Our Favourite Groom Looks

Gustav & Steve

For all the details of Gustav & Steve’s wedding, read more here.

Suits: Alexander McQueen

James & Alex

For all the details of James & Alex’s wedding, read more here.

Suits: Giorgio Armani and Dries Van Noten

Rhys

For all the details of Jessica & Rhys’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Hugo Boss

Benjamin

For all the details of Araminta & Benjamin’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Favourbrook

Gus & Cristo

For all the details of Gus & Cristo’s wedding, read more here.

Suits: Saint Laurent and Dior

Angus

For all the details of Elle & Angus’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Kinloch Anderson 

Nick

For all the details of Allegra & Nick’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Suit Supply and Favourbrook

Daniel & Jonny

For all the details of Daniel & Jonny’s wedding, read more here.

Suits: Molly Goddard & Gucci

Jack

For all the details of Jack & Joanna’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Favourbrook

Tom

For all the details of Abi & Tom’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Suit Supply

Orlando

For all the details of Cressida & Orlando’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Favourbrook

Junior 

For all the details of Karis & Junior’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: M&S

Tom

For all the details of Jade & Tom’s wedding here.

Suit: Paul Smith

David

For all the details on Zoe & David’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Neal and Palmer

Charlie

For all the details on Josie & Charlie’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Reiss

Ryan

For all the details on Montana & Ryans’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Hive and Colony

Liam

For all the details on Sadie & Liam’s wedding, read more here.

Suit: Suit Supply

James

For all the details on Eshita & Jame’s Wedding, read more here.

Outfit: Gaurav Gupta (custom)

Danilo

For all the details on Urtė & Danilo’s wedding read more here.

Suit: Zegna

Max

For all the details on Kate and Max’s wedding read more here.

Suit: Suit Supply

Danny 

For all the details on Suzie and Danny’s wedding read more here

Outfit:

Shirt – Casablanca

Chinos – Levi’s

Solly

For all the details on Solly and Eunice’s wedding read more here

Suit: Atafo

Chris

For all the details on Chloe and Chris’ wedding read more here

Suit: Suit Supply

Aidan

For all the details on Malea and Aidan’s wedding read more here

Suit: Giorgio Armani

Piers

For all the details on Georgia and Piers’ wedding read more here

Suit: Oliver Brown

Max & Bertie

For all the details on Max & Bertie’s wedding read more here

Suits: Timothy Everest

Sam

For all the details on Arielle and Sam’s wedding read more here

Suit: Twister Tailor

Nico

For all the details on Olivia and Nico’s wedding read more here

Suit: Hugo Boss

Related Article: The Best Gifts For Grooms

The post Our Favourite Groom Looks appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

We first connected through the dating app Hinge on New Years Day 2022. Piers had Covid so we delayed meeting for a few weeks. Our first date was mini golf at Puttshack near our offices (co-incidentally right next to each other). The date went so well we played another round! One year later Piers planned to propose on a walk in the mountains above Franschoek in South Africa but he was so excited he proposed the moment we arrived at the beautiful room at the hotel, on one knee obviously. 

Piers proposed with a stunning ring that contained the original diamond from his great grandmother’s ring. The diamond is set in gold with baguette Kashmir sapphires, it was masterfully redesigned by the amazing Delaval Knight.

Venue

We were married at the beautiful Christchurch in Chelsea, a short walk from our reception at The Chelsea Physic Garden. The gardens are a stunning location and we wanted a venue that encapsulated the countryside where I grew up but with easy access for so many London friends and family. Our wedding planner, Katie Tottenham did a masterful job of working with the venue and securing the right suppliers to ensure our day was seamless and magical from beginning to end. 

Fashion

My dress by Mira Zwillinger was a lucky find at Browns Brides where I went with my mother. I knew straight away that it was THE ONE but it was way over budget. I found a website called Stillwhite and amazingly, the dress was for sale in New York for a quarter of the retail price and the bride exactly the same size as me. We took the plunge and I followed its four flights across the US and miraculously it was the perfect fit! The few alterations and addition of capped sleeves was beautifully arranged by Judy Mott in Tunbridge Wells. My beautiful suede court shoes were from Emmy London with pretty soft blue silk ribbons. In the evening I changed into a stunning halter neck Galvan London dress for dancing the night away!

Piers looked incredibly dashing in his tailcoat and ivory waistcoat from Oliver Brown 

Jewellery

Delaval Knight designed my engagement ring, and in a very personal and beautiful touch, re-designed my mother’s engagement ring into a stunning bangle I wore on the day. My father died when I was young so it was incredibly special to walk down the aisle (with my stepfather) wearing this piece of jewellery to represent my father. The bangle stayed true to its original form with a sapphire in the middle surrounded by diamonds and it also served as my something blue.  My earrings were stunning drop pearl and diamond from Cara in the Burlington Arcade. 

Piers and I spent an afternoon making our wedding rings with the talented Fenella Watson designs at her studio which was huge fun! 

Bridal Party

The children wore beautiful outfits made by Sue Hill Clothing.  

Transportation

I was driven from The Goring Hotel to the church in a beautiful vintage Rolls Royce known as The Blue Baron and provided by Lords Cars. The chauffeur, Joe, was a total star and helped me with my dress in and out of the car and even into the church. He had clearly looked after many brides in his time!

