“What a beautiful day, the venue couldn’t have looked anymore perfect”
“What a beautiful day, the venue couldn’t have looked anymore perfect”
Natalya Williams – September 2017
“It was a really great way to organise a wedding fair – made it stand out from the fairs we have attended before”
“Just to say thanks once again for inviting us over to Cogges last Sunday.
The photos look great and we thought it was a really great way to organise a wedding fair, with all the products arranged as if it were an actual wedding and made it stand out from the fairs we have attended before.
If we can help out with anything in future or work together in any way please give us a shout.”
Goujon Monkey – September 2017
“The whole event was brilliant – so well organised and the barn looked truly amazing”
“Thanks so much for involving Mabel & Rose – I thought the whole event was brilliant – so well organised and the barn looked truly amazing.
I’m sure it will have given couples lots of ideas and the photographs are great.
Well done you – I hope you’ve given yourself a well deserved pat on the back and manage to get a bit of a rest before you move onto the next one!
Thanks again and yes, very much hope to work with you again in the future.”
Claire, Mabel & Rose – September 2017
“This is the best Wedding Open Day I’ve ever been to”
“This is the best Wedding Open Day I’ve ever been to.
We loved the Wedding Open Day at Cogges today, it was an amazing collaboration of alternative suppliers and looked absolutely amazing and had a fantastic atmosphere!
It was so much more relaxed and welcoming than the usual wedding fayres that are held. I’m sure all involved and those that visited felt this too.
Congratulations for pulling it all together and the very best of luck with your blogs!”
Linda’s Vintage Hire – September 2017
“Thanks for all your hard work”
“Thanks for all your hard work”
Yvonne, Pretty Big Flowers – September 2017
“Just incredible what you pulled together”
“I for one am really delighted and hugely appreciative for all you’ve done and put into today.
Just incredible what you pulled together. An actual genius and epitome of swan swimming upstream in a hurricane”
Kim, Cogges Manor Farm – September 2017
MODELS WANTED: winter hygge styled bridal shoot
Hanami Dream are looking for ‘the boy and girl next door’ type models for a winter hygge styled wedding shoot with a literary theme. The shoot will take place at a beautiful venue near Lechlade, Gloucestershire this October half term.
- Female – think Tess Daly or Margot Robbie (from the Will Smith film Focus) approximately 20-30 years old, 170 cms tall or less, size 10-14
- Male – think Chris Hemsworth (though not with the hair extensions in the film Thor), approximately 25-35 years old, around 175 cms tall, 40” chest, 32” waist
The shoot will be approximately 2-3 hours in the afternoon of Wednesday 25th October (weather permitting) and will provide some fantastic lifestyle shots for your portfolio (it’s also great as an engagement shoot or brilliant practice being in front of a camera before your big day).
One fitting prior to the date may be necessary. Own transport is required to GL7 3RB.
This project is supporting and showcasing local, independent wedding businesses – everyone provides their services and products for free and in return gets some wonderful lifestyle shots to use at a later date. This is a collaboration of like minded people that create great things together though don’t have the budgets to produce this kind of work if they all worked independently. See the images from Hanami Dream’s last styled bridal shoot.
If you’re available and would like to be involved in this fantastic styled bridal shoot then please email Hanami Dream on info@www.hanamidream.co.uk including
- a quick intro
- your stats
- a contact number and
- 2 images of yourself (1 x face shoot, 1 x full length)
“Well done on organising such a fantastic shoot”
“Well done on organising such a fantastic shoot, the images are really beautiful”
Sarah, Oakwood Events – July 2017
Inspiration: modern Edwardian Secret Garden wedding
Based on The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (published in 1911), this modern Edwardian styled wedding shoot is a perfect harmony of traditional and contemporary elements brought together with sheer glamour and sophistication. Planned and designed by Hanami Dream and wonderfully captured by Squib Photography.
This elegant and delicate wedding is set in the grounds of a local English Manor House in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds of the UK (also used in the filming of another 1910s drama, Downtown Abbey). The lush greenery of a walled garden is discovered behind a secret locked door and its unseen natural beauty is unearthed after being concealed for many years.
