Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - August/September 2020 (Issue 84)

REAL WEDDINGS 33  Steph and Katie’s festival-inspired celebration in a tipi followed a rustic, eco-friendly theme Images courtesy of Gabrielle McMillan Photography WED FEST Stephanie (known as Steph) and Katie Ward-Bright married on 24 th August 2019 at a festival-style celebration in a tipi at Fawley Fields on Roundhouse Farm in Henley-on-Thames. S teph and Katie met at work where Katie was Steph’s manager. “Katie was confident and fun with an outgoing personality that was infectious,” Steph tells us while Katie adds, “Steph was engaging, well-travelled and we had good banter!” It was their shared sense of adventure that eventually brought them together. “We’re both passionate about the outdoors and seeking new challenges, and the two months that followed of working for a kayaking expedition company on a remote Swedish island helped to solidify our relationship!” The couple became engaged two years later during a trip to Croatia. “It’s one of our favourite destinations so we booked the holiday along with Steph’s dad and sister,” Katie tells us. “We booked a canyoning expedition and had spent the day abseiling, diving and swimming under waterfalls. While wading out to one stunningly beautiful waterfall, the instructor asked Steph to stop and turn around and there I was, kneeling at the bottom of the waterfall with a ring for her in my hand that the instructor had kept in his first aid kit during the day!” Steph adds, “it was a wonderful surprise, I had no idea.” Here, the couple describes about their elopement wedding followed by a festival-style celebration. “We had to have a cheese tower because we both love cheese. We also had a red velvet wedding cake created by Katie’s mum. The cake toppers were handmade by Steph using pine cones wearing their very own mini veil, flower crown and bow tie! Guests were able to take a piece of cake home with them.” – Steph and Katie