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Callie and Sam's wedding day - black and white confetti shot of them leaving ceremony surrounded by guests.
Patchwork CouplesWedding Planning

A wedding stylist’s wedding and dreamy Puglia honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Today on the blog we chat to wedding stylist Callie Punchard of Studio Dine and find out what it was like for her to style her own wedding! Callie met her now husband Sam at Uni; she says “we had mutual friends so we’d see each other here and there around the building.” Callie also worked in the Student bar so their chats became more and more frequent until eventually they got together. And hooray! They’ve just celebrated their 7 year anniversary of being a couple. Callie tells us more about how she planned and styled their day (and has some great tips too for couples planning their own weddings!) She also gives us all honeymoon FOMO by letting us in on their amazing honeymoon to Puglia, Italy, funded by family and friends with a little help from Patchwork!

How did you get engaged?

Callie and Sam on their wedding day. They hold hands and Sam looks at camera, while Callie looks across at Sam. They stand in front of two large floor standing floral arrangements with a blank white wall behind them

Callie: In our little one bed flat during lockdown. Sam had always joked he’d propose on the day he finished his masters and that ended up being exactly what he did. As he couldn’t go out and celebrate his final hand in with his friends, I took the day off and we decided we’d have a picnic in the flat. When I suggested we go to the park if it was nice out (at this stage we were allowed to sit outside!) and he said he’d rather stay in, I got suspicious. Popped out to the postbox and when I got back to the flat he was down on one knee. We celebrated with a takeaway pint from our local pub.

Callie and Sam's wedding day - buffet table set up with cheese and crackers and sweet things all displayed on wooden boards
Callie and Sam's wedding day - table settings, apricot, lilac and pale blue gingham colour palette on bare wood tables.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We knew we wanted a pretty relaxed day and that the most important thing was having all our friends and family there. Something less traditional and full of personality. Being a wedding stylist myself, I can’t pretend I didn’t feel the pressure right off the bat though. It was finally my opportunity to do everything exactly as I wanted. Obviously it had to be beautiful! But fun and colour were definitely priorities. Oh and the food. The food was very important. We chose Loft Studios which had the perfect casual, London vibe and sourced everything ourselves. A lot of work but so so worth it in the end.

Callie and Sam's wedding day- table settings, apricot, lilac and pale blue gingham colour palette on bare wood tables.
Callie and Sam's wedding day - bar set up with glasses of Aperol spritz

How did you find styling your own wedding as opposed to other peoples’?

I definitely found the run up more stressful and overwhelming than I’d imagined to. Naturally, the planning felt somewhat an extension of work, which definitely had its negatives, but it was so rewarding to be able to create something that totally reflected us and my style. The week of the wedding was hard work if I’m totally honest. We put a lot on our plates and did everything ourselves, from the flowers to making and painting the signage, designing menus, making my own candles, etc. We even made the bloody napkins! Actually it was only once it got to the day itself that I let the pressure go. I was so happy with everything we’d created and knew at that stage the work we’d put in had paid off, but once you wake up and it’s your wedding day, I couldn’t have cared less what it looked like. It was just amazing that so many people were there and we just had the best time.

Callie and Sam's wedding day - signing the register
Two tier wedding cake decorated with colourful iced flowers.

Did you have a first dance?

YES. Our first dance was Abba, Super trouper. We knew we wanted something fun and our families are all ABBA obsessed so it just felt like the perfect choice. I hate being the centre of attention so I was really nervous about this bit of the day, but we’d bought some confetti cannons to be set off at the end of the first verse and it ended up being totally magical. That sounds SO lame but it really was. At that point our friends couldn’t wait to get on the dance floor and it was the best start to the night.

Bird's eye colour shot of Callie and Sam on their wedding day. Standing close together with confetti falling on them and lying on the floor all around them

A bit of ABBA never fails! And what was your favourite part of the day?

I loved it all so much. Our first dance was definitely a highlight, but our ceremony was really amazing too. We had a humanist ceremony, which our celebrant Nat Raybould just made so personal and wonderful. We did Rock Paper Scissors to decide which of us read our vows first – haha.

An iPad with images of a Patchwork honeymoon fund to the Amalfi Coast

Why did you choose Patchwork for your wedding registry?

I knew from the moment I met you guys that we would use Patchwork for our wedding. Other than you being the dreamiest team and working with you previously, it just made so much sense. We loved that we could totally customise it to what we wanted and that we’d be giving back to environmental charities with our fee. A huge win-win.

Selfie shot - Callie and Sam - on honeymoon in Puglia

What did you invite your guests to contribute towards?

We decided to ask guests to contribute towards our honeymoon. We’ve lived together for years now, so we didn’t need gifts or any more ‘stuff’! We just wanted to have the best time away together in Italy.

Shallow clear sea with old stone buildings across the water - Callie and Sam's honeymoon in Puglia

What did you enjoy most about using Patchwork for your honeymoon fund?

It was just so easy and so much less icky than asking our guests for cold hard cash! Haha! We completely mapped out our trip on it from meals out to hotels and activities so there was a total range of things and prices. It was so fun seeing what people bought us too.

Selfie shot - Callie and Sam - on honeymoon in Puglia, walking along an old town street

What did your family and friends think?

They loved it. We had so many compliments on how great of an idea it was, and found everyone loved being able to choose what they were contributing towards. It was lovely that we could send people updates throughout our trip too of things we were doing that they’d made possible. So many friends have gone on to use it for their weddings now too and we love being on the reverse, getting to choose for them!

A crowded beach cove, Puglia, Italy

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what were the highlights?

We went to Puglia in Italy. Honestly the dreamiest trip. We planned to travel around the top half, staying in each place for 1-2 nights to see as much as possible. We started in Bari before moving along to Matera – This gorgeous old cave city (and where part of the new James Bond was filmed!). Stopped off at a wine resort and had a few days on an Italian farm in-land too, before travelling back up the coast and having a few beach days. We stayed in this incredible cave hotel in Matera which was cool and had this unreal seven course tasting menu one of the nights we stayed on the farm. That was definitely a highlight. We visited a ceramics village which as a tableware obsessive I loved! One of the days in Monopoli we found this hidden away beach cove which was amazing. We just sat on the edge of the clearest water with a spritz and fresh fried seafood and it just felt like we were in heaven. Polignano a Mare was also gorgeous – By far the busiest place we went but worth the hype for that view. Also all the food and wine. Obviously. Delicious. Want to go back immediately.

Two Aperol spritz glasses on a small table with sun shining behind.

OK, now we all have honeymoon FOMO! How did it feel knowing your friends and family had helped make your dream trip a reality?

Amazing – and really special. We’ll remember that trip forever.

Callie and Sam's wedding day - floral display - two floral arrangements of orange, apricot, blue and lilac with white wall behind.

And finally… do you have any top tips when it comes to planning / styling your wedding?

  • Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything feels super important in the run up and it’s easy to get carried away but on the day the little things don’t matter.
  • Make sure it reflects you as a couple. Don’t fall into the trap of doing things because you feel you should. The best weddings are the ones where your guests walk in and immediately think how YOU it is. What are your favourite things? Think about how you can bring them into your day.
  • Work with your venue!! This is such a big one. Usually you’re spending a lot on the venue itself so make sure that it reflects the vibe you want your day to have, and that your ideas for styling will work with the space. Think about the existing features, colours and furniture and compliment it with everything you bring in.
  • Trust your suppliers. They know what they’re doing and you’re paying them for the expertise they bring to the table.
  • Don’t worry about making your wedding look ‘timeless’. Just have fun with it.
  • Make sure your budget is put to good use! Eg. If you’re paying for a big floral ceremony arch, where can you move this to once the ceremony is over?

