Romantic Cottage Garden Proposal Shoot

By Magnolia Rouge

If you haven't ever visited the English countryside, then you should add it to your bucket list! Not only is the history of the villages fascinating, the buildings and gardens are so adorably quaint you feel like you've been transported to another world. This fresh and natural cottage garden proposal shoot by EMMA WYATT PHOTOGRAPHY took place at the beautiful Anne Hathaway Cottage in the charming town of Stratford-Upon-Avon which besides being a significant historical place is the perfect backdrop for a romantic proposal and al fresco dinner. With styling by EMMA and WEDDING SPARROW it incorporates the prettiest of details in the stationery from MOIRA DESIGN STUDIO and florals by THE BLOOMERY.

From Emma: �Shakespeare himself loved the countryside and wildflower gardens that surround Straford-Upon-Avon and Anne Hathaway Cottage. His verse in Midsummer Night's Dream recounts the meadow's beauty:

A bank whereon the wild thyme blows,
where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
with sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine

Strolling down the footpaths Shakespeare walked on during his courtship to Anne made for a very romantic and memorable experience. To bring out the sweet, wild beauty of this location, we kept the decor elements natural. Our couple walked down the narrow lane of sweet pea trellises, apple trees, and freshly pruned hedges to an al fresco dinner and proposal inspiration which was set beneath an old draping apple tree which lent shade and privacy to this special moment. An all-blue bouquet of delphinium, sea holly, eucalyptus, and viburnum berries and an organic centerpiece featuring several types of roses, tuberose, Queen Anne's lace, delphinium, and blackberries served to complement the existing floral landscape. The ornate yet simple, calligraphed engagement announcements reported back to loved ones of this special day.�

Emma says, �I strongly believe that documenting the meaningful moment and all the effort and beauty that goes into a proposal is very important and special. Though Lauren and Barnaby already were engaged, this shoot is meant to serve as an inspiration to gentlemen planning a romantic proposal for their ladies. Barnaby, too, planned a very special proposal for Lauren. Below are a few words from them.

Where and how did you meet, and was it love at first sight? We met in Florida at the rehearsal dinner for my best friend's wedding. I was a bridesmaid and Barnaby was an uninvited guest, tagging along with the boyfriend of a different bridesmaid who had flown in from London. We hit it off that night and I convinced him to crash the wedding the following night so I could see him again. The bride was very understanding, though she did make him share a seat with his friend during the meal!

I'd say it's about as close to love at first sight as you can get! We were instantly attracted to each other but neither of us thought there was any way a relationship could work out, seeing as we lived in different countries. But we couldn't seem to help staying in touch.

The proposal � How did it happen? The proposal was a total surprise to me, which was awesome. We were living in separate countries at the time and only seeing each other every two months. I knew Barnaby was coming to visit but he ended up coming a day early and surprising me. He'd been conspiring with my sister, who managed to get me to my favorite local park early in the morning, where I found him waiting on the dock by the river. Immediately after he proposed, my mom and best friends showed up with champagne and a breakfast picnic.