The torrential rain couldn’t stop Hayley & Bill getting married in the beautiful woodland setting behind Hayley’s parents house in Kent. Luckily the weather cleared just in time for Hayley to walk down the aisle in wellies. Hayley & Bill, who run a creative agency, designed a stunning modern botanical themed wedding. Creative but clean with pops of colour and a dark edge. Eclectic with a hint of the mountain where they first met. Here’s what Hayley has to say about their beautiful relaxed wedding:
Hayley & Bills story
We met when I was working for the ski events company that Bill was running in the Alps – I actually met and fell in love with his springer spaniel Snoopy first, before I even knew Bill existed! We got together in the mountains with plenty of jagerbombs, fondue’s & snowy partying. We basically lived together in various apartments from day one, then moved in together when we got back to London and within 6 months set up our own web design business.
2 years in it was time for baby number 1, I’d already been nagging about that engagement ring for some time. 2.5yrs after baby 1, baby 2 arrived – still no ring though. It was 9months later & a family trip to the most beautiful chalet (Baby Bear) in Chamonix, a starlit sky and a snowy mountain back drop for the ring to make an appearance 🙂
We both wanted to get the wedding planned reasonably quick so 9 months after the engagement (& a lot of juggling of business, babies & planning) we had our wedding day!
Floral design
I had seen a couple of years earlier via Facebook that a friends girlfriend had set up a florist in London and it caught my eye straight away. Her stuff was effortlessly different – just a style I loved. So when Bill proposed I emailed them straight away and had my fingers crossed that they had availability for that summer – thankfully they did and it went from there.
We worked together to figure ideas that would have some serious impact, in the style we were going for pinterest was my friend here for inspiration – and the budget we had. We could not have been happier with the end result.. upside down hanging flowers, concrete pots, flower filled copper screen etc etc… I love, love, loved it all. I actually shed a tear or two (of happiness) when I walked into the marquee – the vision in my head had been fully transferred to real life – totally blew my mind.
Bills outfit
Bill wanted to be comfortable, smart but relaxed and in keeping with the surroundings. The woodland ceremony setting meant super formal was out. Bills braces really suited him – a slight mismatch of fabric for jacket & trousers (which ran through all the male wedding party – nobody matched) his whole look was just understated, but considered – very much like him.
Woodland ceremony
We kept it short – with 15 kids there we wanted to make it as easy as possible. The best moment for me was getting to Bill and holding his hands – all the stress of that morning and the build up totally disappeared. It was such a moment that in my heart made me so aware of how he is the one who I can’t live without – I already knew that – but I was so aware in that moment that together we can do and get through anything (and have).
Sylvie our 1.5yr old running around totally relaxed the situation and stole the show – just felt so lucky to have them all.
Favourite moments
Getting to Bill when I walked down the aisle with my Dad & walking back up the aisle with Bill & Etienne when the confetti was thrown… all moments of both happiness & relief!
That amazing Inbal Dror dress
I had so many different ideas when it came to the dress – I was looking at absolutely anything from designer dresses that were quite clearly not wedding dresses to incredible wedding dress designer options. I didn’t limit myself but a saw a detail shot on pinterest of an Inbal Dror dress & was completely blown away by the level of detail so I found her UK supplier was Morgan Davies and made an appointment.
I tried her dresses and the cut just did not compare any others I tried – I knew I wanted one of her dresses but the one I really loved did not have a sample in the shop! So I made the decision to order the dress from just a photo… lots of people thought I was completely mad but it really was the best decision! I LOVED MY DRESS – my favourite bit was how the sleeves sat over my hands, the fabric and the cut out floral pattern (basically all of it). Aside from my dress my shoes really made me feel like it was ok to wear an actual wedding dress because the shoes were definitely not wedding shoes (black leather gucci spiked block heels)!
