THAT FESTIVAL FEELING

Alex and Guy enjoyed a church ceremony followed by a wedfest-style party that enjoyed a country-inspired sage-green, blush-pink purple and gold colour theme

Images courtesy of Gabrielle McMillan Photography

Alex Bucknall and Guy Wilson married on 18th September 2021 at All Saints’ Church, Rotherfield Peppard followed by a reception at Rectory Farm.

Alex and Guy met through Alex’s cousin Rob who ended up being one of Guy’s ushers. “Rob came to live with my family and joined Henley College where he met a group of friends, including Guy,” Alex tells us. “He invited him to the house one day and we met and hit it off immediately!”

After being together for more than 10 years, Guy still managed to surprise Alex with the proposal. “In early November 2020 (just before the second lockdown) we travelled to Scotland to stay at our friend Henry’s parents’ house for a few days,” Alex tells us. “We joined Henry on a woodland walk, following a stream up a hill to an open expanse of the countryside with views across the hills and loch. Guy popped the question there but he hadn’t told Henry that he was planning this! Naturally, Henry became another one of our ushers.”

SETTING THE SCENE

“We wanted a blank canvas for our special and didn’t want to be bound by any rules or restrictions, especially given the uncertainty around the pandemic at the time,” Alex tells us. “We booked All Saints’ Church, Rotherfield Peppard which is the village where Guy’s parents live. Guy was a regular attendee there during his primary school years and when one of our wedding planners, who just happens to live in the rectory farmhouse next door, said that we could use her horse field for our marquee reception, it felt like it was meant to be. Our guests only had to walk 100 metres from the church to the reception and were greeted by an open field surrounded by sloping woodland with far-flung views.”

The couple wanted to create a relaxed festival vibe at their reception with a party atmosphere. “We chose a sage-green and blush-pink colour theme with pops of purple and gold,” Alex explains. “The flowers were always going to take centre stage because we wanted to showcase local, seasonal blooms with as much texture and scent as possible. We also wanted to keep our suppliers as local as possible in keeping with our sustainable values.”

Alex and Guy decided on an understated vibe to decorate the inside of the marquee to allow the flowers and food to stand out. “We had four long tables, plus a top table, dressed with white table cloths, napkins, chairs and brushed-gold cutlery,” Alex says. “Our place names, menus, table names and order of services were all printed in the same design; white with a subtle light pink and green floral pattern. Our table plan was a key element of the day – I printed a black and white polaroid image of each guest and tied them with ribbon on to a large board. Each table name was listed under the relevant photograph and we chose names including Rose, Eucalyptus, Thistle, Snowberry and Dahlia after some of their real counterparts. Guests had to find their faces to discover their table name which meant that they didn’t know exactly who they were seated with, which made the day all the more fun. We spent a long time setting the seating plan combinations, so being sat at the top table watching the hand-picked combinations of people deep in conversation was really rewarding - we even have one relationship that has since blossomed!”

“Our planners, Annabel and Jane, were incredible. Having them manage the day allowed us to sit back and enjoy it without a care in the world.

“Our guests pre-booked bell tents in the adjacent field to stay in overnight.” - Alex and Guy

The entrance to the marquee was decorated with flowers and Alex and Guy gave each guest a packet of wildflower seeds as one of their favours. “The other one was a cork with Alex & Guy and our wedding date printed on it that our wine supplier had printed for us,” Alex explains. “Our wonderful florist had also made a large floral spiral that was wrapped around one of the central poles inside the marquee, as well as tall centrepieces using varieties that complemented one another which tied everything together. We had a couple of gold urns in the church that were repurposed to sit behind the top table, and the pew ends were also tied around the external marquee poles. The only floral aspect created for the church that wasn’t reused was the half arch over the entrance which looked fantastic in the family photographs.”

The couple’s decision to hire a wedding car was a last-minute one that they’re glad they did. “We had a black and white Royale Windsor to take my parents and me to the wedding which also transported Guy and his best man from their hotel earlier that morning,” Alex tells us. “With the reception being so close to the venue, the original idea was for us to walk to the field along with everyone else, but it was wonderful to go for a 10-minute drive around the block in the sunshine with the roof down after the ceremony. It turns out that that’s the only time we got alone with each other all day!”

