Nik and Mike’s wedding day at Tewin Bury Farm Hotel in Hertfordshire on June 22nd, 2018, was a memorable celebration indeed. According to Nik, their special day can be defined by three key elements: BBQ, booze, and booty shakin’! As I delved into the details of this joyous occasion, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful touches that Nik meticulously crafted throughout the event. From the stunning photographs captured by Brook Rose Photography to the intricate macramé decorations, every aspect of their wedding was a true reflection of their love and commitment to each other. It’s no surprise that Nik and Mike can’t stop reliving their special day through the images, as the photographer did an outstanding job. I’m thrilled to share their story with our readers and am grateful for the opportunity to showcase this lovely couple’s big day.
The Proposal
We had always dreamed of a wild Las Vegas getaway, but life had other plans. Just days after booking our trip to see a UFC fight in August 2016, we found out we were expecting a baby. Our romantic weekend was put on hold, but we still wanted to make the most of our time together. We planned to take in a fight, enjoy some delicious meals, and take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. The flight may have been long and arduous – I was four months pregnant at the time – but it was worth it for the breathtaking views we saw as we watched the sunset over the canyon. It was then that Mike asked me to grab his phone from his backpack, and then casually mentioned, ‘Oh, can you get that box too?’ The realization dawned on me: this must be a special moment. I pulled out the box, and he opened it, revealing a stunning ring inside. I was completely taken aback – we had never really discussed marriage, and Mike was always tight-lipped about his plans for us to tie the knot. So, this surprise proposal was truly unexpected, yet utterly perfect (apart from my growing belly, of course!). We followed up our engagement with a fantastic party, complete with great music and friends and family celebrating with us – even I managed to enjoy it, despite being six months pregnant!
The Cake
The sweet treats at our gathering were truly heavenly. Freshly baked naked Victoria sponge cakes took center stage, accompanied by rich brownies and an assortment of colorful cupcakes for all to enjoy. We opted to skip the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, instead allowing the indulgent atmosphere to unfold naturally.
The Vision
We were originally planning to tie the knot in 2019, two years after welcoming our son into the world. I was looking forward to getting my energy back and shedding the baby weight before exchanging vows. However, Mike had a different idea altogether. He suggested we get married during Glastonbury’s weekend off in 2018 – what a genius idea! We could celebrate our anniversary at the iconic festival every year from then on.So, we headed to our first wedding venue, still reeling from the excitement of booking it…and left with it all wrapped up. It was perfect: local, stunning, and just a tad outside our budget. Who cares, right?Our vision was to create a festival-themed wedding with a dash of romance and bohemian flair. We wanted the atmosphere to be laid-back, relaxed, and party-fueled! Music played a huge role in our plans – we wanted every tune to be handpicked by us, ensuring that everyone on the dance floor would be having the time of their lives.A hog roast or BBQ was high on our list, along with a quick, late-night ceremony and an extended party. I craved an authentic celebration that reflected our personalities, which is why I got heavily involved in crafting the details. With work, gym, baby, and daily life taking its toll, it’s easy to get caught up in routine – but having the wedding on the horizon gave me the creative outlet I needed. I was determined to infuse every little touch with handmade love and personal touches.
The Planning Process
As I stood at the threshold of planning my wedding, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer scope of decisions to be made. It was as if a spark had been lit, igniting a fire of creativity that would eventually lead me to conjure up the perfect celebration. Initially, I had started pinning ideas on Pinterest simply because I adored the whimsical nature of it all, but soon enough, my board transformed into a hub for collecting inspiration and gathering momentum. The dress arrived in October 2017, marking a turning point as I began building a team of trusted vendors – from florists to photographers to cake designers. Recommendations from loved ones played a significant role in shaping the foundation of our special day, with live music being an absolute must. In fact, my cousin brought us full circle by serenading us with an acoustic first dance performance on his guitar. As the planning process unfolded, it was as if everything came together in slow motion, with months of avoiding the gym and indulging in wedding-related activities punctuated by a well-deserved gin-in-hand pause.
