Photography: Paul Aston Photography Venue: Ashridge Great Barn
It was Holly’s sister who first brought Jess and Holly together. “We met at Holly’s sister’s hen do,” says Jess. “The weekend was packed with activities, but it was paintballing that really made sparks fly. Crawling through the forest, hunting Holly's sister, we both knew we'd found a kindred spirit.”
The proposals were pure romance. In Lake Garda, Holly hired a speedboat, anchored mid-lake with mountains all around, and played Turning Page – the song the couple often slow dance to in their kitchen. “We danced on the boat before Holly dropped to one knee,” says Jess. A month later, Jess returned the gesture with her own proposal in a Cornish treehouse, leading Holly blindfolded along a forest path before serenading her with a song she’d written.
When it came to the wedding, they dreamed of a woodland setting and found it at Ashridge Great Barn. With leafy gardens, a secluded glade and rustic charm, it provided the perfect canvas. A palette of forest green tied the details together: stationery inspired by foliage, tea lights wrapped in wildflowers and ferns, and a floral-adorned cake.
Their looks echoed the theme beautifully. Holly wore a lace bodice scattered with leafy motifs, while Jess paired her lace gown with a dreamy floral cape and blossoms threaded through her hair.
An emotional first look preceded a legal ceremony with just close family and bridesmaids, while their full celebration unfolded later in the woodland glade. Jess wrote the ceremony script, their friend Laurence officiated and the couple shared personal letters and vows. Music was woven throughout. A live piano and violin set a timeless tone for the aisle walk, while Jess surprised Holly with a moving rendition of Turning Page. A ring-warming ritual created another moving moment: “Looking back at the photos of our guests holding and kissing our rings is a constant reminder of their love and support,” reflects Jess.
The setting itself made the day unforgettable. “Being in the forest glade surrounded by bracken, trees and birdsong was our favourite moment,” says Holly. “Standing there with all our most loved people in the world and reading our letters to each other – there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.”
After the ceremony, the newlyweds were whisked away on haybales in a trailer hitched to a friend’s Land Rover before gathering in the venue’s Magic Circle for confetti, drinks and canapés. Guests offered informal speeches and played lawn games to the sound of live jazz from Jess’s band.
The couple opted for a vegan menu served buffet-style, with dishes such as walnut and mushroom samosas, rosemary and rock salt focaccia, white bean and artichoke dip, and roasted beetroot and lentils with salsa verde.
Before the evening revelry, Jess and Holly slipped away for photos. “We had such a special quiet moment lying in the grass and holding hands,” says Jess. Soon after, the party kicked off with a lively ceilidh. “Letting loose and dancing was a highlight – there was so much laughter and exhilaration!”
Jess’s band Talking 10 then took to the stage, filling the night with indie anthems before celebrations moved to the firepit, where guests laughed and reminisced under the stars until 3am. “It was magical curling up around the firepit with our best friends,” adds Holly.
Their advice for other couples? “Plan for everything to take twice as long as you think,” says Jess. “And take a moment to be present – look around at everyone who is there because they love you. Carve out a pocket of time just for the two of you to revel in the moment and enjoy each other!”
Photography Paul Aston Photography paulastonphotography.com
Venue Ashridge Great Barn ashridgegreatbarn.co.uk
Dresses WED2b wed2b.com
Prudence Gowns prudencegowns.com
Cape Kadaleyah from Etsy etsy.com
Hair Cindy Beddard Bridal Hair cindybeddardbridalhair.co.uk
Make-up Jane and Madeline instagram.com/mad.ink_
Catering Lentil Health lentilhealth.co.uk
Cake Blossom & Bee Vegan Bakehouse instagram.com/blossomandbeebakehouse
Bar Gert Lush Event Bars gertlusheventbars.co.uk
Holly’s bouquet & buttonholes Dried Designs instagram.com/drieddesigns
Hay bales Devon Bales & Event Hire devonbalesandeventhire.co.uk
Entertainment The Moon Jazz Club Crediton facebook.com/moonjazzcrediton
Red Shed redshed.co
Talking 10 instagram.com/talking.10
Videography Pixaplace Weddings pixaplaceweddings.co.uk