Complete with an intimate ceremony on the croquet lawn, drinks in a secluded corner of the garden, followed by a celebration in a stunning Cotswold stone barn, this wedding features modern twists on traditional wedding styles with a real sense of rejuvenation.
With clear acrylic ‘stationery’ and signage with white brush lettering (where the greenery of the garden can be seen through), a hoop bouquet, a fresh take on the time-honoured wedding dessert of a croquembouche, vintage pearl details, antique keys and a friendly robin redbreast motif. Mary and Colin would be proud to attend this stylish wedding.
The colour palette is soft and understated so nothing distracts from the abundance of sumptuous cascading foliage. White is accented with hints of pink Pale Dogwood and plenty of the Colour of the Year of Greenery. There’s a definite nod to the Pantone® Spring/Summer 2017 colours with some subtle inclusion of blues (a navy Lapis for the groom’s suit and a denim Niagara of the manor house internal doors), Hazelnut and more greenery in the form of Kale.
Cogges Manor Farm was the ideal location for this wedding with its very essence in this era. It is nestled in the lovely market town of Witney and offers two stunning seventeenth century barns as well as a beautiful walled garden, stunning grounds and an impressive Manor House as a remarkable backdrop.
The couple got ready in the peaceful setting of the Manor House, strolled romantically through the walled garden, encouraged their families to ‘choose a seat not a side’ on vintage chairs (from Linda’s Vintage Hire) on the croquet lawn, and enjoyed the perfect blank canvas of the Barley Barn where modern, personalised details make this wedding complete.
Hanging from one of the impressive beams is a large rustic wooden cartwheel from Oakwood Events, adorned with greenery along with stylish bulb cages around Edison type filaments, plus some added alliums (from Lark Rise Flowers).
The top table is awash with greenery running down the whole of the table and spilling off the ends to the floor, courtesy of Lark Rise Flowers. Plus, the fragrance of the foliage was a delight to the senses with hosta, hedera, honeysuckle, laurel and hebe. Along with gentle inclusion of white flowers in the form of campanula, astilbe, lady’s mantle, sweet william, viburnum, rambling rose, helleborus seedheads and valeriana.
The sturdy wooden table, along with vintage chairs from Linda’s Vintage Hire, is set simply with white crockery and silver cutlery, plus clear acrylic menus sit on green moss. Alongside each setting is a clear acrylic place name (with guest names paying homage to the character names from the book) attached to vintage keys, along with favours of charming wooden robins by Muffat Prague.
Guests are directed around the farm with stylish clear acrylic signage and find their places by referring to the reclaimed window pane table plan with white brush lettering thanks to The Paper Hare, completing the stationery suite of clear acrylic invitations and clear acrylic table number tubes.
In the garden, the couple relax and enjoy a smooth glass of brandy whilst listening to the gramophone and admiring the remarkable cake by Cotswold Baking, a reintroduction of a traditional wedding dessert. This impressive croquembouche plays on the trend of wedding cake alternatives and sits on top of a plain white cake. The choux balls are decorated with edible pearl balls of varying sizes.
The bride chicly carries a hoop bouquet by Lark Rise Flowers leaving a beautiful scent of jasmine wherever she sashays. She has strong smoky eyes, pinched cheek blush and barely-there pale lipstick reminiscent of the times and beautifully recreated by Blushing Brides.
Her hair is ornamented with a delicate pearl hair vine by Designed to Sparkle and gathered up to reveal the breathtaking backless dress.
She perfectly fits the glamourous, champagne coloured bridal gown, made from Lux Charmeuse, featuring a high neckline, flutter sleeves, low back, attached silver beaded waistline and godet train by Justin Alexander, provided by Proposals of Witney. This 1910s styling is teamed with a multi-strand bracelet and necklace by Designed to Sparkle, made with navette set Swarovski crystal stones and pearls, in creamrose light shade.
The suave, slicked-back groom suited the era with a blue three-piece suit made from a British fabric 100% wool, cut in a traditional style but more modern in shape from The Cotswold Tailor.
