After postponing their wedding date twice, Emma and Luke finally got to say their vows at their dream wedding venue. Their celebration looked a lot different to how they originally planned, but individual details combined with their perfect setting made for an unforgettable day.

Every single person involved in planning a wedding can relate to the frustrations, challenges and questions that have been put upon us since March 2020. There’s never been a time where we have had to learn to adapt so much. It’s been tough on so many and at times has felt as if the let downs and uncertainly are never ending. But, as Emma quite rightly states, “if this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate what you have.”

As the first weddings have been coming back to Rhinefield House we have seen a completely different way of celebrating, one without the usual traditions such as confetti throwing and the first dance, but with new additions such as face coverings and social distancing. However, one thing remains true for each of our beautiful weddings here; a day filled with personal touches and moments which leave our couples feeling like they’re on cloud 9. 

Personal touches… that is certainly a key theme in Emma and Luke’s day. Not only was their wedding day bursting with unique embellishments, there were plenty of significant signs presented to them along the way. 

Emma and Luke from Poole held their wedding on 19th May 2021, after postponing twice due to Covid-19. Originally a winter wedding due to take place in November, the couple chose to say their vows in the Spring time instead, the season of renewal which is something they both felt passionate about after the year of 2020. 

Rhinefield presented itself as the perfect venue for them and a huge part of this was due to the location. Emma tells us that she is drawn to the forest whilst Luke is drawn to the sea. It’s clear that both love the outdoors and would often visit Brockenhurst for hikes, passing the Redwood Forest and Rhinefield on their journey from Poole. 

During their initial enquiry meeting the Rhinefield team provided them with hedgehog shortbreads, something which may seem insignificant to many but to Emma and Luke who had recently dealt with the passing of their African Pygmy Hedgehog this was a great sign! They booked there and then and requested the hedgehog shortbreads as part of their afternoon tea wedding breakfast. 

Their day looked a little different to how they originally planned. 27 guests attended their day and their vision of evening entertainment and dancing had to be put to one side due to social distancing and restrictions. However, the beautiful grounds provided an ideal setting for an afternoon in the sun with lawn games and the maze keeping guests busy. And whilst there was no reception as such, the wedding party enjoyed roasting marshmallows on the firepit and eating freshly baked pizza from the pizza oven when dusk fell. 

Emma tells us how their guests were overjoyed to be together again after so long apart. “After we’d just been announced as the new Mr and Mrs Dixon, and I was looking around the room at all our loved ones, thinking ‘everyone is here because they love us’ and it made me feel really happy we had brought everyone together for such a happy reason after such a horrible year.”

The theme for the wedding was very much in tune with the surrounding forest. The groomsmen were dressed in light grey and burnt orange tweed and their buttonholes actually had feathers and bark from the forest! The wedding cake was specially designed to combine elements of the sea and the forest with Portland stone and marble and forest branches and a set of antlers. Even the decorations were a personal touch for the couple, acorns as Oak trees are very special to them. 

And whilst they had a spot of rain during the day Emma says she is actually very pleased about that. Apparently rain on your wedding day is good luck! From the days of hand fasting, where the phrase ‘tie the knot’ came from, if it rained, the knot would tighten and make it a stronger bond and harden to undo – therefore strengthening your bond and marriage!

THE DETAILS

FLOWERS: From Jane With Love
CAKE: Cake Buds (www.cakebuds.co.uk/)
PHOTOGRAPHY: Mia Photography (read Mia's first hand account of the day here) 
GROOMSMEN SUITS: Marc Darcy (https://marcdarcy.co.uk/)
DRESS MAKER: Chantelle from Chantelle Sophia (https://www.chantellesophia.com/)