Stef and Ash: A Magical Harry Potter Wedding
We first met childhood sweethearts, Stefanie and Ashley back in April 2018 when they came to us at the studio with an idea that we absolutely adored. Being 'Potter-heads' ourselves, the mention of Harry Potter was one that we could not resist.
They wanted us to create a bespoke design for them following a particular colour scheme which included small, subtle elements of Harry Potter throughout which were not over the top or tacky looking.
There is actually not a lot of Harry Potter wedding inspo out there so we had to design and create some cute new bits specifically for them. (which we absolutely loved doing!)
They had chosen the most incredible wedding venue, The Mill Barns in Bridgnorth to tie the knot.
As The Mill Barns is a purposefully designed wedding venue, the location and features are next to nothing. With a mini lake and surrounding water features, hidden walkways as well as its own accommodation on site, it is a phenomenal wedding venue whatever the weather.
On Saturday the 4th of May, we were allowed to arrive to set up super early due to the fact that we had a huge amount of styling to install before the guests arrived. We were in charge of all of the personalised signage, floral arrangements, full venue styling and almost everything in-between.
Stef had also asked us to create the bridal party flowers too. Following the specifications of dark foliage and big blooms, we used a selection of white peonies, ranunculus, big white roses and gorgeous Italian Ruscus greenery.
We also created gorgeous matching buttonholes for the gents and some floral corsages for the mums!
As soon as we arrived at The Mill Barns, our team divided into two for set up. Head stylist Lesley focused on styling the Ceremony Barn and the middle atrium which was the first priority as it was going to be the first place the guests would see when they arrive, whilst the rest of us started in the Wedding Breakfast Barn.
For the colour scheme, Stef and Ash had chosen Light Grey as their primary colour - which is super popular at the moment, with added natural wood textures, clear glass, white flowers, dark green foliage and silver accents. We made sure that these were prominent and visible throughout the whole styling design.
Stef and Ash were keen to go with a few modern wedding touches throughout their styling and chose our clear perspex Welcome sign which we decorated with some green ruscus foliage and placed outside the entrance doors for guests to see as soon as they arrived along with some large silver lanterns.
In the middle atrium room we placed a number of different additional decorations such as the guestbook table, a cards display for guests to drop off their well wishes and cards as soon as they arrived, and a special memory table with a lit candle for those who were no longer with us to help remember them.
Inside our card and memory sign frames, we added some single sprigs of foliage in between the glass to tie in with the styling theme. We find that it is these little additions that just finish off our displays and make them a little bit more special.
When deciding on a guestbook, Stef emailed us to ask for some ideas and suggestions that would fit in with their styling theme. We suggested that instead of a traditional guestbook, a large clear perspex sheet that guests were able to write upon with chalk pens and leave messages would be a great idea. This modern alternative fitted in with the styling just perfectly, especially as it matched the Welcome and Order of the Day sign and we loved making it for them! (Any excuse to make something new and exciting!)
We provided the chalk pens, some matching signage and extra greenery for this particular table.
As well as the three styled tables, in the Middle atrium room placed outside the Wedding Breakfast Barn was the acrylic table plan. We absolutely loved creating this personalised plan as it was one of the main Harry Potter references at the wedding - although it was super subtle and classy which was very important to the design of the wedding. With a topiary backdrop the tables had Harry Potter locations instead of table numbers! There was a Gringotts bank table, a Diagon Alley table and lots of others, plus of course the Top Table was the Hogwarts Castle! (Not sure how we'd feel if we were seated on the Azkaban table - jokes!)
In the Ceremony Barn, we took our new Wooden Hexagonal Archway on its first outing and placed it at the top of the aisle. We decorated in with dark green foliage and large hydrangea flowers to give it that wow factor. In addition to this, we added four silver lanterns with white candles.
On the altar table, we create two large "long and low" white floral arrangements full to the brim of big blooms which we then moved to the top table after the ceremony had finished. To finish off the room, we used fresh white rose petals sprinkled along the aisle, close to the chairs which then helped draw the eye up to the hexagonal archway.
Our new hexagon arch is available as part of our DIY Prop Hire so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd love it at your wedding! You can take a look at the prices for it here...
As well as the floral arrangements, we discretely moved the wooden hexagon arch into the Wedding Breakfast Barn behind the top table for the rest of the afternoon. The 'Hogwarts' table had light grey tablecloths with contrasting white decor whilst the guest tables had white cloths with light grey decor. (We like to make the Top table a little bit extra special for our clients!)
White chair sashes were tied with white ribbon and were filled with large bunches of greenery. In amongst the foliage and flowers we placed candles of different shades of green and different sizes. We used white charger plates and grey folded napkins with more sprigs of foliage along the top table and then finished off with personalised biscuit favours made by Belmont House Cakery, which we sourced for them.
The guest tables were round, with a grey chiffon table runner down the middle. A smaller wreath garland, made up of Ruscus and Eucalyptus, white Roses, Peonies and Hydrangeas and well as delicate smaller white flowers were placed in the middle of each table. Within those, hurricane vases and coloured candles were added and then a number of tea lights dotted around the outside.
They had silver charger plates, with white folded napkins, in contrast to the top table, but were finished off with the same marbled cookie favour and a little sprig of greenery. No two tables looked identical but did however look spectacular by design.
We also hung 100 metres of battery powered fairy lights down the middle over the tables, which looked amazing in the evening when the sun started to set and it was time to dance!
The cake and sweet table had light grey table cloths with tea lights and little bits of greenery to finish them off, and make sure that they fitted in with everything else. The gorgeous cake was created by the fabulously talented Laura Jane Cake Design and was the perfect match to our styling plan! - Just look at that hexagonal bottom tier!
This is one of the biggest weddings we had done to date, and we loved planning and creating every second of it.
The Mill Barns is an absolutely beautiful venue to work at and after styling this wedding we have been asked to join their recommended suppliers list. You can find us on their website here...!
Stef and Ash were just a wonderful couple to work with, they had clear ideas of what they wanted and how they wanted their day to feel, and to bring it all to life was very special for us.
We know that everyone had a wonderful day celebrating and we wish Stef & Ash a lifetime of happiness together.
Thank you for choosing us to style your beautiful day!
Always, The Rustic Wedding Company Team. xx
P.s. Huge thanks to Deb at Stott Weddings for capturing our work so beautifully through her gorgeous photography.