A Colourful DIY Wedding at The Cowshed, Woodhall Farm

I knew Mas & Jacob would be the perfect couple for me when their top priorities were food and family (in that order!). All they wanted was to have fun and celebrate, a colourful, relaxed day with the people they love most. That’s exactly my vibe.

‘We wanted everyone to unwind and celebrate with us and we were so glad everyone got the memo!’

They went from uni acquaintances to friends to partners for life, so Mas & Jacob had plenty of time to figure out exactly what mattered to them—and how to make their wedding feel like them. Every decision came back to one question: will this make the day more joyful, more meaningful, or more fun?

The Perfect (Postponed) Proposal

Jacob has The Most Perfect proposal planned for when he and Mas were on a trip to Hong Kong, where her maternal family are from (and one of her most favourite locations). Thinking that all of these combined factors would make this the proposal to remember! But then covid happened … and we all remember those months of not being able to go more than 3 feet out your front door, so by the time we had been confined into lockdown no.3 Jacob accepted that he may have to go for a slightly more local version of his plan, and popped the question after a romantic home cooked meal (and naturally Mas thought this was as equally as Perfect!)!

A Colourful DIY Wedding at The Cowshed, Woodhall Farm

The Cowshed at Woodhall Farm turned out to be everything Mas & Jacob were looking for, and then some! Perfectly placed in the Midlands, it meant family and friends from all over could easily gather. Plus, the 18th-century converted cowshed gave them the ultimate blank canvas to bring their creative vision to life.

They spent a year planning their wedding, both completely on the same page about what mattered. A DIY wedding can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a big commitment and they learned first-hand that even with a make-it-yourself mindset, unexpected costs have a sneaky way of popping up.

Mas added touches of Asian styling throughout the day, with colourful hanging lanterns above the tables that looked incredible and didn’t break the bank. They did the same in the party barn (as I call it). Their families pitched in too, contributing garden offcuts for the florals, and Mas’ dad managed to source even more flowers through work (which really saved them a bunch!!)!

Short & Sweet Outdoor Ceremony at The Cowshed

Mas & Jacob knew a long, emotional ceremony just wasn’t their thing. So they kept it short, sweet, and totally THEM saying their vows in the open air, surrounded by very emotional friends and family at The Cowshed at Woodhall Farm.

In classic Mas & Jacob style, they skipped the traditional first kiss and planned something a bit different. They wanted to shake hands like politicians instead, and had me run in like a press photographer to capture it, much to the guests’ delight. Of course, after all the giggling, they ended up going in for a kiss anyway.

As they made their way back up the aisle, they were showered in brightly coloured biodegradable petals from Shropshire Petals. I’d warned them (as I always do!) to walk slowly, take it all in, and try not to grimace because let’s be honest, the natural instinct is to flinch when stuff’s flying at your face, even pretty petals. But in true Mas & Jacob style, they just did them, grinning, grimacing, and sprinting straight through it. Jacob even laughed with his mouth open, and I’m pretty sure he got a taste of the confetti.

Lawn Games, Laughter & a DIY Wedding Full of Colour

As cocktail hour got underway, Mas & Jacob finally had a moment to soak it all in—surrounded by their favourite people, just enjoying the atmosphere they’d created. This was what it was all about: family, friends, and proper belly laughs.

Outside, guests played lawn games in the sunshine while inside, a stack of board games (some of their own, some mysteriously borrowed from work) kept everyone chatting and competing. It was relaxed, fun, and totally unstructured—in the best possible way.

The reception space was hands down one of the most colourful I’ve seen. Bright red tables set the tone, with rainbow lanterns strung overhead, transforming The Cowshed into something truly magical.

The speeches were meant to kick off promptly… but the sound system had other ideas. One of my favourite photos from the day is of Mas sat on the floor, defeated but laughing, pulling the ultimate “of course this is happening” face. Once things got rolling, though, it was more than worth the wait.

Both Mas & Jacob gave heartfelt speeches, followed by Mas’ dad and Jacob’s mum. Then Jacob’s dad jumped in with an impromptu speech that was full of warmth and love the kind that catches you off guard in the best way. It was beautifully unscripted and completely fitting for the vibe of the day.

Relaxed Wedding Portraits & an Epic Evening Feast

Mas & Jacob were so completely at ease with each other, taking their portraits felt less like a shoot and more like just tagging along with two best friends having the best day of their lives. They laughed, danced, and chatted the whole way through no awkward posing, no fuss. It was all beautifully natural, just the way I like it.

With the scent of evening food beckoning us back to the party, we headed back to the barn. And wow Ava Catering Events did not mess around. The evening feast was something else: beautifully presented, packed with flavour, and a true highlight of the day. One of the best Midlands wedding catering setups I’ve had the joy of photographing (and, yes, taste-testing, i even got to take home a doggy bag!).

High-Energy Live Wedding Entertainment That Kept the Dance Floor Full

Once the evening got going, the party exploded in the best way. Two insanely talented musicians from Keynote Entertainment took to the pianos—and sometimes the drums—for a high-energy, request-based set that kept the vibe sky-high all night.

They switched instruments, belted out absolute crowd-pleasers, and played back-to-back requests with no pause for breath. The dance floor was packed from the first song—and every time I thought about leaving, another banger would start and I’d find myself running straight back in with my camera.

Real Wedding Advice: How to Plan a Day That Feels Like You!

Mas & Jacob live by this advice, so you better listen!

"Do. Whatever. YOU. Want. We are so lucky to have family that wanted us to have the day we wanted. Stuff the traditions you feel you have to bring in when in reality you don't want them.

On the day itself. Please remember to relax and enjoy yourself! Disregard anyone who's not matching your vibe and enjoy the day for what it is."

Wise words from Mas & Jacob – this is your day, make it about you!

Mas & Jacob’s day was joyful, colourful, and completely unapologetically them. From DIY details and family made florals to the wild piano-fuelled dance floor, their wedding was a brilliant reminder that when you throw out the rulebook, you make space for something far more personal.

I’m Kate, a documentary-style wedding photographer based in the West Midlands. I photograph relaxed, story-led weddings across Birmingham, the Midlands and beyond. If you’re planning a laid-back celebration full of personality, colour, and all the people you love, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.