What an honour it is to have a glimpse into a happy couple’s big day! Thank you, Aimee and Tom, for sharing your wedding day at Wilkswood Wedding Venue with us.
The gorgeous photos by Robin Goodlad Photography say it all, so sit back, read on, and prepare to be utterly inspired by this dreamy Dorset wedding!
Following on from their heart-meltingly beautiful marriage ceremony in St. George’s Church in the pretty Dorset village of Langton Matravers, Aimee and Tom had a wonderful treat in store for all their guests. With the help of Bellissimo Wedding Planners, the excited couple had brought together all the best parts of an English garden party and a rural village festival to create the loveliest of celebrations.
The setting of Wilkswood Wedding Venue could not be more idyllic, with the magnificent views towards the Dorset coast, and the rolling hills of the Isle of Purbeck all around. With such an amazing location and so much open space set aside just for you, you may well be tempted to invite everyone you know to share the celebrations; indeed with space for up to 500 guests, there’s no need to hold back!
No sleek wedding limousine here; fully embracing the rural location, Aimee and Tom jumped into a Landrover for an off-road adventure to meet their guests. The white satin ribbon on the front of a 4×4 is a wonderfully quirky touch, and the robust vehicle is just perfect for climbing up for a fabulous photo opportunity!
Not one to be put off by a little thing like a stunningly pretty white lace wedding gown, complete with train, Aimee was up straight up there too – after all, when it’s your wedding day, you set the rules!
Aimee and Tom were blessed with a delightfully sunny late spring day, but had they not been so fortunate, they would have been fully prepared. See that little glimpse of blue and pink peeking out from under that gorgeous dress?!
While the guests enjoyed the breath-taking scenery and convivial atmosphere, canapes and drinks were brought round. I love these rustic jam jar glasses with stripey paper straws – a little bit of nostalgia in a glass! Fish Face Events, run by Matt Cook, one time Head Chef at Marco Pierre White’s The Talkhouse, provided the food for the day. The company specialises in outdoors catering, producing excellent cuisine using fresh locally sourced ingredients.
As solemn as wedding vows are, there was plenty of time for fun at Tom and Aimee’s wedding, with Giant Jenga, Connect 4 and Swing Ball adding to the laid-back garden party atmosphere.
With a nod to the stunning Dorset coast just down the road, these classic striped deckchairs add a little touch of English seaside holiday to the proceedings, just as the hay bales capture the essence of a rustic barn dance or rural get-together. Both are perfect for gathering round to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones, and the fire pit provides an appealing focal point once evening falls.
A tantilising selection of cakes, presented on platters of sliced tree trunk, was admired by all the guests, and with an array of old favourites as mouth-watering as this, it would be hard to know where to start (or in my case, when to stop!). In keeping with the traditional English country theme, Aimee and Tom chose teatime treats and classics such as cherry Bakewell tarts, Victoria sponge with fresh raspberries and cream, Battenberg and Dorset treacle tart amongst others. All these delicious cakes were created by Lulubelles.
The natural, rustic theme was continued with this magnificent tiered wedding ‘cake’, lovingly hand crafted by Aimee’s mum; a wedding gift to last a lifetime and a wonderful reminder of their special day.
Of course, the decor is completely your choice at Wilkswood – the marquees offer a blank canvas, which you can decorate in your own unique style. Aimee and Tom created the most delightfully serene and romantic natural look; instead of grand central table displays, they opted for these pretty collections of old glass bottles and jars, wound with burlap, lace and twine, and filled with delicate flowers and foliage. The mix of whimsical gypsophila, allium, lisianthus, and a few ears of corn is utterly delightful.
As the light began to fade, Jalopy Pizza kicked into action, producing delicious handmade pizza for all the guests to enjoy. Using authentic Italian ingredients and adding toppings according to the tastebuds of each guest, the pizzas are cooked in wood-fired oven inside the vintage Peugeot van. Just what the guests needed to set them up for an evening of dancing, romance, and laughter.
Although nestled in the heart of the countryside, you needn’t worry that your guests will be uncomfortable or inconvenienced; while maintaining a pretty and rustic feel, the Wilkswood marquees are elegant and very well-equipped. Expect luxury toilets, water, electricity and adjacent car parking as standard.
At Wilkswood, the chilled party atmosphere can extend long into the night, and neither the bride and groom nor the guests don’t need to worry about how they’ll get home. The Honeymoon Yurt is the perfect retreat once the excitements of the day are finally drawing to a close. But don’t be mistaken; this is no ordinary tent – the bride and groom can spend their first night as a married couple in absolute luxury and total comfort. Waiting inside this 5 metre bell tent is a wrought iron bed made up with fresh crisp linen, a fully carpeted floor, electricity, pretty bunting, fairy lights and luxury rugs, a dressing table and mirror, champagne and chocolates. Definitely worth sneaking off from the party a little early for!
Guests can choose to hire one of the Wilkswood bell tents or simply bring their own.
What an amazing start to married life! Aimee and Tom had clearly thought through all aspects of the day to make this the wedding day of their dreams. Such attention to detail really paid off, with quaint and quirky touches to charm every guest, old and young, and make happy memories to last their lifetime together.
Wedding planner: Bellissimo
Photographer: Robin Goodlad Photography
Daytime catering: Fish Face Events
Cakes: Lulubelles Cakes of Dorset
Pizza: Jalopy Pizza
