England Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Lush Ceremony in the Nash Conservatory at Kew Gardens, Which Used to Reside in the Grounds at Buckingham Palace!

I sooo wish I knew about this venue when I was getting married – Kew Gardens in London was Princess Augusta’s small botanic garden, mother of King George III, founded in 1759, and has since turned into a major scientific institution. The Temperate House is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world and the Nash Conservatory, where the couple had their ceremony, used to be in the grounds at Buckingham Palace. Oh, not to mention the beautiful couple who tied the knot once again on their first wedding anniversary, broke with tradition by walking down the aisle hand-in-hand, and announced they were expecting during the ceremony. I’ve been happy crying all day just at thought of witnessing their love story! See all the details of their special day, planned by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner with blooms by Larry Walshe, at the full gallery – captured by Taylor & Porter!

From Emma-Joy the couple’s Planner… Lauren and Ollie legally tied the knot in 2020 and they couldn’t wait to celebrate in style with their guests once Covid restrictions were finally lifted in the UK. In fact, so eager were they to start planning, that they emailed me before our Prime Minister had even finished making the announcement!

With venues closed and show rounds still taking place virtually, finding the perfect setting might have been a challenge. But Kew Gardens is one of the couple’s favourite places and just round the corner from where they live, so it turned out to be easy. When they told us they had availability on Lauren and Ollie’s first wedding anniversary, we knew it was meant to be!

Kew Gardens is certainly an incredible venue. It has grown from the small botanic garden that Princess Augusta, mother of King George III, founded in 1759, into a major scientific institution and much-loved destination. The Temperate House is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world and the Nash Conservatory, where the couple had their ceremony, used to be in the grounds at Buckingham Palace. Luckily for Lauren and Ollie, it was moved brick-by-brick to Kew in 1836!

Having planned their small wedding last year, I already knew their style really well and I found Kew itself very inspiring. I designed a joyful palette of soft pink and white and kept the overall feel natural and romantic. Larry Walshe used hundreds of garden roses, dahlias and other seasonal blooms, many of them British-grown, to create a floral backdrop of dreams.

In a break with tradition, Ollie drove his gorgeous bride to their ceremony and the couple walked down the aisle together. It was a beautiful and very personal service, during which they announced the wonderful news that they’re expecting a baby!

Being foremost a botanic garden, there were understandably lots of rules and logistics I had to consider during the planning process. For instance, because real flowers aren’t allowed inside the Temperate House in case they contaminate the plant collection, we had a magnificent display of candles instead. Exposed wood dining tables, gold cutlery and linen napkins created an elegant yet rustic feel and guests enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining beneath a canopy of exotic plants and trees. It was a magical scene as darkness fell, the candles flickered and the moon shone.

After dinner, everyone danced the night away to the fantastic Gatsby band. It was incredible and Taylor & Porter captured the beauty and emotion of the day perfectly.

Oversized Sun Hats, Romantic English Gardens and a Countryside Castle – Yes, Please!

This stunning editorial from Willow and Oak Events blends classic, old world elegance with fashion-forward details in the charming English countryside. Think Pride and Prejudice circa 2019. The full gallery captured by Julie Livingston Photography features three heart-stoppingly gorgeous gowns, enchanting floral arrangements from Moss & Stone and two unique but equally beautiful cakes from Lemon Tree Cakes. Prepare to get seriously inspired by this heavenly shoot!

From the stylist, Willow & Oak Events… In this couture European garden editorial, we wanted to achieve a true sense of the grandeur of Hedsor House, a Georgian venue in the English Countryside with roots deep in Royal history. Our goal was to bring the infamous gardens to life inside of a traditional home- to mix old classism and new. The images aim to evoke a sense of opulence, a feeling of intimacy, and inspiration that can only be told through a unique story. We’d recommend sitting amidst candlelight with a glass of chardonnay while viewing this dreamy gallery from Julie Livingston Photography! Our bride in this story, Elizabeth grew up in the English Countryside. She had a garden as ambitious as all of her dreams. She remembers as a little girl setting out at sunrise to walk barefoot, basket in hand alongside her mother to see what blooms were ready for harvest. Though her travels eventually took her away from England, this garden was her calm and the pendent for all of her wedding plans.

The scripty calligraphy + custom illustration from Silbia Ro gives a feeling of old world romance that reminds us why we love correspondence where pen meets paper. As loose blooms, silk ribbons, petite perfumes and French ormolu jewelry boxes came together for the styled heirloom detail shots, our hearts were colored happy by the way the refined paperie danced with the Edwardian and Art Deco style engagement rings from the inimitable Victor Barboné. Elizabeth’s wedding weekend started just as many mornings of her childhood did – foraging fresh, organic, verdant blooms. The flirty Inbal Dror gown she wears in the garden is endlessly mesmerizing with its crystal dusted straps, pretty tulle bows and voluminous, sweeping skirt. As she explores the manicured gardens of Hedsor House, the beauty of which is unmatched, she moves slowly. She takes her time between pastel hydrangea corner and lily pond, boxwood labyrinth and old stone stairways and absorbs every tranquil moment of the day. As dusk set in and guests traveling from afar arrived, the al fresco welcome dinner encouraged the in between moments.

Laughter over old stories and shared wonder over what the future holds. The blue velvet linen was draped with a powdery hued silk runner, as ikebana floral arrangements were scattered organically across the table. While the sun began to set over the Thames Valley, the guests took a break from formality, grabbed a slice of cake adorned with sugar flowers and let their antique arm chairs sit perfectly imperfect as they moved to the edge of the gardens. The bride’s princess gown by Lee Petra Grebenau from Morgan Davies Bridal with golden crystal tulle and floral embroidered lace was conjured up in a serendipitous moment we’re oh-so-glad happened. As she awakened the next morning, a misty morning added an ethereal energy to the grounds below where the intimate ceremony was prepared in the Sunken Garden.

Upholstered Dior chairs sit on either side of the old stone pathway that becomes the aisle as Moss & Stone brings a colorful energy to the picturesque landscape through flourishing urn arrangements of open garden roses, dahlias and dainty little posies to boot. Her wedding gown from Lee Petra Grebenau is hopelessly romantic with its sweeping train, beaded sleeves and high illusion neck. Complementing the look is a loose chignon by Carly Cox and natural, yet luxe makeup artistry by Sarah Yeo. Accented with chandelier drop earrings from Sibo Designs, her bridal style is reminiscent of Old World splendor. Meanwhile, the groom was dressed to the nines in a tailored gray suit by Clements & Church. The reception was nothing if not distinguished – handwoven napkins, crystal cut glassware, vintage silver cutlery and rose print plates at each setting. Set against a backdrop of natural wood paneling in the Hedsor House ballroom, the trio of chandeliers above illuminated the scene from above while Paris gray tapers from Creative Candles dripped away romantically below. The cake by Lemon Tree Cakes sat poetically against a painted meadow backdrop as its handcrafted wafer paper accents dusted with gold leaf pointed towards the sky. All in all, it was a weekend that held memories for a lifetime captured beautifully by Julie Livingston Photography.

