Izzie + Josh at Royle Forest | August 2025
“When I told people that I was most looking forward to the ceremony, so many said “really?!”. But so many guests said that it was the best ceremony they have ever been a part of, with one asking if Sarah was a friend because “it was so clear she cared about you and was so invested”.”
I’d never been to the Royle Forest wedding venue before and, the night before Josh and Izzie’s wedding when I popped in for a rehearsal and the sun was dipping through the olive trees, you’d have been forgiven for thinking you were in the Mediterreanean. Capri or Ibiza, not Burton-on-Trent.
It’s one of the (many) joys of this job, that I get to turn up in stunning places and snoop around, feeling relatively legit, and Royle Forest truly is gorgeous, especially with the tented ceremony space, complete with stone arch in the tent. I’ve mentioned this before, but the indoor-outdoor wedding venue hybrid is often the best of both worlds, with the sound of nature all around, and a fresh breeze rolling through, but shelter from whatever elements might occur. Even in Capri I’d be inclined to want some cover like this. Rain, wind, beating sun - whatever the weather I’m always a fan of feeling held, contained.
Beautiful photos by Eva Murko Photography
Izzie and Josh’s wedding will live in my mind as one where the emotions were front and centre.
The same year as their wedding, just a few months before, Josh’s brother died. But at no point was there a sense of despair or solemnity. The entire ceremony was overflowing with emotions of all kinds - nerves, joy, excitement, nostalgia - and the deep sadness that was also present felt a very valid and beautiful part of that array of feelings.
Eight different loved ones - at Izzie and Josh’s request - were given my contact details before the wedding, each of them getting in touch to say wonderful things about the couple and how perfectly they compliment each other.
Izzie’s mum, Ellen, said “I don't think I have ever seen a couple so much in love or completely attuned to each other. If I were going to create a template for the perfect partner for Izzie, I'd have definitely come up with a Josh!”
Reading all these lovely contributions from the bride and groom’s very closest people - both figuratively and literally, sat on the front rows - was one of my favourite parts of the ceremony. I can get to know my couples over zooms and irl cocktails and quizzes, but who truly knows them better than the ones who’ve been there for decades?
When I say “there wasn’t a dry eye in the house” that’s potentially an exaggeration, but there really wasn’t a dry eye on the front rows.
But tears from laughter too. This is a couple who are just brimming with fun, with joy. Laughter and tears as a combo is the most delightful thing to witness, and be part of. Tears-through-laughter, laughter-through-tears, and there was a forest-full of that deliciousness at this celebration.
I want a pair and that’s not even my name
It’s funny, sometimes there are little details I only spot months after the big day, when I see the professional photos for the first time. We spent time talking in the ceremony about the meaning behind the married name Izzie and Josh had agreed on (a happy smoosh-reconfiguration of her singular surname, his double-barrelled, and a nod to Josh’s dad), and now I see she had that name on her SHOES. So amazing.
Izzie looked so sensational (that fringe!), her wedding hair by Megan Lee, make up by Lauren Dearden and dress from Alice Rose Bridal. The flowers were organised by the fantastic Royle Forest team.
Hello Frank
I can’t go any further without mentioning an MVP of the whole day: Frank the pup. Franklin, to give him his full, fabulous name.
With his bow tie, floral garland and glossy coat Frank stole the show whenever he was about - getting a mention in both vows, delivering the rings down the aisle on his tie, coming forward for an excitable hug with his mum and dad after the first kiss, testing licks of the offerings from the ice cream truck in the reception. He was a hit.
Stunning video by Blank Frame Weddings
I’ll tell you one other good boy who got an ice cream hahahaaa. This wedding was a Take Your Husband to Work Day, and I had Jonny waiting for me in the car. I’d shown him around the venue that morning before guests arrived, feeling proud and giddy that this is the mad thing I get to call My Job, and then he was there waiting for me after my part was all done. And I was beaming ear-to-ear, an ice cream cone in each hand, dried tears on my face and my heart fit to burst for Izzie and Josh. And young Frank.
“Working with Sarah feels like working with a friend who cares so deeply, from attending our rehearsal where she put bridesmaids at ease by making us all giggle, to sitting with me for five minutes the morning of the wedding to make sure I was feeling calm.”