A GARDEN MEADOW WEDDING AT WALFORD HOUSE MEADOW

8 hours ago

4 min read

Abigail & Daryll · 18 July 2026 · by Purple Kite Photography

Outdoor wedding ceremony under rustic wooden arch, bride in white and groom in dark suit before seated guests and green trees.

Abigail and Daryll met after swiping right and immediately clicked. Six weeks later, Daryll “temporarily” moved in. Ten years, two children and one pandemic‑postponed wedding later, they finally celebrated their long‑awaited day.

Guests mingle at a nighttime outdoor wedding reception in lit tents, with a couple sitting on hay bales in the foreground.

A Proposal with a Plot Twist

Daryll proposed on a surprise trip to Morocco. They planned to marry in 2020, but like many couples, became Covid wedding casualties. Life got busy, two little ones arrived, and the wedding was pushed back again and again… until Abigail noticed that their original date fell on a Saturday in 2026. It felt like the perfect moment to finally go for it.

Bride and groom kiss at an outdoor woodland wedding, with guests seated on hay bales around a rustic flowered arch.

Turning Home into a Wedding Venue

Walford House Meadow — an acre of garden and paddock at the back of their property became the backdrop for a relaxed, meadow‑inspired celebration. What began as a low‑key ceremony with hog roast quickly escalated to include a rustic ceremonial arch and a double tipi, and they have now turned the meadow into a fully functioning wedding venue!

Close-up view of a hand-tied wedding bouquet made with garden flowers — Flowers grown for the day added colour, texture and a personal story.

Decor was personal and unfussy. Abigail had cleared an old florist patch during maternity leave and tried growing her own flowers. Their florist worked with seasonal pastels and a single photo for inspiration. Gold dinosaur centrepieces (a nod to Abigail’s dinosaur obsession) made a comeback after being stored since 2020. Guests found their seats by identifying their dinosaur table names — trusting everyone knew their Triceratops from their T‑Rex! Fairy lights, whisky barrels and hay bales for the ceremony seating which were then rearranged later to create a relaxed seating area outside the tipi.

Guests mingle at an outdoor party beside two large beige teepees in a wooded field, with hay bale seating and barrels.

Colourful flower garden beds behind wire fencing, with red, white, and pink blooms under lush green trees.

Colourful wildflower bouquet in a glass vase beside a gold dinosaur figurine on burlap-covered table, with hay bales behind

Rustic outdoor wedding aisle with hay bales, burlap, pastel flowers, and a wooden arch set on grass before green trees.

Guests mingle at a nighttime outdoor party in lit teepee tents, with fairy lights, tables, and a warm festive glow.

Floral-frosted cake on a wood slab, surrounded by pink and orange flowers, with blurred pastries in the background.

Framed wedding seating chart for Daryll & Abigail with dinosaur illustrations on an easel inside a tent.

Tented outdoor wedding reception with long wooden tables, string lights, and a seating chart labelled Daryll & Abigail on an easel.

Smiling bride in white dress holding a pastel bouquet beside groom in dark green suit, standing in a sunlit flower garden.

What They Wore

Abigail wore the Vivienne Westwood Long Cocotte — a dress she didn’t expect to love until she tried it on. After two babies, getting into her pre‑2020 gown was a triumph, and with beautiful makeup she felt fabulous. Daryll wore a dark green Scabal suit with a burnt orange tie, echoed in the groomsmen’s accessories. Bridesmaids were encouraged to picked their own dresses to match the colour palette, but comfort was the priority.

Four smiling women carry a bride in a white dress and bouquet at an outdoor garden wedding, with floral arch and rug.

A Joyful, Relaxed Celebration

Guests travelled from all over the world to celebrate with Abigail and Daryll. A DJ, fireworks and the family dog provided entertainment — the dog acted as ring bearer and later crashed the first dance and cake cutting. Their daughter, who had just started walking two weeks earlier, managed the walk down the aisle, creating one of the day’s most cherished moments.

Outdoor wedding ceremony with smiling bride and officiant; groom bends to pet a small dog under a flower-covered arch. — The family dog had a starring role delivering the rings during the ceremony

Bride walks arm-in-arm with older man down grassy outdoor wedding aisle, guests clap near beige teepees and hay bales under trees.

Outdoor wedding ceremony under a rustic arch, with bride in white, groom in green, and officiant in red before seated guests

Bride smiles at an outdoor wedding ceremony as an officiant in red speaks into a microphone; groom faces her in a green suit.

Smiling couple exchange rings at an outdoor wedding ceremony as an officiant stands before a flower-covered arch.

Man in a light suit plays guitar while a woman sings at a microphone outdoors beside a greenhouse, smiling at each other

Outdoor wedding ceremony: officiant in red holds mic and vows as bride in white and groom in green smile beneath floral arch.

Outdoor wedding ceremony with bride and groom under rustic arch, officiant in red, guests seated on hay bales in a green garden

Bride and groom smile as guests shower them with confetti at an outdoor garden wedding, surrounded by colorful dressed friends.