Meghan Markle Would Approve of this Gorgeous Cliveden House Wedding

Long distance is tough (am I right?!), but when fate steps in and two people who are separated by thousands of miles meet in a bar in NYC, what would you do? Daryl, a NYC resident, and James, a London resident, embarked on a whirlwind of a love story. When the time came, decided to get married at THE luxurious Cliveden House, where beloved Meghan Markle stayed the night before her wedding. Fit for royalty, their wedding was a sea of gilded decor in an idyllic English countryside setting as photographed by Zosia Zacharia Photography and the black tie formal vibes are to die for! Daryl rocked a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown. Don’t miss a second of their highlight film created by HD Moments — from a father’s loving tears to James and Daryl’s swoon-worthy vows…

From the bride, Daryl… After dating in New York city for what felt like countless years, James walked into a bar and you know, the rest is history. However, our love story was a little less simple. James was English, running his business and living just outside of London, while I lived on the Upper West Side. My large, close knit family all lived nearby in the New Jersey area. I couldn’t see how our relationship would work. But after a spending hours sharing our stories over a breakfast date, I called my mom and told her something felt different… with James.

James and I both have old souls. He called for a month and we spoke on the phone for three hours every day sharing stories and falling in love through the telephone lines. A few months later he was back in New York and we were officially together. James met my family and meshed with them effortlessly. I flew over to London every chance I got, spending time with his closest friends and his family as well.

After a year we made a decision that I would move to London. And later that year James whisked me off on a surprise trip to Paris where he proposed through teary eyes at Versailles. We celebrated our engagement back in the UK having both of our parents meet for the first time over High Tea at Cliveden House. We fell in love with the intimate grandness of the estate and felt at home amongst the tapestries, the intricate details, and rich fabrics. It was a unanimous decision that this was where our wedding was supposed to be.

James and I are quite classic, and I always knew I wanted my wedding to be a blend of romantic, regal and timelessness. Lydia Kenny, the incredible wedding planner at Cliveden House, and I worked tirelessly to create that vision.

Now, hear their spoken love… the eloquence, the passion, the emotion, as HD Moments captured and is sharing today.
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From Zosia Zacharia Photography… If there were ever 2 people made for each then it is Daryl and James. Daryl is from the US and James is from England, their paths crossed after a chance meeting in a bar in NY. After a whirlwind and at times long distance romance, Daryl moved to England to be with James.

They married on 30th June 2018 at Saint Mary & All Saints church with over 100 guests, many of whom had travelled from around the world to help the happy couple celebrate. Their wedding truly embodied the meaning of destination wedding with 4 days of events and celebrations at the historic Cliveden (the British estate where Meghan Markle stayed the night before the royal wedding, just 10 days earlier).

Daryl, the bride, wore a timeless Oscar de la Renta gown and paired it with beautiful Jimmy Choo lace shoes. Her bridesmaids wore coordinated neutral beaded gowns. Post ceremony, they transported their guests to Cliveden in old-fashioned red London buses and held their cocktail reception on the terrace over-looking the grand gardens of Cliveden. As one of the hottest summers on record in England, it felt more like Italy than London. They had two cakes: a traditional wedding cake with 25,000 iced dots! And the groom’s cigar cake. Their guests danced ’til the wee hours of the morning to live music!

More from the Bride… I found that it was essential to fall in love with the work of my vendors (photographer, videographer, floral designer) as well as connect with them on a personal level, which eased all of my thoughts on the days leading up to our wedding. Another thing that was very important to me was that my bridesmaids felt incredible in their gowns. I have never been keen on traditional bridesmaids dresses, so instead, I individually picked colorless beaded gowns for each of my friends that matched their personal style and budget.

The whole wedding weekend ended up being a four day celebration of dinners in town with our guests who flew in early, an enchanting Rehearsal Dinner with candlelight, dusk and surprise opera singers that our guests would have never expected. And to top it all off, the most perfect unsuspectingly sunny and warm wedding day in the English countryside with 150 of our most intimate friends and family. My husband and I took in every moment and had more fun than we could have ever imagined. It was the most magical weekend filled with more love, light and champagne than we could have dreamed of.

Amore Eterno – Romantic Inspiration at Newington House

Amore Eterno is an editorial shoot conceived to re-tell the history of one of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful stately homes, Newington House. Newington House’s story is impossibly romantic. Newington House hosts a small number of exclusive weddings each year allowing guests to have full use of the gardens and some of the beautiful spaces inside the house itself…. ~ Kim Balasubramaniam Wedding Design + Zosia Zacharia Photography

Newington House was built in the 17th Century as a gift for a homesick Italian princess by her British husband. The design was based on Reuben’s collection of engravings called “The Palaces of Genoa” and is therefore Italianate in design, and has been brought back to life by the current owners. Our editorial re-tells this story for the modern wedding. A tale of a young couple who met traveling Europe. She is Italian, he British and they have chosen to celebrate their marriage at this countryside estate.

Our bride was dressed in a Jesus Peiro gown which featured a lace bodice, long sleeves and pockets! A classic ballgown skirt, which fitted such an incredible venue was complimented by a bouquet of peonies, jasmine and my favourite Margaret Merril roses – so fragrant and so beautiful. Bespoke heirloom jewelery, imagined to be borrowed from the groom’s family collection, set off the ivory tones of the gown and featured deep burgundy and diamond stones. A pair of black lace Jimmy Choo heels completed her bridal look. The groom, effortlessly handsome in his dinner suit featured black patent shoes and a silk bow tie.

Inspired by the venue’s incredible gardens and interiors we chose a colour palette of dark blush pink, blackberry, gold and ebony which set the tone for this understatedly elegant look.

Our tablescape, set on the lush lawns at the back of the house had a backdrop of the stone steps and featured gold and black baroque charger plates, hand dyed silk bamboo napkins and wildly beautiful flowers including prunus foliage, peonies, sweet peas, astrantia and romantic antique roses. Cut glass stemware, gold rimmed flatware and cutlery added to the glamorous feel and a sprinkling of blackberries foraged from the gardens finished it to perfection.

The stationery was simple but oh so stylish. Classic black on which the white ink really popped. An olive leaf detail, wax seals and beautiful hand dyed silk ribbons complemented the suite. Hand written signage and tags adorned every element.

