Kathryn & Philip

An enchanted woodland in Derbyshire was the idyllic setting for the wedding of Philip and Kathryn Barksby.

Recently married at the end of May, the couple were offered the private forest setting by family friends who live in a house in the Peak District village of Higham with a large area of woodland attached.
“We are so grateful to them for the opportunity to create a wedding in the wood. This allowed us to have a perfect rural setting for our special day which our guests loved and gave us a really unique place to get married,’’ said Kathryn.

The couple, who live in Pilsley, met by simply living in the same village and gradually getting to know each other as time went on. Kathryn, who works as a fashion recruiter and Philip, a transport planner, were legally married the previous day at Mansfield Register Office.
Kathryn said: “In front of our guests in the woodland, we said our own unique vows, and held a fabulous celebration day.

The weather was perfect even though the week, and even the day before, the unsettled weather had worried us”.
“We decorated the woodland and gardens, and had a real rustic but eclectic theme. Lots of people chipped in to help, we created an altar from vintage doors and a twig chandelier and a vintage photo booth with countryside views”.

“Because I have a design background, it was really enjoyable choosing and making the decorations for the venue, creating the perfect day with a difference – although we were both late getting ready for the service as we were still decorating!”

The celebrations began with a service in the heart of the woodland when Kathryn wore a strapless white dress decorated with a pink floral design and featuring a train. Her bouquet of mixed flowers also took inspiration from the colours of the woodland.

She was attended by three bridesmaids who were dressed in pink and white.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed canapés and champagne before sitting down to a four meat roast feast. A simple wedding cake with tiers of chocolate and Victoria sponge was set up on two logs in the wood.

An evening party was enjoyed by all 75 guests and included a quiz, dancing and singing to an acoustic guitar, all rounded off with a firework display.
All the couple’s wedding guests commented on how great the day had been. With lovely weather, the day was complete and lived up to all expectations.

“We are so grateful to all of our friends for helping out to create such a special day in a real enchanted woodland, it was so different and I’m sure everyone will remember the day for a long time,” said Kathryn.
Kathryn and Philip are still to enjoy a honeymoon and will be jetting off later in the year for a 12-day holiday which will include a safari in South Africa and then time in Mauritius.

Wedding Suppliers:

Brides Dress – Strides, Chesterfield
Bridesmaid Dresses – Debenhams / Ebay
Headdresses and Flowers – Handmade by Bride
Brides Shoes – Glittery Trainers – Zalando
Hair & Make-up – Melissa Ward, Staffordshire
Grooms Attire – Brook Taverner & Moss Bros
Wedding Rings – Collette Waudby, Jewellery Designer, Birmingham
Bride’s Jewellery – Collette Waudby, Jewellery Designer, Birmingham
Photographer – Simon @ Jakt Photography, Derby
Florist – Faux Flowers, Made by Bride
Venue Décor – All handmade by Bride & Friends
Favours – Handmade by Grooms Daughter, Kayleigh
Stationery – Made by Bride
Entertainment – Matthew Stephens, Acoustic Wedding Singer
Cake – Linda Gibson
Catering – Deakins Butchers, Tibshelf, Derbyshire
Outdoor – Bar Bier Huis, Ossett
Honeymoon – Safari in Kruger, South Africa & Then on to Mauritius,
Red Route – Travel, Chesterfield