Bronwyn and Charlie first met at Aberystwyth University on a Geography Society social, but it wasn’t until a year later – on a double date that worked out better for them than the other couple – that romance truly blossomed. Fast-forward to a skiing trip in Finland, where, after a moonlit walk around a lake, Charlie proposed after the Northern Lights flickered across the sky.
From the outset, their wedding was a reflection of their love for nature, creativity and family history. Bronwyn’s wedding dress was a labour of love – designed and sewn by her mum, with delicate hand embroidery by Bronwyn herself. “My grandmother was amazing at embroidery, and during lockdown, I decided to give it another go after she first tried teaching me when I was five,” she says. The colours in the embroidery – pink, blue, purple and green – became the theme for the wedding, woven into the décor, flowers and bridesmaids’ dresses.
Set against the rustic beauty of Ashridge Great Barn, the couple’s October wedding embraced a relaxed and natural aesthetic. Their ceremony took place in the Magic Circle, an intimate outdoor space enclosed by towering hedges. “We knew as soon as we saw it that it was where we wanted to get married,” says Bronwyn. “We just had to hope for good weather!” Despite the surrounding days bringing heavy rain, their wedding day was bathed in golden autumn sunshine.
Bronwyn walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, the moment made even more special by the shimmer in her veil catching the sunlight. “At one point, our celebrant told us to hold hands and look at each other, to remember the moment – and it’s still one of our favourite memories,” she reflects. After exchanging vows, they walked back down the aisle to Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder as guests showered them in confetti made from flowers grown and dried by Charlie’s mum.
The celebration continued with a drinks reception and canapés before guests gathered inside the barn for a relaxed feast. Served from an American school bus, the menu included wood-fired pizzas, chicken basquaise and vegetarian paella, followed by tiramisu and a Kiwi-style pavlova. In another personal touch, their wedding cake – made by a family friend – was iced with a design inspired by Bronwyn’s embroidery. Honouring Charlie’s family tradition, they cut the cake with a ceremonial sword, just as his parents had at their wedding.
As night fell, live band The Buskateers kicked off the party with the couple’s first dance to Chasing Rubies by Hudson Taylor. “Charlie listened to that song on the way home from our third date, and from that moment, it became our song,” says Bronwyn. Although nervous about the spotlight, they choreographed a few steps – “I messed one up, but no one noticed!” she says – before inviting guests to join them on the dance floor.
Looking back, the couple’s favourite moment was their ceremony. “It was simple, beautiful and just what we wanted,” says Bronwyn. “Afterwards, we got to share an emotional moment with both our parents before the guests followed us out.” A close second was their ‘first look’ before the ceremony, where Charlie saw Bronwyn’s dress for the first time after a year of secret sewing and embroidery. “It didn’t take anything away from the ceremony – it made it even more relaxed and exciting,” she says.
Their advice to other couples? Trust your instincts. “We had our fair share of people telling us things wouldn’t work or needed changing,” says Bronwyn. “We ignored them, and in the end, those same people told us how much they loved everything and how perfectly it worked. Do what feels right for you.”
Photography Ivyhouse Photography ivyhousephotography.co.uk
Venue Ashridge Great Barn ashridgegreatbarn.co.uk
Suits Moss moss.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses JJ’s House jjshouse.com
Flowers Heathland Flowers heathlandflowers.co.uk
Catering 2915 Pizza instagram.com/2915pizza
Furniture hire Coutts Event Hire couttseventhire.co.uk
Entertainment The Busketeers thebusketeers.com
