Real Micro Wedding: Emma & Brendan’s Intimate Family Celebration at Tree Top Escape
There’s something undeniably magical about a micro wedding that strips away all the fuss and focuses solely on love, family, and togetherness – and that’s exactly what Emma and Brendan created at Tree Top Escape this February.
From the windswept countryside views to the laughter-filled alpaca feeding session, their day was as relaxed as it was memorable. Full of love, laughter, and a few flares for good measure, their wedding perfectly captured who they are as a couple and a family.
A Love Story That Spanned Continents
Emma and Brendan’s story began with a spark that travelled all the way from the UK to Australia. Back in 2016, a mutual friend shared a photo of Brendan—who was then travelling through Thailand and Australia—on social media. Intrigued, Emma gave him a follow, and a few days later, took a leap and sent a message asking if he fancied a drink when he returned home.
From there, daily messages flowed for six weeks despite the time difference, and when they finally met in person, the connection was instant. The rest, as they say, is history. With their daughter Harlow born in 2017, joining Emma’s two sons Elijah and Dougie, their blended family was complete.
In 2024, during a family trip to Sydney, Brendan popped the question with an unforgettable view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House as the backdrop.
Why an Intimate Wedding?
Having both been married before, Emma and Brendan knew they wanted something different this time. “We’ve done the big wedding,” Emma shared. “This time, it was about us—our family, our love, our way.”
They were drawn to the idea of an intimate celebration where their children could each play a special part, without the pressures or politics that can come with a larger affair. No drama, no stress – just joy.
Discovering Tree Top Escape
Brendan stumbled across Tree Top Escape while searching online for elopement-style weddings, and it was love at first click. The beautiful countryside setting, curated list of trusted suppliers, and of course, the chance to feed alpacas, made it the obvious choice.
“The fact it wasn’t too far from home, and how stress-free it all sounded—it just felt right,” Emma said.
The Planning: One Word – RELAXED
From the moment they booked, Emma and Brendan knew they were in safe hands. “The team at Tree Tops made everything so easy! Their calm confidence put us completely at ease—it was genuinely the most chilled experience ever.”
No frantic emails, no endless lists—just support, guidance, and plenty of good vibes.
The Big Day
Despite gale-force winds and torrential rain, nothing could dampen the joy of Emma and Brendan’s special day.
After a hearty family breakfast at a nearby Airbnb, Emma and Harlow began getting ready together—Emma even did her own hair and makeup, along with Harlow’s.
Brendan and the boys arrived at Tree Top Escape ahead of the girls, where Justine, their dedicated wedding coordinator, was on hand to guide, support, and make sure everything flowed smoothly. From sorting out dresses to calming nerves and even sorting out a tech hiccup with the live stream, Justine was, in Emma’s words, “amazing”.
A Ceremony Filled with Heart
The ceremony itself was beautifully intimate—just Emma, Brendan, their three children, and three close friends.
Each child played a meaningful role:
- Elijah walked Emma down the aisle and gave her away,
- Dougie did a heartfelt reading,
- Harlow carried and presented the rings.
It was deeply personal, emotionally rich, and a true celebration of their family coming together.
Let’s Talk Flares, Alpacas, and Belly Laughs
After the “I dos”, the newlyweds and their little crew enjoyed drinks, a stroll around the grounds (complete with some muddy slips!), and of course, the famous alpaca feeding.
Maria Broome, their chosen photographer, captured every moment—rain, wind and all—with incredible results. “She was amazing,” Emma said. “Brendan had some interesting ideas involving coloured flares, but she just went with it. The photos are stunning.”
There were so many hilarious moments too—Brendan’s umbrella flipping inside out, a surprise fish jumping from the lake mid-photo, and even a cheeky heart-seat moment between Brendan and his best mate, Steve.
The Evening: Food, Laughter, and More Memories
The day didn’t end with the ceremony. The newlyweds and their guests headed to a nearby manor house for a “posh meal”, full of jokes, fine food, and more laughter. With no tight timeline or need to entertain a huge crowd, they were free to truly soak in every second.
Words of Wisdom from Emma & Brendan
“If we could do it all over again, we would. It was perfect,” they shared. Their advice?
> “Breathe, relax and enjoy every second. Trust the Tree Tops team—they are GOOD at what they do! Don’t stress about the weather. Embrace it all.”
Final Thoughts
Emma and Brendan’s Tree Top Escape wedding was everything an intimate celebration should be: relaxed, joyful, personal, and utterly full of love.
We feel honoured to have played a part in such a special day and wish this incredible couple and their wonderful children a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and more unforgettable memories together.
If you’re dreaming of a micro wedding in Devon that’s relaxed, personal, and surrounded by nature, Tree Top Escape could be just the place for you. Whether you’re planning a heartfelt elopement or a small celebration with your closest loved ones (and maybe a few alpacas!), our team is here to help make it truly unforgettable. Visit our Intimate wedding pages to explore packages, view more real weddings, and start imagining your own magical day in the treetops.
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