I adore Faye & Wilf’s wedding for its rich, deep and warming colour palette. It’s a day filled with joy, beautifully styled and photographed, and with one of the best entertainment ideas we’ve ever featured on English Wedding. (Trust me – I’ve played this game at weddings: it’s a talking point for literally years to come!) The relaxed and beautiful ceremony, and the playful atmosphere of the evening celebrations are captured in North Yorkshire wedding photographer Joss Denham’s genuine and authentic style. There are a handful of stunning film photographs in the mix, and they’re utterly beautiful. And as you’re about to read, Faye and Wilf have shared fabulous reviews for their favourite suppliers plus some brilliant tips for other couples. If you’re planning your wedding, if you’re getting wed in the North East or Yorkshire, and especially if you fancy a tree house wedding – keep reading, because this is all too beautiful.

North East & Yorkshire wedding photography

Photographer’s website

Joss Denham is a documentary wedding photographer covering North Yorkshire.

Wedding photographer review

We wanted a gallery that felt as natural and organic as the Treehouse itself. Joss was incredibly unobtrusive and relaxed; most of the time, I didn’t even know where the camera was! This allowed for some truly authentic candid moments to be captured without any “forced” posing. The final images perfectly reflected the soft winter light and the sparkling gems on my dress, feeling more like a fairytale storybook than a structured photoshoot.

We would recommend Joss in a heartbeat. He has a fantastic eye for light and detail; he captured the way the soft winter sun hit the gemstones on my Jenny Packham dress beautifully. His style is very relaxed, which perfectly mirrored our “rustic fairytale” vibe. He didn’t just take photos; he captured the feeling of the day. Looking back at the images, you can feel the warmth of the wood and the excitement of the party. He’s a true professional who makes the whole process feel effortless.

The Alnwick Garden Treehouse: Wedding suppliers

Faye & Wilf: Our Wedding Story

Tell us anything you did differently – any NEW traditions (or if you had none at all!)

One of the most unexpected hits of the wedding was our ‘Peg and Run’ game. We challenged our guests to secretly clip wooden pegs onto each other throughout the evening without being noticed. Those with the fewest pegs by the end of the night were eligible for our mystery prize: a bottle of Whisky and Ube Liquor (a little nod to our life in Asia!). It turned out to be hilariously competitive; seeing our friends and family sneaking around the treehouse trying to “peg” one another was a joy to watch. It was the perfect way to get guests from different parts of our lives talking and laughing!

Wedding venue name + review

We spent our entire day at Alnwick Treehouse. We chose it because it’s a local gem in my hometown and offered the “wow factor” we wanted for our international guests without the need for extra travel between venues. It was the perfect solution for our friends who were unfamiliar with the area or tired from their flights. We would absolutely recommend it. The atmosphere is truly magical, and it provided a cozy, intimate setting that contrasted beautifully with our life in Hong Kong.

We leaned into a “Rustic Fairytale” aesthetic, which felt like the most natural fit for a venue as magical as a treehouse. We wanted a look that felt organic yet enchanting, and the venue truly did the heavy lifting for us. With its winding tree branches and hundreds of tiny, twinkly lights entwined throughout the space, it was exactly the “woodland dream” we had envisioned. It felt less like a decorated room and more like a hidden, glowing forest.

Florist name + review

Our flowers were a moody, romantic mix of Red Dahlia ‘Black Fox’, pink and white roses, blue Delphiniums, thistles, and Eucalyptus. We wanted a bouquet that acted as a bridge between our navy and burgundy color schemes, and these blooms tied the whole wedding party together beautifully. We were lucky enough to work with our event dresser, Miriam, who also handled our floristry. Having one person oversee both the decor and the flowers was the best decision we made. It ensured every petal matched the vibe of the venue perfectly.

Wedding cake maker name + review

Since Wilf doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, we decided to skip the sponge and go for something we both truly love: stacked wheels of artisanal cheese. We curated a selection that tasted incredible and matched our winter palette perfectly. Our “tiers” included a vibrant Wensleydale with Cranberry for a pop of red, a bold Godminster Organic Cheddar encased in deep red wax, and a Cornish Yarg wrapped in rustic nettle leaves. Topping it all off was a tiny, heart-shaped Godminster cheddar for a touch of romance. It was a savory masterpiece that looked stunning against the natural wood of the venue. My favorite detail, however, was the cake topper: a pair of adorable bride and groom mice gifted to us by my mum. It was a playful nod to our “cheese vibe” and added a lovely sentimental touch to our display.

