Maggie and Emerson’s Informal and Relaxed DIY Farm Wedding in Leicester by Sally Rose 

Today’s wedding is a great example that you don’t need loads of fuss and loads of details to have a great day. The main things you need are good friends, good company and a whole lot of love. Maggie and Emerson held a laid back farm wedding in the Leicester countryside. They wanted it to be as fuss free as possible and really got stuck in with the DIY aspects. They called in the help of their many creative friends who really got stuck in with pulling the whole day together. Their laid back, chilled attitude led to a wedding that was relaxed, un-stuffy and full of fun. Family friendly and filled with an abundance of love from everyone. Big thanks Sally Rose  for capturing the day for us.

 It was a very informal, DIY wedding. A festival vibe with all our favourite people!

Maggie and Emerson were married on 23rd July 2022 at  Leicester registry office then Scraptoft Hill Farm, Leicester. ‘It was a beautiful wildflower meadow on a farm. Nothing there – a blank canvas for us to do what we wanted. They had a campsite so friends and family could all stay onsite! We had approximately 160 guests, it took about 2 years to plan. We were supposed to get married in 2021 but COVID prevented that!’

How they met
We met at a friends wedding in 2008 so had been together for 14 years when we married.

The proposal
He asked me in the kitchen as I was scrubbing the hob. We do not really do romantic!

How did you allocate your budget?
We just tried to spend as little as possible by asking friends and family to do as much as possible. We knew it would cost what it cost but we were only going to do it once!

Where did you splurge and where did you save?
Splurged on food and a decent photographer. Saved on hair, make up and dress!

How did you choose your photographer?
Recommended by a good friend but I had a good look at Sally’s website and loved her photos – relaxed, informal and capturing the vibe!

The dress
I bought a second hand dress and flip flops!

The suit and bridesmaids
We didn’t have bridesmaids – just my children as ‘flower girls’ (although I told them they could call themselves what they wanted!)

Flowers
I actually pulled wild weeds from the garden the morning of the wedding (a landscape gardener at the wedding commented on my beautiful bouquet!) FREE!

Decoration
Friends made simple flower decoration – again with garden plants and some white spray paint (I am lucky to know lots of creative people!)

Food 
Wistow Bistro café did us an amazing grazing table

Wedding cake
Friends and family all made little cakes so we had the most amazing selection!

Entertainment
Friends played various DJ sets

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to France

Personal touches
A friend called Mel became our Melebrant (she knew us so well and it seemed silly to pay a celebrant who didn’t know us!

Special moments
Seeing all the kids run wild in the field and on the bouncy castle – it really was a family friendly affair! And our friends being the celebrant who wrote an amazing speech (oh and her super talented daughter sang too)

Advice for other couples
Do what you want and don’t be pressured into doing what is percieved to be expected. Plan an eco wedding and don’t spend money on stuff that will just be thrown away.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Catering: www.wistowcafebistro.co.uk
• Photography: www.weddingsbysallyrose.com
• Venue: www.scraptofthillfarm.co.uk

Weddings By Sally Rose 

www.weddingsbysallyrose.com / www.weddingsbysallyrose.com/blog / [email protected] / 07739318996 / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / PINTEREST

I’m based in London but travel all over the UK for weddings. I shoot a lot in and around the East Midlands as I’m from Nottingham originally. My style is relaxed, candid and colourful. I love capturing real moments and genuine smiles.