Thankyou so much Callie and Sam for sharing your beautiful day with us and making us all want to immediately head off to Puglia for Aperol Spritz and seafood…. Congratulations from all of us at Patchwork, we are so pleased we could play a small part in your celebrations!

If you’ve been inspired to set up your own honeymoon fund, you can find our templates for Italy and 100s of other destinations here. Or if there’s something else you’d love your friends and family to help with – check out some of our other unique wedding gift ideas. If you’d like to chat to Callie about how she can help create the wedding of YOUR dreams you can read more about her services on the StudioDine website or on Instagram

Here are some of the wedding suppliers that made Callie and Sam’s day super special:

Make Up: Abi Taylor Bride

Food: Pasta E Basta

Cake: Maison Pe’lumi

DJ: On Repeat

Styling & Design: Callie at Studio Dine

Venue: Loft Studios

Flowers: Designed by Callie at Studio Dine, brought to life by Springhill Florals & Salad Studios

Dress: Charlie Brear

Photographer: Alba Turnbull

Videographer: The Smiths & Co

Photobooth: Photobot

Bar: We are Twenty Six

Pizza Van: Napoli on the Road

Furniture: Ya Hire

Candles: Studio Dine Store

Celebrant: Nat Raybould

Confetti: Flutter Darlings

Streamers: Streamadelica

Honeymoon hotel in Matera: Palazzotto Residence & Winery

p.s. you can listen to Callie and Sam’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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Emily and Steve on their Canadian honeymoon. Selfie shot with lake and mountains in background.
Honeymoon InspirationPatchwork Couples

A relaxed Staffordshire wedding and Canadian Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Patchwork couple Emily & Steve first met in October 2010 at university in Reading. They were in the same halls kitchen, becoming good friends first, and then getting together half way through their first year (with much help and encouragement from their friends!) They’ve been together ever since. Both originally from the Midlands, they’ve slowly moved back up the country, since leaving university and are now settled happily in Banbury. Today they tell us all about their gorgeous wedding at The Cowshed at Woodhall Farm, Staffordshire and the amazing Canadian honeymoon adventure they had – with a little help from family and friends!

Bride Emily and Groom Steven on their wedding day - they sit at a small round table in the corner of a rustic barn, with fairy lights adorning one wall.

How did you get engaged?

We were on holiday in San Francisco – Steve was there for a work trip and I joined him for the second week. He’d planned a hike at the Marin Headlands which he’d done with his work pals the week previous saying how amazing the views were. I thought something was going on as we approached a bench near the top and he said ‘let’s just wait for those people to move…’ Once it was quiet, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He’d made a temporary wooden ring which he’d managed to keep hidden. I, of course, said yes! We took in the view and ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we’d made for the walk.

Wedding breakfast table set up at the Cowshed, Woodhall Farm, Staffs
Emily and Steve on their wedding day. Holding hands outside the venue whilst their guests shower them with confetti.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We wanted a wedding that we would have been excited to go to ourselves. The most important things to us were tasty food and everyone having a dance (if they wanted to!) Neither of us like being the centre of attention so we wanted it to be a relaxed day, for us and those invited too. We asked family and friends to help make decorations and set up the day before which meant everyone felt involved in our day – even if it was just cutting out paper leaves!

Beautiful bright bouquets of flowers - with blooms of lilac, orange and yellow. Close up shot of four bouquets held by three bridesmaids and bride Emily.

Did you have a first dance?

We danced to ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by The Police. We didn’t really have a ‘song’, so we put together a playlist of our favourite songs and this one won.

Shot of Emily and Steve on their wedding day mingling with their guests outside with trees in the background.
Emily and Steve on their wedding day. Standing close together on a lawn with a covering of small white flowers.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Getting to have all our family and friends in the same room – finally! It was lovely chatting to people and catching up. We haven’t had such a big gathering since pre-covid. Having to cancel twice due to the pandemic meant this had been a long time coming. When I asked Steve he said his favourite part was getting to jump to the front of the queue for Disco Fries!

Patchwork Honeymoon Fund Canada

Why did you choose Patchwork for your honeymoon fund?

I found Patchwork on a wedding blog that was recommending alternative gift giving websites. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t drawn to Patchwork because it looked good. It wasn’t ‘wedding-y’ and we could make our page our own. The best bit was feeling like people were part of our honeymoon planning. It can be a bit awkward asking people, especially friends and family, for money. However this felt fun, and it was great to chat to people about the trip.

Emily and Steve on their Canadian honeymoon. Shot with lake, sky and mountains in background.

What did you invite guests to contribute towards?

We asked for money to put towards our honeymoon in Canada. It was somewhere we’d always wanted to visit and felt like a perfect honeymoon location for us. We put together a list of things we wanted to do whilst we were away – bigger activities like a whale watching trip and smaller items like poutine or brunch – so guests could chose what things they’d like to contribute to.

Emily and Steve on honeymoon in Canada - shot of Steve wearing sunglasses on a boat

What did your friends and family think?

They loved it. We had lots of comments about how they hadn’t seen anything like this before and how easy it was to use.

Steve on honeymoon in the Canadian mountains

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what were the highlights?

Our adventure started in Vancouver and we spent a few days exploring the city. We walked the coastal path around Stanley Park, and went whale watching off the southern gulf islands. Seeing orcas and humpbacks was just incredible. We took a train through the rockies, arriving the next day in sunny Jasper. The next week was spent exploring the canyons, lakes and mountains of Alberta, finishing in Banff. It’s hard to choose a highlight – every place we visited was amazing, the people so friendly and the food delicious. We had the best time.

Humpback whale in the distance in the ocean - Emily and Steve's Canadian honeymoon

How did it feel knowing your friends and family had made it happen?

It was lovely. It felt like they were really part of it too. It was nice to share it with everyone.

Emily on honeymoon in Canada, standing against a wooden fence wearing sunglasses with mountains behind

And finally, what’s your no.1 top wedding planning tip?

Work out what you both really care about first, and prioritise. It’s your day, you can’t please everybody, so do what you guys love and try not to worry about everyone else.

Thanks so much Emily and Steve for sharing your beautiful words and gorgeous photos of your wedding day and Canadian honeymoon adventure. We’re so glad Patchwork could help you have the trip of a lifetime. If you’d love more love and less stuff for your wedding, you can set up your own honeymoon fund for a Canadian honeymoon or browse our 100s of other honeymoon destinations and start getting excited about your trip!

Here are some of the amazing suppliers that made Emily and Steve’s day extra special:

Venue: Cowshed at Wood Hall Farm

Food: Baked in Brick and Disco Fries

Drinks: Thirsty Nomad Bar

Photographer: Kate Jackson

Flowers: Flowerology

Cake: Made by Steve’s sister!

