Building an American Dream
a DIY Western Wedding
Imagine stepping into a Wild West movie set right in the middle of an Essex meadow. That’s exactly what Hannah and Ben created for their DIY Western Wedding. Instead of outsourcing, they poured their own time, creativity, and skills into the day making sure they were debt free at the end. They rolled up their sleeves, called on their insanely talented families, and built a full-on western wedding from the ground up. It’s the kind of DIY love story that screams American dream – right here in the UK.
Photos throughout from The Bearded Photographers
Styling the Western Wonderland
Hannah and Ben’s styling was the kind of rustic cool that feels like it’s been there forever. Hay bales topped with crochet blankets, pampas grass in demijohns, vintage stoneware, and authentic western saddles.
“Our dads (Phill & Colin) and us built everything on our vision board from HUGE freestanding saloon doors, a piano whiskey bar, pallet tables, photo wall, a bridge, our western style bar, HUGE garden games and so on.” Hannah told us.
Hannah scoured Marketplace like a pro treasure hunter, road-tripping across the UK to collect quirky, one-of-a-kind furniture and props.
The styling was such a hit that after the wedding, Hannah and Ben launched The Western Wedding Co, offering couples the chance to hire authentic western décor so they can bring their own American dream weddings to life.
If you like the idea of DIY decor check out our blog: L&M’s DIY Marquee Wedding
Western wedding florals
Hidden Botanic created Hannah’s stunning bouquet with dried florals in warm oranges, blues, and neutrals and finished. This was finished with a beautiful macramé bouquet wrap by Copper Cacti – perfect for the rustic western wedding vibe.
“Our mums (Lorraine and Liz) sourced and arranged all our flowers including button holes, maid of honour bouquets, table centrepieces, our demijohn arrangements and so on.” Hannah explained.
Keeping with the theme, the mums used a mix of dried florals in the button holes and for the maid of honours bouquet. They completed the venue styling with table centres and demijohns echoing Hannah’s bouquet.
Western Wedding Day Look Boots, Hats & Heart
Hannah wore a button-back mermaid-style dress from Abigails Collection with a front slit that let her cowboy boots peek through. A statement veil, crown, and sentimental jewellery borrowed from her mum and late nan added layers of meaning. Lexi Brownfield Hair & Makeup gave her an American Dream look with a natural, polished glow and soft curls.
Ben’s look was laid-back western – dark jeans, cowboy hats, waistcoats, and shirts from Wild Wild Western Wear, topped off with cowboy boots.
Personalised Wedding ceremony
The ceremony took place on the wooden bandstand Ben and the dads built themselves – another DIY wedding touch that made the day truly personal. Hannah arrived in her dad’s Chevy truck, while her mum and maid of honour followed in their Plymouth Satellite. Both cars parked right at the aisle.
“Sometimes I think life can get in the way and people forget how important it is to just say the words “I love you” and truly mean it, to look at the person you love and remind yourself why you chose them, why you want to spend your life with them.” says Hannah
Before vows, the couple invited everyone to turn to their partners, or themselves, and say “I love you”, with a hug to match.
Ceremonies by Ruth led a heartfelt service, complete with personal vows, family readings, a handfasting and the exchange of wedding rings – carefully chosen from Fraser Hart, as well as an Apache wedding blessing. The ribbons for the handfasting were made with the names of loved ones who couldn’t be there. These were wrapped around the couple’s wrists by the mums before being tied into an unbreakable knot.
Photos of missing loved ones rested on hay bales at the front – a touching reminder that they were still part of the day.
DIY Western reception
Post-ceremony was pure joy: giant garden games Hannah and Ben built themselves, country music spinning thanks to DJ Johnny Rattlesnake, and bucks fizz flowing.
The wedding breakfast and reception took place inside a stunning tipi provided by Country Tipis. Its warm, rustic canvas and twinkling fairy lights were the perfect backdrop for the DIY western wedding celebrations. It gave guests that cosy, under-the-stars feeling while still being sheltered in style.
Dinner was a laid-back BBQ buffet from Valentine Cuisine – think hearty, smoky, and downright delicious – all while the Danny McMahon Band played acoustic country tunes that had everyone feeling right at home.
The biggest shock of the day came during speeches. Their families, knowing Hannah and Ben had funded the wedding themselves, secretly booked them their dream American honeymoon – a fully paid trip to Nashville and Texas.
“We opened the ribbon with guests hanging in anticipation, looked inside the box and sobbed (I’m talking proper ugly crying!)”
Capturing every detail, laugh, and teary-eyed moment were The Bearded Photographers. Their relaxed, storytelling style was the perfect fit for Hannah and Ben’s DIY western wedding. They blended candid shots with beautifully composed portraits. From the big build moments to the emotional ceremony and wild dance floor antics, they told the day’s story exactly as it unfolded.
Line Dancing & Late-Night Whiskey
The wedding cake, created by Barbs Cakes, was a three-tier masterpiece. The base tier had a wash of burnt orange, giving a warm nod to the western wedding colour palette. It was dressed with dried flowers and a succulent arrangement by Copper Cacti, tying the look back to the day’s DIY rustic styling.
With the cake cut and spirits soaring, a line dancing instructor got the crowd stomping and laughing – because what’s a western wedding without some two-stepping?
Evening guests arrived through the iconic saloon doors, and the drinks flowed from their huge western bar. Guests were also able to help themselves to whiskey and cigars from the piano bar as Danny McMahon Band kept the tunes coming. Stone-baked pizzas kept everyone fuelled as the party rolled deep into the night.
If you loved this you may like our blog Disco Western
supplier dream team
Photographer: The Bearded Photographers
Tipis: Country Tipis
Wedding Dress: Abigails Collection
Jewellery and accessories: something borrowed from mum and late nan
Make-up artist: Lexi Brownfield Hair & Makeup
Waistcoats, Shirts and Cowboy Hats: Wild Wild Western Wear
Styling and props: Hannah & Ben (couple) – now The Western Wedding Co
Cake: Barbs Cakes
Bridal bouquet: Hidden Botanic
Buttonholes and maid of honour bouquet: made by both mums (Lorraine & Liz)
Catering: Valentine Cuisine
Wedding rings: Fraser Hart
Band: Danny McMahon Band
Celebrant: Ceremonies by Ruth
Cake Succulents & Macrame Bouquet Wrap: Copper Cacti
Couple: Hannah & Ben