The wedding cake featured frangipani and delicate peonies both crafted expertly from sugarpaste. It nestled beautifully within the rose garden at Newington House. Each tier more delicious than the next – flavours included earl grey, lavender and honey, chocolate with rosemary and red-wine poached pear and lemon, blueberry & cream cheese.

At each place setting sat a gold leaf edged cotton pouch containing golden sugared almonds – a nod to the traditional Italian bonbonniere. These were finished with sugar frangipani flowers and hand lettered placement cards.

The staircase, mezzanine dressing room and antique furniture provided the perfect setting for the bridal preparations and is the most incredible light filled space. The staircase was bedecked with fragrant florals including roses, peonies, jasmine and beech foliage. Guests were greeted at the door with home made blackberry liqueur in miniature bottles, next to a giant stone urn containing beautiful blooms including hornbeam, olive, roses, peonies and ivy. A welcome basket containing almonds, chocolates and limoncello was given to each guest as they arrived.

The grounds are expansive and feature a small church, lake and views to die for over the Oxfordshire countryside. It is a very special venue and we were honoured to have been allowed to create this editorial there and tell the story of a unique piece of English history in our own way.

SO much more to see in the full gallery!!!

A Traditional-Yet-Fierce Look for This West African Bride

The wow-worthy gele. The statement, coral beads. The glamorous, gold heels. The absolutely flawless makeup. Ladies, today’s Bride looks fierce, and we know you’re going to be just as obsessed as we are. Aleeka Events conceptualized this luxe, London wedding editorial, which showcases the meaningful, traditional, and clearly beautiful wedding attire of the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. Dupe Gele and Nikita Baffour are just two of the talented artists that collaborated on this shoot, captured through the lens of Amy O’Boyle. And let me just say, it is sure to inspire.

Captured by the amazing Amy O’Boyle, the inspiration for this editorial derived from wanting to showcase the rich colors and glamour that one typically sees at a traditional West African wedding (also known as the traditional engagement), while contrasting this against the rustic aesthetic of the African landscape.

West Hampstead is a small picturesque village located in the hustle and bustle of London. However, it’s not just another London borough. This one is home to a rather special, yet hidden, gem. The Hill Garden and Pergola served as the perfect location as it boasted faded opulence, serenity, and stunning hillside views.

The traditional wedding is a colorful and significant ceremony that requires both the Bride and Groom’s families’ involvement. It is also filled with many different traditional elements such as prayers, the exchange of gifts and money, and a lot of bantering back and forth. Whether it is the food, music, or clothing, for many West African couples living in the UK, infusing their traditions and culture into their wedding day is a must.

For this editorial, we focused on the traditional clothing of a Nigerian Yoruba Bride and Groom, and the intimacy, love, and closeness between a Bride and Groom on their special day. The couple wore the most beautiful coordinating aso-oke (a hand loomed cloth woven by the Yoruba tribe of western Nigeria), completed with coral beaded jewelry, which represents power, wealth, and royalty.

All for Love, an award winning boutique florist in London, created the beautiful hand-tied bouquet and centerpiece. Both arrangements were quite loose and natural, with unique textural elements and luscious blooms. Lola and Blush created a modern stationery suite with gold calligraphy, African patterns, and a custom crest featuring a tribal mask. This is a great way for any couple to personalize their special day. Also included was a marriage acceptance letter, which by the time the wedding actually happens, the couple have already agreed that they will marry. Therefore, the letter simply marks the occasion and expresses the good will of the families to each other. Other details included a ‘Thank You’ gift basket and a two-tier textured cake by Monannie Cakes. We put a modern spin on the gift basket and incorporated popular snacks such as chin chin and plantain chips, cooking utensils and spices, fruits, and African brewed beverages.

Pink on Pink Will Set Your Heart Aflutter!

For the Bride who loves pink, this inspiration session dreamed up by Rebecca K. Events and Styling will set your heart aflutter! Lucy Davenport masterfully captured the concept, which combined feminine touches – like the playful glittery shoes by Charlotte Mills – with moments of modern – like the ghost chairs by Hire It. Jump right in to the gallery, because this one, lovelies, cannot be missed.

From Rebecca K. Events and Styling… The idea behind this inspiration shoot was to create a style that represents the Rebecca K. Events client – a modern, stylish Bride that truly loves a bit of pretty on her wedding day, from gorgeous flowers to elegant place settings, but also wants to have splashes of fun and sophistication thrown in throughout the wedding celebration.

The color scheme for the shoot was inspired by the colors of my brand: blush pink {pretty}, black and white {modern}, and little bits of gold {fun}. I was lucky to be able to coordinate an amazing dream team of vendors for the shoot! Together we created a gorgeous piece of inspiration for a sophisticated Bride-to-be. I knew I wanted to create something pretty, dramatic, and feminine, but I also did not want it to be over-the-top girly. I added in modern touches using clear chairs, white sequin linens, and small dotted runners with gorgeous flowers by Amy from Bo Boutique. The Bride’s overflowing bouquet in shades of pink added a gorgeous, dramatic effect for this London Bride. The stylish setting of a studio was the perfect venue for the entire shoot! The white and brick walls at Loft Studios is perfect for a city couple looking to transform the space for their own unique day. The studio allows a couple to truly change the space into whatever they wish it to be. In this case, we had beautiful, white clean walls with branches hanging that added a touch of color and flowers without being over the top.

I was so lucky to have the wonderful Lucy Davenport shoot the day for us. The images are so beautiful and dreamy having been captured on film. Investing in gorgeous photography on your wedding day is something I always highly recommend to my clients, and Lucy’s work is truly a reference to what I mean.

There were a lot of little personal details sprinkled throughout, which is something I think is very important to any wedding day – not just creating a pretty wedding, but also having meaning behind it. From the stunning wedding cake by Cakes by Krishanthi that included a touch of pink with a huge statement peony, similar to some found in the Bride’s bouquet, to the beautiful London-themed welcome boxes for the guests, to the floral themed personal cocktails on the bar, to the glittery shoes peeking out from beneath the Bride’s wedding dress, to the after party jumpsuit with mini skirt, it was a beautiful shoot for many Brides to get inspiration for their day from!

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Emmy London

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Chic, Glam + Extra Eclectic Make This English Wedding A Must See

Chic, glamorous… and a bit of eclectic fun! That is what we have here for you with this gorgeous wedding set in enchanting England. Upon first glance it looks like a classically beautiful celebration but look a little closer at the pics and film by STUDIO 1208 and you’ll discover some extra special touches (our gallery has them all!). It’s these sorts of soirées that get our wedding loving hearts going! Enjoy!