Tablescape

We wanted our marquee design to flow from the gardens to the tables and Katie exceeded our wildest expectations with her styling ideas. The beautiful block printed tablecloths, place mats, cutlery and glassware were from Maison Margaux and hand written placecards, menus and table names from Laura at Embellishing the Ordinary. All our wedding florals were designed by the talented Millie Richardson who is based in the Costwolds. Everything was delicate, pretty and with a WOW factor that blew the guests away on entering the beautiful Raj Tent Club marquee.  Our stunning furniture was from The House of Furn. 

Food & drink

Kalm Kitchen provided the catering and they are so incredibly creative. Personal highlights were the venison croquette canape and trio of mouth watering puddings. Moscow Mules in copper tankards were a highlight for the guests! Cake is my passion and after much research we settled on Annie Sterck (Fat Anne’s). We had a triple layered cake with double chocolate, banana and chocolate and chocolate with espresso, filled with buttercream and covered with white fondant, all beautifully dressed with delicate flowers. It was without a doubt the best cake we had ever tasted and there was not a morsel left, we took all remaining slices on our mini moon! 

Entertainment

We had the wonderful choir from St Luke’s and Christchurch performing Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart, and the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco by Verdi. Our fantastic trumpeter performed The Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke whilst I walked down the aisle. The main highlight was the incredible organist who masterfully played Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter by John Williams, much to the delight of our guests. 

Dom and The Ticklers provided jazz for our drinks reception, our first dance was Jailhouse Rock and the amazing DJ, Tom Halloran got everyone onto the dance floor all night with everything from Wagon Wheel to Abba, he was accompanied by a fabulous live sax player.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

Whilst I was rather envious of Piers turning up on the day with just a haircut, I did enjoy treating myself to a few facials pre-wedding as well as a spa stay at Thyme in the Cotswolds with my mother. My hair and make up was done by Elle and Edna from Richard Ward who made me feel a million dollars whilst remaining natural and like myself. They looked after me later in the day when I changed my dress and hairpieces and generally kept me very calm!

Favourite Wedding Gift

We had a wedding list with The Wedding Shop who have a huge range of fantastic gifts and a Chelsea townhouse display room which was fun to browse. We had so many beautiful presents from both our list and off-list. Some rather special ones are a stunning set of plates from Mrs Alice, a cheeseboard, coasters and wine stoppers adorned with safari animals from Hayward and Stott’s, a handwritten and illustrated version of one of our church readings and our gorgeous wedding album from Tom Greenly. 

Honeymoon

The day after our wedding we spent three nights at The Newt in Somerset which was an amazing place to unwind following a very exciting few days.  Our honeymoon was spent in Tanzania expertly planned by Ben Nelson Travel. We began on safari at Chem Chem Lodge near the Tarangire National Park with its own private concession and I could not recommend more highly. We then flew to the Southern Serengeti to stay at one of the Nomad safari camps which follows the great migration, a spectacular sight. Finally we flew to Fanjove Island, part of the Songo Songo Archipelago which consists of fourteen rooms on a private island Robinson Crusoe style. We had a heavenly seven nights swimming, reading in hammocks and eating like kings!

Advice

• Hire Katie Tottenham as your wedding planner – our wedding would not have been the same without her.
• Make sure you take time out on the day to take it all in, it flies by in a flash so a few moments together is very special.
• Take a break after the wedding or a mini moon before the main honeymoon if you can. We were on cloud nine but exhausted after the big day and our phones did not stop buzzing. We wanted a chance to wind down after the wedding before switching off from reality and technology on our honeymoon a few months later. 

With thanks

Bride & Groom: @georgiajamo @piersjamieson

Stylist and Wedding Planner: Katie Tottenham @katietottenhamevents

Caterer: Kalm Kitchen @kalmkitchenltd

Venue:  Chelsea Physic Garden @chelsea_physic_garden

Dress: @mirazwillinger

Shoes: @emmylondonofficial

Bridesmaids: Sue Hill @suehillclothing

Groom outfit: Oliver Brown and Favourbrook @shopoliverbrown @favourbrook

Florist: Millie Richardson @mill.rich.flowers

Tableware: Maison Margaux @maisonmargauxltd

Marquee: The Raj Tent Club @rajtentclub

Furniture:  @rajtentclub and The house of Furn @houseoffurncollection

Stationery: Embellishing the Ordinary and Gee Brothers @embellishingtheordinary @geebrothersprinters

Photographer: Helen Abraham @helenabrahamphoto

Videographer: Leo Payne @togetherwego.studio

Rings: Delaval Knight and Fenella Watson @delavalknight and @fenellawatsondesigns

Makeup and hair: Elle and Edna @richardwardhair

Cake: Annie Sterck @fat.annes

DJ: Tom Halloran @steventslondon

Reception band: Dom and the Ticklers @theticklers

Production: @stormontlondon

Gift list: @theweddingshopuk

Related Article: Inside: A Radiant Three Day Wedding In Tuscany

The post Inside: A Charming Garden Wedding In Chelsea appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

We met as babies (20 and 22 years old) studying abroad in Berlin, Germany. He’s from Somerset, England and I’m from San Diego, California. He’s a grumpy Brit and I’m a bubbly cheerleader. Sam had planned a roadtrip to Budapest and our mutual friend invited me to join. We met at the U Bahn station and had a crush on each other immediately.

