3 Day Destination Wedding at Wilderness Reserve

Weddings are a wonderful opportunity for friends and families to meet for the first time, but the day can often feel like it is over in a flash, and before you know it, it is time for everyone to say goodbye again. For that reason, we love a wedding weekend, and they are the perfect way to spread the celebration over several days and make the most of a weekend. American-born Amanda and English-born Ben wanted to elongate their celebrations and chose to extend their wedding day to a multi-day celebration, spread across both estates at Wilderness Reserve. They wanted to make the most of having their nearest and dearest with them, with guests having travelled from all corners of the world to be together.

Bride and Groom countryside photography — A & B at Sibton Park, Wilderness Reserve. Image by Caitlin and Jones

When Millie first met with A & B, they were in the early stages of their planning, having recently been engaged and having only booked their venue, Wilderness Reserve, in Suffolk. The couple opted for our full planning service, and after an initial meeting, we set to work designing a concept and starting to think about the logistics and team of suppliers needed to collaborate on the event.

Our full planning service is all encompassing, and we are on-hand to not only create a story which is truly reflective of our couples. But also manage all of the finer details behind the scenes, including organising logistics, creating running orders, and sourcing a wonderful team of suppliers. As a team of designers, we are passionate about styling and floral design and ensuring every detail is thought of, so that your day captures everything you’re looking for and works harmoniously in its setting.

A wanted a classic look that incorporated neutrals, dark greens, and some moodier tones. We devised a laid-back, yet luxurious design, which was foliage heavy, layered, and incorporated lots of soft light and candles, in order to create an elegant and romantic look. Alongside the dark greens and soft whites, we added some deep pinks and soft berry tones to create a striking contrast and incorporated touches of rose gold.

The first two suppliers we helped the couple find, were their photographer and videographer. They favoured a natural, authentic style and wanted the two suppliers to work harmoniously together. Caitlin and Jones and Shutterbox Films were the perfect match, and did an incredible job of capturing the day.

In the lead up to the event, as well as RSVP Management, which is a standard part of our full wedding planning service, Millie also worked with A & B to design a bespoke wedding website for their guests. The site contained all the information required for the 3-day event and gave recommendations and advice for travel, as well as things to do locally for those travelling from further afield.

Welcome to the estate

Arriving at the Wilderness Reserve, guests were greeted with welcome hampers and an itinerary for the 3 days. Celebrations commenced with an evening at the fire feast site. Nestled under trees, guests mingled around the fire and enjoyed drinks served from the back of vintage Land Rover and pizza served from a converted horse box. A also wanted to surprise B with a band for the evening, and roaming band Festival Nights were the perfect match.

With many guests travelling from abroad, this was the perfect opportunity for friends and family to mingle and get to know one another or catch-up. A and B chose the Best Men to do their speech here, to break slightly from formalities and welcome everyone to the event.

Brunch on the day

Celebrations started on the wedding day with brunches running simultaneously at both estates. A enjoyed brunch with her bridal party at Moat Cottage, on the Chapel Barn Estate. Guests enjoyed a bespoke brunch menu, which incorporated English and American favourites, alongside cocktails. Meanwhile, over at Sibton Park, brunch was also hosted by the Groom in the Walled Garden. It proved a wonderfully relaxed brunch event which rolled over 2 hours and allowed guests to come and enjoy a continental breakfast, Bloody Mary’s, and have a go at some activities put on by Wilderness.

Ceremony

A and B, got legally married during Lockdown and wanted the ceremony with their friends and family to be completely personal to them. After officiating both of her sisters’ weddings, A asked her Stepfather to perform the ceremony.

The ceremony took place down by the lake, and after walking down the together as a group, guests were greeted with pink champagne, served from a styled station right beside the lake. The Floral Sistas created the most beautiful florals for the ceremony, including meadows to line the aisle and a beautiful asymmetrical backdrop, all in a palette of rich pinks, deep berries and dark greens. For seating, benches were chosen so as to give the informal feel that the couple wanted.

A and B decided to do a ring warming, where their wedding bands were passed between guests, who were able to make well wishes and prayers for the couple, all whilst acoustic guitarist LJ played the couple’s favourite song. It was an incredibly special moment.

Wilderness Reserve Countryside Wedding Ceremony

Drinks reception

After the ceremony guests made their way back up to Sibton Park, where they enjoyed cocktails, canapes, and a Spanish inspired grazing station, under a stretch tent. Stories Event Hire provided lounge furniture and the bar structure, which made for the perfect set up in the space.

