Woodstock 2023
Sara & Woody
A Festival wedding filled with, style, energy, beauty & booze!
Sara and Woody had planned a fun-filled, relaxed, festival wedding day (a whole weekend actually!) with live music and an awesome vibe. They asked me to join them as their Lincolnshire wedding photographer after seeing some of my award-winning wedding photos on Instagram, and from the moment they got in touch I knew they’d be fun to work with.
Their festival-themed wedding was the result of some mega spreadsheet planning, with everything meticulously planned, so they could just relax and enjoy the main event. Amy from A Little Bit of Wedmin provided her expertise with some of the planning elements, and the team from By Matilda were on hand to help with styling, floral displays and catering. To say this was the celebration of the year is probably an understatement… although they are planning Woodstock 2025 next, so watch this space!
On a scorching summer day, I arrived to join the girls as they got ready and as soon as I opened the door to The Roost I could hear laughter and a bottle of fizz being opened! I could tell it would be an energetic day, and I was made to feel welcome instantly. Sarah’s sparkling, beaded strapless gown from Morgan Davies Bridal was paired with a lace shirt, which really suited the luxury festival vibe and looked stunning.
Woody was on the tennis court (pretty much his default setting, I think they are actually at Wimbledon as I write this!) before getting ready with his groomsmen, at one point during the process he was even playing tennis in his Hugo Boss suit!
The venue for Woodstock 2023 was the place they fell in love with during lockdown, Fletland Manor and Fletland Mill in Lincolnshire, Sara’s family home and a thriving five-star holiday retreat. Although hosting festival weddings isn’t something they usually do here, you can still visit and experience the gorgeous surrounding countryside in one of their luxurious holiday cottages. As a Lincolnshire wedding photographer, I enjoy capturing people where they feel most at home, and I don’t think it could ever be more the case than at this festival wedding for Sara and Woody.
Sara and Woody had thought through every detail of the layout for the day, with a lakeside ceremony on the jetty followed by a reception in a teepee with awesome live music. The musicians from AlleyCatz were playing, as guests arrived all chatting and most wearing sunglasses – this bunch are just effortlessly cool!
Their ceremony was super personal, and was conducted by Sara’s sister, with massive smiles throughout, especially when the Shetland pony ringbearer arrived! Capturing their Lincolnshire wedding photography was such a pleasure, everyone was so happy to see them get married and we were all loving the vibe of their festival-themed wedding. Sara and her bridesmaids carried bouquets that matched the floral installations around the jetty from By Matilda, the shades of green in the bridesmaids’ dresses also looked awesome amongst the surrounding greenery.
There's simply no party like a Woodstock party! From their outdoor first dance, conga-line to the teepee and dancing into the early hours Sara, Woody and all the Woodstock goers knew how to break it down on the dance floor and party! Endless entertainment with everyone packing the teepee to the rafters, this party will go down as one of the all time parties to end all parties!
After battling their way through a shower of confetti, the festival theme continued on the lawn of Fletland Manor with canapes, Pimms, garden games, and more live music. We captured some relaxed and fun group photos in the shade of the trees with their friends and family, as well as this super cool shot next to their giant WOODSTOCK sign with smoke flares! Then while their guests started to head into the teepee for the wedding breakfast, I took Sara and Woody for a short photoshoot around the grounds, enjoying the afternoon sun.
It was a laugh-a-minute during the speeches, with loads of funny stories from their life together, and a Lord Voldemort mask… although I still don’t quite understand the reference to that one! Ace public speaker Woody was so calm and engaging, and Sara also gave an amazing and emotional speech which everyone loved. The speeches from the groomsmen set the tone for the evening, with drinks being downed and everyone preparing for a wild night.
Like every good festival, as soon as the sun went down the party kicked into chaos mode! With a banging soundtrack packed with floor fillers from the University of Leicester Big Band, the dancefloor went totally bananas. Limbo, headbanging, acrobatics, and a couple of unplanned moments sitting on the floor, I was right in the middle of it all capturing their festival wedding photography. Having a 20-piece band and incredible live singers performing at your very own wedding festival has got to be the ultimate party of the season! Everyone was loving it, me included!
If you are looking for a Lincolnshire wedding photographer, or perhaps you are having a festival wedding somewhere else in the country – get in touch and sign me up! There ain’t no party like a festival wedding party!
Congratulations Sara and Woody, you are total legends! Take me back to Woodstock!! See you in 2025?