We had our first kiss in Vienna while on the road trip and started dating as soon as we got back to Berlin. When it was time to return to our home countries – we knew we wanted to stay together. We always had our next flights booked to visit each other which helped a lot and we facetimed every single day. After graduation, I got a job in San Francisco and Sam worked remotely, so we moved there together.

We got our fur baby, Pogo, and enjoyed our time there for six years. During covid, we decided to leave the city to buy a home in San Diego where most of my family and our friends live. Eight years into our story, my grandma was sadly diagnosed with lung cancer. This led Sam to speed up his plans to propose at Thanksgiving, and instead planned the most epic surprise proposal of all time in Spring 2022. 

He had me thinking I was going to dinner with my two besties at a beautiful spot in Balboa Park. While walking through the stunning Spreckels Pavilion, I felt someone grab my arm. It was Sam’s dad… who lives in England! He walked me over to the iconic archway where Sam was standing in a suit and to the left, all of our friends and family were cheering. Sam proposed with the sweetest speech and as we walked down the archway stairs (which were lined with vibrant bouquets of sunflowers), a full choir came out of nowhere and reenacted my favourite scene from Love Actually with All You Need is Love by The Beatles. They went on to perform Perfect by Ed Sheeran and Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin. All my favourite love songs. We danced and took photos before heading to our surprise engagement party at a restaurant nearby. 

I am obsessed with my ring! Sam had it made custom based on an antique ring I saw on instagram. It’s an exact replica of a vintage Victorian era (circa 1895) two-tone diamond engagement ring called “Loire Valley”. The platinum and 18k yellow gold ring showcases a 3.03ct Oval Brilliant Cut diamond which is flanked on either side by two Pear Brilliant Cut diamonds gauged at 0.70ct each. It’s further glammed out by an intricate diamond-studded platinum gallery with an additional 28 Old Mine Cut diamonds with a total additional weight of 0.85ct. It’s romantic, unique, and an instant family heirloom.

Venue

We held a rocking welcome party at the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery in Winchester, UK the night before our wedding. It has two stunning Heatherwick Studios Glasshouses in the courtyard where we welcomed guests with gin and ginger cocktails, catered upscale kebabs and a breathtaking “living pavlova” dessert station by Kalm Kitchen. Dj played ‘British Bangers’, we had a couple speeches, and lots of hugs. I wore a bright orange bodycon by Norma Kamali with matching kitten heels and Sam wore an electric blue suit with matching Givenchy sneakers

For our wedding, we chose Avington Park in Winchester, UK. We fell in love with it the second we saw it because of its long tree lined driveway, deep red brick walls that contrast with its bright white centre columns, immaculate floral lined exterior, and breathtaking ballroom whose ceiling was painted by an artist who painted parts of Versaille, Antonio Verrio. We loved the roaming peacocks and sheep nearby and the creek running along the property. We wanted a complete rent out where our wedding party could sleep over. Its goddess statues atop the entrance and history as the party palace for royals and their friends sealed the deal!

The morning after, we hosted a ‘cheeky recovery brunch’ at a local spot on the high street called Forte Kitchen. We rented it out so guests could come in waves to enjoy fresh juice, home baked scones, and big nourishing breakfast dishes.

Fashion

I went dress shopping with my mom, two best friends and one of my little sisters in LA. I ended up with the first dress I tried on! The Vic gown by Ghalia Lahav which is from their Urban Love Story collection. It’s a fitted and flattering mermaid gown made of sequin lace in a unique modern geometric pattern. It gives a sleek, chic, and sexy look which is exactly how I always wanted to feel coming down the aisle. 

To be a little more extra, I also wore a glittery ivory cape made for me by my mother. My shoes were nude feather-strapped low block heels from BooHoo. I wore feathers to honour my grandma who passed away before the wedding – she loved wearing them!

My something blue were my earrings – they were long elegant dangle diamond earrings with moonstone drops at the end that gave a blue / lavender shimmer.

Sam wore a black three piece suit with a velvet floral textured pattern on top by Twisted Tailor. It was super edgy and romantic. He wore black Christian Louboutin dress shoes and gold Ray Ban specs. 

Jewellery

I wore the dangle earrings I mentioned above – they were my something blue and something borrowed from my mentor who was also our officiant. I wore a vintage gold, pearl and peridot ring gifted to me by Sam’s grandmother, and of course, my two tone engagement ring that was custom made by a jeweller in LA. 

Sam wore a gold vintage pocket watch and his wedding band, a yellow gold ring from David Yurman’s ‘Waves’ collection. 

Bridal Party

I had twenty three bridesmaids (LOL) and I wanted them all to feel their absolute BEST on our runway so I gave them very loose guidelines around the colour being something between emerald and dark forest green. Aside from that, anything was up for grabs. Most of them wore a deep emerald green and there were all sorts of textures and fits which I loved. They wore gold and / or nude shoes. 

There were ten groomsmen who all wore sand coloured three piece suits from ASOS and brown dress shoes. 

For the bridesmaids, I had a friend hand make ceramic ring dishes with their initials on them. I also gave everyone TATCHA sheet masks and a “peaches” swag bag with all kinds of peachy themed goodies like peach sour fish gummies, peach loofa, peach coloured fluffy slippers, booty shaped bar soap and canvas bags with all our names on them.

For the groomsmen, we gave them peachy swag bags with things like peach spiced BBQ rub, mini mikes HOT honey jars, and beers on the morning of. 