The Venue
Your Outfits & Accessories
Beauty
My makeup artist for the day was Holly, a talented friend from my old school days. She created stunning rose gold and gold eye looks that perfectly complemented the pink lip shades we all wore. The overall effect was truly breathtaking – we felt like princesses! Meanwhile, our hair was expertly styled by Tiffany, a skilled hairstylist recommended by Halo & Wren. Her bohemian waves and flower crowns were simply gorgeous, while my stepdaughter/bridesmaid’s milkmaid braids added an extra touch of whimsy to her already stunning appearance.
Groomsmen
The groom’s attire was a thoughtful blend of classic and modern elements. He opted for a brown tweed suit from Moss Bros, paired with Clarks desert shoes and a sage green tie sourced from Etsy. Meanwhile, the best man and ushers drew inspiration from the groom, donning matching blush pink ties and coordinated outfits featuring Moss Bros waistcoats, ASOS chinos, and Clarks shoes.The page boys, consisting of my son Ross and nephew CJ, added a touch of youthful charm to the proceedings with their short sets, bow ties, braces, and desert boots. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred when my son Ross’s nappy suddenly leaked, forcing us to abandon his shorts mere minutes after he walked down the aisle. As a result, many photos feature him in nothing but his diaper – a memorable and hilarious moment that has become an integral part of our wedding story.
The Readings & Music
The sonic backdrop for our creative endeavors came courtesy of The Good Habits, with the remainder of the musical selection curated in-house. As we poured over our extensive playlist, a generous amount of gin and whisky flowed, ultimately yielding a staggering eight hours of carefully crafted audio.
The Flowers
The beautiful arrangements that adorned Herbert and Isles were truly stunning, featuring exquisite bouquets, flower crowns, buttonholes, hair pieces, and an incredible chandelier all crafted by the talented florists. Among these breathtaking creations was my own bouquet, which held a special significance as it featured a macramé wrap and a cherished photo of my late brother Ross, who I had the honor of naming my son after.
Your Photographer
Bridesmaids
In terms of bridesmaids’ attire, I opted for a harmonious palette featuring blush, sage, and mint green hues. Specifically, three of my bridesmaids donned floral chiffon boho-style short dresses from Union People on ASOS. My sister, who was also a part of the group, wore a stunning blush-colored dress courtesy of Boohoo, while our nine-month-pregnant maid of honour looked radiant in her mint green maternity dress from ASOS. To add an extra touch of whimsy, all bridesmaids adorned their locks with delicate Baby breath flower crowns.
The Details & Décor
I took on the creative challenge of crafting most of our wedding decorations by hand, with a few special finds from Etsy and other unique sources. The stunning hoop wreaths that displayed our photos were a labor of love, featuring pictures of us taken at Glastonbury – a nod to our shared love of music festivals! To commemorate our favorite drinks, Hendricks gin and baby breath, we had bottles on every table. My husband, being the trooper he is, indulged in five glasses each before the ceremony, while I had an easier time enjoying them. I also fell head over heels for Macramé wall hangings and scoured eBay to find the perfect bohemian-inspired pieces.To give our wedding its personal touch, I customized letters with photos of Mike and me, then painted them in colors that echoed the iconic Glastonbury sign. We spelled out ‘COOPSFEST’ and attached them to crates, adding a pop of color with bunting. The tepee was another nod to Glastonbury’s carefree spirit, where we displayed our wedding lineup on a letter board and easel.Speaking of our big day, our wedding favors were Jaeger bombs – a playful gesture that let our friends know we’d be pouring the drinks all night long. And, yes, some of our guests may have gotten a little too enthusiastic with their shots! I also repurposed an old pallet from work to create a beautiful timeline of our love story, using photos and paint to bring it to life.From Etsy to charity shops and beyond, every detail was carefully curated to reflect our personalities and shared sense of humor. Our wedding was a whirlwind of BBQs, booze, and non-stop dancing – exactly the laid-back celebration we had envisioned.We kept things casual with an afternoon ceremony, followed by speeches under the sun and a BBQ feast in the garden. The vibe was relaxed, the company was wonderful, and our friends looked stunning in their floral outfits or kilts – just like us! As the night wore on, we danced to tunes from Justin Bieber, UB40, Beyonce, David Bowie, and Peter Andre, culminating in an epic finale of ‘Loch Lomond’ that got everyone, including my Scottish family, bouncing around like crazy Scots.The next morning, we gathered for a heartwarming breakfast before jetting off to the USA the following day. As I looked back on our incredible celebration, I was overcome with gratitude and emotion – it’s a memory I cherish to this day.