Wedding Breakfast

After the drink’s reception, guests took their seats in the orangery. Two rows of tables were lined with elegant taper candles and soft white chiffon runners. A’s sister handmade the name tags which were finished with dark green hand-dyed ribbon. On the day stationery, was created by LouPaper and included an array of beautiful signs, calligraphy menus and a table plan banner. The minimal and elegant tableware was supplied by CMA hire and the Floral Sistas injected pops of colour with delicate bud vases and florals for each place setting.

The couple wanted a relaxed and informal menu, and so our in-house team of chefs designed a bespoke tapas menu.

Evening celebrations

After the meal, guests moved back to the stretch tent and dining room, where we served miniature desserts from a styled display, alongside espresso martinis. Once the room was ready, Amanda changed into a beautiful all sequin gown by Chosen by Kyha, from the Wedding Club, and the evening celebrations commenced. The party started in the orangery and at 11, guests moved down into the cellar for the after party.

Final Hurrah

On the third day, we arranged for breakfast hampers to be delivered to each cottage for the guests. They were the perfect cure for any sore heads. Before checking out, guests were also able to enjoy a tour of the estate on Pashley bikes or take a dip in the pool.

Bridal prep at Moat Cottage. Image by Caitlin and Jones

A few words of thanks from A:

"Words cannot express how AMAZING Millie and the team at Hall & Co are. We hired Hall & Co for full planning, catering and styling of our 3-day wedding at Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk and they exceeded our expectations in every single way. There was so much going on throughout the various events which included a bonfire in the woods welcome party, brunches at multiple locations on the wedding day, the wedding itself and the after party. Every aspect of each event was executed to perfection. The styling was everything I had envisioned and dreamed of! The entire team was so friendly, welcoming and professional at all times there is not one thing that I could say needed work or adjustment. We could not have pulled off the wedding of our dreams without them and especially Millie. An absolute star. Thanks just doesn’t seem enough for everything that Millie did. Guiding us through the planning process, helping with every crazy request we had. Nothing was too much for her to handle. Even making sure we didn’t float away in the paddle boat! We are forever grateful to Millie and her team and would recommend Hall & Co. one thousand times over for planning, catering and styling!"

Are you planning an elongated wedding celebration and not quite sure where to start? To find out more about our full planning service get in touch now. Plus check out the helpful FAQ's below for some additional advice from our expert team.

3 Wedding Weekend Planning FAQ's

How can enlisting the help of Hall and Co help me create a memorable wedding?

A wedding planner can transform your vision into reality, at Hall and Co we ensure every detail is meticulously planned and executed. From conceptualizing a theme that resonates with you to coordinating logistics and sourcing suppliers, our professional planners can alleviate stress and create a seamless experience for you and your guests.

What sets a full planning service apart from other wedding planning options?

Our full planning service is a comprehensive journey where we become not only your logistical coordinators but also your creative collaborators. From the outset, we work closely with you to design a wedding weekend that embodies your unique style and personality. This involves conceptualizing a cohesive theme, arranging site visits to envision the space, and curating a menu tailored to your tastes and preferences. Furthermore, we're dedicated to ensuring a seamless guest journey throughout the weekend. From organising transportation to coordinating accommodation arrangements, we ensure your loved ones feel welcomed and taken care of from the moment they arrive.What truly sets our service apart is our commitment to infusing your wedding with bespoke and personalised touches. Whether it's incorporating family traditions or finding unique ways to showcase your love story, we go above and beyond to ensure your wedding reflects your individuality and creates cherished memories for years to come.

How can I ensure our wedding reflects our personal style and preferences?

Collaborating with experienced designers and planners who understand your vision is key. Whether you envision a classic, minimalist affair or a lush, bohemian celebration, our team works closely with you to bring your dreams to life. By incorporating personal touches, such as custom ceremony arrangements and handcrafted stationery, we ensure your wedding reflects your individuality and creates lasting memories for you and your guests.

We would like to say a huge thank you, to the wonderful team of suppliers who made this event possible. The suppliers who contributed were:

Concept, planning, styling & event execution: Our team

Venue: Wilderness Reserve

Catering: Our team

Breakfast Hampers: Wilderness Reserve

Photography: Caitlin and Jones

Videography: Shutterbox Films

Lighting and production equipment: Dreamwave

Floristry: Floral Sistas

Prop Hire: Stories Event Hire and Rock the Day

Tableware: CMA Hire

Stretch tent and benches: Lunar Stretch Tent