Favourite photos
I love 3 photos the most. Bill & I are not together in either of them! But the photo of Etienne & I when he is sat on my lap holding the blue balls – he was actually upset in that photo and I was comforting him – only me and him know what it was all about and I loved that moment. The photo of Bill on the orange sofa with Sylvie melts my heart – she loves her daddy so much.. and the shot is gorgeous – the way Bill is sat is just how they always hang out together (plus a few ppl hated those sofas prior to the wedding but have since admitted in context they worked great)! There is a goofy one of Bill and I under the tree that I love too.
Entertainment
My brothers friend Vince Kidd did us a huge favour and agreed to sing during the reception with an guitarist from the top of the tree house. He is out of this world talented – and so lucky to have him at the wedding setting an incredible vibe in the afternoon.
Renegades of Rock played the evening post dinner and absolutely smashed it – we have comments all the time about them being the BEST wedding band ever. They were just the nicest guys too.
We had an itstheflashpack airstream photobooth – which went down really well and had plenty of use all day and into the night
Why did you choose Miss Gen Photography?
The work was different the minute I saw it – I looked at plenty of ‘trendy/alternative’ type photographers but Gen clearly fully understands how to work with light and capture real moments. Her work was timeless. The atmosphere her work created even just on the website sold me straight away. I didn’t look back from first contact as she was just so easy to communicate with, relaxed and professional.
I was looking for someone who was a photographer who also shot weddings (not just a wedding photographer) – and Gen was clearly so much more. She captured the essence of the day – the happiness, the love – we have that to look back on forever. I absolutely loved the slideshow with the music – it helped capture the day in a moment and makes me smile every time I watch it. She was unobtrusive, covered all my specific shot requests and way more. Just the best photographer & best wedding photographer.
First dance
Ed Sheeran. Kiss me.
Ed Sheeran first dance – cheesy I know. But there were good reasons why… we saw him in Switzerland at a tiny gig and I was pregnant with our first, he explained every song and the whole thing behind this one is pretty sweet, plus another songs meaning meant a lot but was not wedding appropriate. I’m literally back in that room when I hear it.
Words of wisdom from Hayley
Don’t let anyone talk you out of any crazy ideas! Take your time on the day, get ready earlier than you think you should & make sure you can let go of the organisation at that point. Remember really its about you and your husband to be (and for us the kids), make sure you do stuff for them first… and for everyone else have espresso martinis 😉
Hire Gen to capture it all the bits you love & the bits you don’t have time to see in the moment – so you can have them forever.
This beautiful wedding was featured on Junebug Weddings.
Photographer – Genevieve of Miss Gen Photography
Wedding dress –Inbal Dror from Morgan Davies
Jewellery – Rachel Entwistle
Hair accessories – Fresh flowers by Grace & Thorn
Flowers – Grace & Thorn
Shoes –Gucci
Makeup Artist – Kiran Kaur
Hair stylist – Beth Robinson
Grooms suit – Whistles
Grooms Accessories – Braces Top Shop
Grooms Shoes – Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids dresses – Needle & Thread
Florist – Grace & Thorn
Cake –Lucie Bennett
Venue – Marquee by Pearl Tent Company
Catering –Zafferano
Wedding Planner – Katie Goddard
Stationery – Den Creative
Decor/styling – Hayley Kingston
Musician – Vince Kidd
Band – Renegades of Rock
Bar illustration & signage – Alana Mcdowell
Genevieve from Miss Gen Photography is a London based photographer specialising in creative reportage wedding photography – documentary style photography that tells the story of your day and creative, natural couples portraits. Genevieve is available to shoot weddings, elopements, couples sessions and family sessions in London, throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and worldwide for destination sessions. To book me get in touch, I’d love to hear all about your plans.
What an absolute super cool wedding. Her shoes are just the best!
lovely sensitive and cool.
What a great way of showing a wedding, love the style of the blog with small bits of writing from the couple
Wow those florals are amazing! Stunning work!
Wow!! amazing storytelling 🙂
Adore the bride’s shoes – stunning wedding.
Oh my goodness what an amazing wedding. Adore the hanging flowers and succulents on the tables. Crazy cool couple. Beautiful dress. Stunning portraits. I am in awe!!!