Real Wedding: Bohemian Luxury at Happy Valley - Norfolk Wedding Venue
The flowers, the venue, the dress, the wedding cake – everything about Caitriona & Liam’s wedding at Happy Valley in Norfolk is filled with boho-luxe inspiration and we are so excited to be sharing it with you on the blog. If you haven’t already spotted it gracing the pages of Rock My Wedding, you’re in for a real treat today. C & L were a gorgeous couple and it was a pleasure to support them in the final stages of planning and to manage their day to ensure their celebration was everything they had envisioned. We’re sure you’ll be as smitten as we are when you see their stunning images by Aurora Grey Photography.
A TRULY PERSONAL DAY
The couple wanted a wedding day that gathered their loved ones together so that everyone could relax, unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They made a weekend out of it, with guests enjoying the luxury of Bumble Bell Tents on-site. “The weekend was about bringing everyone we loved to one place,” explains Caitriona. “The meeting and mixing of families and friends was the whole inspiration behind our wedding. We are so lucky to have such fantastic families and friends and it was so special watching everyone meet and putting faces to names and stories.” It was therefore our mission to allow everyone to truly relax and enjoy the whole wedding weekend, we took over the final weeks of planning, managing the bar and front of house to support the relaxed style catering and supported the styling on the day.
Festoon LIGHTING & PINK FLORALS
The gorgeous setting of this Norfolk wedding venue was a bonus, offering a luxurious country retreat for their guests to experience over a long weekend. There’s even a wood-fired hot tub that you can take a dip in under the stars – it’s as magical as it sounds! C & L fell for its charm, despite the fact that just a few weeks before visiting, the Hay Barn was a working cattle shed. It’s hard to imagine the ‘before’ scene, as on their wedding day it featured festoon lighting, pink floral displays, rustic wooden trestle tables and elegant drapes that adorned the ceiling. Once a blank canvas, it was transformed into the epitome of rustic-luxe and we’ll never tire of seeing photographs of their celebration - you know how we love a venue transformation!
OUTDOOR CEREMONY OF DREAMS
Seeking a relaxed, nature-inspired ceremony, the couple chose to exchange their vows in the woodland clearing, with the aisle lined with jaw-droppingly beautiful blooms by The Wild Folk Florist and we set out rustic chairs courtesy of Dotty Events & Hire that we later transported to the reception barn. The bride’s uncle, Jonny, wrote and conducted the whole ceremony, and even though it’s something he’d never done before, we can all agree that he smashed it. We loved how unique their ceremony was – with input from family members, full of light-hearted yet meaningful moments, and of course the beautiful backdrop.
The floral design for Caitriona & Liam’s Norfolk wedding really did steal the show, with envy-inducing pops of pink, deep reds and subtle hints of ivory. The bride tells us, “The styling was more of a last-minute thought and was actually all down to Natalie, our amazing florist! She had such a great vision and worked tirelessly to bring it all together.”
DREAMY, DIY DETAILS
While their wedding was full of dreamy details that are guaranteed to inspire your very own special day, it was the oodles of personal touches that made it so special. They didn’t hesitate to welcome their loved ones to get involved either, meaning everyone could be a part of their celebrations and really enjoy themselves. The groom’s sister, Beth, made their three-tier semi-naked wedding cake and 150 cupcakes – his whole family were up at the crack of dawn to ice and decorate the cupcakes ahead of the ceremony. It was a team effort, with friends arriving on Friday and joining us with the set up as it was so important to C&L that it was a full family affair – from collecting pinecones to helping us lay the tables, you name it, they did it.
The bride-to-be rocked a stunning lace gown by Hermione De Paula and gold platform shoes by Saint Laurent for her aisle style, while her team of bridesmaids looked oh so pretty in pink to match the blush bouquets and aisle flowers. All of this was beautifully captured by their wedding photographer, Aurora Grey Photography.
SUPPLIER CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY AURORA GREY PHOTOGRAPHY | VENUE HAPPY VALLEY | PLANNERS THE WEDDING PLANNERS | BRIDAL DESIGNER HERMIONE DE PAULA | BRIDE SHOES SAINT LAURENT | BRIDESMAID DRESSES & OTHER STORIES | GROOM’S SUIT CAD & THE DANDY | DRINKS EAST COAST BARS | CAKE BETHAN JONES | FLOWERS THE WILD FOLK FLORIST | MAKE-UP ARTIST HARRIET STEVENS | ENTERTAINMENT – JUICY DJ | DÉCOR & HIRE DOTTY EVENTS & HIRE | TRANSPORT EAGLES COACHES | BELL TENT HIRE BUMBLE BELL TENTS | FOOD ALEX CHEF | BBQ ANDY LOW ‘N’ SLOW | BAND THE HOUSE DEVILS | CROCKERY HIRE WHITE CHINA