Alternative Weddings

Barefoot Bride. A Bespoke Gown For A Druid Handfasting Wedding At Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland – Justine & Simon

Julia Smith

Jonathan Brown Photography

I take pride in featuring all sorts of celebrations here on Brides Up North, and today’s fun and colourful, festival themed, foot stomping, hand fasting, outdoor wedding in Northumberland is as diverse, original and fabulous as they come.  I love how real bride Justine had everything planned down to the finest details in order to allow the wildness of the setting and theme to take centre stage on the big day.  Remember – it’s your wedding, do it your way

With images by Browns Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Justine says:  Simon asked me to marry him at Glastonbury Festival in 2011 and we got married on 28th April 2013 at Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland. 

Jonathan Brown Photography

We used the Stables for our civil ceremony and bridal party accommodation with our druid blessing in the orchard, plus dancing, yurt dining and camping there too.

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

We chose the venue because the owners, Mark and Emma Fenwick, were prepared to allow me to create the wedding that I wanted.  Emma and I worked closely to organise the whole day. Emma allowed our guests to camp overnight too which was a big factor to us. I also wanted my grandmother to be comfortable and the Stables provided decadent accommodation in a wonderful riverside setting.

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

We chose to have a barefoot eco wedding with a festival undertone – laid back fun and far from formal – with horse and cart transport, camp fires and lively foot stomping music.  Our party went on until midnight (wellies and posh frocks). 

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

My dress was a bespoke corset and skirt made to my design by a costume maker based in Bristol.  My skirt had a ribbon pulley system so the skirt could be ruched up for dancing at night incorporating lots of ribbons.  

I wanted a dress that no one else would have with a hint of theatre and festival fun within the design. The fabric was wonderful raw silk and it had a fun deep plum silk lining which was only revealed after the more traditional civil ceremony.

I had a posy of Victorian roses tied with cream and plum satin ribbon. 

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

My bridesmaid’s bespoke dress was again made to my festival fun idea, with ruching and a net petticoat in plum silk.  The groomsmen wore their own suits.

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

My company Cloudhouses Ltd provided the large 30 foot diameter wedding yurt, dancing party tent, PA, Lighting Rig and bell tents Albert Hall Dance Floors provided our dance floor.  Food was supplied by Wilkins Fine Dining.  Emma from Brinkburn supplied waiting staff and decorated our wedding yurt.

Many friends helped with setting up our wedding and taking it down again which was wonderful.  People’s time and energy meant so much more to us than physical gifts.

Jonathan Brown Photography

The whole day was wonderful, but seeing the faces of our friends and family from near and far as we arrived to the afternoon ceremony was something we will never forget! It was a really emotional moment for us both.

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

We had live music all the way, swing music followed by lively foot stomping local bands.  P!key Beatz and Diddley squat provided the music along with swing DJ Dan Mahon.  My son Dan is the base player in Pikey Beatz and the other band members I have known for years. Diddley Squat are very good friends of my husband Simon.

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

Jonathan Brown Photography

For our honeymoon we went to the Algarve in Portugal after our summer festival season (a gift from my cousins). 

Jonathan Brown Photography

My top tip for other Brides Up North is that planning is crucial so take the help or advice of someone with experience.  Make sure the person you choose is someone you can connect with and get along with, which will make it a whole lot easier. 

Congratulations Justine & Simon!

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Browns Photography

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