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From STUDIO 1208… Colette and Marcello were married at one of the most eclectic and chic wedding venues in the UK, Aynhoe Park. Known for its extensive collection of taxidermy, sculpture and art, there is something interesting and fabulous everywhere you look. This beautiful venue only added to the gorgeous details found all over, featuring a greenery and floral-lined ceiling, Ladurée macarons for each guest, perfectly styled passed hors d’oeuvres, and hand drawn portraits of each bridesmaid by a Vogue Illustrator to name a few. Colette and Marcello didn’t stop there – they invited world class talent to entertain their guests, and finished the night with the most incredible fireworks display we have ever seen at a wedding. Their wedding truly was a fairytale, and it will never be forgotten!

Guests Went Glamping at This UK Wedding

Between the bride’s modern Calvin Klein dress, her fabulous L.K. Bennett shoes, and the fern filled sperry tent reception, we are obsessed with this insanely stylish, Northumberland wedding by Albion Parties. After the celebrations, guests were provided with overnight accommodations in bell tents and were treated to a delicious farewell brunch the following morning. Every detail of this fashionable affair photographed by Lucy Davenport is a can’t miss, so be sure to check out the full gallery, right here.

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From Albion Parties… When the wedding planning began, Anna’s father offered her a choice of getting married at his house in the Bahamas or at his house in Northumberland. Keen to make sure all her guests would be able to travel easily to their wedding, Anna shunned the sunshine of Harbour Island and instead chose Northumberland.

Anna has a strong sense of style, choosing a Calvin Klein wedding dress and colorful shoes, the latter of which were cast off immediately after the ceremony and photographs in favor of a pair of white trainers (all the better to dance in). Her bridesmaids wore dresses from Monsoon that tied in with the fern theme.

The brief Anna gave her wedding planner, Katie Crichton-Stuart from Albion Parties, was to create a beautiful and stylish wedding, balancing being conventional in some aspects with being entirely relaxed in other aspects. With a keen eye for detail, Katie worked with Anna to develop a theme incorporating pink tones with dark green ferns and a touch of gold. Anna’s mood board for the look of the wedding, which Katie helped her put together, focused on beautiful fabrics of fern motifs, which was a year before this trend became mainstream when it was seen at House of Hackney and Graham and Green. The highly stylized tent interior focused on clean lines, with pink flowers in the center of the tables surrounded by more whimsical ferns pouring out from underneath. High and low arrangements gave texture to the overall look of the dinner set up, and intermittent plants positioned up the tent poles created a sense of scale inside. Katie recommended Anna and Jamie use sperry tents for their wedding, which was a nod to both Anna’s love of being slightly different and ensured the tents themselves looked good in their surroundings. Sperry tents have the fortunate appeal of looking good from the outside as well as inside, unlike their frame tent counterparts.

A strong family feel came through the wedding, with Anna’s younger sisters and brothers being her bridesmaids and pageboys, Anna’s friend playing the piano, and her uncle officiating at the ceremony. The estate team was invaluable to Albion Parties, helping with every aspect of the set up onsite. A further touch was Anna’s father’s chef, James Davie, who catered for the entire wedding. Anna chose canapés that included favorite dishes from her childhood like steak frites and warm chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream.

Having a great band was really important to Anna and Jamie, and they chose The Faithettes, the backing band of Paloma Faith, followed by friends who DJ’ed late into the night. Guests were given the choice of staying in bell tents pitched in the next door field, where Katie had put “Hangover Packs” filled with essentials for guests. The morning after, guests who had stayed the night were treated to James Davie’s brunch of bacon rolls, eggs to order, mini pastries, suckling pig with apple sauce, and large bloody marys.

A Bespoke Bridal Headpiece Fit for the 20s

My favorite thing about London weddings is that they always seem to have the most incredible hair accessories, and this wedding captured by Ann-Kathrin Koch Photography is no exception! The bride worked closely with Adora Belle, a UK-based crystal accessory designer, to create a bespoke, Art Deco inspired headpiece featuring ivory pearls, silver beading, and Swarovski inlays. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her veil alternative, which complemented her 20s era aesthetic perfectly. See the whole glamorous affair here.

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From the Bride… For my dress and accessories, I went with authentic 1920s – soft, classy, elegant, dazzling, beaded, ostrich feathers – inspired by Ginger Rogers’ iconic feather dress in Top Hat. I designed the headpiece with Adora Belle, a UK-based designer and embellisher. I wanted something dramatic, beautiful, and authentic – no veil needed.

The venue was a small and intimate Georgian house, the perfect size for our family and closest friends. Interestingly, the venue is also home to the Royal Society of Public Health, and I work in public health. For the color scheme we went with sapphire blue to match my sapphire engagement ring, white, black, and silver.

Our style was 1920s art deco, vintage, elegance. The wedding cake was an astonishing art deco masterpiece crafted by the groom’s mother and grandmother, who earlier in her life was a professional cake decorator and instructor. It incorporated the art deco elements of the wedding and the elegance of the location in a geometric design.

Both of us come from creative backgrounds, and Ben is also a semi-professional photographer, so we needed someone who had the skills to carry out our very clear vision when it came to the photographs. The fact that Ann-Kathrin shot on film meant she could capture the the aesthetic sympathetically without the need for excessive tweaking in post-production.

Planning might seem a nightmare, but devoting time to it is vital. We were able to relax a bit on the day because we’d done so much in the way of preparation and structured forethought. Remember to delegate the tasks but have an overall vision and direction, and all will fall into place!

Want to Rock Your Vintage Wedding? Get Away in a Car Like This.

When your wedding day takes place at an English manor as charming as this one, it doesn’t take much to wow your guests. A lovely off-the-shoulder Moira Hughes number, anemones, peach and ivory roses, and of course, a getaway car like this will do the trick. Ready to plan your own vintage affair? Make sure to soak in the full gallery from Weddings by Nicola & Glen in The Vault!

From Weddings by Nicola & Glen… Nicola and Tom’s wedding took place in the romantic surrounds of Calcot Manor in the Cotswolds. A luxurious 14th century Manor house with epic views over the rolling English countryside made an amazing location for our couple to return home to. Nicola and Tom, although originally from England now live in Sydney, Australia both working in advertising. With their creative background it is unsurprising how many gorgeous details permeated their day.

Nicola and Tom planned so many fun surprises. A seriously swish vintage Jaguar XK12 waited outside the church so they could drive themselves back to Calcot Manor to cheers from all their guests. On arrival at Calcot Manor a three piece Mariachi Band surprised guests at the drinks reception complete with trombone, guitars, sombreros and pisco sours! Impromptu dancing ensued!

