DIY Garden Wedding Reception

If we were to write a guide on how to create your dream DIY garden wedding reception, Emma & Jonny's big day would basically be it. In fact, we're not sure even we could have pulled this one off... From the horsebox bar to the boho wedding breakfast tables, this day is bursting with inspiration! Decor inspo? Check. Outfit inspo? Double check. (Illustrated leather jacket. That's all we're saying). Bridal hair inspo? Major check. Emma's boho braids from talented Recommended supplier Poppy Tallulah were simply the icing on the cake for this wedding which is basically a Pinterest board in the making. Pair this with lovely stationery from Recommended stationer Papier and having Recommended supplier Prezola as their gift list of choice, and you've got a wedding that ticks all our boxes. Feeling inspired already? We've only just started with this one, grab some pen and paper as we have a feeling you're going to want to take some notes...

Boho summer wedding with DIY decor and golden hour garden wedding reception at home.

Our aim was to create a day with no pressure or worry, just fun! Especially after the past year. Family-only, and a join-in-and-help-if-you-can atmosphere. Our vibe was totally relaxed, slightly wild and messy but a homemade and personal kind of day.
Emma & Jonny

White wedding table plan on pine wood easel with photos and title reading 'Take Your Seats'

Dark blue horse box bar in field with lightbulb fairy lights, 'Silly Filly' sign and hanging plants for garden wedding reception

White table plate names with printed name on rustic wedding table at garden wedding reception

Glass drinks dispenser with cucumber and mint infused water on rustic table spread inside tipi at garden wedding reception

Rustic wedding table settings with dried flowers, bubble glasses and wooden chairs at wooden wedding breakfast table for garden wedding reception in tipi

Frayed rustic table place mat with white plate, beige napkin and dried lavender for rustic wedding breakfast on wooden table at harden wedding reception

Worn patterned run with light blue block heels at garden wedding reception

White wedding dress with cami straps and train hangs from the stairs in a hallway before garden wedding reception

Pearl necklace in red box resting on wooden chair and veil before garden wedding reception

Bride with long curled brown hair, braids and flowers sits whilst getting her hair done before her wedding

Laughing bride with long brown hair, white cami top and beige cardigan gets ready for her wedding

Bride with long brown hair with braid irons white shirt in kitchen with brother before wedding day

Bride with flowers in her hair adjust bridesmaids flower crown in hallway before wedding

Bride with long curled brown hair and braids puts earrings in mirror next to hung up cami wedding dress and wetsuit

Bride in white cami wedding dress with gold ribbon waistband and flowers in her hair adjusts her dress with wedding guest before wedding

Vicar in white robes and mask stands in sunlit churchyard before wedding

Bride in white cami dress and light blue block heels gets out of green Mazda holding multi coloured bridal bouquet

Bride with long brown curled hair and white cami wedding dress with gold ribbon waistband holding multicoloured bridal bouquet walks towards wedding whilst man in blue suit and tie holds her train

Bride in white cami wedding dress holding multicoloured bridal bouquet walks up the aisle arm-in-arm with man in blue suit and pink buttonhole as groom in dark blue suit looks on

Smiling bride in white cami dress and gold ribbon waistband points at smiling groom in blue suit and bowtie at the altar during wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami wedding dress with gold ribbon waistband smiles at the vicar whilst holding hands with groom in blue suit during wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami dress with train and veil kisses groom in blue suit at the altar during wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami wedding dress with train and veil celebrates holding the hand of groom in blue suit and bow tie at the altar after wedding ceremony

Wedding guest in blue suit, black shoes and pink buttonhole sits playing a guitar during wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami dress holding multicoloured bridal bouquet walks down the church aisle hand-in-hand with groom in blue suit and bow tie after wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami wedding dress holding multi-coloured bridal bouquet and groom in blue suit and bow tie smile as wedding guests throw confetti after church wedding ceremony

DIY DECOR

Where to begin? We guess we'll start with location... The garden wedding reception took place at Emma's family home complete with wildflower meadow, tent set up by family and enough bunting and fairy lights to fulfil our summer garden party fantasies. Emma's mum also whipped up some sausage-roll canapés that we can only imagine went down an absolute storm! This was truly a family affair with one brother constructing the quirky horse box bar, another staffing it with him and some willing housemates, and the third decorating his old Mazda for their wedding ride. One of them even played guitar and sang 'Wonderful World' by Sam Cooke during the signing of the register. So, is hiring some handy brothers for your wedding a thing? Or are we going to have to start something here?

