Zoe & Mike’s Perfect Outdoor Wedding at Lillibrooke Manor

September is one of the most popular times of the year for weddings, and it’s easy to see why, isn’t it? Often, we’re lucky enough to see September bring memories of the summer heat with it, beautifully blended with just the first subtle hints of autumn.

Zoe and Mike wanted to celebrate this incredible time of year – and their own special love story – with a perfect wedding, set in a venue that enabled them to make the most of the great outdoors, and share their love with family and friends.

At Heritage Venues, we were thrilled to be a part of Zoe & Mike’s day, helping them transform their rustic outdoor wedding dreams into a stunning, unforgettable reality.

Outdoor Perfection in the Cloister Garden

Zoe and Mike had known for a long time that they wanted to get married outdoors, and had been searching for a venue that would allow them to soak up the September sun during the day, and dance the night away indoors after sundown.

Lillibrooke Manor’s Cloister Garden was the perfect place, surrounded in every direction by the colourful blooms of late summer, and the fresh, floral scents of nature. Overlooked by Lillibrooke Manor’s historic barns, Zoe & Mike decided on a rustic theme, bringing in colours such as burnt orange that perfectly complemented the space, the vibrant gardens, and the touch of autumn felt throughout the air.

However, it wasn’t just the garden that sealed the deal for Zoe & Mike. The couple felt that there were many different aspects that all came together to make Lillibrooke Manor the ‘perfect’ venue, including ‘amazing colleagues’, ‘beautiful areas’, and ‘extra touches’ that all helped to make the celebration one of a kind.

“The first time we went to Lillibrooke Manor we knew straight away that we wanted to get married here. We were back the following weekend to book our date!”.

Dressed to Impress

In keeping with the rustic outdoor theme running throughout the wedding, Mike’s groomsmen formed a handsome group dressed in navy chino trousers and brown chequered blazers from award-winning menswear store Black Tie in Crowthorne.

But the star of the show, of course, was Zoe, who stunned in a simple yet elegant Stella York creation from Confetti Bridal in Wokingham. Zoe paired her gown with a huge bouquet from Twyford’s Beauty in Blooms, bursting with hues of orange, peach, yellow, and an array of rich, deep purples, matching Mike’s buttonhole.

A British Tradition

Lillibrooke Manor was built in the 15th century and is home to what is believed to be one of the oldest barns still standing in Britain today. The entire venue is steeped in history, and Zoe & Mike really wanted to inject this feeling of tradition and old world glamour into their celebration. And they found the perfect way to do just that.

From the very start, Zoe and Mike had described themselves as ‘not 3-course sit-down meal people’. So we began looking into some alternatives that were more their style. This was the ideal place to work in this concept of tradition, and the end result was a mouth-watering afternoon tea – a true British tradition and part of our country’s history. Unusual? Absolutely. But the guests absolutely raved about it!

Zoe & Mike’s Day… Their Way

What Zoe & Mike really loved about Lillibrooke Manor the most was simply the fact that they had the freedom and flexibility to throw the sort of celebration they wanted, without having to conform to any preconceived notions or set standards.

It was their day, their way. According to the couple, the best part of this is that they were able to bring in all their own decorations – some handmade in the run up to the wedding, and others purchased from local stores – and include them throughout the space. Some of the most important decorations were images of late loved ones on their own wedding days, proudly displayed to include loved and very much missed family members in the celebration. The couple also set out chairs with specially designed ‘reserved’ tags, always keeping a space open for those who had passed.

Advice for Couples

When asked if they had any advice for couples planning their wedding, Zoe and Mike said that the most important recommendation they can give is to simply listen to the team. And while we always want our couples to feel free to share their own ideas, have input, and create their own perfect wedding, we’re pleased that our advice and guidance helped Zoe and Mike so much. It was a pleasure to help!

So… is there anything the couple would change?

“We wouldn’t change a thing; everything was exactly how we wanted it!”.