Outfits: Bride and Bridesmaids Monsoon and Groom and Groomsmen Slaters

Band: The Royale

Hair: Hair by Ellis

Makeup: Soie Makeup Georgina

p.s. you can listen to Emily and Steve’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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Two white women on their wedding day, standing inside a whitewashed brick structure with a rustic feel and an open window behind them. One of the women has short blonde hair and wears a dark trouser suit and a white shirt. The other has long blonde hair and wears an ivory dress with an organza skirt and sleeveless bodice. They are both looking down at a large bouquet of flowers that they hold between them.
Patchwork Couples

A Kent wedding and Miami and Florida Keys honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Today on the blog we put the big questions to Carlie from South East London and Sophia from Essex. They met on Tinder 6 years ago, have been together ever since and got married in Canterbury, Kent in summer 2021. The couple decided they didn’t want to just ask for money as a wedding gift, so they chose Patchwork for their wedding registry. They invited their guests to contribute towards some amazing experiences on their Miami and the Florida Keys honeymoon where they could really enjoy all the area had to offer, knowing their family and friends had helped make it happen!

Close up shot of shoes and dress of two white women on their wedding day. One of the women wears a dark trouser suit, pink suede shoes and carries a bouquet of flowers. The other wears a floor length ivory dress with an organza skirt. She also carries a bouquet of flowers.

How did you get engaged?

Carlie: Long Story. But I made a video, I went to all our favourite places, holding up a book with different things I loved about Sophia, at the end of the video I asked her to marry me. To show the video I surprised her by hiring a massive house out with each of our closest friends. When she arrived at the house thinking I was at work she came down into the cinema room where I was with lots of candles and flowers, I played the video and that is where she said “yes”. Then all our friends came out and surprised her and we partied all weekend together celebrating.

Two white women on their wedding day, standing outside next to a convertible silver VW Beetle decorated with ribbons and flowers. One of the women has short blonde hair and wears a dark trouser suit and a white shirt and carries a bouquet of flowers. The other has long blonde hair and wears a floor length ivory dress with an organza skirt and sleeveless bodice. She also carries a bouquet of flowers.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We planned a summer wedding in Canterbury, Kent and a unique venue with family & friends, where the drinks flowed and the dancing didn’t stop. It was small and personal to us.

Two white women on their wedding day, dancing at their wedding reception in front of their friends and family. One of the women has short blonde hair and wears dark trousers and a white shirt. The other has long blonde hair and wears a floor length ivory dress with an organza skirt and sleeveless bodice. They are both dancing with their hands in the air.

Did you have a first dance?

We did, London Gramma “Baby it’s You“

Two white women on their wedding day, walking hand in hand from the ceremony through their guests. One of the women has short blonde hair and wears a dark trouser suit and a white short and carries a bouquet of flowers. The other has long blonde hair and wears a floor length ivory dress with an organza skirt and sleeveless bodice. She also carries a bouquet of flowers. They are both smiling.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Getting married and dancing with the phenomenal band we had; especially the 10 minutes of old school garage!

Why was Patchwork the best wedding registry choice for you?

A friend used it for their wedding and we thought it was such a good idea, very personal. We didn’t want to just ask for money for our honeymoon. It was important that it felt personal to the individual who was gifting us. We liked the fact that they could donate money knowing they had contributed to a part of our honeymoon: a couple of beers, some cocktails, money towards the flights. We enjoyed guests telling us what they had bought us.

Two white females, one with short blonde hair, the other with long blonde hair smile at the camera as they take a selfie at a basketball game in Miami. The stadium and court are behind them.
A Patchwork honeymoon fund for Route 66

What did you invite guests to contribute towards?

A Miami and Florida Keys honeymoon. It made our honeymoon even more special and memorable with contributions from our friends and family for us to enjoy.

Selfie of a white woman on a beach in Florida on honeymoon, she wears a black sleeveless top and a baseball cap and wireless earpods. She smiles at camera and the sun is just starting to set in the sea behind her with golden sand in the foreground.

What did your family and friends think?

All our guests found it easy and simple to use with no questions. We liked choosing the different contributions our family and friends could make: a boat trip, a meal, a bottle of wine. We really liked we could do set pricing too, from £5 to £150, with different price ranges so people didn’t feel pressure as to how much to give. Guests appreciated having varied price points and choosing the different activities they could pay for us to enjoy on our honeymoon.

Two white females taking a selfie in a bar in the US, whilst on honeymoon. One of the women has short blonde hair and glasses, the other long blonde hair. The lighting is low with a reddish tint and there is a red brick wall behind them.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We went to Miami and Florida Keys. Among the highlights were: the ice hockey game, the beautiful beach, the basketball game in Miami, hiring a jeep and driving to the Keys, where we Kayaked, snorkelled and drank lots of wine. It felt great to know our family and friends were a part of it, and how they made it special in helping us making memories as a married couple.

Two white women on their wedding day, walking away from camera in a field of long green grass and white daisy-like flowers. One of the women has short blonde hair and wears a dark trouser suit and we can just see a bouquet of flowers in her hand. The other has long blonde hair and wears a floor length ivory dress with an organza skirt and sleeveless bodice. She also carries a bouquet of flowers. They are holding hands.

As a recently married couple, do you have any top wedding planning tips?

Writing lists to tick off and help keep track! But most of all try to enjoy it, smile through it, go wine tasting if it is offered to you. You will only do this once, it comes round fast, so enjoy it and make the most of it.

Thanks so much Carlie and Sophia for sharing your wedding day and amazing honeymoon adventures with us! If you’ve been inspired to set up your own honeymoon fund to the USA or anywhere else in the world, sign up to Patchwork today!

Here are some of the wedding suppliers that helped make Carlie and Sophia’s wedding extra special:

Venue: The Night Yard, Canterbury

Photographer: Lisa Jane Photography

Flowers: Dove and Myrtle

Carlie’s Suit: King and Allen

Sophia’s dress: Rock the frock

Wedding stylist: Idyllic days

Stationery: Lynda Watson

Ice cream bike: Treats on a Tricycle

Band: Groove Zoo

p.s. You can listen to Carlie and Sophia’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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A white woman and a white man on their wedding day. They are outside sitting in the back of a vintage land rover with the rear door open, on a country lane in the sunshine. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair. She carries a bouquet of flowers. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit.
Patchwork CouplesWedding Planning

A Peak District wedding and California honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Meet Jess and Joel. Both from Sheffield, our latest Patchwork couple have been together since 2014. They both love the outdoors, and spend most of their free time walking in the Peak District or visiting National Parks further afield.

Jess tells us they first met as teens in the Air Cadets but love didn’t blossom until their first term of university when Joel, who was studying in Birmingham, went to visit Jess in York for a couple of days. “By the end of the weekend, we had declared ourselves ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ but were both so shy about it that we didn’t tell our families for several months… Following that, we spent most of our three years of uni on CrossCountry trains going backwards and forwards to see each other! After we graduated, we started our life together in Sheffield and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

A white woman and a white man on their wedding day. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit with a light check pattern. They sit at a table with the wedding certificate in front of them, and flowers decorate the table.

How did you get engaged?

Jess: We got engaged in March 2020 on a trip to New York (just before the first UK Covid lockdown!). We got a train out of NYC into the Hudson Highlands State Park and went for walk on a wooded mountain trail overlooking the Hudson river, which was absolutely beautiful. Joel had a rather suspicious ring box-shaped bulge in the pocket of his skinny jeans, so I had a feeling he was going to pop the question when we reached the scenic viewpoint at the top of Mt Taurus. He did and it was so special. We celebrated that evening by going to a jazz club back in the city.