The Honeymoon
Our California adventure began with a flight to LA, where we spent two days in Santa Monica, riding bikes along the beach and taking leisurely strolls. The absence of our toddler’s constant energy and jet lag made for a peaceful, albeit exhausting, getaway. Meanwhile, my partner gave birth to her baby boy a week earlier than expected, leaving me eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet him eight days later – a bittersweet experience. After picking up our rental car, we embarked on a scenic drive down the coast, visiting Compton, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport. Our impromptu stop at a Motel 6 in one of these cities proved an amusing and humbling experience, unlike the luxurious accommodations we enjoyed in Santa Monica. We caught Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom, proudly watching my husband’s name appear in the credits. We also crossed paths with Dennis Rodman at a bar, who playfully dubbed my husband ‘hot’ – a notion I was already well aware of. Following our Palm Springs sojourn, we drove through the mountains and desert to Joshua Tree National Park, where we set up camp in a camper van and spent two days taking in the breathtaking views and celestial displays. The trip concluded with a four-hour drive to Las Vegas, passing through a ghost town that left us awestruck and uneasy. Our stay at the Cosmopolitan hotel was nothing short of spectacular, with its vibrant atmosphere, gaming tables, and pulsating nightlife. Though we eventually had to bid farewell to Sin City and return home to our little boy, we cherished every moment of this adventure. In fact, if we were to have a daughter in the future, her name would undoubtedly be Cali, a testament to the unforgettable memories we created along California’s sun-kissed shores.
Memorable Moments
As I received my bouquet adorned with a picture of my brother, I was overcome with emotion alongside my sister, friends, and mother. The memory still tugs at my heartstrings. In contrast, just moments before exchanging vows with my soon-to-be husband, our young son had an unexpected accident – leaving him covered in a not-so-fresh layer of baby mess. It’s a moment we’ve laughed about many times since then. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly dancing to Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ as everyone formed a circle around us. My husband and I swayed to the music, belting out our favorite song together, with him wearing my flower crown – it was pure magic! Our special moment was made even more unforgettable by sharing it with our closest friends, including my best friend who was bravely nine months pregnant at the time. It’s a memory we’ll treasure forever. And so, I got to spend the most incredible day surrounded by the people I love, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Advice for Other Couples
As the celebration unfolds, remember to embrace the joy and let go of any stress. Allow yourself to fully immerse in the moment, laughing and dancing with loved ones. When the time comes, take a moment to step away and capture some special memories through photography – you won’t regret it. Later that night, carve out a few minutes for an intimate moment with your partner, watching as your friends and family let loose and have the time of their lives. It’s a truly unique experience, filled with love and connection.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The wedding celebration of Nik and Mike was truly unforgettable, thanks to the incredible team that brought it all together. Brook Rose Photography captured every special moment, while Tewin Bury Farm Hotel provided a stunning backdrop for the big day. The bride’s elegant attire was courtesy of E and W Couture from Halo & Wren Bridal, perfectly complemented by beautiful blooms from Herbert & Isles. Tiffany Rose Hair ensured her locks looked lovely, and Rianna Casson added a touch of edginess with her leather jacket. The sweet treats were courtesy of Heaven is a Cupcake, and Picture Blast’s selfie pod was a hit with guests. @makeupby_hollyb worked her magic to make the bride look absolutely radiant. As Rachel so eloquently put it, ‘Wow! So much fun!’ It was an absolute pleasure to share in Nik and Mike’s joyous day.