We also paid for our whole wedding party (and their plus ones) to stay the night in their own rooms at the venue with us! 

Tablescape

We had tall glass cylinders with thin cream colored candles. Our lush tablescape included floral bowls in differing sizes and heights with blousy midsummer florals in a nearly monochromatic palette of peaches and warm pinks. Interesting, fun textures to intermix of peaches and apricots. Very little to no greenery but massed florals and lots of warm colour.

Each guest had a lavender and pink personalised menu. We gave hand written letters on branded “Stay Peachy” stationary to each guest and had them in peach coloured envelopes on each place setting. Tableware included an ivory charger plate, white napkin, and gold cutlery. There were also disposable cameras spread across the tables for guests to snap their own shots with throughout the evening.

Wedding favours were custom mugs that say “You Are a Fucking Peach” with mixed tea bags, pens and custom journals with the same writing template we use in our daily journal and tea ritual as a couple. We’ve been doing it for years and wanted to share one of our success tools with everyone.

Food & drink

The canapés were sensational – especially the raw seafood bar, “fish and chip” tray passed bite, and vegan Marsala bite. The burrata with peaches and honey was the star starter and the pan seared hake fillet with a potato and fennel roasti in a courgette and lemon sauce was the star main.

We had big shared desserts served on raised wooden stands  which was social and exciting for guests. They loved the oversized Mille-Feuille which alternated between Banoffee & Caramelized Banana and strawberries and cream flavours. But most of all, everyone loved the late night stone oven pizzas!

The bar was done flawlessly by Cock and Tail. We had three personalised cocktails at the cocktail hour, and three different ones at the reception. All were named playfully after friends, family and our pup Pogo. There was a lot of gin and a lot of tequila. 

Entertainment

We hired LDN Entertainment for all aspects of entertainment. We had their Fortissimi String quartet including a beat boxer playing modern pop and R&B songs at our cocktail hour in the ballroom. Think Bridgerton soundtrack meets The Thong Song by Sisqo. 

Their show band performed at our first party in a gorgeous raj tent by the stream. Our first song was Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin. We heard artists like Queen, ABBA, Destiny’s Child, *NSYNC and Whitney Houston. Our encore song at the end of the band performance was All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey which was an Easter egg for our guests and just delicious to jam to in the middle of summer. 

Our after party was DJd plus the addition of two saxophonists who played along with the DJ tracks. I entered the room with the saxophonists playing to Jubel by Klingande in my second outfit which was a cherry red sequin jumpsuit by Nadine Merabi with matching red rhinestone platform heels by La Roude. All the guests got red feather boas and we closed out the night with Rihanna, Lizzo, Spice Girls, remixes of all kinds, plus an epic group sing along moment to Robbie Williams’s Angels.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

We both ate as clean as possible leading into the wedding to give our skin the best chance at being glowy and fresh. We worked out every day to keep stress away and walked minimum of 10k steps per day to stay fit. I get monthly facials and started focusing them on facial massage about five months before the wedding. I got a hydrating glow facial at The Langley two nights before the wedding. We also both got massages. 

I had the best hair and makeup artists in England. All my bridesmaids got theirs done too and many said they liked their look on my wedding better than their look on their own wedding day. Samantha Stevenson + team on hair and Tara Sanger + team on makeup. 

Favourite Wedding Gift

Since our wedding was a destination, we insisted on no gifts! We did supply some of our favourite charities as options for our most stubborn guests who wanted to spend. These included mental health, prostate cancer, heart disease and dog charities. 

Honeymoon

We stayed in London an extra week without working at all as our mini moon and we’re going to Borneo, Singapore, and Japan for our full honeymoon. We are sushi and animal freaks so best of both!

Advice

• There are no rules. Plan the day YOU want, don’t worry about what’s traditional if it isn’t meaningful to you. Enjoy it! Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks and don’t let small issues get to you.
• Do personal vows and a private first dance. These were the two most special, emotional, electric moments of our day. We will never forget it.
• Write letters to your guests. It takes forever if you have 140 guests like us, but it’s the best thing we did and made everyone feel so special and loved and important which is all we could have asked for since we knew we wouldn’t have time to really sit and connect with every guest.

With thanks

Bride & Groom: @arisafarii4 and @samvenning

Wedding Planner: By Chenai Events @bychenai

Venue: Avington Park @avington.hampshire @avingtonweddings

Caterer: Kalm Kitchen @kalmkitchenltd 

Bar: Cock and Tail @cockandtaildrinks

Dress: Galia Lahav @galialahav and Nadine Merabi @nadinemerabi for after party

Groom outfit: Twister Tailor @twistedtailor and Christian Louboutin @louboutinworld

Florist: Liberty Lane Florals @libertylaneflowers

Stationery: Sundown Paper @sundownpaper

Wedding website: With Joy @withjoy

Photographer: The Curries @thecurries.co

Videographer: Forever Curious @forevercuriousfilms

Wedding rings: David Yurman @davidyurman and custom

Makeup: Tara Sanger @tarasangermakeup

Hair: Samantha Stevenson @iamsamanthastevenson

Bridesmaid gifts: Tatcha @tatcha and Ali Roberts Ceramics @ali.roberts_

Related Article: Inside: A Radiant Three Day Wedding In Tuscany

The post Inside: A Floral Filled Wedding In Winchester appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

Christie and Charlie reveal the secrets to their dreamlike destination wedding, from an elegant soirée at Sandy Lane to a tropical ceremony on the beach.

