I had another blog feature planned for today, but then I found out it is my colleague Samantha’s fourth wedding anniversary today, and naturally I felt that sharing some snippets from her beautiful wedding was much more appropriate.

Samantha came into my life a couple of years ago when I was looking for someone to become a blog features writer – up until that point it had just been me running The Natural Wedding Company directory and writing the blog. I loved her enthusiasm and obvious love for weddings, I loved that she had become a mum at a similar time to me and had a little boy near in age to my little girl, and I loved that she had been inspired by childhood books The Flower Fairies for her wedding.

Whilst we don’t get to see each other very much because we live at opposite ends of the country, she has become such an important part of my life and the fabric and future of The Natural Wedding Company. So today while she celebrates four years of marriage with her husband Paul, our blog will celebrate that day four years ago when they said their “I do’s”.

Here’s to celebrating true love (these two are truly my idols when it comes to romance – you’ll see what I mean from Paul’s proposal) and to living out our girlhood dreams of being Flower Fairies. Put on a suitable romantic song, turn it up loud and enjoy this sweet celebration of marriage. Over to Samantha for a few snippets from her wedding…

A wedding inspired by The Flower Fairies

I have deep down (ok, not that deep down) always wished to be a flower fairy, therefore wanted to create the feeling of a magical world in the depths of the woods for everyone to enjoy. Luckily Paul didn’t even bat an eyelid when I suggested that we go for a woodland inspired ‘theme’ which would feature giant strawberries.

A romantic proposal

It was our Friday night date night and we walked to our local little pub for a drink before heading to our favourite restaurant for dinner. After our dinner, we went for a walk through the ruins and gardens in Christchurch, as we approached the Priory gardens there was an archway covered in fairy lights.

As we got nearer he asked if I wanted to know what a tattoo he had done in elvish a couple of months ago meant (it can be found on his ass in the shape of a heart!). With that he got down on one knee under the arch, and quoted his tattoo ‘I wished upon a shooting star, that you, my love, my everything would marry me’ and produced my beautiful sparkly ring! It was so perfect!

A personalised wedding reading

One of the most personal parts of our day was a reading that my sister did in the church. She had written it herself, a quirky touching poem that she initially read out at my hen do whilst we were all huddled in a tent dressed as fairies drinking out of willy straws. It was so sentimental and beautiful I asked if she would read it in church, she was so nervous about it as it was her own work.

Even though the girls and I knew what was coming we couldn’t hold back the tears again and apparently my dad was balling it. It is things like this that make your day so special and not always the little details that you meticulously plan and create to style your day.

Don’t lose sight

Obviously there will be stressful moments but remember that hopefully this will be your once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy this exciting time, so take in every moment and try not to let it stress you out. I revelled in every single part of the planning, but don’t lose sight of the reason behind it all.

I know it is a given but it truly was the happiest, most special day of our lives and not only are we are truly blessed to have each other but to have the most wonderful family and friends that one could wish for.

If you would like to see even more of Samantha’s wedding and read about all the details she made, you can view it here.

{ Details }

Photography: Amie Herriott
Venue: Christchurch Priory + Sopley Lake in Christchurch Dorset
Wedding Planner: RSVP Weddings & Events
Wedding Dress: Benjamin Roberts from Special Occasions
Flowers & Flower Crown: Jay Archer Floral Design