Penny and Rob’s enchanting New Forest wedding brought Lord of the Rings vibes to life in the iconic New Forest Images courtesy of Mia Hooper Photography These lovebirds met at a blue-themed university party in 2010 and it was very much a love-at-first-sight moment. After 13 years together, Rob proposed in April 2023 at the Yorkshire Arboretum, getting down on one knee beneath a pear-blossom tree. The day was filled with food, blossoms and even red squirrels - Penny’s favourite animal. Rob had chosen the arboretum in spring, as it was the season when the bluebells were in bloom. The couple had always envisioned an outdoor wedding and loved the ancient New Forest trees. “It created a beautiful and mystical setting for our big day,” says Penny. “We both adore Lord of the Rings and this is the British version of cinematic scenery.” Another reason they chose this venue was that Simon and the team from Weddings in The Wood made the day run smoothly. They were a brilliant team, and the couple would happily recommend them to anyone wanting an alternative setting for an event. The couple themed their wedding around the forest, complementing the greens and natural surroundings with pastel blues and pinks, along with a splash of orange. They wanted to make as much use of the stunning setting as possible, choosing their favourite spot in the woods and opting for theatre-style seating rather than a long, traditional aisle. They were surrounded by talented and loving friends. During the ceremony, friends played music in the forest and a close friend, dressed as a wizard, officiated the wedding. They kept décor and stationery to a minimum, as it was the people and the venue that made the day truly special. Food is a massive part of the lovebirds’ lives, so they knew it would be one of their biggest priorities. “We wanted our love of food to shine at our wedding,” says the bride. “The team at The Little Kitchen Company helped us with our vision for Italian-style sharing platters so that the wedding meal was not only delicious, but an interactive centrepiece.” They felt this was a great way to get guests talking and allowing everyone to portion exactly what they wanted and enjoyed. They had The Bao Beast team cater their reception, providing a variety of options for everyone, and the baos were a huge hit. The reception and the food are still being talked about by guests. The bride did something unusual for her dress, she designed it herself! “I worked alongside Liz from Elizabeth Van Stone Bridal to create my dream wedding dress,” comments Penny. “When Rob and I got engaged, we were surrounded by beautiful blossoms and flowers, and I wanted to capture our engagement plus the day’s excitement in my dress. It also had a beautiful mix of fantasy and bridal, which fit in perfectly with the venue and our Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding.” The groom had always wanted a tailored suit, and his wedding was the perfect opportunity. He comments, “I’ve always felt comfortable in a suit, but wanted something special. I went for a royal blue with elements of gold and added an orange tie because the shade makes me feel happy.” They were fortunate that the venue gave them the option to book an activity as part of the venue hire, one of which was axe-throwing. “We thought it was a fun and fantastic way to entertain guests before the meal,” comments Penny. “Everyone had a go and it brought us so much joy to see our guests having such a great time. Of course, we both threw a few axes as well - Rob is a much better axe-thrower! “I think one of our biggest highlights of the day was standing at the top of the aisle in a stunning natural setting, surrounded by the people who mean everything to us, declaring our love to each other and getting married by a wizard.” It was a day that perfectly reflected Penny and Rob’s personalities, passions and love for one another in a magical setting set among the trees. My precious REAL WEDDINGS 35
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