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Take a look at the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot – Keeping it local with suppliers for the Secret Garden shoot
And take a glimpse behind the scenes at the how the theme and designs came to life – Behind the scenes: Secret Garden shoot
And here’s the video from the shoot too – Video: Secret Garden Wedding
#keepitlocal
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- after
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- Photography by Squib Photography
Planning & Design | Hanami Dream | www.hanamidream.co.uk
Location | Cogges Manor Farm | www.cogges.org.uk
Photographer | Squib Photography | http://www.squibphotography.co.uk/
Models | Úna and Daryl
Hair & Make up | Blushing Brides | http://www.blushingbrideshairandmakeup.com/
Bridal dress, shoes and veil | Proposals of Witney | http://www.proposalsbridalstudio.co.uk/
Groom clothing | The Cotswold Tailor | http://www.suitstailored.com/
Jewellery | Designed to Sparkle | http://www.designedtosparkle.co.uk/
Florist | Lark Rise Flowers | http://www.larkriseflowers.com/
Cake | Cotswold Baking | http://www.cotswoldbaking.co.uk/
Stationery | The Paper Hare | http://www.thepaperhare.com/
Lighting | Oakwood Events | http://www.oakwoodevents.co.uk/
Chairs, glasses & gramophone | Linda’s Vintage Hire | http://www.lindasvintagehire.co.uk/
Favours | Muffat Prague | www.muffatprague.com
Keeping it local with suppliers for the Secret Garden shoot
Based on The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (published in 1911), this modern Edwardian Secret Garden styled wedding shoot is a perfect harmony of traditional and contemporary elements brought together with sheer glamour and sophistication.
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Thanks to all these wonderful suppliers #keepitlocal
Location – Cogges Manor Farm
Cogges Manor Farm is nestled in the lovely market town of Witney and offers two stunning seventeenth century barns for weddings. They are a perfect blank canvas where you can add loads of personalised details to make your special day complete. Your wedding can be as individual as you are with your own choice of catering, furniture and decoration.
The magnificent and spacious Wheat Barn can seat up to 200 guests, with refurbished stone floor, and portable heating included in the cost of hire. The more intimate and adjacent Barley Barn can seat about 60 guests or is an ideal choice to use as a dance or ceremony area. Each barn can be hired separately, or as a combined hire. Cogges offers a civil ceremony license and is next door to Cogges Parish Church.
In addition to any indoor space you hire, you and your guests can use the charming outdoor space to wander and enjoy (and after 5pm you will have exclusive use of the site). Cogges has many perfect locations for your wedding photographs, such as the Manor House lawn, the walled garden or the orchard and you can even include the farm animals in your photos.
Photographer – Squib Photography
I’m Steven, a full time professional photographer who set up Squib Photography in 2002 and is lucky enough to photograph some beautiful weddings in the Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. I also cover pretty much the rest of the UK and have even been lucky enough to be booked to cover some destinations recently overseas.
After completing my studies at Oxford Brookes University I started Squib Photography and have photographed in excess of 450 weddings to date. I like to provide a professional, yet flexible service offering a mixture of formal and reportage photography to perfectly capture the atmosphere of a wedding day.
Every wedding is important to me and I will strive to tell the story of the day using natural light and little posing as possible. I do so in a relaxed, informal way so the couple can enjoy those special moments and leave me to document that for them.
I am always open to new ideas, input from couples and understand that every wedding day is very different, so will always work carefully with them to make sure you receive a personalized, bespoke service.
Hair & Make up – Blushing Brides
Blushing Brides Hair and Makeup, Hair and Makeup Artists are based in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.
With Blushing Brides you make one booking and get two artists working for you, two artists with individual skills, ideas and experience.
We are firm believers that with specialists who have honed their individual skills over many years you get a superior experience, the look you have always wanted and better value for money.
Lauren (Makeup Artist) and Laura (Hair Stylist) have many years experience working for brides and bridal parties, we bring all this to help you achieve the most beautiful look for your special day. Far better, we believe, than one person pushing themselves to do both.
Cake – Cotswold Baking
Creating Crumbs of Comfort.
Cotswold Baking – made to order cakes, delicious desserts, tasty tray bakes and all things sweet, delivered to your door.
Groom clothing – Cotswold Tailor
The Cotswold Tailor is an award winning tailor, that takes traditional British cloths and tailors them with a contemporary twist. This results in unique, elegant designs, that stand out from the usual mass produced clothing on the high street. We emphasise the use of British manufacturers. Our British range of products include: trousers, socks, cufflinks, lambs wool jumpers, ties and all of the cloths used in the jackets.
