Some weddings just make sense. Liah and Peter’s celebration at Old Gore Barn was one of them.
She is a florist, he is a farmer, and together they created a day rooted in food, flowers and the countryside they love. Set against the rolling Cotswolds landscape, Old Gore Barn was the perfect backdrop for a wedding that felt personal, purposeful and full of character.
From home grown beef served at the wedding breakfast to florals that climbed staircases and framed the ceremony, every detail reflected who they are. Even the stationery played its part, setting the tone long before guests arrived.
Choosing the venue
Old Gore Barn won them over instantly. The warm Cotswold stone, rustic charm and relaxed luxury ticked every box. It felt rural without feeling rough around the edges, and the venue’s reputation for incredible food sealed the deal.
The team were a huge part of the experience too, bringing everything together seamlessly and delivering a menu that guests are still talking about.
A dress that set the direction
Peter did not know it at the time, but the entire wedding was designed around Liah’s dress.
After searching for something non traditional, she found her dream gown at White Lace & Butterflies, a boutique known for alternative bridal styles. The hand painted Willa dress by Savin London was floral, expressive and completely her, and it became the starting point for the colour palette and styling across the day.
Stormy blue bridesmaid dresses from JJ’s House complemented the look perfectly, while their daughter wore the sweetest flower girl dress by Arabella & Rose.
Thoughtful styling from head to toe
Hair was styled by Hair by Gabrielle, with make up by Beccy Brotherton, alongside a very special contribution from Liah’s cousin Gemma, who stayed close all day for touch ups and emotional moments.
Peter and his groomsmen wore blue tweed suits from Cookham Formal Hire, finished with handmade lapel pins crafted from feathers found on their estate, a small but meaningful nod to farm life.
Stationery that set the scene
As a florist, Liah knew just how important first impressions are. Their wedding was always going to be about flowers, so the stationery needed to reflect that from the moment invitations landed on doorsteps.
They chose wildflower gatefold invitations, paired with single card evening invitations and matching envelope liners from Tavern Creative. Designed to feel abundant, natural and full of movement, the stationery introduced guests to the tone of the day before it even began.
Seeing the finished invitations made sending them out a joy, and confirmed that the vision they had imagined was coming to life.
Handmade details everywhere
Personal touches ran throughout the wedding. Liah hand made their signage using wood from the farm and her Cricut machine, creating pieces that felt right at home in the barn setting.
Place names were finished with ribbons to match the bridesmaids dresses, with each guest’s name applied individually. Time consuming, yes, but entirely worth it.
Flowers in every direction
With over 15 years experience as the owner of Luna Phases Florist, designing her own wedding flowers was both surreal and deeply exciting.
The brief was an ethereal midsummer garden. Sweeping floral staircases, towering columns and a ceremony backdrop that blurred the line between indoors and out. English foliage and wildflowers took centre stage, including foxgloves, delphinium, garden roses, peonies, sweet peas and wild jasmine.
As guests entered the barn, the scent of flowers filled the space, creating a truly immersive experience.
Rings with real meaning
Designing their wedding rings was one of Liah’s favourite parts of planning. Working with Suzannah Key in Winchester, they created something beautiful but practical, perfect for a hands on florist.
The design incorporated teal sapphires, a colour Peter affectionately calls “Liah green”, alongside diamonds, all set using gold from Liah’s great nanny’s wedding ring and childhood jewellery. A piece of family history, carried forward.
Food from the family farm
Food mattered. A lot.
Peter supplied his own 35 day dry aged sirloin beef from Whitby’s Family Farm, which the Old Gore Barn chefs cooked over open fire stations for the wedding feast. It was a highlight of the day and a rare chance to share their own produce with friends and family.
The wedding cake, a three tier lemon creation by Toria Sefton, was displayed within a wildflower meadow in the dining room and tasted every bit as good as it looked.
Capturing it all
Choosing the right photographer was essential, and Emily Collett Photography was an easy decision. From engagement photos taken in wellies among the cows to the wedding day itself, Emily captured the spirit of the celebration beautifully.
Film by Fox & Blossom included one unforgettable moment in particular, a surprise tractor ride in a limited edition gold Massey Ferguson, complete with sweeping views and a very full wedding dress.
Music, entertainment and the party
Live music set the tone throughout the day. Nero String Quartet played during the ceremony, including a goosebump inducing version of Yellow for the aisle walk.
Guests were treated to live illustration portraits by Katy Locke Design, close up magic from Darren Campbell, and acoustic sets from Georgia Thursting during the wedding breakfast.
The evening finished strong with The Four Kicks, who kept the dance floor full well into the night
Words of advice
Liah’s advice is simple. Take it all in. Pause, look around, and really absorb having everyone you love in one place.
And maybe do not rely on a vintage Land Rover to get you to the ceremony.
Credits
Venue
Old Gore Barn
Photographer
Emily Collett Photography
Videographer
Fox & Blossom
Florist
Luna Phases Florist
Bridal Boutique
White Lace & Butterflies
Dress Designer
Savin London
Groom and Groomsmen Suits
Cookham Formal Hire
Hair
Hair by Gabrielle
Makeup
Beccy Brotherton
Jewellery
Suzannah Key
Family Farm
Whitby’s Family Farm
Cake
Toria Sefton
Music
Nero String Quartet
Georgia Thursting
The Four Kicks
Illustration
Katy Locke Design
Magician
Darren Campbell
Stationery
Tavern Creative
Dance Lessons
All Steps First Dance