Laughing woman kneels on grass, feeding a scruffy black dog a treat outdoors beside a rustic table and shed. — Nat from Soka Food treating the family dog to a juicy bone from the Barbeque

Daryll’s step‑sister officiated, Nat from SOKA Catering kept everything running smoothly, and speeches were full of laughter — including a surprise toy dinosaur handed to the bride.

Bride in white dress walks down tented wedding aisle as guests cheer and wave napkins.

Wedding guests, including a smiling nun, wave white napkins in a tented reception, surrounded by tables and wine glasses.

Guests seated at a rustic tented reception, smiling and chatting around a wooden table with flowers, wine, and a wicker bag.

Woman in a green dress sings or speaks with arms wide under a tent while guests at a table applaud at an outdoor event.

Laughing groom in dark green suit and orange tie at a wedding reception, with blurred guests and warm lights in the background

Smiling bride in white raises a shot glass at a festive dinner table with flowers as guests toast around her

People serving grilled meat at an outdoor barbecue, with plates, trays, and leafy trees in the background. — Soka Food provided a generous barbecue feast, perfectly suited to the relaxed garden setting.

Man in apron and cap grills meat over smoky flames outdoors, tending the barbecue in a leafy backyard.

People outdoors share fried appetizers on a wooden board, with a man in a blue blazer reaching for a bite.

Three plates of grilled steak with potatoes and green herb sauce on a dark table.

Mini pavlovas topped with berries and edible flowers on white plates, arranged on a wooden table for a colorful dessert display

Man in a cap crouches by a smoky backyard grill, tending meat over coals beside metal trays.

Two women at an outdoor party sample hors d’oeuvres from a wooden platter, with guests blurred in the sunny background.

Woman slices fresh loaves on a wooden table while a man in a light suit watches at a rustic bread stall.

Plated roasted squash rounds topped with pesto, cheese, and pomegranate seeds on white plates against a black background

While the guests were busy enjoying the canape reception, I whisked them away for a few minutes for portraits and a quiet breather before the evening party began.

Smiling bride and groom pose by a wooden fence in a leafy garden, holding a pastel bouquet; she wears white, he a green suit.

Smiling bride and groom in wedding attire stand under a large tree, holding a colorful bouquet in a leafy garden.

Bride and groom dance under a tent at a wedding reception as guests watch, with a small dog on the wooden dance floor. — Three's a crowd. The dog stole the limelight during their first dance!

Bride and groom cut a flower-decorated wedding cake in a lit tent while guests watch and cheer.

Smiling bald man in white shirt and tie holds a beer at a lively party, with dancing guests and warm colorful lights.

Two women in dressy outfits laugh and hold drinks at a warmly lit party tent with string lights in the background.

Couple sits on hay bales at a lit outdoor tent party at night, with guests mingling under string lights and warm glow.

Wedding guests dance and mingle under string lights, with a bride in white smiling as an older woman in yellow embraces her.

Smiling couple dances hand-in-hand under string lights at a lively party, man in white shirt and woman in yellow dress.

Smiling man and woman dance playfully at a party with string lights and blurred guests in the background.

Fireworks burst over trees at night, with red and gold sparks, smoke trails, and spectators watching below.

Abigail's top Wedding Planning Tip:

“Don’t get stressed over minor details — no one will be talking about the colour of your napkins.”

WHAT THE COUPLE SAY

Fabulous photos and fantastic photographer!

"Sarah was recommended to us and we couldn’t be happier with the service she provided. From start to finish she was professional, flexible and responsive. The following day she sent me some highlights which I didn’t expect so soon at all, and we were all blown away when the final photos were delivered. Fantastic candid shots that really captured the essence of the day, we found Sarah very unobtrusive and a real natural person to have on the day, and quietly and kindly kept us up to date and made sure we didn’t miss some key moments and photos and really listened to our plans. Thanks again Sarah! "

Abigail & Daryll

THE TEAM

Photography: Sarah at Purple Kite Photography

Venue: Walford House Meadow

Catering and hosting: Soka Food

Florist: Wilde Hill

Tipi: Country Tipis

Hair and Make Up: Kate Morris

Dress: Vivienne Westwood

DJ: Happy Days Discos

Getting Married at Walford House Meadow

Walford House Meadow is a stunning outdoor, blank canvas wedding venue tucked away in the Hertfordshire countryside in Stanstead Abbots. This one-acre meadow provides a private, romantic setting that’s perfect for your wedding day—whether you’re planning an elegant ceremony or a relaxed celebration.

What I love most about photographing weddings here is:

Total freedom to style the day your way, from DIY florals to unique décor.
Great backdrops for portraits in every direction.
The wonderful team of trusted suppliers who know how to get the most out of the venue space.
It’s a brilliant venue for relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography.

Planning Your Wedding at Walford House Meadow?

If you’re getting married at Walford House Meadow, and are looking for a photographer who’ll help you feel comfortable, relaxed and completely yourselves, I’d love to hear from you.

You can view more of my work or get in touch here: