A woodland wedding is always magical, especially at Camp Katur, but Tom and Jenna’s , featured on Festival Brides, was EXTRA special for us. They were a dream couple; open to ideas, trusting, appreciative of everything and such fun. “Jan Shillito, of Celebration Ceremonies & Weddings, was wonderful. Right from the beginning, she got to know us and chatted to us so informally that you almost forgot she was taking it all in and putting a wedding together in her mind! Working with someone that got married in her own garden, we knew that she would fully understand what it was we wanted and most importantly why. Weddings are about starting a new chapter, celebrating love and sharing it with family and friends. She understood this and made the whole process easy and enjoyable.”
We absolutely LOVED working with Jenna and Tom to create their unique and personal wedding ceremony, the ceremony area design and co-ordinating everything on the day. I’ll never forget arriving for our ceremony rehearsal the day before. Jenna was all ‘sad faced’, and feeling a little deflated at the enormity of her imminent big day which heavily weighted on her shoulders. When she saw us she said “I so needed to see you now”! I could feel a sense of relief knowing that things were only going to get better! The design brief from Jenna and Tom for their woodland wedding ceremony area was to create a ‘natural’ design that complimented the woodlands and the relaxed feel of the day and that was a bit different. For their woodland ceremony we created four floral panel backdrops that hung from the trees to create an “altar” area and a large floral chandelier using pink and purple hydrangea and mixed flowers supplied by local flower grower Rachel at Owl House Flowers. “We wanted the ceremony area to be as natural as possible with lots of flowers. We leftthe design up to Jan, who of course, came up with a stunning backdrop. A hanging flower chandelier, ice flower bowls and floral wicker balls lining the aisles.
When we saw it for the first time, we were blown away. As were our guests. A lot of them likened the ceremony to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ – a feel of total fairy-like beauty. Something we will never forget. “
Jenna looked stunning as she made her entrance with brother Jamie to “The Knot” by Jill Barber– just beautiful! We really enjoyed telling their story and entertaining family and friends with all the little things that make them them; like Tom’s dramatic side to his personality and showmanship, his extensive geographic knowledge and the culinary delights he brings to the table and Jenna’s sense of humour and sarcasm.
Traditionally, mums often get overlooked at wedding so at Jenna & Tom’s ceremony bother their mum’s welcomed their new son and daughter in law to their families by handing them two candles while we listened to Union “From the beginning to end” by Robert Fulgham, “After chatting with us about out lives, experiences and what is important to us as a couple, she sent us ‘THE SCRIPT’. Wow. Reading it was a beautiful moment. She had somehow managed to capture us from one meeting – it was definitely emotional and unlike anything we’d ever read before. It was us. She had chosen a reading that she thought we would like: ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ a gorgeous children’s book. A book that I just so happened to read to my school children. Totes meant to be. We chose two readings ‘Union’ and ‘The Future’, which Jan incorporated perfectly – creating some lovely links between them and our lives. “They have since told us they’ve never been to a ceremony like it: so personal, so emotional and natural. It didn’t feel forced or expected, it was simply stunning. A woman of many hats, Jan also co-ordinated our special day. She organised timings with our suppliers, settled and chatted to guests, announced our speeches, set up the ceremony area, married us and even checked there was enough toilet paper in the toilets! Phew! The day flowed so perfectly and it was because of her. We never had to worry.”
If you’ve been inspired by Jenna and Tom’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Woodland Wedding Ceremony and celebrations and would like us to create a more personal and unique experience for you at your private home or estate, an off the beaten track or outdoor location then drop Jan a line: ceremonies@janshillito.co.uk. You can find more inspiration and real weddings here.
Ceremony, Ceremony Design & Styling, Co-ordination: Celebration Ceremonies & Weddings
Jenna & Tom’s Photography: Sally T Photography
Venue: Camp Katur
Ceremony flowers: Yorkshire flower grower: Owl House Flowers
Bouquets & Reception flowers: Diana Kaye Florists
Catering: Chips and Things
Tepees: Papakata