Catering review

Our venue is also a restaurant, so they were able to provide the food for us. We wanted our menu to feel like a warm embrace on a cold winter’s day. For the wedding breakfast, we started with a savory Artisan cheese and leek tart, followed by a rich, slow-cooked Featherblade of Beef with roasted roots. For our vegetarian guests, the Vegetable Wellington was a big hit. We finished on a high note with a classic Sticky Toffee Pudding and vanilla gelato. The beef and the pudding were the absolute stars of the show. We had so many compliments from our guests!
As the night went on, we moved to “comfort food” favorites: Aberdeen Angus cheeseburgers, hot pork baps with gravy, and chunky chips. And of course, we served our ceremonial cheese wheels with crackers and chutney to round out the evening.

Wedding wear

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

We aren’t “monochrome” people, so we embraced deep, saturated tones for our wedding party. The groom and his side wore rich burgundy, while the bridal party wore navy blue. We opted for classic suits for the men and velvet dresses for the ladies – a choice that was as practical as it was stylish. Since our party was traveling from afar, velvet was the perfect “suitcase-friendly” fabric that resisted wrinkles (though a lint roller became our best friend!).
For my dress, I ended up with something I never expected: sparkles! After “thousands” of plain dresses didn’t feel right, I tried on a Jenny Packham gown encrusted with Art Deco gems. Unlike heavy, restrictive corseted gowns, the chiffon was light and breathable. The high-neck design meant I didn’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions, allowing me to just enjoy the moment. Seeing the dress sparkle in the glowing February sun was a highlight. I felt like a literal queen.

Styling and personal touches

My husband, Wilf, took the lead on our palette, choosing his favorites: Burgundy and Navy Blue. These deep, rich tones were the perfect choice for a winter wedding in the UK. We intentionally avoided pastels, wanting a “saturated” look that wouldn’t feel washed out against the rustic interior. The jewel tones complemented the natural wood of the Alnwick Treehouse beautifully. To keep the tables from feeling cluttered, we skipped runners to let the raw wood shine, opting instead for navy napkins and burgundy velvet favor bags. Our event dresser, Miriam, tied it all together with custom signage in our signature colors that fit the vibe perfectly.

Wedding entertainment

Algorythm was the heartbeat of our evening. Chloe, the lead singer, has an amazing presence and managed to read the room perfectly, transitioning from nostalgic favorites to modern floor-fillers. They were also so accommodating; we told them beforehand that we weren’t looking to do a “performance piece” for our first dance. They kept the moment intimate and sweet while we swayed to “Die With A Smile,” and then seamlessly transitioned into a set that ensured the dance floor was never empty. We couldn’t recommend them enough!

Faye & Wilf’s wedding planning tips for other couples

If you’re staying at a hotel, book in two nights before the wedding, rather than just the day before. It allows you to unpack at a relaxing pace, steam your dress in peace, and get settled into your new surroundings. If you’re like me and struggle to sleep in a new environment, that extra night helps you adjust to the bed and pillows so you’re actually rested for the big day.

To give your wedding guests the best time

Self-Service Wine: Leave bottles on the table. It’s much more efficient than waiting for a pour and keeps the conversation flowing.
The “Ghost Guest” Rule: If someone cancels last-minute, let the meal be served. It’s better to have an extra plate of food for your guests to share than to “gift” that money back to the venue. Let your loved ones enjoy the extra portions of that amazing menu!
Keep Games Simple: Choose an interactive game that doesn’t require filling out cards. Our “Peg Game” was a massive hit because it was subtle, sneaky, and didn’t feel like a chore.

Give “Traditional” Moments a Purpose: If you’re doing a bouquet toss, consider offering a prize like a Toblerone instead of the “you’re next to marry” trope. It ensures everyone (single or married) wants to participate, and it keeps the vibe light and fun.
DON’T take “it’s finished” for an answer: If a guest says the cheese is gone, double-check with the staff. Ours was hidden in the kitchen, and we missed out on sharing it all!
Don’t feel pressured to buy into the wedding “package” of extras. If you have a great venue, a killer band, and a fun game to get people talking, you don’t need to spend thousands on temporary entertainment.

How to have the best wedding party ever

Invest in Energy (The “Big Three”) – You don’t need a photobooth or expensive gimmicks if you nail these three things:

1. The Venue: Pick a place with a “wow” factor (like a treehouse!) that does the decorating for you.
2. The Band: Hire a band with a powerhouse lead singer (like Chloe from Algorythm!) who can read the room and bridge the gap between “old classics” and “new dance vibes.”
3. The Food: Serve “warm-hug” comfort food (Sticky Toffee Pudding is a guaranteed winner) and keep the midnight snacks coming.

The “Empowered Bridal Party” Advice
Our biggest secret was the “Bridal Party PDF.” We created a comprehensive document with every detail, timeline, and vendor contact, then handed it over to our bridesmaids and groomsmen. Once that was done, we let go. Having that PDF meant our bridal party could guide us rather than us having to watch the clock. It allowed us to be fully present and enjoy the party as guests of honor, rather than the hosts. If you want to actually be in the moment, give your team the info they need and then trust them to lead the way!