Please take this opportunity to view our products online or alternatively if you would like to visit us, we are located in the bustling market town of Woodstock on the high street as well as our new shop located on Church Street in Shipston On Stour.
Jewellery – Designed to Sparkle
Designed to Sparkle is run by Fiona Self, creating beautiful jewellery and accessories from her studio in Bampton at the edge of the Cotswolds.
Gaining inspiration from the incredible natural beauty found all around, Fiona draws from the elements that she loves the most, and designs pieces that bring her joy!
Fiona personally hand makes each piece of jewellery using the very best materials and supplies that she can source, and paying meticulous attention to detail in the quality and finish of each and every element that she makes.
Florist – Lark Rise Flowers
Lark Rise Flowers, are professionally qualified florists, based in the rolling countryside of North Oxfordshire. They provide flowers for weddings and events throughout Oxon, Bucks, Northants, and beyond.
Stock is sourced from the major flower markets, and if seasonally available from an expanding group of British growers. The Eco commitment continues with a policy of recycling waste packaging and surplus green material.
Sandra, the Proprietor, is happy to meet with you for personal consultations and site visits. She will work with your brief, budget, or theme, to create a unique day for you both.
The Lark Rise team have a wealth of experience, having provided many wedding flowers, and decorated most of the major wedding venues in the area. They take pride and care in their work, from the simplest buttonhole through to beautiful bridal bouquets and venue décor.
“Surrounded by nature – working with nature”
Chairs, glasses & gramophone – Linda’s Vintage Hire
We provide a stress free vintage hire service for all occasions. If you are organising an event with a vintage flare we can supply furniture, crockery and a range of props and accessories to give your event that much loved nostalgic vintage feel.
We work with theatres, corporations, event and wedding planners, caterers, photographers and festivals to mention but a few.
So if you’re planning your vintage event whether it’s afternoon tea, the wedding of your dreams, a magazine shoot or creating something inspirational for a large festival there is no end to what can be achieved with the help of Linda’s Vintage Hire. We can deliver up and down the country.
Favours – MuffatPrague
MuffatPrague started life as a sonic and visual arts blog in 2011.
After a lifetime’s love of the letterform, all things typographic and a couple of decades of working independently in creative spheres, designer-maker team Rob and Hils decided to start hand-craft letters from their garden studio in 2014. Their Oiseaux, a simple bird form designed by Rob has now become their brand identity and signature design. Their work is handmade from locally sourced reclaimed ply, walnut and oak, finished with Farrow & Ball Eggshell and Oxfordshire beeswax.
They were voted Best Creative Producer (Bucks/Oxon) in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2016 and have new ideas coming this year – keep an eye on their website and Instagram feed for more info.
The birds are available in 4 sizes with a single brass leg fitting or bakers twine loop.
Lighting – Oakwood Events
We supply lighting solutions for barn weddings with a focus on stunning design, technical excellence and day to evening transitions.
Our extensive range includes fairy lights, festoons, Edison bulbs, chandeliers, paper lanterns, ambient and party lighting.
Wedding lighting with style!
Bridal dress, shoes and veil – Proposals of Witney
Proposals is a family run business established in 2004. Our philosophy is to take personal responsibility and to provide an unforgettable exquisite experience. We pride ourselves on listening and understanding the desires of each bride and her party.
Since opening in 2004 we have grown in our expertise by constantly researching the requirements and expectations of all our customers having listened and learnt from each and everyone and pride ourselves on our excellent and enviable personal service.
Dreams really do come true at Proposals with over 100 wedding gowns to chose from including designers Ian Stuart, Justin Alexander, Essense of Australia, La Sposa and Maggie Sottero, you are sure to find your perfect gown.
Stationery – The Paper Hare
The Paper Hare is an illustration and lettering design studio based in the North Cotswolds.
Specialising in adding memorable adornments to special occasions with hand lettered touches, watercolour art prints for homes and nurseries and brushlettering workshops for those hoping to uncover their own creative style.
Take a look at a behind the scenes look at the briefs that were given to these fabulous suppliers and how the Secret Garden theme came to life with their designs and products.
And here’s the video from the shoot too – Video: Secret Garden Wedding
