Inspiration

Laura & Rachel's day at The Oakwood at Ryther was all about love and equality. The couple got ready together and separated to get dressed, then they had such an emotional first look! Both brides walked down the aisle with their fathers and both said their own personal vows. There wasn't a dry eye in the house! The afternoon was spent in the sun-drenched courtyard soaking it all in and posing for some amazing golden hours portraits by Recommended supplier, Abbie Sizer Photography. The couple chose Recommended supplier, The Wedding Shop, for their gift list and had a fun guest book from Recommended supplier, Audio Guest Book.


The Oakwood at Ryther LGBTQIA+ wedding

It’s cliche but try to remember, when making decisions, that this day is about you. Your guests will have a wonderful time being part of your day if it reflects you as a couple, so don’t feel pressured to do things in a specific way just because it’s tradition. Especially for LGBTQIA+ couples, remember there are no fixed traditions or expectations for us, so enjoy that freedom and plan your wedding to bring you and your partner the greatest happiness on your special day.

Laura & Rachel

The Oakwood at Ryther

Laura & Rachel envisioned a relaxed and romantic, botanical vibe for their day. The couple chose The Oakwood at Ryther as the backdrop for their day! They styled the venue by themselves using hundreds of candles and real potted plants. Laura & Rachel used lots of fragrant plants such as lavender and rosemary, which the guests actually got to take home at the end of the evening! The Oakwood at Ryther has beautifully planted white and purple flowers around the venue, which the florist mirrored beautifully with the bouquets. Everything ties together so well! Both Laura & Rachel's lace wedding dresses even carry the romantic, botanical theme perfectly!

Wedding Traditions

The Oakwood at Ryther wedding was traditional in many ways but in others, it was totally unique to the couple. Laura & Rachel included traditions that they liked, such as their Dad’s walking them down the aisle. Those traditions they didn’t like reimagined! For example, Laura & Rachel chose to get ready together in the morning and had a Thai feast for the wedding breakfast! Once their hair and makeup were done, the couple separated to get dressed and have finishing touches added to their bridal looks. Then, they did a private first look! It took away a lot of nerves and the couple were so glad they built this into the morning, it was a very emotional moment!

Everyone looks better at golden hour, so having some golden hour portraits is a must!

When your photographer tells you to go have some golden hour photos done - go with them! Abbie & Lee stole us away from our guests just after the speeches had ended and took us into a grass meadow to take some golden hour pictures. We were so relaxed by this point; the photos they captured are incredible! The evening summer sun and our ‘just married’ joy, along with our photographers’ creativity produced absolute magic and we cannot get enough of the pictures!

Laura & Rachel

Loving Laura & Rachel's The Oakwood at Ryther wedding? Then here's plenty more LGBTQIA+ wedding inspiration to get you in the feels. The cosy fairy lights at this couple's ceremony really set the mood! Don't underestimate the importance of good ambience at your wedding! Here is our wedding lighting inspiration and our wedding reception playlist!

Leah Blundell

Written by Leah Blundell

Featured suppliers

Venue: The Oakwood at Ryther | Photography: Abbie Sizer Photography | Videography: James Turner | String Quartet: India Rose Strings | Florist: Hyde Park Flower Club | Food: The Outside Kitchen | Cake: Absolutely Caked | Hair: Emma Totty | Makeup: KPA Artistry | Wedding Dress: Madison James, Madi Lane | Bridal Boutique: Dotty Bridal | Shoes: Moda in Pelle, Charlotte Mills | Stationery: Birdhouse | Favours: St Gemma’s Hospice | Honeymoon Provider: Trailfinders | Seamstress: West Yorkshire Seamstress | Photo Booth: Booth Revolution | Guest Book: Audio Guest Book | Dog Chaperone: Bow Wow Vow

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