A stunning stationery suite was designed by Nicola’s friend and water colour artist Harriet de Winton. She created a pretty lavender and fern wreath motif that was echoed on the dreamy hand-painted cake by Curtis & Co Cakes. An installation of giant wreaths by Lisa Elliott Flowers was suspended in the Barn at Calcot Manor making quite a statement! de Winton Paper co also created a beautiful water colour commission for Nicola and Tom to use as a table plan on the day based on all their favourite beaches in Sydney.

Other highlights included our beautiful Bride’s stunning Moira Hughes wedding dress – an Australian designer with an eye for romance. The dress combined an embossed Italian bodice and raw silk skirt, with an oversized silk bow and exquisite lace veil completing the look! Nicola wore cute Charlotte Mills peep toe heels with a poem on the soles. For the evening our Bride swapped her veil for a dreamy Bride La Boheme vintage headpiece.

Nicola’s Bridesmaids looked so chic in 1920s style white and silver dresses from Coast and strappy white heels. Sally and Nicola from Bristol Bridal Hair and Makeup mixed it up styling the girls hair both up and down and creating very natural yet polished beauty looks. The guys looked dashing to match in grey suits, black and white polkadot ties from Scotch & Soda and cufflinks made from reclaimed watch parts.

We loved that Nicola and Tom put so much heart into making sure every detail fitted with their overall vision for their wedding day to reflect them as a couple. Most of all we adored capturing how much these two souls enjoyed their actual wedding day as months of careful planning unfolded with style and oh so much fun!

A Hindu Wedding in the English Countryside

For any couples planning a multicultural wedding, take notes from Matthew and Preena who paid homage to both their Indian and English heritages in one cohesive celebration. They began the day with a Western-style ceremony followed by a traditional Hindu “Mandap” all set in the charming English countryside. A feast of Indian food was served for their ballroom reception and Taylor & Porter didn’t miss a single moment. Click here for much more!

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From Taylor and Porter…Matthew and Preena married this summer at Wrest Park, a Grade I listed Mansion in England mixing elegant French architecture with a grand and picturesque landscape. This unique early 19th century house was the perfect setting for this couple’s classically elegant style. Matthew and Preena shared not one but two ceremonies; both a Western marriage ceremony and a traditional Hindu “Mandap”. The Mandap was one of the most colourful, lighthearted and inclusive ceremonies I’ve ever had the privilege to capture. It involves both family’s participation and has many different traditional elements including offerings to the gods, promises made between the parents to care for each others child and even a part where the women of the family offer secret marriage advice to the bride! It was a beautiful meeting of families, traditions and cultures.

The grounds of Wrest Park are adorned with stunning lawns, wooded walks and flower gardens, dotted with fountains, statues and ornate follies. We explored the park and house capturing portraits with Matthew and Preena as the warm August sun set. Their reception was held in the grounds; in the beautiful light filled Orangery where after a feast of traditional Indian food they danced the night away under the stars.

From the Bride, Preena… We decided to get married at Wrest Park after we visited the site a year before the day in torrential downpour and knew in an instant we would book, it was the first and last place we looked at and a big tick off the list, also as it was half way between both our family homes and a easy train ride from London for our friends.

We decided to fuse both my Hindu Gujarati heritage with the Groom’s English background and began the day with a civil ceremony where we wrote our own (tear-jerking!) vows to one another. I walked down the aisle to ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ by the Beatles played by our talented brother in law David.

This was followed by Indian street food canapés on the library terrace and then a traditional Hindu ceremony, with a sitar player. Finally we had a drinks reception with a jazz band followed by a 3 course Indian feast and cocktail bar. The cake was made by my Aunt and our first dance was to Sweet Pea by Amos Lee. The day was fantastically co-ordinated by the brilliant best men which certainly helped it run smoothly.

The pastel colour scheme leant to fusion of Regal Indian and classic English and ran through to the stationery, flowers, button holes (the guests has lavender and rosemary) and favours (potted succulents).

When we started planning our wedding we knew the things that were important to us – one of them being a Photographer with a great eye and a natural approach. From the initial enquiry email to our meeting on our engagement session and also the day itself, Louise and Teo were warm, friendly, fantastic company, professional and helped put us both at ease. On the day and prior they worked continuously and many guests commented on their dedicated approach. We have so many beautiful photographs from our day and are truly grateful to Taylor & Porter for their hard work and talent in producing the images. We would not miss a beat to recommend them to anyone for any occasion.

Elegant At Home English Summer Wedding

At home weddings warm my heart and when your home happens to be as spacious and stunning as this English manor, well then, how can you NOT say “I do” here!? Weddings by Nicola and Glen captured it all – from the Bride’s chic style to the adorable little ones and these never-ending florals. See it all in our Vault right this way!

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From Weddings by Nicola and Glen… Suzanne and Graham’s wedding day was a luxurious, super fun affair at our couple’s home in West Sussex. Family friend and wedding planner Hannah Nottage made sure everything was planned to perfection for Suzanne and Graham and used her little black book to get the best creative team enlisted for their wedding.

Our Bride spent the wedding morning at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Suzanne looked sensational in a British designed Suzanne Neville dress and the most stunning Louboutins. Her bridesmaids wore floaty floor-length gowns in soft pink.

The ceremony took place in a romantic old English church in a nearby village. Talented London florist Charlie Mac Design adorned the doors and aisles with fresh flowers and foliage. The designs were loose and unstructured, subtly incorporating fruits and berries, to suit the countryside setting.

Music was a definite highlight throughout the day! Famous soprano Laura Wright (who sang for the Queen of England’ 90th birthday recently) performed classical pieces while guests arrived at the Church and during the ceremony.

After the ceremony everyone returned to Suzanne and Graham’s home for the drinks reception. Guests enjoyed oysters being freshly shucked, Nyetimber English sparkling wine and a further performance by Laura Wright as they floated between the beautiful interiors and terrace.

For the dinner everyone moved to the marquee overlooking the lake. The marquee looked gorgeous thanks to Charlie Mac Design. Oversized and wild floral displays floating on geometric gold structures created instant impact! A giant floral garland on the top table created an impressive focal point for the bridal party. Rhubarb catering served a delicious three course dinner including lamb two ways and espresso martinis to get everyone ready to dance after dessert!

The evening party was the highlight of an already incredible day! Graham had two Best Men for the day, one of which happened to be Patrick Olive, the bassist for legendary soul band Hot Chocolate! Not only did he serenade the couple with a song he wrote himself for their First Dance, but right afterwards the entire band walked onto the stage as a surprise to play a full set for the party!

