A Love Story That Began at Work
Emma and René first met while working for the National Trust at Studland Bay in Dorset. Emma was working as a seasonal employee when they found themselves attending a First Aid course together.
As Emma tells it, a short skirt sparked René's attention, while René later admitted in his wedding vows that lunch together that day was when he realised she was someone he wanted to know better.
Lockdown gave them the chance to truly get to know one another, spending their days walking, camping in the garden and simply enjoying each other's company. They moved in together in 2022, before an unexpected proposal changed everything.
While walking their dog through a private woodland in Devon, listening for birds in the rain, René stopped, reached into his pocket (carefully moving the dog poo bag out of the way first!) and asked Emma to marry him.
Why an Intimate Elopement Felt Right
Having both been married before, Emma and René had often talked about having a commitment ceremony rather than a traditional wedding. While researching ideas online, they discovered Tree Top Escape and instantly fell in love with the idea of an elopement wedding.
With children and family commitments on both sides, planning a larger wedding simply didn't feel right. Instead, they chose to celebrate what mattered most — their relationship.
As Emma beautifully put it:
"At its core there is only the two of us in our relationship and that is how we wanted to celebrate our union. We are SO glad we did what we did."
Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue
Tree Top Escape was the very first venue they came across, and nothing else compared. They loved the privacy, the beautiful setting, the chance to bring their dog Chico, and of course, the luxury treehouse complete with a hot tub overlooking the Devon countryside.
Everything simply fell into place — including having availability that perfectly suited their family commitments. Sometimes, it really does feel like things are meant to be.
Planning a Wedding in Just Six Weeks
With only six weeks between getting engaged and getting married, there wasn't much time to overthink anything. Emma and René embraced keeping everything simple, planning the day together while keeping their wedding a complete secret from family and friends.
Between sneaking off for ring fittings and quietly arranging suppliers, the whole planning process became part of the adventure. Emma said:
"It was actually great fun to have this shared secret."
Working alongside Tree Top Escape coordinator Nicola, they quickly secured their dream suppliers, with a little reassurance along the way when the inevitable wedding-day nerves appeared. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to get married quickly without the stress, Emma and René's story is proof it's entirely possible.
A Magical Wedding Surrounded by Nature
Their wedding day began in perhaps the most perfect way imaginable — champagne, strawberries and a relaxing soak in the hot tub.
Emma had always dreamed of carrying a bouquet filled with wild flowers, especially cow parsley. After spotting it lining the Devon lanes on their journey to Tree Top Escape, they headed out to collect some around the estate... only to discover none growing where they expected!
Eventually, after a little searching (and climbing over a gate), they gathered everything Emma needed to create her own stunning bouquet from cow parsley, bracken fronds, red campion and ribbons from home. In all the excitement of finally seeing René, she accidentally left it behind after the ceremony — thankfully Nicola came to the rescue so it could feature in their photographs.
While Emma was getting ready, René had his own important jobs to do. He walked Chico, prepared flowers for Emma's hair, created his own buttonhole, decorated Chico's collar and somehow still found time to get himself ready.
A Ceremony That Felt Completely 'Them'
Emma and René chose to marry beside the lake, surrounded by nature and accompanied by nothing but birdsong. The ceremony was beautifully simple — exactly as they'd imagined.
Walking hand in hand towards the lake, seeing one another for the first time and exchanging vows they had written themselves became some of the most treasured moments of the day.
Emma even kept a list of every bird singing during the ceremony and recorded the sounds so they could relive that moment forever.
Personal Touches That Made the Day Unforgettable
Almost every detail reflected who Emma and René are as a couple.
Emma hired a beautiful vintage lace cape as a surprise for René and customised her colourful trainers with their names and wedding date.
Their wedding rings were handmade by a jeweller friend at very short notice, while Emma created her own bouquet that perfectly suited the relaxed, natural setting.
They also wrote their own vows, practising them together beforehand in a local public garden until they felt just right. Even their music was carefully chosen, with only two meaningful songs accompanying their day.
The Suppliers Who Brought Everything Together
Emma and René chose an incredible team of suppliers to help bring their vision to life:
Cathy at Pearl and Rouge
Chris Catullo
Graze and S'more
Emma described Cathy as creating a true "once in a lifetime" hairstyle, while Chris perfectly captured the emotion and joy of the day. Graze and S'more provided a beautifully presented feast, with plenty left to enjoy the following day.
Their Favourite Moment
When asked to choose just one favourite memory, Emma admitted it was impossible. Instead, she summed up the entire day in one word: Joy.
From seeing each other for the first time to exchanging rings, walking hand in hand and laughing throughout the day, everything was filled with happiness.
Emma & René's Advice for Future Couples
Emma's advice couldn't be more perfect:
"Do what makes your heart DANCE, nothing else matters. Plan together and keep it simple."
And looking back at their beautiful, heartfelt wedding day, we'd have to agree.
If you're dreaming of an intimate wedding that's completely personal, wonderfully relaxed and entirely focused on the two of you, get in touch — we'd love to help you create a day that feels every bit as special as Emma and René's.
