Autumn Wedding Ideas

Stef & Guy’s Boho Autumn Wedding

After a romantic proposal in Greece, Stef and Guy set about planning their wedding. They knew they wanted a relaxed venue that would allow them to include lots of DIY decorations and personal touches as well as a few Jamaican inspired details, such as a steel band duo that played in the courtyard during the drinks reception.

Finding ‘the one’

As soon as they started to plan their wedding, Stef and Guy knew that they wanted a barn venue that would be the perfect backdrop to the autumnal, rustic, boho wedding they wanted. When they visited Upwaltham Barns, it was love at first sight.

“We fell in love with Upwaltham Barns as soon as we drove into the car park. As we explored the venue everything just got better and better. The couple that were getting married there later that day had the same initials as us, so when we walked into the East Barn where a large wooden S & G were displayed on the ceremony table it felt like it was meant to be!”

Styling Upwaltham Barns

Stef and Guy wanted their wedding day to reflect them as a couple and, most importantly, they were keen for everyone to feel relaxed and have fun.

“We were so lucky to have lots of creative people around us who were willing to help. My dad crafted a ‘directions’ sign for the courtyard and our friends made bunting and decorated a wood pallet for our ‘Order of the Day’. For some Autumnal entertainment friends also gathered and prepared conkers!”

Travel themed details also ran throughout the day including a map table plan and photos of the couple on their adventures. On the tables snacks from Jamaica were given as favours and Stef handmade Scrabble place cards.

“We also added personal touches to the Stable Bar, including edible bunting of Smith’s Scampi and Bacon Fries (just because we love them!), holiday photos and old photos of our parents and grandparents’ weddings.”

“We hired several items from To Have and To Hire including a vintage suitcase for our cards, a large photo frame for a DIY photobooth and blankets for the Moroccan Snug. For the evening we put together a sweets table for everyone to enjoy and glow-sticks to get the party going.”

Caroline from Cherfold Cottage Flowers used armfuls of seasonal blooms in pinks and oranges to decorate the barns and create that Autumnal feel.

Dressing for the occasion

Stef struggled to find a dress style that didn’t come with a crazy price tag so opted for a white maxi dress from Lulus and loved it.

“When I tried the dress on, I felt far more comfortable than I had in any of the dresses in bridal boutiques. It needed some alteration and some beading to jazz it up, but I was convinced I could make it work. I took it to a recommended seamstress in Brighton and after several months and several hundred beads I had the perfect dress.”

On the day, Stef accessorised with an intricate hair vine, glittery pink shoes from Rachel Simpson and a pair of pearl drop earrings from Liberty in Love. Guy’s wedding present, a gorgeous pearl necklace, completed Stef’s look.

“One of my very last-minute decisions was to wear a veil, something I had been very adamant I was not wearing up until about 3 weeks before the wedding. I went for a very light full-length veil from Britten Weddings and I ended up not wanting to take it off!”

Guy wanted a classic look and opted for a blue Charles Tyrwhitt suit, which he wore with a blush pink tie and Aspinal cufflinks that were a wedding day gift from Stef.

Stef’s bridesmaids chose their own dresses that worked with the colour scheme. Everyone loved what they wore and, most importantly, they all felt relaxed and comfortable.

The wedding day

Stef and Guy held their ceremony in the East Barn at Upwaltham Barns and the combination of carefully chosen music and readings made the ceremony absolutely perfect.

“I enjoyed the ceremony so much more than I thought I would, it was just perfect, and my cheeks were aching by the end from beaming so much throughout!”

The couple knew that they wanted hearty autumnal food for their wedding reception, and they worked with Nibbles2Nosh to choose a menu that included Bourbon glazed pork belly, chicken pie and an indulgent sticky toffee pudding. Guests couldn’t have been happier with their choices!

Vintage Roots played a version of ‘Mess is Mine’ as the newlyweds took to the dancefloor for their first dance and everyone partied late into the night, celebrating a day that was everything Stef and Guy hoped it would be.

Weddings tips & advice

“My advice would be – try not to stress to much about the small details and let other people help (easier said than done!). Upwaltham Barns are so organised that they ensure everything falls into place on the day anyway. If something doesn’t go quite to plan it really doesn’t matter, you’ll be far too busy enjoying yourself to notice.”

If you’re planning an autumn wedding, take a look at Emerald and Irvine’s fabulously floral autumn wedding and these autumn wedding ideas that you’re sure to fall in love with.

Images courtesy © of Emma May Weddings