We started off as friends while at school, but we didn’t start dating until many years later. Charlie moved away to study at Durham and in London whilst I stayed in our hometown, Henley-On-Thames. Then, one Christmas, Charlie returned to visit his family and asked if I was around to catch up. Fast-forward seven years, we bought our first home, enjoyed lots of holidays together, adopted a fur baby and then Charlie proposed!

He asked the question in Tulum, Mexico, on a private treetop above the jungle, where the view was something out of this world. It was the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen – a 2.3ct round-cut diamond with a platinum band. After sharing the news, we walked along the beach and found a stunning beach location coincidently called the ‘LUV Bar’. We enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and watched the sun go down. I will never forget that day; it was so magical – we can’t wait to go back!

Venue

We picked Barbados because of its stunning beaches, crystal clear sea, fine dining, and delicious rum punches, making it the perfect choice for a winter sun wedding. It also holds so many special memories for us and our families, as well as a deep sentimental value for Charlie, as it held a very special place in the heart of his late father, who, sadly, passed away just a few months before the big day.

We hosted a sunset soirée at Sandy Lane Beach Club to kick-start the celebrations; choosing this location was natural for us, as we have been visiting there every year – Charlie’s family have had a family home on the Sandy Lane Estate for over twenty years. 

Our guests were greeted with steel pan drums, refreshing rum cocktails and a stunning sunset view. To add an element of surprise, we ended the night with a fire show which everyone loved!

The following day, we treated our guests to a private catamaran trip along the West Coast of Barbados. We saw shipwrecks, swam with turtles, danced to a DJ, and enjoyed plenty of rum punches!

On our wedding day, we spent most of our time on the beach. We had always dreamed of exchanging vows with our feet in the sand and hearing the ocean waves in the background. We moved to the sunset deck right next to the sea for dinner, the backdrop was everything we had dreamt of!

Bridal Party

The bridesmaids looked stunning in their long satin dresses from Rewritten. The champagne hue perfectly complemented the beach setting (or, as my bridesmaids said, a champagne wedding!). The quality of the dresses was incredible, I could not recommend Rewritten enough. I was so happy to hear that the bridesmaids felt amazing in them. 

As for their gifts, I gave them a few of my favourite beauty products from 111 Skin, Chantecaille and Sol de Janeiro, in addition to matching nightgowns, handmade bracelets, and pearl earrings to wear on the day.

Our page boys, Cassius and Archie, looked smart in their matching Ralph Lauren shirts and cream shorts, and our flower girl, Grace, looked sweet in her Rocket & Angel dress. I ordered an extra champagne satin belt from Rewritten to ensure Grace matched the bridesmaids. We also gave her a delicate gypsophila crown that matched the flowers in my hair.

For the groomsmen, we kept it simple with white linen shirts and cream chinos paired with matching leather brown belts.

Fashion

I wore a stunning dress by Marchesa Notte, covered in delicate 3D flowers. I paired it with a matching veil that draped to the floor and flowed beautifully against the breeze. 

We embraced the laid-back Caribbean vibe during the ceremony and loved being barefoot. Later in the evening, I changed into a party dress by Nadine Merabi and styled it with a gorgeous pair of handmade Martina midi heels by Freya Rose and the matching Athena mother-of-pearl bag. 

Jewellery

I wore round-cut diamond earrings, which were a wedding gift from Charlie. In addition, my father and grandfather gave me a special surprise and gifted me my late grandmother’s engagement ring, a special heirloom I got to wear on the day. Wearing her ring made it seem like she was present with me throughout the day. It was such a thoughtful gift I love so much, I haven’t taken it off since. Charlie wore a signet ring embossed with his family crest and a Rolex watch passed down from his late father. Every piece we wore carried a story, which makes it so special. 

Tablescape

I enjoyed planning my wedding, but there was one aspect I especially loved organising – the tablescape! I wanted it to be simple and chic, with a romantic and beachy vibe. 

We embraced the outside setting and decorated the tables with copious amounts of candles to give our guests that magical candlelight ambience. 

Each candle had handwritten quotes written on them, from ‘Mr & Mrs Gordon’ to ‘You, me and the sea…’. I kept the colours neutral, using predominantly white, nude, and ivory hues and opted for scalloped edges for the stationery. The wavy style reminded me of the sea’s waves. We also incorporated seashells where possible. We had seashell-shaped place names, table names and fans at the ceremony to keep our guests cool. To my surprise, everyone used the seashell place names as shot glasses, which was a lot of fun! 

Additionally, we wrote a personal thank-you note to each of our guests; it felt like an excellent way to express our gratitude, and we thoroughly enjoyed writing them. Almost everything was shipped from the UK – Laura from Lucca Studios designed most of our decor; she was so helpful and did an incredible job bringing our vision to life!

Food & drink

We wanted to embrace the local cuisine, so we offered a mix of our favourite dishes from Barbados, including grilled mahi-mahi, coconut shrimp and ahi yellowfin tuna tartare – it was a Caribbean banquet! As for the drinks, we offered fresh coconuts and Banks Beers on arrival – two of our go-to drinks in Barbados. We had an open bar for the rest of the day and toasted with (my all-time favourite) Veuve Cliquot champagne.

Entertainment

We had steel pan drums, a saxophonist, and a DJ playing throughout the day.

