A Ronald Joyce Gown and Flower Garlands for A Woodland Inspired Wedding

There is a gorgeous blend of natural and architectural beauty in this wedding. Situated within the lush green woodland of Epping Forest, the Forest School is an independent college with Georgian heritage and made the perfect setting for the marriage of Becky and David. I love the organic styling, using natural foliage and flowers inside the grand, atmospheric spaces at the school. And those powder blue bridesmaids! This is a stunning day folks.

“We love vintage styling and wanted a relaxed atmosphere. The forest setting of the school also informed the look and feel of the day/flowers/dress and decoration of the venue.”

Photography Copyright (c) 2014, Jay Rowden

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

“David and I met on the tube in 2005. On our first date shortly afterwards we spent a long time chatting on a bench on the Embankment in London. David proposed on that same bench, seven years to the day in May 2012 and we were married in 2014 in the same week that we met and got engaged, 9 years since our first date.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

The bride and groom sent out Save the Date coasters by Lucy Says I Do and had a wedding stamp created for invitations by Holly’s Houses. Place settings and menus were made by the bride and they also purchased some lovely ‘thank you’ postcards by Nostalgic Imprints on Etsy.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

I completely adore the bridesmaid’s dresses! These silky blue creations from Ghost look stunning on all of the girls, who also wore delicate little flowers in their hair and crystal earrings from Accessorize. David’s navy herringbone suit was from Charles Tyrwhitt, with a pale blue silk tie from T.M Lewin.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

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The bride’s dress was created by Ronald Joyce, purchased at Amorae Bridal in Essex. It’s the simple yet fluid lines, accessorised with that beautiful crown of flowers that suits Becky and her surroundings so well.

“I loved the elaborate detailing of the bodice and sleeves, the low back and flowing plainness of the skirt. The style flattered my shape and fitted with the vintage theme. I accessorised with a vintage sapphire engagement ring belonging to my great grandmother, delicate bracelets in gold & sapphire by Lucy Simmons, my own sapphire and diamond engagement ring from Boleyn in Hatton Garden and diamond earrings by David Deyong. My shoes were powder blue courts from Aldo to tie in with my maid’s dresses.”

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

Becky and David chose Jay Rowden to photograph the wedding. I really love the depth of colour in his photographs and how he captures so many wonderful expressions throughout the day.

“We almost literally met Jay by bumping into him in a coffee shop while discussing the need to trawl the internet for wedding photographers. Jay was perfect for helping to visualise the relaxed atmosphere of our wedding. We couldn’t have been more delighted with the way he captured the day.”

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

Becky’s wreath of fresh flowers was made by Michelle Partos (sadly no website link), who also produced the wedding flowers. Her hair was styled on the day by Mary Caybaken.

“Michelle our florist is wonderful, has styled the venue before and is a family friend. We wanted a wild, random assortment of flowers that looked organic and natural, especially given the proximity to the forest.”

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

Becky walked down the aisle with her father to ‘I Was Glad’ by Parry, sung by the Forest School Chapel Choir. (Parry was also used by Duchess of Cambridge). They had a classic Anglican ceremony with two readings; the bride’s uncle read the poem ‘Wedding’ by Alice Oswald and David’s cousin read ‘Song of Solomon’ from the Bible.

“We chose these reading because they were both beautiful and unusual.” The couple exchanged rings from E. Katz & Co in Hatton Garden.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

The happy couple were serenaded by Becky’s brother William, who played violin during the service and her sisters Joanna and Sarah sang ‘You & Me’ by Penny and the Quarters as they entered the reception. Later, they had a DJ and then a band, ‘Stylus’, found through BandsforHire.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

The reception hall was decorated to bring some of the surrounding forest inside. 

“We collected beer bottles and other interesting bottles and jars from friends, family and a craft beer shop close to where we live in Putney. Michelle created flower displays on the tables and we had hessian runners made by my mother Lesley and her friend Eva. There was also raffia for chair ties, fairy lights and paper roses for decoration of wooden panels and stairs.” Becky’s mum’s delicious welsh cakes were packaged up as wedding favours for the guests. The incredible tiered cake was baked and decorated by Becky’s aunt Gillian.

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

“Our first dance was Van Morrison’s ‘Queen of the Slipstream’. Just beautiful, spine tingling. A great artist with many songs with meaningful lyrics. The best part of the day for me was walking down the aisle to see David and entering the reception hall to rapturous applause from our nearest and dearest while my sisters sang to us! Amazing! And of course wearing my dresses pretty amazing too! There is nothing I would change about the day, nothing at all.”

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Words of Wedded Wisdom

Keep calm and try to enjoy the process. Agree early on on your principles. For instance, we knew we wanted the day to be about having as many of our friends and family there, feeling relaxed and enjoying their day. Stay true to your style, look and feel but know that little things go wrong, must be changed but that it won’t impact on how amazing you’ll feel. Everyone is on your team.

It rained a little and our coach to take some of the guests to the hotel after the reception broke down but within an hour or two everyone thought it hilarious. These things just go towards making a really special day even more memorable!”

jay rowden photography, ronald joyce, woodland style wedding

Thank you so much to Becky and David for letting us take a peep into their lovely wedding and to Jay Rowden for gorgeous, atmospheric photographs.

Love Susie x

Photographer – Jay Rowden
Venue – The Forest School
Wedding Dress – Ronald Joyce ‘Bernadette’ at Amorae Bridal
Shoes – Aldo
Groom – Charles Tyrwhitt
Bridesmaids – Ghost
Florist – Michelle Partos (no link)
Entertainment – BandsforHire
Rings – E Katz & Co
Stationery – Lucy Says I Do + Holly’s Houses (stamp) + Nostalgic Imprints (thank you cards)

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