Rebecca and Toby's wedding day in Berkshire was a day full of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. From their show-stopping wedding barn, to the unique wedding favours, ultra cool decor and a wow wedding cake, their day was personal, creative, colourful and fun!
A Christmas Proposal
Rebecca and Toby's journey began in Farringdon, London, working just a few doors apart. After five and a half years and the addition of two beautiful children, Toby managed to surprise Rebecca on Christmas Day with a proposal. He said, "I wanted the proposal to be special and a day we could always remember and celebrate... plus Rebecca loves Christmas, so tied it all in!"
Rebecca was totally shocked! "I was always adamant that proposals should never be on another big day - like Valentine's Day, Christmas, birthdays etc" says Rebecca. "So to completely throw me off-course, Toby decided that mid-table laying on Christmas Day, whilst expecting guests any minute was THE perfect moment!?! He gave me a wrapped present to open, which he had to coax me to do as I was busy folding napkins and arranging crackers... but it was an illustrated print of matches with handwritten post-its stuck to it. He then ushered me to read the note aloud and by the time I had finished, he was down on one knee in front of me with a ring. I very rarely get surprised, but this was a one of those times, full of happy tears and excitement!"
A Gorgeous Barn Wedding Venue
After choosing to have their ceremony in St Mary's Church for its sentimental value, the couple wanted a wedding venue that offered a perfect blend of modern elegance and rustic charm. The Post Barn, located in Newbury, captured their hearts from the moment they set foot inside. The high beamed ceiling and picturesque grounds created a breathtaking backdrop, seamlessly blending with the unique and quirky decor they envisioned.
What set The Post Barn apart for the couple was not just its aesthetics, but the exceptional customer care shown by the team at the venue. Rebecca said "the staff at The Post Barn exhibited a level of professionalism and attention to detail that surpassed our expectations. They were all so friendly and went above and beyond to help us plan the day. Their warmth and genuine enthusiasm added an extra layer of joy to the planning and celebration itself."
The Fashion
Rebecca found her dream dress in a local Hungerford bridal boutique. She loved the designs of Anna Kara, specifically mentioning the romantic and contemporary feel of the dresses as being the main attraction. She chose a long sleeve gown with a tulle skirt and low v neckline. She looked absolutely gorgeous and the design on the bodice and skirt really reflected the fun and whimsical feel the couple had envisioned for their day. Rebecca completed her look with a boho half-up half-down hairstyle, pretty gold hair accessory and chapel length veil.
Toby opted for a suave olive green three-piece suit from House of Cavani. His focus was more on the colour and style than the designer. He paired the suit with a green tie, brown shoes and gold accessories. The groom's look worked effortlessly with the bride's chosen style!
In the wedding party there were five bridesmaids, two flower girls, five ushers, and two page boys. The bridesmaids, dressed in Maya bridesmaid dresses from ASOS, radiated a golden glow, capturing Rebecca's vision for their attire. The flexibility of the design, with different necklines, sleeves, and lengths, ensured each bridesmaid felt comfortable and looked stunning. On the groomsmen's side, the decision to have them wear their own grey suits with a green waistcoat to match Toby's suit, along with coordinating green ties, helped to keep a consistent style. Taking advantage of sales at various points throughout the year, the couple not only achieved a cohesive look but also saved on these elements where they could!
The Colour Scheme
Rebecca designed the wedding stationery and website. As a professional designer, it only made sense that the bride did this herself and we think she did an amazing job! Rebecca said that having to make a final decision on the "brand" of her wedding was the most challenging part of this, as she had so many ideas. The couple eventually chose a colour scheme of red pink, and white with elements of gold and green. The cohesive theme set the tone for the day and helped contribute to the playful vibe that the couple wanted.
The Ceremony
Rebecca and Toby chose to get married in St Mary's church in Thatcham. Rebecca said that choosing a church ceremony was a very personal decision "and it just felt right". For the bride, choosing the local parish church in the town she grew up in, made it even more special.
The ceremony featured four readings in total, all performed by close friends and family members. In particular, We are all a little weird by Dr. Seuss and All I know about love by Neil Gaiman, were the most memorable for the couple because they were both a juxtaposition of light-hearted and thought provoking.
The Wedding Breakfast and Food
When discussing the food they chose for their wedding breakfast, Rebecca said "one of the standout elements of our experience at The Post Barn was the food choices we had made for the day. We were able to attend a sample dinner, which allowed us to try a selection of starters, mains and desserts alongside the wine - it was a tough choice as we were conscious we wanted all of our guests to enjoy the food."
The couple chose to have canapés during the drinks reception and opted for a standout wedding menu which included a feasting board starter for each table featuring cured meats, camembert and flatbreads. For main, a traditional roast chicken with all the trimmings was served, and a delightful strawberry mille feuille was enjoyed for dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options catered to diverse preferences. Guests all praised the exceptional quality of the meal!
The Favours
Rebecca's love for Christmas inspired handmade crackers as table favors, each containing a 'bride & groom' sweet, a gold party hat, a joke, and a fact about someone else in the room. Tasselled bookmarks served as personalised name places.
The Entertainment
A live artist booth called 'Rubbish Portraits' provided entertainment during the day, drawing guests' headshots in three minutes. In the evening, the band 'Cosmic Balloon' created a lively and vintage atmosphere, making the celebration truly memorable.
The Unique & Personal Touches
Several unique touches added charm to the day, including a retro telephone guest book, a top table banner and a separate playlist for the toilets. A children's teepee and activities ensured the younger guests had their own special space and the couple opted for a fun and vintage Lambeth style, three-tiered wedding cake.
"At one point, we weren't even going to have a cake!" says Rebecca, "but as the colour theme and event styling evolved, and we sampled more and more delicious cakes - we knew we had to have something that reflected our style as an additional treat for guests too. The three tiers were each a different flavour and the cherries on top just finished it perfectly!"
Favourite Moments
For Rebecca, the highlight was sitting down at the head table with her husband and daughters, watching family and friends enjoy the day. For Toby, it was the breathtaking moment of watching Rebecca walk down the aisle, looking absolutely stunning as she became his wife.
Rebecca and Toby's wedding day was the perfect blend of love and creativity, with St Mary's Church and The Post Barn providing exceptional settings that surpassed expectations. We particularly loved the couple's creative and colourful decor choices. The look and feel of their wedding was truly a reflection of their individual styles and we love that they crafted a day that was uniquely theirs! The couple are now looking forward to an exciting family-moon through the Norwegian Fjords which will perfectly mark the next chapter for them as husband and wife.
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