For our wedding ceremony, we chose a rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’ by Luke Burr and an Elvis Presley cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Kina Grannis. 

For the drink reception, we enjoyed chilled beach music and romantic Caribbean classics accompanied by a live saxophonist.

Our first dance song was ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, our favourite song! It felt perfect as we were outside and could see the stars above us whilst it was playing. 

We wanted fireworks but opted for some giant cold sparklers instead due to some complications – I was so pleased with how they turned out!

However, the best entertainment by far was the part where my bridesmaids and I jumped in the pool! Moments later, my father followed! It was a hilarious part of the night and a moment I will treasure forever!! 

Beauty Regime & Wellness

In the lead-up to my wedding, I attended Zero Gravity Reformer Pilates more frequently – It’s been a great way to tone up and relieve stress from last-minute planning, and it helped me feel my best on the day.

In terms of skincare, I swear by Chantecaille, I’ve been using their products for years! Their creams are so lightweight and super nourishing, and they use natural ingredients. I especially love their Radiance Elixir, Rose de Mai Creme, and Gold Eye Serum – they helped me achieve a gorgeous bridal glow! Additionally, I’ve been going to ELEMIS and 111 Skin for regular facials. They leave my skin feeling so refreshed and radiant!

I had my hair and makeup done by local talent on the wedding day. I went for natural, glowy makeup and beachy, boho hair.

Favourite Wedding Gift

We have received some beautiful gifts, but the greatest gift was having our nearest and dearest there; it truly meant the world to us!

Regarding wedding gifts, one of my bridesmaids sweetly bought us a music box that plays our wedding song. I was surprised when I opened it because it was something I would have never thought of. The gift was incredibly unique and thoughtful; it brought tears to my eyes and will be something I will always treasure!

My uncle kindly surprised us with a bottle of champagne from the year we first met, with the grapes he had personally picked (he used to be in that line of business). It was such a lovely gesture.

Lastly, our close friends who couldn’t attend the wedding gave us a beautiful silver seashell-shaped champagne bucket which links to our wedding theme. It’s so chic and elegant, a gift we can’t wait to use!

Honeymoon

We couldn’t be more excited about our honeymoon – we are off to Thailand for three weeks in February! It will be a trip of a lifetime and a perfect way to celebrate our next chapter together. We will be staying at several different locations and hotels, but we are especially looking forward to visiting Koh Kood and staying at the TreeHouse Villas in Koh Yao. We are also especially excited to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary.  

Advice

• Create a mood board and refer to it throughout the planning process. Rushing decisions or changing your mind can be a costly mistake! I learned this the hard way when I changed my colour scheme halfway through and ended up purchasing two sets of bridesmaid dresses. After that, I created a clear mood board, which helped me stay on track and ensure that everything matched my vision and worked together.
• Try to reuse your flowers wherever you can! We spent thousands of pounds on our ceremony flowers, which were only briefly displayed. In hindsight, I wish we had moved them to another area after the ceremony to make the most of them!
• Just let go and go with the flow on your wedding day. A few things might not go according to plan, but there’s no need to worry about it. Some things didn’t go as planned on my day, but they’ve turned into the funniest stories. I wouldn’t change a second!

With thanks

Bride: @christiegordon_x

Groom: @charliegordon_9

Welcome Venue: Sandy Lane Estate Beach Club @sandylaneestatebeachclub

Fire show: Ignite @1ignite1

Catamaran: Cool Runnings @coolrunningsbarbados

Wedding Day Venue: Colony Club @colonyclubbarbados

Dress: Marchesa @marchesabridal

Bag & Shoes: Freya Rose @freyaroselondon

Bridesmaids: Rewritten @rewrittenbridesmaids

Groom outfit: Hawes & Curtis @hawesandcurtisglobal

Flower girls: Angel & Rocket @angelandrocket

Page boys: Ralph Lauren @ralphlauren

Florist: Simply Flowers @simplyflowersbarbados

Tableware: Artathomp Event Rentals @artathomp_events

Stationery: Laura Messin @lucca_studios

Wedding website: Joy @withjoy

Photographer: Naomi Frances @naomifrancescaphotography

Videographer: Cielo International Productions @cielo_international

Wedding rings: Fullard Fine Jewellery @fullardfinejewellery

Makeup: Brittany Tuleja @makeupbybrittanyt

Hair: Barbados Modern Bridal Hair @barbadosmodernbridalhair

Gift list: The Wedding Shop @theweddingshopuk

Bridesmaid gifts: @111skin @chantecaille @soldejaniro @etsy

Related Article: The Dress With Yasmine Naghdi

The post Inside: A Chic Beach Wedding In Barbados appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

I actually only visited two stores in order to find my dress. Browns I visited early on in the engagement and then 8 months before the wedding I realised I was running out of time and visited my second store where I chose a v neck lace dress with fairytail skirt from Pronovias. I selected a ready made design but had my bridemaids dresses custom made from Kalita.

The Vision

I tend to go for quite simple, or slinky outfits so for my wedding day I wanted something more princess-y. When else will I get a chance to wear a puffy gown? I definitely stuck with the v neck shaped style but the skirt had a good amount of puff to it.

