Natalie remembers spotting a “ridiculously tall, blonde man across the dance floor” at her local nightclub 13 years ago. “That tall, gorgeous blonde man is now my husband!” she says. Josh’s proposal beneath a beautiful old oak tree set the couple's plans in motion – and it was love at first sight when they visited Upton Barn & Walled Garden.
“The minute we set foot in the walled garden and met with the amazing staff, we both just knew that this was our place,” reflects Natalie. “It was unpretentious whilst still feeling luxurious. We could really see us and our guests partying and the outside ceremony space was truly magical.”
The couple chose a palette of neutral organic tones with matte black accents to reflect the industrial aesthetic of the venue. “I love natural, organic materials and didn’t want anything to look too ‘staged’,” says Natalie, whose brief of “simplicity and texture” was beautifully met in the floral arrangements of crisp white and nude roses.
The day began early for the couple, especially Natalie. “My bridesmaids and I got up at sunrise and went on a dog walk to where Josh proposed to me under our special oak tree,” she says. The rest of the morning saw the bridal party enjoying the wedding preparations in The Paddock at Upton Barn. “It was really relaxed – the interiors are heavenly; it felt like a spa!"
Marrying during a heatwave meant the couple could have the outdoor ceremony they’d dreamed of. “It was the hottest day of the year with 30-degree heat. It enabled us to have a true summer wedding!” says Josh. “I remember hearing the beautiful music coming from the walled garden as I waited with my dad to walk down the lavender-lined aisle,” reflects Natalie, who cites the ceremony as her favourite moment. “Seeing Josh at the end really was magical and the smell of lavender will always remind me of our big day.”
After the vows, guests enjoyed cocktails, prosecco and canapés in the sun, as well as ice poles and fans to keep cool! Everyone then moved into the Stable Barn, which had been thoughtfully decorated. “Josh made sloe vodka for the tables, which we put in personalised bottles alongside the place names, which also had dried poppy seed heads from my lovely dad’s cottage garden,” says Natalie. Guests tucked into a feast featuring five-spice duck breast with seasonal veg and roast potatoes, a classic trio of desserts, and a cake made by Josh’s mum before the evening festivities got underway.
“A huge shout out to The Busketeers for absolutely smashing our rather unorthodox first dance song, performing their very own acoustic rendition of Timber by Kesha and Pitbull! it was incredible and got everyone dancing!” laughs Natalie.
Reminiscing on their day, Natalie says: “It really was so special seeing all of our friends and family come together. It was just the most magical day.” When it comes to her advice for busily planning couples, Natalie lauds the benefit of being organised. “The sooner you sort things, the better,” she says. “I had the most chilled few weeks running up to the wedding as everything was organised. This meant I could spend time relaxing with my husband-to-be and friends.”
Photography Tara Statton Photography tarastattonphotography.com
Venue Upton Barn & Walled Garden uptonbarn.com
Dress Enzoani enzoani.com
Shoes Jimmy Choo jimmychoo.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses ASOS asos.com
Suits Astaires astaires.co.uk
Hair Sarah at Changing Faces changingfaces.net
Make-up Laura Le Page lauralepagebridalmakeup.com
Flowers & floral centrepieces Dried Designs instagram.com/drieddesigns
Catering Mulberry Catering Co mulberrycatering.co.uk
Stationery Peachy Prints etsy.com/uk/shop/peachyprintsuk
Papier papier.com Vistaprint vistaprint.co.uk
The Friendly Paper Co etsy.com/uk/shop/TheFriendlyPaperCo
Wooden charger plates Out of the Ordinary Event Hire outoftheordinaryeventhire.com
Black candlestick holders Ikea ikea.com
Entertainment The Busketeers thebusketeers.com
