Amelia and Lee’s Vintage Marquee Wedding

Tut tut, we have really fallen behind with our blogs, but this one is worth waiting for. Casting our minds back to August last year, it was time for our newest venue Phoenice Fields to play host. This was to be a beautiful blend of rustic sophistication for the lovely Amelia and Lee.

Amelia and Lee had actually had an alternative venue booked in London, but with a recent move to Surrey with their baby daughter and issues with their pre-booked venue, Amelia contacted us in March with a new vision for her wedding and luckily for us that included Phoenice Fields.

Amelia proved a wedding like this can be achieved in a small space of time, although as an event manager for Red Bull Racing, she did have a slight advantage.

Availability for your main party tent can be hard to find six months out, but Amelia was lucky to find Vintage Marquees, who had their 40ft x 50ft Cambridge vintage pole tent available. The dance floor was set in the back of the tent, and tables were set in a U formation around the edges so all 112 guests could benefit from the open sides and wraparound countryside views.

Amelia’s styling was simple yet effective. The rustic trestle tables were left natural with runs of beautiful foliage down the centre. Nestled in the foliage were mini disco balls which gave off lovely glints of light and racing cars as a nod to how the couple met, while working for Red Bull Racing. Each guest received a pot of Amelia’s Dad Bruce’s honey from his own bees as their favour.  

The day of the wedding was a glorious sunny day, Amelia and Lee were married in the local church and their guests were brought to the field in funky vintage buses from Ages Past. Guests made their way up the mown path bordered by potted hydrangeas to be welcomed by brass trio, Dixie Saints and fizz and cocktails from the stunning outdoor bar, beautifully dressed by Amelia’s florist, One-Flew Over. The bubbles from the bubble machine floating around were a sweet touch.

As guests enjoyed the music, the views and the beautiful canapés from Sabel (Dorset crab doughnuts, dill pickles; Hansen & Lyderson smoked salmon, soda bread lemon & black pepper; Tomato and goats cheese tarts and Ham hock scotch eggs, piccalilli and mustard cress), Lee and Amelia ducked off for some photography with their daughter Stella and some couple photos in the surrounding woodland and long grasses.

After an hour or so, guests made their way in to the marquee. The menu was awesome and proof that you can serve top notch cuisine from a simple catering tent in a field. We sampled it and can confirm it was as delicious as it sounds.

Sourdough, brown butter, pink peppercorns
Heirloom tomatoes, lovage, ticklemore & seeds
Native breads, cured pork collar, gooseberry chutney

Herb crusted saddle of lamb, salsa verde
Risotto of smoked wheat and peas
Salad of summer leaves, garden vegetables & herb cream

Lightly poached summer berries, elderflower jelly, almond shortcake and vanilla cream

The meal was finished with speeches and guests moved back outside to mingle and enjoy the late afternoon sunshine. Shortly after London Cab Photo Booth from Coco Photo Booths arrived and guests were soon climbing in and out to have their pictures taken. Any evening munchies were satisfied by tiered cheesecake, with grapes and crackers.

DJ’s the Wedding Smashers cued up Amelia and Lee’s first dance, Stevie Wonder ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’  and got the party started. They kept the floor jumping all night and at 11pm switched to a silent disco for the last hour.

Buses and taxis arrived at the end of the night and guests were whisked away to their homes and various hotels in the area. Such a beautiful day and a stunning first wedding for Phoenice Fields.

We will leave you with some advice from Amelia.

 “Have something visual behind the DJ booth or band, I didn’t release how many photos would be of the dance floor and DJ’s and I wish I had hung something visually exciting behind it.

Also it will be really dark and cold at night (even in the summer) so double up on lighting outside and get blankets for guests.

The best feeling is on the eve of the wedding when you leave the marquee all set up and realise there is nothing else you can do, Everything is now out of your hands!”

You can read more and see more gorgeous shots from Amelia and Lee’s wedding over on the Festival Brides blog.

SUPPLIER LIST

Marquee – Vintage Marquees
Photographer – Peach and Jo
DJ – Wedding Smashers
Caterer – Sabel
Cake: Nicola Roberts
Styling – Amelia Stevenson
Brass trio – Dixie Saints
Transport – Ages Past
Brides dress –  Jesus Peiro
Hair & Make Up: Gigi Hammond
Florist – One- Flew-Over
Groom’s suit – Tailored by Reiss
Photo Booth – Coco Photo Booths
Venue and on the day coordination – Fiesta Fields