[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The couple’s vision for their special day was to create an elegant and timeless atmosphere that seamlessly blended with the natural beauty of their family country estate. To achieve this, they chose a sophisticated palette of whites and greens. These colours not only reflected the serene and lush surroundings but also added a touch of classic charm to the overall wedding aesthetic. The crisp whites symbolised purity and new beginnings, while the various shades of green brought in the fresh, vibrant energy of nature. This harmonious colour scheme was thoughtfully integrated into every element of the wedding, from the floral arrangements to the table settings, ensuring a cohesive and breathtakingly beautiful celebration.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The couple’s vision for their wedding was quintessentially English, embracing the natural charm and elegance of their family country estate. They aimed to create a clean, natural vibe that felt both timeless and effortlessly sophisticated. One of the standout features was the use of apples from their own orchards, which were thoughtfully incorporated into the design. These apples created a stunning tumbling effect at the entrance of the marquee, offering a unique and personal touch that welcomed guests with a nod to the estate’s heritage. The overall aesthetic was seamlessly blended with the natural surroundings, using elements that enhanced the beauty of the landscape and created an atmosphere of refined simplicity. This approach ensured that every detail, from the decor to the floral arrangements, contributed to a cohesive and enchanting experience for all who attended.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]After ten and a half years of dating, having met at school, James finally summoned the courage to propose to me in December 2022 at the enchanting Nest hotel in Tulum, Mexico. As we grew older, we faced endless questions from friends and family about when we’d tie the knot. My response was always, “Well, it’s not up to me!” Countless trips had ended without a proposal, and despite James’s assurances, I tried not to get my hopes up. Little did I know that for the past nine months, James had been meticulously planning my dream proposal, collaborating with Pragnell’s jewelers in London to create a bespoke engagement ring.
We traveled to Tulum in December 2022 and were captivated by the beautiful hotel, delicious food, and stunning scenery. On the third day of our trip, a very excited James told me that the hotel was hosting sunset drinks at their prestigious rooftop area. We had discussed earlier that day how few places in Tulum offer a good sunset view, so we were both thrilled.
After a day of sunbathing, we got ready for the evening. We made our way to the beach bar for drinks and then headed up to the rooftop. The setup was breathtaking; dried flowers and candles created a magical ambiance. It still hadn’t dawned on me what was about to happen. We took a seat, and it soon became clear that this setup was exclusively for us. As we watched the sun set under the palm trees, James got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Overcome with adrenaline and excitement, we both cried happy tears. Hearing how he had orchestrated this beautiful proposal, designed the stunning ring without my knowledge, and kept it all a secret while being constantly asked about proposing, was incredibly special.
To my surprise, James had also arranged a private dinner on the beach, decorated with the most beautiful tablescape. It was the perfect evening, and we couldn’t wait to share our news with friends and family the next morning.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Wedding planning and dress shopping began shortly after, as we aimed to get married nine months later. I had a clear idea of the dress style I wanted and booked appointments at local bridal shops in West Sussex that carried my favorite designers. I wanted to change my look for the evening without getting an entirely new dress.
At Whyte Weddings bridal boutique in Chichester, I tried on several beautiful dresses with the help of my mom and sister. The third dress I tried was the one; it was the same dress I had saved on my Pinterest board weeks earlier! Six months and a few alterations later, I had the perfect dress with detachable sleeves that I removed for the evening to change up my look.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids included my sister, sisters-in-law, and childhood best friend. I envisioned a neutral champagne color scheme for their dresses. We ordered several styles online due to time constraints and tried them on at our house. To my delight, all four bridesmaids chose the same champagne cowl neck maxi dress from Six Stories. They all looked stunning and made the process stress-free for me![/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]I always knew I wanted to wear a morning suit on my wedding day, with a costume change for the evening—one of the few days I could indulge without question!
From the start of our wedding planning, I thought about my morning suit and evening attire. Fortunately, a family friend owned a bespoke tailoring business, Swatch to Suit, so I quickly arranged a meeting to discuss my options. We talked about alterations, bespoke details, and customizations. After much deliberation, I chose my morning suit design, including the material, custom lining, and small details like our wedding date and names embroidered on the inside collars and pockets. Choosing the materials was challenging, but I was thrilled with the final product. Who knew a tailored suit could boost confidence so much?