Decision

I found the experience quite surreal. The strangeness of seeing myself in multiple wedding gowns in comparison to my normal clothes was the strangest thing and quite funny. Especially when you try some that are much more formal than your usual style. I think it really is a big decision and I think maybe visiting a few extra stores and allowing yourself more time than iI did would make it less pressure. Also I had my first appointment during covid so I only had one guest, it would be fun to make it a traditional group party if you;’e allowed to.

The Style Support

I would send my friends dress options for them to say yay or nay too. Narrow items down to what you like and then send over the options to perhaps 2 or 3 trusted friends. It could become tricky if you have two many cooks in the kitchen.

The Accessories

I’m a jeweller so I used pieces from my own collection at Escorpi mixed with a few antique/vintage pieces. I bought my shoes in Italy from Sergio Rossi, they have the best stores.

The Evening Look

I spent much longer looking into the party dress. I searched online for months before discovering Leslie Amon. They have the most fun, fabulous party dresses. For this piece, I chose a very short, white dress with feathers and sparkles. This dress is an heirloom to my daughter.

The Welcome Night Outfit

I initially looked for white in order to stay traditional for our welcome night but couldn’t find anything fun enough. Plus we aren’t that traditional so I decided it didn’t matter and also wanted to take the opportunities to be a little wild. This led me to choose a transparent black dress from Norma Kamali. My father in laws girlfriend at the time nearly fainted. The perfect effect I think. Our venue was Cala Gracioneta a beautiful beach restaurant. We had the Goddess Tarot reader and our celebrant Melchior perform pyschic readings and numerology for guests. Raven Mandella was our DJ across both nights and they are epic. Following welcoming drinks we had a massive after party atOku Ibiza. Definitely a risk but it was so much fun!

Advice For Brides

Leave plenty of time, have an idea of the style you want and go to 2-3 stores in the very early days of planning. Leaving to 8 months before leaves you in a rush and panic. Not pleasant! We actually had an initial ceremony the year before at Cambridge Cottage in Kew garden followed by a relaxed picnic of M&S sandwiches where we sat on blankets. This was much less stressful so i’m glad we had both! For this I wore Georgia Hardinge.

Favourite Photo Of The Dress

My favourite is taken at golden hour as the light becomes magical. I also look super happy in the photo and comfortable. My favourite of the day is where my husband and I stand before all of our guests and everyone looks so happy.

Bride: @temcsweeney

Dress: @pronovias @leslieamonswim

Related Article: The Dress With Freya Costello

The post The Dress With Tenishia McSweeney Ambrose appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

Riccardo and I met nearly six years ago at Mahiki in Kensington, London. That evening, I nearly didn’t go out as I was tired from a full week of rehearsals at the Royal Opera House, and I knew that I had two performances of Swan Lake coming up the week after at the Teatro Real in Madrid, but I didn’t want to let down my friends with whom I had agreed to meet up with that evening. Meanwhile, Riccardo had been dining with his friends at a nearby restaurant and had wanted to go home after dinner, but his friends convinced him to pop into Mahiki for a drink. When we spotted each other by the bar, we struck up a conversation. We got along so well, and he made me laugh a lot. I had a good feeling about him straight away.

He asked me to go out for a drink the next day and he kept his word. He took me to Bluebird in Chelsea on our first date, and the next day I flew to Madrid. Following The Royal Ballet Tour to Madrid, I went to France and Tokyo to perform so we spent several weeks texting each other keeping in touch. Fast forward three years…Riccardo proposed to me on top of the tower on the Torre a Cona private estate in Tuscany, one of the most magnificent 18th century villas in central Italy, and two years after our engagement we got married in Tuscany.

Venue

We got married on Saturday 02 September 2023, on the estate of Tenuta Corbinaia. We both fell in love with this estate because we were searching for a secluded venue with magnificent gardens as well as offering a stunning panorama. The villa and its gardens were the perfect fusion between refined architecture and natural beauty of the Tuscan hills. 

On arrival they were welcomed by a Florentine String Quartet playing a mix of classical and modern songs, setting the mood for the upcoming Civil Ceremony. Uniformed waiters offered the guests Prosecco and ice-cold smoothies. The timing of their arrival allowed the guests to take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, and take in the beauty of the landscape, until they were called to make their way to the Belvedere Terrace, a corner on the estate of calm elegance and serenity, and an ideal setting for the Civil Ceremony. As the guests were called, the String 

Quartet played the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. Riccardo’s Best Men walked on Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve, the Groom and his mother on Stand by Me by Ben E. King, the mother of the Bride and father of the Groom walked on Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro, the Groom’s two brothers and the Bride’s sister walked on A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. I walked down the aisle with my father on Canon in D by Pachelbel. Riccardo and I chose Perfect by Ed Sheeran to play during the Signatures. 

Florals

I opted for minimalist elegance and my bouquet was solely composed of fragrant white peonies, created by Edi Rossello from Exo-Usia. Edi, an Italian stylist in the fashion and film world, who was also in charge of bringing to life all the floral decorations mum had designed for the Seated Dinner. Mum’s idea was to bring the lush gardens indoors: on the tables stood tall, tapering glass vases abundantly filled with huge full bunches of olive branches and fragrant eucalyptus. On the branches hung glass pendants filled with floating candles. Glass cylinder vases were filled with sliced Napoli lemons, limes and white hydrangeas, and were placed at the base of the tall vases. Floating candles in tall glass stands further enhanced the fairylike atmosphere. The charm of the gardens, where Mediterranean vegetation blended with the tropical, were filled with Italian statues and terracotta vases, all delicately lit up. 