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Suzanne Neville

Portrait Collection 2017

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Festive Fall Anniversary Shoot With Soft Blankets + Beautiful Foliage

These pics have been favorited and bookmarked… saved for easy access. Why? Because this is exactly what I’d like to do one day for an anniversary shoot of my own. Considering fall is my favorite season, it’s an absolute dream. Natalie Bray’s pictures are bringing me an insane amount of joy this Friday (and in case you were wondering, we’ve seen these cuties before) – so heat up that cup of cider and enjoy the season’s silliness and style in our gallery right this way!

From Natalie Bray Studios… While in London, we met up with one of our favorite couples (previously featured on SMP’s Front Page!) and took a few photos for their anniversary at one of their favorite places in London, Luxembourg Gardens.

They are the sweetest couple ever and are SO in love. Him with his British accent and her with her genuine smile that would make anyone want to be her friend.

Bo Boutique created a stunning bouquet full of fall foliage that made us want to cuddle with blankets, throw leaves in the air, and skip happily in love.

Photography: Natalie Bray Studios | Floral Design: Bo Boutique

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Cultural Wedding in the English Countryside

Monica & Andrew’s English countryside wedding is what daydreams are made of. With the truly talented Faye Cornhill behind the lens snapping up every second of beauty, we’ve got every bit of their celebration waiting for your to fall head over heels in love with via The Vault!

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From Faye Cornhill… I’m so happy to share this beautiful wedding with you, it really will go down as one of my all time favourites. It was at the wonderful Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire. Notley Abbey weddings are always sublime. I love the seclusion, the space and the opulence of this beautiful venue.

Monica and Andrew are genuinely two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Breaking with tradition they arrived on the morning of the wedding together. Hand in hand they walked up the cobbled stones to the huge Notley Abbey oak door, exchanged a simple kiss and agreed to meet at the alter. Super cute.

Monica was the picture of calm throughout her preparation. She effortlessly styled her own hair and make up, smiling the whole way. As she unpacked her lace Monsoon dress and her stunning pink sari (bought by her father in India) I knew I was going to be in for a visual feast.

Monica’s huge smile lit up the room as she walked to meet Andrew. Together they stood, clinging on to each other, as they exchanged their vows. There was such an overwhelming sense of happiness as the registrar announced them as husband and wife. Andrew wasted no time in kissing his beautiful bride.

After the ceremony, Monica and Andrew were greeted by guests with a shower of confetti. We then moved to the lawn for a champagne reception. The three of us managed to grab some time away to take some portraits on the amazing driveway at Notley. I can’t tell you how much I loved this part – working with such lovely people makes me so happy.

After this, Monica was changed into her stunning pink sari by her Mother and Auntie and we moved straight into the speeches. After a delicious banquet I managed to grab some more time for photos of Monica and Andrew. The light at Notley was just perfect for the sparkle of her sari.

From the Bride… Andy and I got engaged in September 2015 and we knew pretty much straight away that we wanted a summer wedding the following year. Come January 2016, we hadn’t made even made a start!

I had always envisaged a country chic sort of wedding, but Andy preferred the more formal surroundings of central London, so when it came to choosing a venue, we were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Then, a couple of weeks into the search, Andy stumbled across Notley Abbey, a beautiful country house set in idyllic grounds and full of history. We both looked at each other and thought ‘wow’, but knew there was next to no chance of securing a date this year, let alone in the summer. Needless to say, we were astounded to hear that there was a solitary Saturday available for July this year, and we jumped at the chance to view the venue the following day.

We drove up the beautiful tree lined drive; everything was covered in snow and looked so picturesque. We knew there and then that we wanted this to be our venue, even though it was the first (and only) venue we had visited. We deliberated for all of sixty seconds, and proceeded to hand over a deposit immediately.

From that point onwards, the planning went relatively smoothly. I knew I wanted some personal touches that reflected us as a couple, so (with the help of my mum and sister) handmade all of the invitations, place cards and wedding favours. I even did my own hair and makeup on the day. The day itself couldn’t have gone smoother; the weather was exceptionally beautiful throughout the day (particularly given the temperamental summers we have in England), the ceremony was emotional, and even the fact that our little flower girl ran off down the aisle only added to a glorious day. And, best of all, Faye (our brilliant photographer) was there to capture all of those wonderful memories, which we will treasure forever.

Both Andy and I had said from the start that we wanted our wedding day to be fun and relaxed, with everyone we know and love with us to share our special day. It is a cliche, but that’s exactly how it was. We will forever look back on this day as the happiest of our lives.

The Details in this Kensington Palace Affair are BEYOND Amazing

To know me is to know that I go gaga for any British wedding, and this sweet Kensington Palace affair? Well, it certainly takes the cake. Think seriously sophisticated meets all sorts of romantic with some of the most meaningful details you will ever lay your eyes upon. Oh, and those place cards? Brilliant… just brilliant. See so much more captured by the amazing Marianne Taylor in THE VAULT.

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From Marianne Taylor Photography… It seemed like I had been waiting for Victoria and Charles’ wedding day for ages, and yet it felt like it was only yesterday when we got together for their engagement session in Somerset. Taking on such a limited number of weddings means I’m looking forward to each one with even more enthusiasm, and I couldn’t have been more excited when Victoria and Charles’ big day finally rolled around!

It was such a pleasure to be a part of this joyful and beautiful day, and also to get to work with the amazing Gorgeous Film again. Below, Victoria tells more about planning the day.

From the Bride… Two of our friends set us up on a night out soon after Charles had come back from Afghanistan and I had moved back from living in New York. Charlie proposed in Pont Lobos Nature reserve driving down from San Francisco to LA in front of a raft of sea otters! We were engaged for just over a year. So nice to plan things carefully and enjoy every different stage.

St Mary Abbott is our local church in London and a church my family has been going to for over 25 years. Incidentally, Charlie’s Grandmother was Christened there. It was a two minute walk from my parents’, so we could get ready at my childhood home before walking over. The Orangery is in Kensington Gardens and just a short walk from the Church. Kensington Gardens means a lot to us as we walk our dog Albert there every day and Charlie spent a lot of time on his horse Copenhagen, in the area, while he was in the Household Cavalry, Blues and Royals. The Orangery was so perfect for us, we love the country and it felt like a secret garden right in the centre of London.

My mother and I had a lot of fun looking for my dress. A lot of laughs. We fell in love with the Monique Lhuillier dress in Browns Brides and did not look any further! We asked them to add the off the shoulder sleeves for the service that could be removed later. I love the mermaid quality and intricate embellishment layered with different colours. I felt like a million dollars and never wanted to take it off.

Charlie had a clear image for his morning suit. A combination of Prince Charles and Timothy Dalton’s in ‘License to Kill’. He was very happy with the light grey he choice which looked traditional but different.