The catering was taken care of by Simon who had recently taken over at Alex’s parents’ local pub where he had transformed its food scene. “He created some delicious dishes using fairly local, seasonal produce,” Alex explains. “Our guests were offered a choice of five canapés during the reception and for the wedding breakfast, the main course was banquet-style food that everyone could share. There was roasted lamb shoulder with salsa verde, peri-peri butterflied chicken, fire-roasted potatoes with blackened courgettes, and light summer salads. Most of the main course was cooked on an open fire and we strategically placed one of the grills within sight of the guests to add a little theatre! Cheeseboards were placed on the tables in time for the speeches instead of dessert and there was a doughnut wall later on. During the evening, guests tucked into chicken sliders, lamb flatbreads and roasted veggie paninis. This went down a treat with any guests who weren’t permanently attached to the dancefloor!” Alex says.

Guy’s sister is a keen baker, so the couple trusted her with the task of making their wedding cake and she did not disappoint. “It was a three-tier naked cake featuring three different flavours and buttercream icing,” Alex describes. “It was decorated with flowers and a brushed-gold cake topper.”

LOOKING THE PART

Alex wore the dress called Astrid by the designer Suzanne Neville. “I went along to my appointment at the Beaconsfield-based Ellie Sanderson

“Go to your dress fitting with an open mind because you never know what you might find.” - Alex

Boutique convinced that I wanted a long-sleeved lace gown but after trying on many different styles, Kirsty at the boutique showed me Astrid,” she explains. “As soon as I tried it on, I knew it was the one.”

Alex teamed her dress with a single-tiered veil decorated with small tulle butterflies and pearls. “I wore a pearl hair slide, a pair of block heels decorated with a large pom pom, an amethyst necklace which my grandmother had given to me for my 21st birthday and my something borrowed was a gold and sapphire ring from my mother worn on my right hand.”

Guy chose a morning suit made especially for him that consisted of a black jacket and grey trousers. “Being 6’5” he hadn’t found anything that fitted him properly,” Alex tells us. “He chose a stylish sandy-coloured waistcoat and green silk tie which looked fabulous and he ended up doing the splits in his suit!” Our ushers rented morning suits in the same style as Guy’s teamed with grey waistcoats, matching green ties and cufflinks.”

The couple’s bridesmaids wore misty green full-length, sleeveless dresses featuring a cowl neck and satin ribbon tied around the waist. “Alex had requested for all the ladies who were attending the church to wear hats or fascinators, which meant that the congregation all looked really smart,” Alex says.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

During the evening, there was a firepit placed outside the marquee surrounded by festoon lighting and deckchairs. “We had a saxophonist based in the bar area who played pop covers,” Alex says. “He provided just the atmosphere we wanted! It was an effective way of incorporating live music into the reception without having to have multiple musicians. In the evening, we had a fantastic DJ who generally played dance music but mixed some 70s and 80s songs into modern beats which was a huge hit with everyone!”

THE DREAM TEAM

Photographer, Gabrielle McMillan Photography, 07776 191 514, www.gabriellemcmillan.com | Church ceremony, All Saints’ Church, Rotherfield Peppard, www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5977 | Marquee, Sail Tent Company, 0118 380 5570, www.sailtentcompany.co.uk| Planners, Annabel and Jane at Queenie & Belles, 07530 887 597, www.queenieandbelles.events | Bride’s dress, Suzanne Neville at Ellie Sanderson, 01494 674 440, https://elliesanderson.co.uk | Bride’s shoes, Charlotte Mills, 0161 971 1827, https://charlottemills.com | Hair and make-up, Gina Trinchese Hair and Makeup, 07712 165 967, www.facebook.com/ginatrinchesehairandmakeupartist | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Maids to Measure, www.maidstomeasure.com | Groom’s suit, Martin Pryke Tailoring London, 07966 245 966, https://martinpryketailoring.co.uk | Flowers, Floral Circus, 07778 549 412, www.floralcircus.co.uk | Transport, Christophers Wedding Cars, 01189 760 845, www.christophers.co.uk | Stationery, Twist Stationery, www.etsy.com/shop/TwistStationery | DJ, Will Kayll, www.instagram.com/wkayll | Saxophonist, Robert Benson Saxophon, 07708 224 226, https://robertbensonsaxophone.co.uk | Catering, Simon Cromack from The Baskerville, 01189 403 332, www.thebaskerville.com | Videographer, Tom Pollard Films, 07989 301 670, www.tompollardfilms.com | Bar, The Fat Pony Social Club, 07596 897 337, www.facebook.com/thefatponysocialclub | Honeymoon Travel Agent, Savile Row Travel, 01491 575 987, www.savilerowtravel.com