was just amazing from start to finish. The planning in the run-up to the wedding would have been a complete and utter shambles if it weren’t for her and her on-the-day co-ordination was so much more than that! She was (and is) honestly like Superwoman. She made our so personal and so perfect for us, and all our friends and family loved her – she was a guest as much as she was anything else (although she was working her a*se off so I’m sure she didn’t feel that way!) and spent the afternoon making sure everyone was ok and had everything they needed and that the day ran smoothly.”Contributors:
Venue: Camp Kátur
Photographers: Renata Stonyte and Bradley Potterton
Celebrant: Jan Shillito of Celebration Ceremonies & Weddings
Bride’s Dress: Sophie Louise Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Make-Up: Zara Cantara
Groom: Suit – Victor Valentine; Shirt – TM Lewin
Groom’s Shoes: Office
Bridesmaid Dress: ASOS
Tipi: Papakata
Flowers: Home Grown by Groom’s Mother
Pork Pie Cake: Wilson Butchers & The Cheeseboard
Catering: Chips and Things via Camp Kátur
Band: New York Brass Band
If you would like us to create a more personal and unique centrepiece to your day and tap into our boutique wedding services then drop Jan a line: ceremonies@janshillito.co.uk. You can find more inspiration and real weddings here.