We went to Versailles the year before and loved all the avenues of trees. We wanted to try to get this feeling with the two long tables with small green trees going down the middle. The bouquet was inspired by an old 18th Century Dutch still life oil painting with wild tendrils coming out and a mixture of colours. Our amazing florist was such fun to work with listened to our ideas and made them even better. Charlie’s button hole was a piano rose – it smelt amazing. We want to grow our own bush to remind us of it. I think the bouquets nod to the past and our love of art was a really nice touch.

My Father, Christopher Garwood, walked me down the aisle. A truly emotional a special moment for us. I felt very proud to be on his arm and gave him one last kiss on the cheek before walking down the aisle and saw all our loved ones faces. It was so nice to walk over to the church with him and have a few quite moments.

The ceremony was a very traditional one in St Mary Abbots – which is a beautiful neo – Gothic Church. Charlie picked the hymns. They are popular with the army as they are emotive and you can belt them out at the top of your voice! I picked the readings. I trained as an actress so loved finding my favourite Shakespeare (a personal passion) and Steinbeck letter to his son about love. Our favourite moments of the service was singing and looking over to see each other grinning. The other was walking down the aisle as man and wife and being over whelmed at everyone being there to support us and witness such a special thing. After the service we nipped round the side to have a quiet moment with each other while the guests poured out. A very private and nice moment for us both.

We were desperate for Marianne to do our photography. We keep a lot of photos and treasure our photo albums and prints around our home. So we looked really carefully for someone we loved. Marianne’s understanding of light and capturing the special moments was exactly what we wanted. She was so easy to work with. We also had our engagement photos with her the Autumn before. She likes to capture you at your most happy and natural and she and her assistant were a pleasure to have on such special day.

Charlie organized his old regiment, the House Hold Cavalry’s carriage to pick us up from the Church and take us to the venue. The horses were so smart and lovely to have a few minutes together before the party. We had a wonderful Photo Booth with a bespoke Reynolds oil painting back drop. This was one of the first ideas we had. We love art and wanted to include something to show this. The Photo Booth Guys were amazing and the camera was so flattering. We love our guest book with the photos and the guests had such a good time and something to take home. Victoria also illustrated all the guest table badges to look like ‘Royal Ascot Enclosure’ badges and each person got a small cut out caricature of themselves instead of a name place. It was a really fun talking point and the guests took them home. We got sent lots of photos the next day of them at people homes. We are so glad they went down so well as it was something Victoria loved doing. We had a DJ in the evening getting everyone on the dance floor while garden and dirty martinis were being served outside as it got dark.

We would pass on something people told us: Walk slowly down the aisle together after the service – enjoy everyone smiling at you and being there for you. Also to take a few minutes together every now and again. Enjoy – it was the best day of our lives!!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

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Spring 2016

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Forget White. This Bride Embraced Color with a Yellow Wedding Dress

In case you hadn’t heard, when it comes to your wedding, there are no rules. Ditch the bridesmaids, buck tradition, elope to Vegas — it’s your day and anything goes. So, this beautiful Bride, with her bold yellow wedding dress, is pretty much our hero. And after seeing every moment of her bright and fun wedding in The Vault (courtesy of Clean Plate Pictures) , she’ll be yours, too.

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From Clean Plate Pictures…When my sister-in-law Helen asked me to photograph her and Sam’s London wedding, I was so honored and excited – I knew it would be an incredible day, and it was! The wedding took place in Sam’s contemporary art gallery, Assembly Point, and it was a super stylish, colorful love fest! Helen’s beautiful yellow dress and all the personal touches throughout the event were amazing. All of the decorations and flowers were put together by the couple and their friends and family. After a gorgeous ceremony with readings and songs, and a confetti-covered exit, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed cocktails in the gallery courtyard, then headed inside for an Indian feast. The speeches brought tears as well as much laughter, then the dancing began! The day was so bright and fun, just like these sweethearts.

See the E-Sesh That Took Place in Will and Kate’s Backyard

London’s calling and thanks to Amy Fanton Photography we’re answering its’ ring. For this stunning engagement session is fit for royalty and we’ve got it all to share. From their sweet downtown stroll, to the stunning scenery, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

From Amy Fanton Photography…I photographed this engagement session in the heart of Central London on several of my favorite cobblestone streets in Kensington. The goal of the engagement shoot was to create imagery that reflected the classic style of the couple and there was no better setting to frame them than the quaint Mews streets and grand limestone buildings that are so characteristic of central London. We spent the session playfully wandering the old streets of Kensington as I led the couple through a series of interactions that led to natural and authentic reactions and emotions. The bride to be wore a romantic creme colored Ted Baker dress paired with classic nude pumps while the groom to be looked dapper in a classic navy blazer. As the bride is a wedding photographer herself, it was a great honor to be asked to photograph their engagement! I photographed using a combination of film and digital to get the best of both worlds.

Photography: Amy Fanton Photography | Dress: Ted Baker | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Location: Kensington London

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This English Garden Wedding is Our Perfect Cup of Tea

Everything I’ve ever dreamt about a classic English garden wedding is perfectly summed up in this day photographed by Ashlee Taylor. The setting (her parents’ backyard garden), the style (timeless as can be), and the bride’s stunning dress by British designer Suzanne Neville all add up to a gallery you simply cannot miss. See it all here!

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From Ashlee Taylor…Holly and Paul created the most stunning of garden weddings. They used local suppliers to create a homely yet elegant day. Setting up a luxurious tent in her parents garden which offered the perfect setting for their day, the colour palette also gives a perfect node to the Pantone 2016 colours.

Her ‘maids looked so stunning in their wrap dresses which created perfect formal portraits. Holly’s dress was custom made by renowned British designer Suzanne Neville, it created the perfect silhouette for her delicate frame. I loved how they both kept aspects personal like having Holly’s mother’s flower club decorate the tent and Paul wearing his father in laws tails. This was a classically British day which provides inspiration for any bride wanting to create a timeless yet beautiful day.

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Suzanne Neville

Portrait Collection 2017

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This London Wedding is So Glam, Even Jay Gatsby Would Be Jealous

One beautiful vintage-inspired Gemy Maalouf wedding dress. Lush winter white flowers from Emma Walker Flowers. The glamorous Rosewood London with its art deco architecture and copper corridor. This London wedding is as fabulous as any one of Jay Gatsby’s fictional fêtes. Get inspired by all the gorgeous details, captured through the lens of Weddings By Nicola And Glen, in The Vault!