A white woman and a white man on their wedding day, they walk arm in arm along a cream carpeted aisle out of the ceremony venue as their guests clap them on either side. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit with a light check pattern.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

Jess: When we got engaged, we agreed on two things straight away: firstly, we wanted to get married in the Peak District and secondly, we knew we wanted to throw a big party in the evening and have a night to remember with our family and friends. We certainly got both of those things!

We got married at The Maynard, a hotel nestled in the Peak District with beautiful views across the Hope Valley. Our wedding coordinator, Soraya, was absolutely fantastic and the day felt really personal to us – we even had our favourite foods on the menu (hello arancini and sticky toffee pudding!) The ceremony and garden reception, soundtracked by a string duo, felt so magical!

In the evening, a local indie rock band, the Front Runners, played for us and kept the dancefloor packed all night. There were also sparklers, a photo booth, impromptu karaoke and crowd-surfing! At the end of the night, the guests who made it to the end took a survivor’s photo. (N.B. The Maid of Honour, Jess’s sister, did not make it!)

A white woman and a white man on their wedding day, cutting their three tiered wedding cake together. The cake is covered in ivory buttercream and has a woodland theme and is decorated with eucalyptus leaves and white roses. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit and tie.

Did you have a first dance?

Joel: We did – the indie rock band who played at our evening reception played an incredible cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘Holy Ground’, which is one of our favourite songs. Jess is a big Taylor Swift fan and had planted several Taylor easter eggs throughout the wedding!

A white woman and a white man on their wedding day standing outside on a rocky outcrop at Froggatt Edge. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair and carries a bouquet of flowers. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit with a light check pattern.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Joel: We really enjoyed our quick trip to Froggatt Edge (a scenic location in the Peak District, just a stone’s throw away from our venue) where we went to have some photographs and videos taken during golden hour. It was lovely to have a chance to be alone together for a little bit and reflect on how the day was going.

It was also special because we drove to Froggatt Edge in a Series One Land Rover that Jess’s Grandad had restored for her. Sadly, Grandad passed away a couple of months before the wedding, so it was a nice way to remember him and feel like he was a part of the day.

Patchwork California honeymoon fund

What did you choose Patchwork for your wedding registry?

Jess: Very soon after we got engaged, family and friends were asking, “What would you like as a wedding gift? Are you going on a honeymoon?” We were always clear that we didn’t expect gifts and that their presence on our special day would be the best present we could ask for, but we knew many of our loved ones wanted to contribute to our honeymoon – our first adventure as a married couple! We stumbled across Patchwork when we were scouring through wedding websites researching registry options and we loved how personal and customisable it was.

Young newly married couple Jess and Joel on their honeymoon to California funded by family and friends via Patchwork. Jess is a white woman and wears a green dress and has long fair hair which she wears down. Joel is a white man with short fair hair, he wears sunglasses and a casual navy jacket. They stand in front of the Hollywood Bowl with hills in the background and a blue sky above.

What did you invite guests to contribute towards?

Jess: Patchwork allowed our family and friends to contribute directly to an experience on our honeymoon, which we set off for straight after the wedding. We went on a road-trip in a Ford Mustang across California and our guests contributed to so many different fun experiences, including whale-watching in Monterey Bay, stargazing in Yosemite, and a trip to Alcatraz!

What was the best bit about using Patchwork?

Jess: It was so fun creating our Patchwork and it definitely made us extra excited for our honeymoon! Aside from it being a great registry, it also meant we were able to share our plans with our family and friends which prompted so many conversations about our itinerary. Whilst we were on the honeymoon, we loved sending the digital postcards to our guests to thank them for their gift! Everyone was really complimentary about our Patchwork and several people commented how much fun they had going through each of the patches and picking out the experience they wanted to contribute to.

Two bears walking on some fallen trees in Sequoia National Park

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what were some of the highlights?

Jess: We started our road-trip in San Francisco and travelled down the coast to Los Angeles, stopping at Monterey Bay, Big Sur, Santa Barbara and Malibu. We then travelled up to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park, before heading back to San Francisco. It was a busy trip!

Our favourite memory is seeing a mother black bear with two cubs in Sequoia National Park on Joel’s birthday. We had been on a long hike to a beautiful waterfall and were on the final leg of our return journey when we saw the bears! They were happily tearing bark off a tree, completely disinterested in us.

We also went to see our favourite band, Haim, play at the Hollywood Bowl, which was a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A white woman and a white man on their wedding day. They are outside on a country lane in the sunshine. The bride has long fair hair and wears an ivory lace dress with a flower garland in her hair. She carries a bouquet of flowers and holds them in the air. The groom has short fair hair and wears a dark suit with a light check pattern.

How did it feel knowing your family and friends helped make it happen?

Joel: Our honeymoon was extra special knowing that our family and friends had treated us to so many of the wonderful experiences we had. It’s the best present they could have given us because the memories will last a lifetime – they really are the best!

What’s your no.1 wedding planning tip?

Jess: Enjoy it – your wedding day really is the best day of your life and, when it’s over, you’ll miss your evenings and weekends spent doing ‘wedmin’!

Also, try and carve out some time for just the two of you at some point during the day, even if that’s just ten minutes whilst you’re getting your photographs taken or some stolen moments following the ceremony.

Thank you so much Jess and Joel for sharing these lovely words and gorgeous memories from your wedding day and California honeymoon! We’re so glad that you had the wonderful day you wanted and that Patchwork could help your honeymoon dreams come true 🙂

If you’ve been inspired to set up your own California honeymoon fund, check out our easy to customise template that you can edit to make your own. At Patchwork we’re giving 50% of our sign up fee to your choice of environmental charity so you can have fun and do good too!

Here are some of the suppliers who made Jess and Joel’s day extra amazing:

Venue: The Maynard
Photographer: Sharon Trees Photography
Videographer: Rather Lovely Films
Wedding band: Front Runners
String Duo: Southdene Strings
Flowers: Flourish Florists
Décor: Glamourpuss Events
Bride’s Dress: Love Spell Design
Alterations: Leann Marie Design
Groom’s suit: Master Debonair
Photo booth: Bliss Booth
Wedding cake: The Pink Cake Box

p.s. you can listen to Jess and Joel’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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Honeymoon Inspiration

Faraway’s Top 5 adventure honeymoon destinations

by Ismay Ozga
written by Ismay Ozga

Did you know SE4 is a hotbed for honeymoon fanatics? Fellow Brockley residents Al and Helen are the founders of Faraway, a travel company that specialises in giving busy people – especially newlyweds – bespoke and unforgettable honeymoons and escapes.

As a recently married couple in their thirties who love to travel, they get how important your honeymoon is. They also know that most of us don’t have the time to do all the research and legwork required to make it the extraordinary adventure we dream of (especially on top of organising a wedding!) – which is where Faraway comes in.

Helen and Al dropped in to the Patchwork studio for a cuppa earlier this week. Whilst they were here, they shared their top 5 honeymoon destinations for a unique honeymoon that is equal parts romance and adventure:

Colombia

Cartagena featuring a spire

If you’re dreaming of the sunshine and swaying palms of the Caribbean but with something a little “extra” (because, hey – it’s your honeymoon!), we suggest taking a look at Colombia.

Splash your way along the northern coastline, before going hiking or horse-riding into the coffee region, and getting off-grid in a remote jungle lodge deep in the Amazon rainforest. If you’re into cities, make time for Bogota, with its excellent museums and restaurant scene. Then the comeback city of Medellin, where you can hop in a cable car for less than a fiver and enjoy the best views of the city from high up in the hills. Finally, don’t miss the old town of Cartagena – where you’ll find beautiful hotels, cobbled streets and the perfect spot for sundowners up on the city walls.

With so much to see and do, Colombia definitely works on its own. But, our couples often head off on honeymoons of three weeks or so. Many choose to combine it with Ecuador’s volcanoes and cloudforests, or a tropical island or two off the coast of Panama.

Rwanda

For wildlife enthusiasts with the budget to splurge, there are few better options for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon than Rwanda. Begin with a day or two exploring Kigali (Africa’s cleanest – and perhaps calmest – city). Spend an afternoon at the genocide museum, which pays tribute to the victims and shares uplifting stories of how the country has overcome an intensely painful period.

Then head to Volcanoes National Park, where local guides will take you trekking deep into the jungle for an up-close, wild encounter with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Rwanda is a leader in combining conservation and community tourism, so you’ll receive a big warm welcome in the local villages too.

If you can’t imagine a honeymoon without a bit of beach time, we’re with you! Rwanda is relatively small – so, you should have plenty of time to hop across to Tanzania for a barefoot Indian Ocean escape. Choose between Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba or even Fanjove – depending on how remote you want to go.

Argentina

Road to nowhere in Argentina

The ultimate destination for active couples who adore wine, steak and un-be-lieve-able landscapes. Go horse-riding and wine-tasting in the foothills of the Andes, ice-trek across the glaciers of Patagonia, and go whale-watching at the coast. Then, head over to Buenos Aires and tango the night away in San Telmo before catching a football game at La Bombonera (it’s all about compromise, right?).

Argentina is vast and packed with different experiences, so you can easily spend a few weeks there. Otherwise, you might like to combine it with one of its neighbours – choose between Chile’s deserts and lakes, Uruguay’s windswept beaches, or hop over into Brazil to see the majestic Iguazu Falls from both sides.

Sri Lanka

If you haven’t been to Sri Lanka, your honeymoon could be the perfect opportunity to visit this popular and stunning island, just southeast of India. The list of options to explore is almost endless: lush waterfalls, abundant wildlife, endless beaches, temples and tea. Add to this friendly locals, fantastic food and beautiful places to stay – from luxurious retreats to cute b&bs – and it’s a pretty irresistible choice.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry suffered a big blow with the terrorism attacks earlier this year. Now it’s beginning to bounce back, not only will you be showing your support to a destination that needs it, you may well find this gem without the crowds who had been flocking there in recent years (no promises, though!).

The Maldives are a relatively short hop away too – making them a popular add-on, if you’re dreaming about that quintessential honeymoon-villa-on-stilts experience.

Malawi

Secluded beach in Malawi

We’re particularly fond of helping couples discover places that encourage you to unplug and feel ‘far away’ from life at home together – and Malawi definitely ticks those boxes.

It might be an unusual choice for a honeymoon, but we think this landlocked African gem is pretty perfect for cool couples who are into sustainable luxury, friendly locals and an authentic, relaxed vibe. As a bonus, phone signal is almost non-existent so you can truly escape just the two of you. And what could be more romantic than that?

Combine a castaway island on shimmering Lake Malawi (as it’s your honeymoon – may we suggest Mumbo or Likoma) with a safari in an unspoilt wilderness reserve and some time exploring in the highlands. Time it right, and you can incorporate the award-winning Lake of Stars festival too.

Think you’d like some help with your honeymoon? At Faraway we create bespoke escapes you’ll never forget; so, you can enjoy your wedding celebrations knowing you have a life-changing honeymoon ahead of you.
We offer all couples a free call, so you can get to know us first.
Team Faraway x

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Skiier on pristine snow covered mountainside, Iceland
Honeymoon Inspiration

Land of extremes – an Icelandic honeymoon adventure

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Our friends at luxury travel agent Go Bespoke share some of the team’s top recommendations for an Icelandic honeymoon in this guest post. It’s just 3 hours and 10 minutes flying time from London to Reykjavík. This land of extremes promises plenty of unforgettable experiences and memories for adventurous honeymooners. And with a Patchwork honeymoon fund, your friends and family can chip in to help make it even more spectacular!

Northern Lights, view over snow-covered mountains and lagoon, Iceland

What makes Iceland perfect for honeymooning couples?

Iceland is quite simply like nowhere else on earth. An arctic wilderness dotted with volcanic peaks, geysers, glacial rivers and geothermal lagoons. It is the perfect destination for honeymoon adventure seekers. For those who also like a dose of culture, the thrill of the wild is matched by the vibrancy of the capital city, Reykjavík. The city’s downtown area can be walked in less than a day.

There’s is plenty to discover, including cutting edge galleries, a burgeoning restaurant scene and lively nightlife. Whether Icelandic micro beers or cool cocktails are your thing, you’ll find plenty of choice. Stroll the streets to encounter an enchanting mix of old and new. The small painted houses rubbing shoulders with boutique hotels and stunning contemporary architecture such as Harpa – the city’s concert hall and home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.

Gullfloss waterfall, Iceland
Image credit Thomas Malik

What are the best times of year to go on an Icelandic honeymoon?

The summer months from June to August offer plenty of daylight hours for outdoor adventures such as cycling, hiking and whale watching. It is effectively light for the whole 24-hour period, but the sun does set for around three hours per day. Therefore, make sure you’ve packed eye masks if you are visiting in the summer months! Book between October and April to be in with a chance of spotting the iconic Northern Lights. With the weather at its crispest, prepare to witness some breath-taking winter scenery. There are partially frozen waterfalls, dramatic icebergs and ice fields.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland
Image credit: Valeriia Bugaiova

What are your top tips for the best places to stay in Iceland?

Interior of Kvosin Hotel, Iceland

Kvosin Hotel, Reykjavik

Explore the charm of the city from this fabulous boutique hotel. It’s located in the historic Kirkjuhvoll building in the heart of downtown Reykjavík. Built in 1900 Kvosin Hotel is a former townhouse which has been beautifully renovated with Scandi-style interiors. It makes the perfect base for spending a romantic city break for a couple of nights.

Book the ‘Big Room’ category if you’d prefer a bit more space. It offers an added lounge area and a marble-topped kitchenette perfect for in-room snacking.

Price: From £233 per night

Massage room overlooking mountains at Deplar Farm, Iceland

Deplar Farm, Troll Peninsula

It doesn’t get more off-grid than this converted sheep farm in the remote Flijót Valley. There are just 12 luxurious suites to choose from. The farm’s mountainous location in the Troll Peninsula means it is ideal for outdoor honeymoon adventures. Activties range from heli ski-ing, hiking, horse-riding, salmon fishing to sea kayaking – not to mention viewing the Aurora Borealis. You can also spend your stay kicking back in the spa. You can hop from the geothermal-heated indoor/outdoor pool to the Isopod flotation tanks. There’s an outdoor Viking sauna or you canprop up the swim-up bar under the midnight sun.


Deplar Farm is about 5 hours from Reykjavík’s Keflavík Airport, or 150km from Akureyri Airport. You can also arrive by helicopter onto the farm’s own landing strip!


Price: From £2,200 per night (price includes meals, local transfers and two guide-led activities per day).

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon - Suite, Iceland

The Retreat Hotel At Blue Lagoon, Grindavik

This fabulous all-suite property is located in the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark. It’s about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from the centre of Reykjavík. Stay at The Retreat Hotel and you will gain access to The Blue Lagoon. This is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. It ranks in the top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic and definitely one for the honeymoon bucket list. The mineral-rich waters there are the perfect temperature for bathing in, measuring 39 degrees all-year round. You will experience the exhilarating ritual that uses the lagoon’s silica, algae and minerals to rejuvenate even the most exhausted honeymooners!

The Retreat Hotel also has its own subterranean Retreat Spa and private Lagoon which you can exclusively access during your stay.


Price: From £1,100 per night in a Lagoon View Junior Suite. Including breakfast, unlimited use of the Retreat Spa, Retreat Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon, morning yoga, and a 7-course dinner for two at the Michelin-rated Moss Restaurant.

Whale's tail splashing in ocean, Iceland
Horse laying down in field, Iceland

And your top tips for unforgettable Icelandic honeymoon experiences?

  • Soar over the Icelandic Highlands by private helicopter
  • Take a private boat excursion among the icebergs of the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
  • Book a private Snowmobile tour on the spectacular Langjökull glacier followed by a picnic lunch
  • Visit the waterfalls of Gullfoss and Skógafoss
  • Explore the vast black sandy beaches of the south coast on a private Super Jeep tour
  • Walk alongside the North American tectonic plate and Eurasian plate at UNESCO heritage site, Thingvellir National Park
  • Experience the spouting hot spring at Geysir.
Patchwork honeymoon Fund Iceland

Wow, well we’re certainly adding Iceland to our hot (or maybe not so hot) list! If you’re feeling inspired to plan an Icelandic honeymoon, use Patchwork. You can invite family and friends to treat you to experiences that will make your trip even more special.

Whether it’s £5 for a coffee, £70 towards a whale watching trip, or £150 for some sub-zero scuba diving, your friends and family will love to know they are treating you to the things you really want.

For more information about planning a honeymoon in Iceland, contact Go Bespoke on 020 8935 5779 or email the team at info@gobespoketravel.com quoting ‘Patchwork’.

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Natasha of AllCall Travel, standing in Dolomites, Italy
Honeymoon Inspiration

Hidden Gems for The Perfect Venice Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Natasha, founder of AllCall Travel has written this guest post to share some hidden gems in Venice. Read on for an unbeatable mix of “off the beaten track” and classic Italian opulence, to help you plan your post-Covid honeymoon trip of a lifetime.

Flower stall in Venice, Italy

Honeymoon planning can be tough. You want to decompress from the day—too much family time, endless planning, and inevitable stress—but you also want a trip of the lifetime that fulfills every vacation hope and dream. Right? I get it.

A few years ago my husband and I road tripped through northern Italy. Milan to Lake Como to the Dolomites to Venice. It wasn’t our honeymoon, but it was beautifully planned if I do say so myself! I love planning great vacations and know how broken the whole process is. That’s why I started Allcall. It can be hard to plan a trip, to find the hidden gems that make it feel like you’re truly experiencing a destination. Especially in famously romantic places like Venice.

Typical view of canals in Venice, Italy

I’d love to share a few tips and finds from my trip. Hopefully, they will help with your own Venice planning.

First stop – the Dolomites

First suggestion, spend a few nights in the Dolomite mountain range before heading to Venice. Just a three hour drive from Venice, this region of Northern Italy left me totally awestruck. A mix of Italian, Austrian, and Swiss culture, it’s like no other area in Italy. Stay at Terra The Magic Place. A sister and brother duo run this Relais & Chateaux property with a 2-star Michelin restaurant in the lobby. Whether you go in the winter to ski or in the summer to hike, you’ll find yourself totally in love, with both your partner and the region.

Woman walking away from camera with view of the Dolomites, Italy ahead go her

If you are looking for a real adventure, hike to Lago di Sorapis. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s 7 miles I’ll never forget and the drive in is world class.

Next stop – Mini road trip to Venice

Then make your way to Venice. If you are driving, there is a rental car drop off right over the Ponte della Libertà bridge, connecting Venice to the mainland. It’s easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! Drop your car; you’ll be on foot or boat for the remainder of your trip. (P.S. take the speed limit seriously on the bridge to avoid collecting tickets along the way, it’s all radar monitored. And trust, you’ll be getting Italian bills in the mail for years to come.)

View of canal in Castello, Venice, Italy

Neighborhoods to live like a local in Venice

Let’s talk neighborhoods. My personal favorites are Cannaregio and Castello. Both feel like areas where people actually live. You’ll rub elbows with locals while enjoying a glass of vino at little cafes and wine bars or shopping at the butcher and market. Unlike San Marco, it is not tourist central. I do suggest an afternoon in San Marco to check out of the famed Piazza and Saint Mark’s Basilica. Grab a coffee at 300+ year old Caffè Florian, just don’t expect an off-the-beaten path feel in this area.

Buildings and architecture in Castello, Venice, Italy

Eating and drinking in Venice

My favorite restaurant in Cannaregio is Il Paradiso Perduto, if you are looking for a genuinely good time, great cheap drinks, and excellent seafood, look no further. This spot is filled with loud, young, rowdy Italians and you’ll have a blast. There are only 2 time slots for dinner, make sure to call ahead to get reservations. You won’t be sat on time, so don’t come starving. Do come ready to drink.

Exterior exhibit at Peggy Guggenheim Collection

My favorite restaurant in Castello is Al Covo. This family-owned restaurant is perfect for a white tablecloth dinner, when you feel like getting all dressed up. The fresh pasta is what you dream about when you plan a vacation to Italy, and the seafood is what you expect when you plan a trip to Venice. There’s a reason it’s included in the Michelin Guide. The Castello neighborhood is also home to Giardini della Biennale, which hosts the Biennale Art Festival every year. But it’s worth checking out year round, even just for amazing views and peaceful surroundings.

Snacks and beers on table by window at Bar All Arco, Venice, Italy

One of the things I love about Venice is the mom-and-pop bars that offer 3€ beer, wine, and aperol spritz paired with cichettis. Cichettis are basically mini open faced sandwiches topped with all types of incredible local ingredients, like fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drenched in olive oil or fresh sliced white fish with green olives. You’ll find spots like this all over the island, but two worth checking out are Bar All’Arco (a must) and Osteria Al Squero. Osteria Al Squero is conveniently located next to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which is also a must.

I love these little bars, but sometimes you want to feel the full opulence of the city and for that I recommend grabbing a cocktail at the Aman Venice. It’s what you would expect, extremely over the top and high-end in all the right ways. Grab a drink by the water or at the bar, either way you’ll be pleased.

Aman, Venice, interior of building with stained glass windows and grand staircase

And lastly…

It can be tough to find those gems in Venice that aren’t pummelled with tourists and selfie sticks. But I promise, they exist. A few closing pieces of advice. Be sure to have a shortlist of places you know you want to go beforehand, otherwise it can be easy to fall into a tourist trap. Be prepared to walk, you’ll find spots you never could have had on a list and moments where the beauty of the city comes to life in unexpected ways.

Venice Patchwork honeymoon fund in an iPad

Feeling inspired? Make it happen!