INSPIRATION

Emma & Jonny used Rock My Wedding, Instagram and Pinterest to find inspiration for their wedding. They found hair and make up artist Poppy Tallulah and their incredible florist Three Wild Flowers through Rock My Wedding and oh boy did the florals bang. The bouquet was a colourful explosion, with the flower arch at the church making for a dramatically romantic touch. The wild and boho theme of the day was nailed by Poppy with the bridal braids, and she also used one of Emma's late grandmother's pearl clips to tie the look together with a sentimental twist. They kept suppliers as local as possible, but did widen the search for their photographer. After looking at the golden hour shots and wiping away a happy tear, we can safely say that was definitely worth the effort...

Bride in white cami dress holding multicoloured wedding bouquet laughs with groom in blue suit and bow tie under multicoloured floral arch outside church after wedding ceremony

Groom in blue suit and bow tie smiles at the camera whilst holding up red leather personalised hip flask after church wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami dress and flowers in her hair holds green bottle of cider whilst sat in convertible green Mazda after wedding ceremony

Bride throws arm in the air as groom in blue suit drives green Mazda away from church wedding ceremony

Bride in white cami wedding dress and train holding multicoloured bridal bouquet smiles at groom in blue suit and bow tie in tipi with strung fairy lights and wooden tables at garden wedding reception

Bride in white dress and long veil holding multi coloured wedding bouquet walks into field hand-in-hand with groom in blue suit at garden wedding reception

Bride in white dress and long veil holding multi coloured wedding bouquet into the air walks into field hand-in-hand with groom in blue suit at garden wedding reception

Smiling bride in white cami wedding dress and gold ribbon waistband smiles at floor whilst groom in blue suit and bow tie rests his forehead on hers at garden wedding reception

Bride in cami wedding dress and gold ribbon waistband with braided hair and long wedding veil stands with groom in blue suit in field at garden wedding reception

Bride in white cami wedding dress and long curled hair stands in field holding multicoloured bridal bouquet with golden, pink and white flowers

Bride and groom hold arms up throwing the shaka gesture in front of the sky at garden wedding reception

Groom in dark blue suit, bow tie and pink floral button hole adjusts cuffs whilst stood in field at garden wedding reception

Groom in blue suit looks at brides hand painted bridal leather jacket for the first time in field at garden wedding reception

Bride in white dress and floor length veil stands smiling in field whilst wearing hand painted leather bridal jacket at garden wedding reception

Bride in white cami wedding dress stands in between two bridesmaids in blush pink bridesmaids dresses as they hold up multicoloured wedding bouquets at garden wedding reception

Girl in white dress holds flower behind her back at garden wedding reception

Groom in blue suit makes speech in tipi at garden wedding reception as emotional bride watches

Smiling bride in white cami wedding dress sits on bench in tipi at garden wedding reception watching groom make speech

Interior of tipi with string fairy lights at garden wedding reception with rustic wedding breakfast tables with guests raising a glass

Three cheesecakes on wooden boxes with black sign inside tipi at garden wedding reception

Exterior of grey tipi with string fairy lights and bunting at garden wedding reception

Guest picks up espresso martini from horse box bar at garden wedding reception

Bride in white cami dress with flowers in her hair and groom in waistcoat and white shirt with rolled up sleeves sit together and kiss in field with two dogs at garden wedding reception

Bride in white cami wedding dress with gold ribbon waistband hugs groom in white shirt, waistcoat and bow tie as they kiss in field at garden wedding reception

Bride in white cami wedding dress with gold ribbon waistband smiles as she walks through field at golden hour during garden wedding reception

Groom in white shirt, waistcoat and bow tie looks off into the distance with hand on hip whilst holding an espresso martini during golden hour at garden wedding reception

If you're looking to create a completely unique and personal wedding, then Emma & Jonny have shown that working with what you have can be all you need. Whether it's some DIY table decor or a garden wedding reception, let this be your inspiration to create a wedding that's really you.

Any advice for couples planning their wedding? DIY! Ok, so yes, it's more work and potentially more stress in the lead up. But oh my, you'll feel so proud of everything and everyone when you pull it off! It felt incredibly special knowing that the day was better than our wildest dreams and so different to anything anyone had been to before. Being able to have total freedom let us add lots of quirky personal touches too!
Emma & Jonny

Managed to get all that down? Time to type up your notes and get planning! If this garden wedding reception has got you measuring up your own back yard, then you'll want to check out these other garden weddings. However, if the DIY spark has been ignited, we've got some stellar tutorials that will have you crowned craft queen before you can say DIY table plan. Happy watching!