Recently Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash got married in a chic ceremony in the garden of their beloved ‘Pickle Cottage’ in Essex. Surrounded by their family and friends, the couple celebrated their nuptials in an impressive outdoor celebration filled with flowers, pampas and twinkling fairy lights.

With rules in England rumoured to change to enable couples to get legally married in any setting, you might be starting to plan a back garden wedding. But where do you start? Jess Martin, wedding decoration expert at Ginger Ray has shared her top tips for creating Stacey’s gorgeous boho-style wedding in your own garden.

Jess said “Having your own DIY wedding in your own garden comes with tonnes of perks – including the fact that you can go all out with decorations at just a fraction of the cost of decking out a whole venue. The boho theme continues to be a hot trend this summer and it’s incredibly easy to recreate in your own garden. Stacey’s wedding is a great example of just how stunning a DIY garden wedding can be.”

Instagram: @staceysolomon

Go boho with your decorations

Jess said: “Relaxed, boho vibes continue to be a trending wedding decoration style this year and Stacey’s wedding is a great example of how a carefully curated natural colour theme combined with lots of foliage and flowers creates an effortlessly impactful setting. Adding touches of pampas grass, around your garden and on tables, flower garlands and hanging foliage are just some of the ways you can easily recreate the boho look and feel By keeping the colour palette simple, Stacey has created a beautiful theme with just whites, greens and pops of pink.

Image credit: Ginger Ray

Maximise the flowers and foliage

“Adding foliage and flowers (even if they are artificial) in as many places as possible is an easy way to achieve an impactful wedding decor theme. Stacey made the most of Pickle Cottage’s stunning gardens especially her plant-lined pergola, building on the foliage that was already there with more romantic vines trailing down. If you’re looking to recreate an archway for your big day, try wrapping foliage and florals around a frame, this creates a stunning focal point to get married in front of and a brilliant photo backdrop too!”

Instagram: @staceysolomon

Create an impressive doorscape

“If you’re planning an at-home wedding then a wedding-themed doorscape is essential. Stacey has become a bit of an expert when it comes to doorscaping so it was no surprise that she created a suitably impressive entrance for her wedding. White and cream flowers were the star of the show, draping over an arch in front of the door and in a summer wreath (who said wreaths were just for Christmas!). Candles and lanterns dotted add an extra decorative touch and will twinkle ready to welcome the evening guests. A Mr & Mrs sign gives the doorscape the final wedding touch ready to wow the guests.

It’s all about the tablescape

“Tablescaping is a huge Instagram trend at the moment for outdoor events, especially weddings. It’s a simple, easy way to incorporate your theme and colour-scheme, and makes a beautiful centrepiece in the garden. Stacey created a stunning tablescape for her guests on long tables set under a wooden gazebo. Keeping the centrepieces low she kept the vibe sociable and relaxed for all her guests to enjoy conversations over dinner.

“Start off by adding a few simple touches, firstly with a plain table runner in keeping with your colour scheme. Then layer up by incorporating a mixture of tealights and larger candlesticks, foliage and flower garlands to really bring the colours together, and personalised place cards. Have a go at making these yourself if you’re going for the rustic look and feel, or, try using ready-made packs so all you have to do is write the name of your guests on the cards.”

Image credit: Ginger Ray

Create dreamy mood lighting

Jess comments: “Lighting played a big part in creating the stunning atmosphere we saw at Stacey’s garden wedding – and getting the day to night transition spot on is vital. Dot tealights around your garden on as many surfaces as you can to really create that serene, warming feel – the more the better. Try incorporating LED lights by weaving them into foliage you’ve used to decorate your garden too. Festoon lights are bang on trend this summer, and are a great option if you’re going for maximum impact like Stacey did.

Include personalised touches

“Unlike Stacey, we probably don’t have our very own label expert as a sister however including personalised signs into your wedding day is the perfect way to add a memorable touch unique to you as a couple. Whether you opt for a personalised table plan, welcome sign or even a bespoke cake topper, it’s these unique additions that will be sure to make your venue your own, acting as keepsakes for years to come too. “