Set up a Patchwork page inviting your guests to contribute to specific activity on your trip. From a night in a luxury hotel to a gondola ride, a gourmet dinner for two, to the biggest gelato in Venice, your friends and family will love to know they’ve treated you to an unforgettable experience. Use one of our easy to customise templates to set up your Venice honeymoon page or create your own bespoke adventure by setting up a page from scratch! When you’re ready to book your honeymoon, contact Natasha at AllCall for expert advice. You can see a full list of her recommendations, including favorite lodging options at any price-point on Allcall, or if you are looking for something more custom, join the Allcall Travel Club.

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Scarlet Macaws, Costa Rica Honeymoon
Honeymoon InspirationPatchwork Perspective

Adventure and Romance on a Costa Rica Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

Combining adventure and romance, Costa Rica is a favourite with Patchwork couples planning dream honeymoons for 2021 and beyond. Britt from The Honeymoon Fixer has written this guest post to share her top tips for planning an unforgettable Costa Rica honeymoon. So, if you’re setting up a Patchwork honeymoon fund and asking guests to treat you to some once in a lifetime honeymoon experiences, read on for some ideas to make your Costa Rica patchwork come alive…

Punta Uva, Costa Rica

From beach to rainforest and everything in between.

This tiny country never fails to delight and has become one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. Specialist travel company, The Honeymoon Fixer highly recommend Costa Rica as it has so much to offer. A proper tropical paradise with beautiful beaches, turquoise seas, gorgeous sunsets, pristine rainforests, amazing wildlife and stunning scenery. For couples that are concerned about sustainability Costa Rica is perfect. Many locations are eco-friendly, employ local people and are conscious about their practices.

With it’s fantastic selection of places to stay and plenty of activities on offer Costa Rica has something for everyone. Whether you are wanting to indulge in an adventure, take part in sporting activities or just spend time relaxing in a luxurious hotel in a beautiful, romantic setting.

Rio Celeste Waterfall, Costa Rica Honeymoon
Tabacon hot springs, Costa Rica
Image courtesy of Costa Rica Tourist Board

Top activities to make your Costa Rica honeymoon unforgettable

If you’re tempted to book a honeymoon in Costa Rica, here are a few excursions for adventure and romance that The Honeymoon Fixer recommends:

• Visit Corcovado National Park to see howler monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws and other wonderful wildlife in their natural habitat.

• Enjoy the famous Tabacon thermal mineral springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

• Hike to the Rio Celeste waterfall and be amazed by the beautiful bright blue colours.

A Costa Rica Patchwork Honeymoon Fund views on an iPad

• Don’t miss The Chocolate Forest Experience. This includes a walk through a cacao plantation and trying some delicious organic chocolate. The day ends at sunset with a chocolate and wine tasting overlooking the Caribbean coast.

• Climb to the stunning blue grotto at Punta Uva.

• Have lunch at La Paz Waterfall and afterwards take a leisurely stroll through the gardens.

• See the nocturnal wildlife in action on an evening tour at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Turtle heading for the sea on Costa Rica beach

• Head to the Lankaster Botantical Gardens. They’re full of fabulous plants and particularly known for their orchids.

• From July to October you can watch turtles nesting Tortuguero beach.

• Relax on a pristine sandy beach in one of the gorgeous secluded coves at Playa Chiquita. You can enjoy snorkelling around the reef.

Costa Rica sunset over ocean

Feeling inspired? Let’s go!

If this post has inspired you to plan a Costa Rica honeymoon, Patchwork can help! Instead of traditional wedding gifts, invite friends and family to help fund a visit to the Arenal Volcano, lunch at La Paz waterfall or cocktails for two on a stunning beach! Then once you’re ready to book your trip, contact The Honeymoon Fixer. To find out more about Costa Rica and the latest situation with Covid-19 it is advisable to get in touch with your travel consultant or check current government advice.

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Close up portrait of bride and groom smiling at each other in doorway in sunshine
Patchwork Couples

Patchwork Couple: A Yorkshire Wedding and a Colombian Honeymoon Adventure

by Rosie Hurwitz
written by Rosie Hurwitz

The rain didn’t spoil this stunning Yorkshire wedding! Self-employed musician Tom, and university counsellor Anne, live in Leeds, where Tom is born and bred. They’ve been together for 8 years after originally meeting while travelling in China in 2010. Anne took the plunge and moved from her home in the Netherlands to the UK in 2012 and has not looked back since. Well OK, she admits she does miss home at times! They both love to travel and are interested in exploring different cultures, cuisines and the natural world. We chat to them about their Yorkshire wedding and month long Colombian honeymoon adventure.

Bride and Groom standing by river under umbrella laughing

How did you get engaged?

We had a very nice Christmas Eve dinner at Tom’s parents’ place and decided to go out for a walk afterwards. Tom had chosen the place previously – an old bandstand on the edge of a nearby park. We walked there through the woods in the dark, and when we finally arrived we were unfortunately not alone, as a small group of young people were already there, celebrating the occasion by sharing some ‘herbal’ cigarettes… so it was time for Plan B. Fortunately this was the area Tom grew up in so we deviated slightly and walked to a nice little pond which was very pretty in the moonlight. Tom gave me my early Christmas pressie, and asked in the traditional manner – ‘Shall we?’ – to which I replied… ‘Ok.’ (Jokes. I said ‘yes please’!)

Wedding breakfast tables set with natural decor, logs and tea lights

Quite an eventful proposal! And then, what kind of wedding did you plan?

We wanted to have a small wedding originally, but as these things tend to do it rapidly snowballed. I have a large family with several aunties and uncles on both sides and millions of cousins… so the numbers gradually got bigger and bigger! As we had lots of international guests, some of whom had never visited the UK before, we decided to get married in a typical Yorkshire location and ended up settling on Standedge Visitors Centre in Marsden, West Yorks – a stunning converted storage warehouse on the canal up in the Pennines. We decorated the venue ourselves with help from our amazing family and friends and had an absolutely incredible (and very wet!) wedding day.

Bride and Groom kiss in front of guests during wedding ceremony

What was your first dance?

We danced to Eva Cassidy’s Songbird – performed by Katie and the Northern House Motown Band.

Bride and Groom laughing and being showered in confetti by guests
Bride followed by groom and bridesmaid, stepping through puddles having umbrella held for her

What was your favourite part of the day?

Tom: It was seeing Anne for the first time walking down the aisle in her stunning Morilee dress, closely followed by my brother Laurence’s outrageous best man speech.

Anne: Arriving by boat in the torrential rain was both surreal and hilarious fun! And seeing Tom crying his eyes out was also fun. Pie and Mash provided by Hinchliffe’s farm (a very last-minute rescue job! Thanks guys!) was perfect! But I think what takes the prize is looking across the room and seeing everyone you love in one place there to celebrate with you, an absolute one-off experience which is very difficult to put into words.

Bride and Groom cut three tiered wedding cake with fruit
Bride and groom from back, standing in open doorway showing bride's fish tail dress

What made you choose Patchwork?

We felt quite strongly that we did not want people to buy us any ‘stuff’ as we have pretty much everything we need here at home. However, as we love to travel so much we had our hearts set on an epic adventure honeymoon – Patchwork gave us the opportunity to invite our guests to contribute to this, and also for us to document our experiences with photos and share them with everyone.

