Christine and Dan's humanist woodland ceremony was the most incredibly beautiful day to photograph. Before I even arrived at Woodland Farm, I was enjoying the fantastic sign posts pointing guests in the right direction, deeper into the Cornish countryside. I loved the car parking sign hanging next to the horses, the random chickens and goats watching what was going on, while friends and family put the final touches to the decorations in the barn and the woods. As I walked along the ribboned path into the woodland, I think I may have actually started skipping with joy - there were hay bales set up for the guests to sit on, a spread of bluebells on the ground and an enormous old beech tree, under which the ceremony was due to take place. Just one of the most magical locations I can imagine for a wedding ceremony.
And it was a truly magical day. With Dan ready and the guests gathered in the woodland, Christine walked under the ribboned trees, with the beautiful sound of the harp floating across the clearing. Christine and Dan said their own personal vows under the beech tree, and then tied an actual knot to symbolise their joining together in marriage. The sun filtered through the overhead tree canopy and the wind blew gently through the leaves. After the humanist ceremony, the guests enjoyed drinks in the courtyard, then followed the red carpet (dodging the farm dogs, who clearly thought the carpet was especially for them!) across to the decorated barn to continue the celebrations. There was a personal note from the bride and groom for each guest, waiting to be opened once they were seated. For the wedding favours, Christine had created a beautiful piece of art based on Dan and her profiles, and the guests were invited to choose a small brass piece of this to take away and use however they like. Suggestions on the brilliant explanation cards included a piece of jewellery, a Christmas decoration or a 'rear view mirror dangling thing'!
After a BBQ buffet meal, and some emotional and entertaining speeches, the wedding guests took part in a really fantastic treasure hunt through the woods, around the perimeter of the farmland and back to the barn, via the horse field! The deep forest was really spectacular, with a thick carpet of bluebells and more huge trees, set off by the evening light. When everyone finally made it back up to the barn, the evening celebrations began, with a fantastic game, racing to hammer your nail into a piece of wood, and a wonderful Cornish folk/rock band leading lots of dancing.
Going back to the brass favours, I keep my one attached to my camera bag. It is my own little wedding talisman now, carrying a little bit of the magic from Christine and Dan's day with me to every other gorgeous wedding that I photograph. Here is their lovely wedding day:
