HANDPICKED FLOWERS, HOMEMADE CROWNS & A PICNIC STYLE WHIMSICAL WEDDING
We’re Swooning Over This Charming DIY Countryside Wedding
If you grow up in Pilton, the home of Glastonbury festival then having a mini festival style wedding is an obvious choice! Bride Tasmin has been to Glastonbury every year since she was born and groom Jim went every year since he was 13! It’s also where the two of them met! (SWOON!) Check out how this couple paired their love for festivals with a relaxed DIY vibe and prepare to fall in love…
“We’re not religious but we struggled to find a venue for the ceremony that had the beauty of a church, but was within our budget. We were so lucky to find the registry office in Yeovil, Somerset which had just moved to the most beautiful medieval barn.” Said bride, Tasmin.
“For the reception we had a marquee in a beautiful field in Pilton, Somerset. We were extremely lucky – the field was lent to us by a friend and the marquee was hired from a local company recommended by a friend.”
“We both loved the idea of a mini festival style wedding in a field with camping, rather than all the formality, restrictions and stress of hiring a venue. Our vision was a lively, relaxed party with a festival vibe and that’s exactly what we got! I grew up in Pilton (home of the Glastonbury festival) and Jim grew up a couple of miles away. I’ve been to Glastonbury every year since I was born and Jim has been going since he was 13. It’s also where we met, so it’s a really special place for us!”
“We wanted a relaxed, festival vibe without any of the usual formalities and restrictions that can make weddings less enjoyable. We didn’t want our guests to feel like they were forced to do anything so we did have some speeches, but we kept them short and as we had 23 children running around and several dogs it meant it was chaotic, but in a good way. The food was informal and we did away with the usual sit down meal in favour of each table sharing a picnic hamper which made it much more communal and was great way to break the ice.”
“We had a very small budget and we weren’t afraid to pull in favours from fiends and negotiate or barter where we could. We also cut out the things that we found unnecessary ie wedding favours, chair covers, hiring wedding cars. My dress was brand new, but on eBay for £125 (£650 new) and our bridesmaids and groomsmen all bought their own outfits – when you have 11 bridesmaids and 9 groomsmen, this is a huge money saver! Also our parents were very generous and I designed some websites in exchange services for our suppliers (vintage decorations, crockery, cutlery etc., wedding cake, rings, flowers, sound & lighting,).”
“We had lots of DIY elements and our amazing creative friends all helped out massively with setting up, lending us bunting, making decorations etc and our amazing creative friends all helped out massively with setting up, lending us bunting, making decorations etc.”
“We designed and made our own save the dates which were simple recycled luggage tags with the details of our wedding website. This kept postage, printing and paper costs down as well as being eco friendly. Luckily I’m a web designer so it made more sense to have all the information online, you can see it here!”
“We also did our own catering; The canapes were made by my mum and friends as well as some mini Glastonbury pasties made by a local bakery ands served by the bridesmaids. Followed by a ploughman’s lunch in a communal style, so each table had a hamper to share. To fit in with the laid back, relaxed vibe we decided on picnic style food; ham, cheese, bread and salad, all sourced from suppliers within a couple of miles of our home, plus chutneys made by Jims mum and quiches and scotch eggs made by friends. It meant that each table had to get involved with cutting the food i.e. slicing bread etc. and helped everyone get to know each other. On the back of the great feedback we received, I have now started my own wedding catering company The Wild Picnic Company”
“We also made our own ‘Tamsin & Jim’s Damson Gin’ and each table had a bottle, which were polished off pretty sharpish and definitely helped with the atmosphere! We also ran our own bar, which not only saved us loads of money, but we actually made money on the bar.”
“Planning was really down to me, but I love planning and I had a spreadsheet for everything! I also wasn’t afraid to ask for help as we were lucky to have lots of talented friends, so we were able to use their services.”
“I had 11 bridesmaids and Jim had 9 groomsmen so we had a great pool of talent. The cake, rings and evening hog roast were all provided by friends at cost. Elements of the wedding breakfast were supplied by the guests as well as our yurt for the night. Our friends made a huge oak archway over the entrance to the field from old reclaimed barn beams (now made into shelves and a bench at our house). This was decorated with a gorgeous fabrics and light up LOVE letters. We had 100s of metres of beautiful handmade bunting made by our friends. Our friend Victoria also made over 500 paper origami birds which we strung up on cotton and decorated the back of the marquee which looked amazing.”
