Whimsical Bliss: A Magical Forest Wedding at Harewood, Andover

Nestled in the heart of Andover you will find the enchanting Harewood Forest Wedding venue, a hidden gem of a venue that will hold a little piece of my heart forever. So, for those of you looking for a relaxed, outdoor and sustainable wedding day then you simply MUST consider Harewood.

This is the kind of wedding that will stay with me for a long time. The biggest compliment I can receive at a wedding is guests asking me how long I have been friends with the couple. But at this wedding I really did leave feeling like I had a whole bunch of new friends. Every single person welcomed me in with open arms, allowing me to capture them authentically, in an incredibly truthful way.

Bridal Prep by the Sea

Babette and Pete’s big day started in her hometown of Portsmouth, in a glorious Airbnb. An Airbnb which has now become the entire inspiration for my next home décor project. The house was a cocktail of; laughter, the perfect amount of wedding day chaos, good food, and set the tone for what would be a truly brilliant day.

An Intimate Ceremony, Harewood Forest Wedding

As the bridal party transitioned from the seaside to the heart of Harewood Forest, an intimate woodland ceremony awaited. Towering trees and dappled sunlight provided the perfect stage for Babette and Pete to exchange vows. Incorporating readings chosen by their mothers, as the rain started to hit the leaves, tears started hitting guest tissues.

Mismatched Bridesmaids and Flower Crowns in the Forest

The beauty of a Harewood Forest Wedding truly came to life when the bridal party appeared. As the Babette and her girls strolled through the trees in jewel toned dresses. It was breath-taking. The entire landscape transformed into a vibrant palette of emeralds and burgundies, harnessing the warmth of the forest. Flower crowns for each of the girls, added an almost fairy-like touch that enhanced the magic of the day. Babette and Pete were able to spend the next few hours laughing and chatting with their friends and family, many of whom had flown long distances to be reunited.

Family BBQ-Style Harewood Wedding Breakfast

Keeping with the relaxed theme, Babette and Pete opted for an informal sit down meal, which really did feel like a huge family dinner. There were plates passing back and forth, families playing cards and the comforting buzz of chatter. Whilst minimal decor is required at Harewood, the couple opted to adorn the canopy with strings of ribbon, all of which had been sourced and cut from spare pieces of fabric by the Mother of the Bride. An incredibly personal and beautiful addition.

Live Music Under the Canopy

The reception area became a concert hall as live music spread throughout the site. Babette and Pete decided to not only ask their incredibly talented friends to perform, but also treated their loved ones to a few original songs from their own performances as a duo. You know when you meet lovely, beautiful people and wonder: ‘is there anything you can’t do?’ yeah this whole wedding day was that feeling.

Dancing the Night Away

As the stars appeared, and couple portraits wrapped up, Babette and Pete invited their favourite people to join them on the dancefloor. The forest was quickly filled with music, laughter, joy and celebration. Surrounded by loved ones, they danced the night away. I packed up my kit, hugged many, many people goodbye and was guided from the venue by strings of fairy lights adorning the paths and trees.

Supplier Shout Out:
Venue: Harewood Forest
Makeup: Rachel Maslin

Are you currently planning your Harewood Forest wedding? I would love to document your celebrations. Fill out my contact form to check availability today.