Camilla in Suzanne Neville Swanson for a natural flower filled weddingMiss Bush

Camilla and Michael's flower filled wedding is a gorgeous example of a relaxed, natural and family orientated wedding day. With a strong focus on tons of beautiful flowers, with a wild and rustic 'Midsummer Night's Dream' feel to the arrangements with lots of foliage and free-flowing flowers as opposed to structured floral displays.

Family also played in important role in their day, with the wedding taking place at home on the family farm, where the couple, the bride's parents and one of her brothers all live in separate houses! How wonderful to have such a beautiful space available, creating the perfect backdrop for an intimate, joyful wedding day.

All images by Kate Hopewell Smith

Suzanne Neville Swanson

I chose the Suzanne Neville 'Swanson' dress with the help of Rosie. Initially, I thought I would go for a 'mermaid' style dress - I did pick one out that was one of my favourites, but having a bandeau style neckline meant I couldn't move arms too well. As I love my music, it was essential that I could have a dress that I could dance the night away in. That was when Rosie stepped in, and she was excellent throughout. I tried on the 'Swanson' and loved it. On my second visit, the smile on my face when dancing about the chapel pretty much showed it was the one. I didn't think I would have a big dress, or have a high neckline but it was stunning, so comfy, beautifully made and surprisingly easy to move about in. And also, just a little bit different, which is exactly what I wanted - a simple dress, but with that vogue wow factor, and that is certainly the reaction I got from our guests on our wedding day.

Styling & Accessories

I was all for the more simple style, I didn't want to have a load of accessories, so I just had some simple pearl earrings, a few flowers in my hair and a plain veil. As for the shoes, they were the bit of glam. I wanted a pair that I would wear again and were a bit 'zany'. So I found some zebra print heels, with a little blue trim and they made their appearance on the dance floor. Halfway through the evening reception, I changed to a pair of platform white trainers, comfy and a bit cool!

Dress Shopping

On my second visit to Miss Bush, my bridesmaids joined along with my Mum and Granny. Although they loved all the dresses I tried (a beautiful collection at Miss Bush), everything about the Swanson - wow factor, neckline, material, back - along with my smile, they knew and agreed it was the one. This sounds a bit silly, but one of my bridesmaids said to me after we left the chapel that 'your wedding day is the one day that you can be a princess, and the Swanson is that princess dress'

I loved the relaxed, personalised vibe at Miss Bush, and really appreciated Rosie's advice. I didn't want to have the same opinion on all dresses tried on - i.e. that looks lovely. I wanted a good, honest opinion from an excellent stylist and that is exactly what I got!

A natural flower filled wedding at home on the farm

For our church service, we chose a few popular hymns and two lovely readings (one religious, one not), and found a local choir to boost the congregation voice and sing during the signing of our register. The church looked lovely and our Vicar gave a humorous and poignant sermon about marriage and times ahead. The service was a very special time and a tiny bit emotional too saying those vows.

Seeing as we are both from farming families, we wanted a rustic farm wedding. For the flowers, I wanted the style of Petersham Nurseries/ Midsummer Nights Dream theme. Free flowing flowers, not overly structured with a mix of colours and a lot of foliage. Part of the inspiration here came from my florist, Al Fagan. At her wedding she had themed their marquee as 'The Potting Shed' - and it looked amazing. We then sourced old whisky barrels, foliage, pewter and blue china from the farm to compliment the flowers when decorating the marquee. Our seating plan was named 'Find your Field' - a lot of the farms fields have a story behind their name, for example 'Searchlight' had the Home Guard during the Second World War.

For the food, we had a champagne reception with afternoon tea. Towards the end of this, we had the speeches - the usual ones, plus a few words from myself, and cut the cake, after which a few of our guests headed home. We left afternoon tea in a bucket attached to the front of the tractor - my brother was at the wheel, and of course he lifted us up as high as it could go - a lot of fun! It was good to have time away from the party for half an hour or so, chat to each properly as husband and wife.

For dinner, we had rolled rib of beef on the table (cooked to perfection), with one guest as a designated carver on each table - a good way to get conversation going. After dinner, our wedding cake and cheese was there for self service (nothing left by the end!) along with a gin bar - 5 of favourite gins. For the dancing, we had an amazing eight piece band (the manager is a friend) and the dancefloor was packed. It was so important to us to have good music, and that's exactly what we got. We didn't leave the dancefloor until home time!

The best bits

Every moment! Getting ready with family and bridesmaids in the morning, time with Dad on the way down to the church, walking up the isle and saying our vows, seeing all our friends and the dancing.