Cosy Winter Wedding at Barlow Woodseats Hall

15th December 2022

WELCOME YOUR GUESTS IN FROM THE COLD INTO A ROOM FILLED WITH TWINKLING CANDLE LIGHTS AND LASHINGS OF BEAUTIFULLY DRAPED IVY AND FOLIAGE.

NATURE-INSPIRED FLOURISHES AT BARLOW WOODSEATS HALL, THE PERFECT VENUE FOR A COSY WINTER WEDDING.

Nestled in the rolling Derbyshire hills Barlow Woodseats Hall is a sympathetically renovated longhorn barn dating back to 1530. If you are planning a wedding, whether a Summer or Winter date, this intimate venue oozes rustic history with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A stunning location that no couple would be able to resist when selecting the place to declare their love for one another.

Barlow Woodseats Hall boasts two wedding ceremony areas, an indoor space in the main hall and an intimate rustic outdoor space in the converted outhouse. The natural wordsmith and warm-hearted celebrant Claire Lawerence captured the essence of the day and brought the shoot to life as she delivered a romantic personalised ceremony. 

Natural and cosy Winter wedding with a difference

The theme of the shoot, created by the talented planner and stylist Sam from Willow and Rust, was designed to move away from the traditional colours you think of when planning a winter wedding. Working with a stunning palette of rich winter greens and creams with a hint of vintage gold. Lit by warm candlelight and twinkling fairy lights. A wedding theme that naturally creates a magical, cosy feel as it reflects the colours found in nature as we enter the frosty Winter Season.

Nature inspired floristry

Catherine from Inspired Floristry created the cosy winter wedding feel with a delicate combination of foraged ivy twines, silver birch branches and dark tones of moss running along the wooden banquet tables and tumbling down from the stone window ledges. Flower placement was so natural you could have believed that the twines had been romantically growing here between the stone walls.

The loose bouquet harmonised with the venue’s flowers combining white and pale blush pink roses with myrtle berries and Arabian Star Flowers.  Myrtle berry placement symbolises love and marriage. A floral detail that is traditionally seen in royal bridal bouquets as it is believed to preserve love.

Winter wonderland stationery

When creating the stationery for this shoot, I knew I wanted to reflect nature at this time of year, creating a magical Winter wonderland. In the Winter season, many believe there is a lack of colour outdoors, but we are gifted with so many beautiful shades of rich deep greens and earthy tones.

I created a nature-inspired pattern with botanical hand-drawn details. Mindful of the elements drawn in delicate ink, weaving in traditional folk laws and meanings to enhance the story of the wedding. Including illustrations of dried hydrangea heads to symbolise heartfelt praise and appreciation. Myrtle berries link with the bouquet and represent the love element. Combined with Butchers Broom, a traditional winter decoration used in homes and churches at this time of year. The finishing flourishes with a delicate sketch of the small bird, the Blue Tits which symbolises love is coming and loyalty.

Printing the collection onto a pale warm-toned card and combining it with an earthy sage green ink and envelope colouring.

The nature-inspired botanical pattern was used throughout the stationery. With the complete invitation suite included an invitation, details card and rsvp bound together with a delicate vellum belly band. Illustration-adorned table name cards and petite menus flourished with green hand-dyed ribbon from the Botanical Dyer.

For the table plan, I designed individual table cards that adhered to a vintage gold framed mirror that softly reflected the burning candlelight. The ornate frame was coordinated with the gold candle sticks and tableware used for the tablescape. Creating the most beautiful romantic lighting for celebrating the wedding.

Botanical sugar flowers

The natural theme ran through to the stunning sugar work from Sally Marie Cakes. Delicate sugar roses that looked as real as the ones in the bouquet and a pale embossed botanical pattern in the base layers of the cake looked beautiful in the candlelight of the outdoor ceremony area and in the cosy main reception hall.

 

Winter wedding attire

Graceful, dainty gem adorn sleeves of the wedding dress from The Wedding Boutique kept the winter chill at bay, with natural tumbling curls by Cheveux by C and skilfully applied warmed tone make-up by Make Up by Alexandra. Keeping the bridal look natural. The Grooms look complimented the bride as he wore a warm brown tweed suit with a golden tie by The Suit lounge.

Capturing your day

The talented photographer Helen Rose Photography, brought the magic to life with her stunning warm tones and natural style. Capturing all those special moments between the newly married model couple, Hannah and Jack.

Gifted videographer Dan Williams Films caught the romance of the day with his cinematic short film. Creating goosebumps every time you watch the film. To see Dan’s film pop over to his Instagram reel.

The talented team

To be part of such a wonderful team is a gift, I am grateful for every shoot I have been lucky to be part of. I hope you find this shoot an inspiration for your own wedding. A stunning way to capture a natural but cosy winter wedding with a difference. With a special thank you to Barlow Woodseats Hall who kindly hosted us for the day and invited us all to be part of their showcase on the following day. Standing among their talented recommended suppliers.

Planning, styling and props – Willow and Rust | Photographer – Helen Rose Photography | Videographer – Dan Williams Films | Venue – Barlow Woodseats Hall | Florist – Inspired Floristry | Stationery – Ellie and Liv | Celebrant – Claire Lawrence | Hair – Cheveux by C | Make-up – Make up by Alexandra | Cake – Sally Marie Cakes | Bridal Gown – The Wedding Boutique | Grooms Suit – The Suit Lounge | Models Hannah and Jack 

Planning your own cosy winter wedding?

Nature is one of the biggest inspirations behind my designs.

Botanical sketches, watercolour wonderings and papers that give back are what make my heart sing with joy.

Let’s entwine some woodland magic into your wedding stationery design.

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