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From The Bride…We knew from the offset that we wanted a London wedding, having met working in the City. We had our ceremony at the beautiful St Bride’s church on Fleet Street (alarmingly close to the office…) and the reception at the glamorous Rosewood hotel. Having just returned from living in Singapore, we wanted something which reflected both the history and the modernity of London. After going to see the Rosewood, we loved the art deco features and the copper corridor and wanted to use that as a recurring theme across the wedding.

We were incredibly lucky with all of our suppliers who helped us bring our vision to life and give us a day we will look back on with joy for the rest of our lives. Our advice to other couples planning their wedding would be to remember that everyone wants you to have a lovely day, so don’t worry too much about the small stuff and remind yourself occasionally why you’re getting married! Our most memorable moment was when all of our guests had left St Bride’s and we had a moment together realizing we were married and Anna was stuck with me forever.

From Isobel Weddings…With Rhys and Anna living overseas for the vast majority of the planning, plus having very busy jobs, their beautiful wedding was brought together by Skype calls, emails and meeting whenever they were back in the UK. The decision to choose the Rosewood, London, for the reception was made on a call while Rhys ran through an airport!

We worked with Gee Brothers to create invitations and stationery that echoed the rose bronze of the Rosewood. Overall, Anna and Rhys wanted the day to feel relaxed, elegant and romantic. The sun was setting as they left St Bride’s, on what was a crisp November day, and they arrived at the reception to find it filled with warm lighting, candles and white flowers. Working with Emma Walker Flowers, the stairs in the drinks reception were covered with foliage and flowers, as if it was growing down the bannisters. The reception tables’ arrangements were a mixture of white flowers, succulents, frosted branches and candles, giving the natural, elegant feel that Anna wanted. Copper touches continued in the calligraphy by Claire at Calligraphy for Weddings.

After a delicious meal by the chefs at the Rosewood, the Art Deco inspired cake by Princess Patisserie was cut and the party got started to the music of Bellissima, one of our favorite party bands. The dancefloor was packed the entire night, with signature cocktails enjoyed at the mirrored bar.

We were delighted to help create an amazing day for Anna and Rhys and have loved reliving it through Nicola and Glen’s photographs, as they really capture the romance of the day.

Culturally Rich Elegant Wedding Filled with Whimsy

Anyone that knows me, KNOWS how I feel about Hello Kitty. Translation: I LOVE HELLO KITTY. So clearly, this wedding is my new absolute favorite, kawaii to the core. With Natasha Hurley Photography behind the lens capturing every culturally significant detail paired with elegant whimsy to the max, we’ve got it all waiting for you to favorite via The Vault!

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From Natasha Hurley Photography… I am thrilled to share this beautiful and heartfelt wedding set in The Queen’s House in Greenwich, London. The day maintained Chinese traditions whilst also incorporating an elegant, classical English wedding feel. The couple opted for a Tea Ceremony in the morning (prior to which there were ‘games’ which had been dreamed up by the bridesmaids and which the groom and his groomsmen had to pass before being allowed to see the bride). After the Tea Ceremony the bride and groom tied the knot in the opulent Queen’s House with its black and white tiled floor and classical columns. The couple included summer English garden games for guests during the drinks reception and a gumball machine with lucky dip toys which also doubled up as favors. The bride decorated the gardens of the Queen’s House with giant tea-cups and saucers as seating. The bride wore a beautiful full length gown and cathedral veil for the ceremony changing into traditional Chinese dress for the Tea ceremonies and toasts in the evening.

From The Bride…We envisaged a very classic, traditional and elegant wedding with subtle hints expressing our playful personalities set our home of London.

One of the reasons we chose The Queens House as our venue was because we fell for the beautiful architecture from the black and white marble flooring to columns outside to the history of the building it definitely was a classical setting. We are really lucky to have such a beautiful, charming venue local to us, it was the perfect location in Greenwich Park with a view of the River Thames. In terms of color I particularly love the blush pinks and wanted to keep it quite neutral but also adding touches of gold and black to give it a slight hint of a luxury feel and sophistication.

Origami Heart Wishes – My brother is very creative, I gave him a sample of an origami heart I really liked and wanted to incorporate into the wedding as as wish for our guests to write on so we could keep forever. After a few days he changed the design to suit what we wanted, made a batch and taught all my aunties, uncles and cousin’s how to make them. It was a fun session with all my family and 6 hours later 250 gold and pink origami hearts were made, thank you to all my family!

I have a big love for flowers and have always had an idea of what I wanted my bouquet to look like – blush color tones with my favorite flowers and natural looking. My wedding planner (Mark Tilley from Palette) and I had our initial meet and he understood exactly what my thoughts were, we looked through my pinterest boards and it was confirmed that my bouquet would consist of blush peonies, blush and sand colored roses and white turning green hydrangeas that I would use as my substitute for foliage. The first time I saw my bouquet, it was a feeling of love for the most perfect union of flowers and admiration for Mark. The bouquet was much bigger than I anticipated but I secretly loved that it was.

The 1st time I ever tried on a wedding gown, it was the Alcanar by Pronovias. Lace, simple, strapless with a small sweetheart neckline, princess cut that was light, fluffy and had a big train. It was everything I wanted & when I put it on it made my maid of honor Leekim cry. I spent another 6 months trying on lots of other dresses in all designs, shapes and materials which were all stunning but nothing compared to that vey 1st dress. So it was decided with a matching veil and pearl covered peep toe Gina’s, a pair of simple rose gold diamond drop earrings I would walk down the aisle in the Alcanar gown.

We wanted something different, something unique and we spent a long time brainstorming lots of ideas. We wanted something for our guests to associate with us, with the wedding, with happily ever after as after all that is what a wedding is all about. We hired a giant gumball machine and put this outside the orangery in the garden where the string quartet was playing classic Disney songs with everyone singing the words off by heart. We had made personalized tokens for each guest with their name on and put it on their seats. After the ceremony they could then use the token to redeem a giant gumball. Once you received one and popped it open, out came a Disney Tsum Tsum with a little personalized thank you card from us. Along with the Disney music in the background and with the Disney Tsum Tsum it was a little bit of magical surprise and happily ever after for everyone.

I was initially unsure with how I wanted the cake to look as there are sooo many amazing cakes out there especially after visiting all the wedding exhibitions and seeing all the displays, the cakes were simply out of this world. I did lots of research and of course put together a pinterest board with designs, colors, and details I liked about each cake. I met with Maria-Antonia from Villa Dolce who advised me from her experience what would work best. I then took what I liked out of each cake on my pinterest and sketched them onto a bit of paper, it was an all white 5 layer cake. Our logo on the middle layer with beading, lace detailing, and ribbon on all other layers. On the day the cake was decorated with flowers matching my bouquet and cutting into the cake revealed a yummy bright red velvet flavored sponge.

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