Patchwork Honeymoon Fund to Colombia in an iPad

What did you ask guests to contribute towards?

We invited our guests to contribute towards our honeymoon in Colombia. People funded specific honeymoon experiences and adventures, such as a cruise around the Cartagena bay, a dinosaur bones cycling tour, and a coffee farm experience.

woman on honeymoon in Colombia, picking leaves
Couple on honeymoon in Colombia

What were some of the highlights of your honeymoon?

We spent a month travelling around Colombia, really learning a lot about this previously mysterious country. It felt like several holidays combined into one as each destination we visited felt so very different and unique. The cities were vibrant and occasionally chaotic! The mountainous coffee and cacao growing areas were stunning, sleepy and with beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture. And we swam in the Caribbean Sea, ate lobster on beautiful white beaches, as well as hiking through the jungles of the national parks. Perhaps the absolute highlight though was finding that we had an entire hotel to ourselves – and not just any hotel, the most stunning and luxurious Hacienda style accommodation in the whole of Colombia! The Hacienda Buenavista, Quindio.

Man on honeymoon in Colombia having cocktails on beach

How did you feel when you set off on your travels knowing everyone had chipped in to make it happen?

We thought of our guests and our contributors at almost every turn. Because of them we were able to travel in business class for the first (and probably only!) time in our lives. We were able to stay at beautiful hotels and resorts such as the above, and we were able to go on incredible adventures over a really good long holiday. They really made it a dream come true for us, so it was very special to be able to share it all with them.

Couple on honeymoon in Colombia

What was the best bit about Patchwork?

The best thing about using Patchwork was being able to share our experiences on the honeymoon with our guests, and for them to feel that they were a part of our adventure. It was also very easy to set up and use, and it was great that you could set all the prices for contributions so that no one would feel left out. Our family and friends loved it and a lot of them have said that they would use this service too.

Woman on honeymoon in Colombia lying on look out enjoying view

Finally, would you recommend your trip to other honeymooners?

Absolutely! In particular Colombia’s coffee region and the city of Medellin. Barichara and Villa de Leyva further east were also stunning.

Thanks so much Anne and Tom for letting us share in your gorgeous celebrations. Congratulations from Team Patchwork!

If you’ve been inspired to create your own Patchwork honeymoon fund, browse our 100s of readymade templates or get creative and  build your own page from scratch.

Anne & Tom booked everything independently, with accommodation mostly booked through Booking.com. They had a little help from Jack’s Flight Club who alerted them to some really good value Business Class flights on Lufthansa.

Below are some of the other suppliers that made their day amazing:

Wedding Venue: Standedge Visitors Centre

Photographer: Jo Boulton with editing by Claire Basiuk

Anne’s Dress: Morilee

Band: Northern House Motown Band

Catering: Hinchliffe’s farm

P.s. listen to Anne & Tom’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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Hammock over water with over water villas in background, The Maldives
Honeymoon Inspiration

Why choose a honeymoon in the Maldives?

by Ismay Ozga
written by Ismay Ozga

Grace from Turquoise Holidays has written this guest post to share her reasons why you just can’t beat the Maldives as a honeymoon destination. For complete relaxation, indulgence and getting-away-from-it-all, it can’t be topped. If you’re setting up a Patchwork honeymoon fund and asking guests to treat you to some once in a lifetime honeymoon experiences, read on for some inspiration to really bring your Maldives honeymoon patchwork to life…

Gin-clear waters. Cashmere-soft beaches. Rustic-chic overwater bungalows. Tropical island seclusion. The Maldives boasts all of the dreamy ingredients that feature in a honeymooner’s fantasy honeymoon and at Turquoise Holidays, we believe you can’t beat it as the ideal relaxing escape for newly weds to enjoy after a hectic few days getting married.

private sandbank picnic on white sand beach with turquoise water, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

The perfect post-wedding recharge.

A honeymoon is a holiday you’ve probably been thinking about before you even got engaged. Of course, your wedding is one of the biggest single days of your life you’ll ever have to plan for and a Maldives honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to recharge and begin your married life with some romance in paradise. All of the wedding planning, menu tastings, music selections and endless ‘wedmin’ can seem stressful, but we’re sure your minds are also dreaming of white sands, turquoise waters and cocktails at the same time!

Looking out over arrival jetty over turquoise sea, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Privacy, pampering and escape.

Who can blame you? Those tiny Maldivian islands are akin to gorgeous green droplets in an ocean of blue, places where you can lie in huge, luxurious beds draped in white linens listening to the sound of crystal-clear wavelets lapping the pristine beach. They’re accessible only by speedboats and tiny seaplanes so privacy is guaranteed – an essential part of any honeymoon. When you’re there, you can expect fabulous dining, dreamy overwater infinity pools and out-of-this-world bathrooms, some with glass-bottomed bathtubs for you to peer into the ocean below. Endless pampering by each resort’s attentive staff will make you feel like a celebrity, too.

View looking across shallow turquoise water to over water villas, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays
Living room of overwater villa in the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Overwater villa or beach villa? Decisions, decisions…

There are two ways to honeymoon in the Maldives – beach villas and overwater villas. Each type can come with our without private pools and both have gorgeous bathrooms. Overwater villas, of course, have direct access to the lagoon and you can sit on your outside decking watching rays and sharks glide by quietly. It’s truly captivating! It goes without saying that the overwater bungalows are iconic but beach villas offer the edge when it comes to space and privacy. If you’re staying for a week or more, we’d recommend splitting your time across both room types, so you can get the best of both worlds. It also helps to not blow the budget out the water!

Sunset at Palm Beach, The Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays
Over water bar at sunset, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

A feast for the senses.

Every day in the Maldives is like a feast for the senses and while you can easily just relax on its postcard-perfect beaches, the Maldives is also somewhere you can indulge in a variety of activities. There’s plenty of incredible snorkelling and diving, where you can swim alongside reef sharks, tropical fish and turtles, while cocktail classes, romantic sunset cruises, cookery lessons, yoga and beach picnics will all ensure boredom is never close to setting in. For the foodies who are needing to treat themselves after the pre-wedding diet, each hotel has an array of restaurants serving a multitude of cuisines – some even have underwater restaurants for the added ‘wow’ factor!

Table set for breakfast on beach, overlooking turquoise ocean, The Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays
Private picnic on the beach, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Where to stop off enroute to paradise.

The Maldives is also a great destination for twinning with other places, should you want to add another dimension to your honeymoon. Destinations in the Middle East like Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Oman, as well as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore, all add colour and an exciting contrast, as well as being simple connections to the Maldives.
The Maldives is a truly beautiful collection of islands, which live up to the hype and what you see in the glossy brochures and on Instagram. It’s the perfect backdrop to any honeymoon and one which is no less than you deserve after a hectic wedding. It’s time to put your feet up in paradise!

Romantic outdoor jacuzzi on deck of over water villa, the Maldives
Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Feeling inspired to go to the Maldives?

If this post has inspired you to plan a trip to the Maldives, Patchwork can help! Instead of traditional wedding gifts, invite friends and family to help fund a night in an over water villa or cocktails for two! Then once you’re ready to book your trip, contact The Turquoise Holiday Company. With 18 years’ experience and specialists in the Maldives, the team can help you craft your perfect tailor-made holiday to paradise. Visit Turquoise Holidays to book, or call 01494 678400.

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