For my diva moment, I decided to change into a tuxedo before our entrance to the wedding reception. Swatch to Suit also made the tuxedo, and I went through the same detailed process. Keeping this outfit change a secret, even from close friends, added an extra surprise on the day!
My brother and best man, Harry, wore a similar suit with his customizations, making for amazing photos. My other groomsmen wore morning suits hired from Buckleigh of London in Chelsea. All suits were paired with beautiful sage green patterned ties that perfectly matched our color scheme and the bridesmaids’ dresses.
Overall, I couldn’t have been happier with the final look. Having custom suits made for our big day is something I highly recommend. If only we could do it all over again…[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]The culinary experience at this wedding was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to the renowned catering team from Caper & Berry, one of the best in the industry. The festivities began with a warm and inviting rehearsal dinner, featuring sharing plates of chicken fajitas in the cozy party barn. Guests enjoyed a lovely summer evening drinks reception on the lawns, setting the perfect tone for the weekend.
On the wedding day, the celebrations commenced with a champagne drinks reception accompanied by an array of exquisite canapés. Highlights included black cod with BBQ miso and pink ginger dim sum, as well as an English wagyu slider with IPA pickles and Swiss cheese in a brioche bun, a firm favourite among the guests.
The wedding breakfast aimed to capture a true English twist, using the finest local produce. The meal began with a delicate Burrata and honey starter, followed by a succulent duo of lamb for the main course. The feast concluded with a delightful dessert known as Lemon and Flowers, featuring a lemon tart adorned with edible flowers and paired with raspberry sorbet.
As the evening festivities unfolded, a lively cocktail hour energised guests with signature Espresso Martinis and Tom Collins. Late into the night, guests were treated to freshly cooked stone-baked pizzas, served straight from a converted Defender’s stone oven, ensuring that the party continued to delight every palate well into the evening.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The floral and decor elements of this wedding were masterfully crafted by Mad Lilies, who brought to life a quintessentially English design that perfectly complemented the natural surroundings. Working with a green and white color palette, they added warmth through nude-colored Ester & Erik candles and terracotta plant pots, evoking the charm of an English country garden.
A canopy of green foliage, elegantly intertwined with crystal empire lights, created a feeling of understated luxury throughout the space. The top table was a true showstopper, adorned with an abundance of foliage forming a lush canopy overhead. Delicate garden roses adorned the front of the table, with meadow-like arrangements growing up from the base, adding to the whimsical and natural aesthetic.
At the heart of the celebration stood a large olive tree, placed in the middle of a circular bar. This tree served as a striking central point for the party, especially highlighted by the carefully curated lighting design from Luminaire Events, making it the focal point as night fell.
The entrance to the marquee featured a stunning arch on either side, with baskets of apples tumbling from them, sourced directly from the on-site orchard. This element perfectly tied in with the color palette and overall design, creating a warm and inviting welcome for all the guests[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake was a stunning creation by Claire Owen Cakes, perfectly embodying the quintessentially English design of the event. The four-tier semi-naked cake was adorned with fresh florals from Mad Lilies, seamlessly tying into the overall aesthetic. Its elegant yet understated appearance complemented the natural beauty of the surroundings and was an ideal choice for the warm summer day. The combination of delicate, fresh flowers and the rustic charm of the semi-naked design made this cake not only a visual delight but also a perfect fit for the occasion.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Camilla Arnhold Photography | Videography: AWB Films | Event Planning: Susie Evans Wedding & Events Co. | Floral Design: Mad Lilies Florists | Wedding Dress: Whyte Weddings | Cake: Claire Owen Cakes | Catering: Caper & Berry | Entertainment: The White Keys | Beauty: Melissa Oldridge | Invitations & Stationery: Lilac and White | Marquee: Jb Marquees | Photography - Assistance: Gemma Vaughan Photography | Rentals: Loos For Dos | Rentals: Couvert | Rentals: Luminaire Events | Rentals: House Of Furn | Rentals: Drunken Jockeys | Transport: RNG Classics | Transport: Sussex Business Class | Transport: A&A Travel (Worthing) Ltd