“I started planning as soon as we got engaged (11 months before), but we’d been to so many weddings and discussed what we did and didn’t like about them that it all naturally fell into place and it was pretty a stress free experience.”
“We did away with the usual timetable and rituals including a first dance, cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet, so this meant people were free to wander around and added to the relaxed vibe. We had a general plan, but no specific timings except the ceremony so it made the day flow more naturally.”
“My main tip is to think of the weddings you’ve been to in the past. What did you enjoy/made a lasting impression and what do you not really remember? Then make a list of priorities – ours were for us and our guests to feel relaxed on the day with good, simple food and lots of wine. Then cut out the things that don’t matter – i.e do you need real champagne or is cava or prosecco just as good? The only thing I would say you need to spend money on is a photographer because we’ve had friends who cut corners or used friends to take photos and really regretted it. We are so happy that we did as we love all our photos and she was absolutely amazing on the day, really helpful, completely unobtrusive and captured some great images.”
Photography: Liberty Pearl Photography // Food (bride) – The Wild Picnic Company // Website/invites (bride) – Digital Carrot // Flowers – Organic Blooms // Hog Roast – Unusual Pie Company // Vintage props & light up letters – Lighthaus events // Crockery and Vintage props – Eclectic Bliss // Face painters – The fash pack // Nails & Makeup – Angel-Oh // Rings – Alice Barratt //
Why We Love The Idea of a DIY Countryside Wedding
There’s something absolutely enchanting about a DIY Countryside Wedding. Picture this: rolling green hills, the sweet scent of wildflowers in the air, and the joyful chirping of birds as your wedding soundtrack. It’s the epitome of romance and simplicity, a perfect blend of nature’s charm and personal touches that make your big day uniquely yours.
A DIY Countryside Wedding offers an unmatched level of intimacy and personalization. Unlike traditional venues, the countryside provides a blank canvas where you can let your creativity shine. Imagine crafting your own floral arrangements using handpicked flowers from the fields or creating rustic table settings with repurposed barn wood and vintage china. It’s an opportunity to infuse every detail with a piece of your story, making the day not just memorable but deeply meaningful.
One of the greatest perks of a DIY Countryside Wedding is the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Gone are the rigid schedules and formalities of a traditional venue. Instead, you can enjoy a leisurely celebration where guests feel more like family and friends rather than attendees. The open space allows for fun outdoor activities, from lawn games to bonfires, creating an environment where everyone can relax and celebrate together.
Moreover, a DIY Countryside Wedding can be a budget-friendly option without sacrificing charm or elegance. By taking a hands-on approach, you can save on costs while still achieving a stunning aesthetic. For instance, sourcing local produce for a farm-to-table feast or using family heirlooms as decor adds a personal touch without breaking the bank. It’s a practical yet beautiful way to celebrate love in a setting that’s both picturesque and affordable.
You can get incredibly creative with some of your ideas, all without breaking the bank. Look for different vendors who can provide what you need. For example, the Clear Amber Shop offers different parts for roofing systems so you can create a wonderful outdoor experience when the weather is great. Looking for ways to make your wedding even more special can be part of the joy of wedding planning, especially if you can make a lot of things yourself. Even better, you can then reuse your wedding things for the rest of your life.
From my experience, attending a friend’s DIY Countryside Wedding was nothing short of magical. The couple’s personalities shone through in every detail, from the handcrafted wooden archway to the homemade pie dessert bar. It felt less like a formal event and more like a heartwarming gathering, celebrating not just their union but the community of loved ones supporting them.
In essence, a DIY Countryside Wedding encapsulates the essence of romance, personalization, and community. It’s a celebration of love in its purest form, set against the backdrop of nature’s beauty, making it a truly unforgettable experience. So, if you’re considering a wedding that’s uniquely you, with a touch of rustic charm and a lot of heart, a DIY Countryside Wedding might just be the perfect choice.