Bridal Party

Instead of having a group of bridesmaids, I chose to keep it more intimate, and my sister Tatiana was my sole bridesmaid as well as my Maid- of-Honour. She looked stunning and walked down the aisle with Riccardo’s two brothers who wore black-tie suits. Tatiana wore a silk, strapless, olive-green floor-length dress, designed by the sustainable fashion brand Reformation, and a pair of eye-catching golden earrings and bracelet by the Greek designer Kostas Kargakos.

Fashion

It didn’t take me long to find my perfect wedding dress because I knew exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a traditional wedding gown with a long train and classic veil but with a contemporary twist. I looked at many international wedding dress designers but the moment I saw the “Sara” wedding gown, designed by the world renowned, all female-led Ukrainian bridal brand Milla Nova, founded by sisters Zoryana and Iryna Senshyn, I instantly knew that was the one: a satin strapless wedding gown with a long train, in ivory colour, with a rushed “Mikado” bodice, and a draped multi-folded floor length skirt with a high slit in the middle to reveal a mini skirt underneath. I also asked to personalise my veil and embroider “Always in my heart” on it.

Food & drink

After the Ceremony we were showered with heart-shaped biodegradable confetti on the tune of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida. The guests were then invited to make their way for the Cocktail Reception, which was held by the infinity pool and in a natural setting with unparalleled beauty, lying on the crest of a hill. The setting created a tangible holiday mood and Tropical House music encouraged everyone to feel relaxed and joyous. Poolside loungers and canopies ensured our guests were comfortable in case they wanted to sit in the shade. Abundant food stations offered a fine selection of Tuscan cheeses and cured meats such as Prosciutto ham, Tuscan Coppa, and Finocchiona from Chianti, served with melon and assorted fresh Tuscan breads, as well as appetizers and finger foods served by uniformed waiters. 

As the sun was slowly setting over the hills and the sky was tinged with a thousand shades, our guests were invited for the Seated Dinner inside “Il Crystal” where many candles and sparkly chandeliers created a magical scenery. Through the open windows blew cooling breezes enabling the guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding gardens. As the night was gradually falling, the atmosphere gave rise to unforgettable moments under the stars. Once the guests were seated, Riccardo and I made our entrance on Sara Perche Ti Amo by Richi & Poveri and the guests joined in the traditional Italian napkin swirling. 

We hired the superb Florentine caterers Tuscan Excelsia and the menu included Risotto with courgette flowers and Porcini mushrooms, Pici pasta from Siena with Cinta Senese white meat ragu, Filetto di manzo al lardone di Colonnata, as well as vegetarian options, a selection of white and red Chianti wines, and fresh fruit and sweet mini pastries after dinner. 

We didn’t want a multi-tiered wedding cake but chose the authentic, traditional Torta Nuziale: a round millefoglie cake with fresh Chantilly cream and strawberries. Our wedding cake was freshly prepared in front of all the guests. Numerous illuminated arches framed the panorama of the countryside, and cold spark firework machines enhanced the celebratory atmosphere when we cut our wedding cake. 

Entertainment

For our First Dance we danced to Perfect sung by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli. It was an easy decision when we had to select our song as it’s partly in English and in Italian, and we love that song! 

Beauty Regime & Wellness

I spent quite some time considering various hair styles but, in the end, I decided just wanted to stay true to myself. I wanted a natural, soft, and elegant hairstyle, nothing showy or over the top, and no bridal tiaras. I did not want to feel as if I was about to go on stage and dance Princess Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty”. The day before my Tuscan wedding I met up with Maurizio Nelli at Ciro Via delle Terme Hair and Beauty Salon in Firenze, and we tried out the look I envisioned. I guided Maurizio to make my vision come to life: a centre parting, wavy long hair smoothly brushed behind my ears, and adorned with a white satin ribbon acting as a hairband. Mum and my sister assisted me in getting dressed in the Bridal Suite, a beautiful part of the villa, and Maurizio came over from Firenze to arrange my hair. 

Skincare leading up to the wedding was very important to me to ensure a perfect wedding glow. Starting a few months before my big day, I went to Santi Spa in South Kensington, London, for a course of bespoke facials. I am used to doing my own stage make-up whenever I perform at the Royal Opera House or internationally, so I decided not to use a bridal make-up artist and do it myself; “If you want to have something done right, do it yourself.” I used a Giorgio Armani Beauty luminous silk foundation as a base, with Laura Mercier translucent setting powder, NARS cream and powder blusher in shade “Orgasm”, Fenty sun stalker bronzer and brow pencil, a very small amount of Bobbi Brown cream shadow stick for eye shadow. To keep my natural look, I decided not to use fake lashes. With the weather being so bright and beautiful, it exposes any imperfection so I opted for a light layer of Dior show waterproof mascara. to prevent any risk of panda eyes when the tears would start rolling, and on my lips, I used Bobbi Brown lipstick pencil in shade “Bare”. A spritz of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush setting spray helped to keep my make up remain fresh and long lasting. 

Honeymoon

We had no time to go on honeymoon after our Tuscan wedding due to our professional commitments, so we decided to go on honeymoon before our wedding. Riccardo wanted to take me on a wildlife safari in the Maasai Mara, so we flew to Nairobi two weeks before our wedding and we spent one week on safari and one week on the beach by the Indian Ocean. 

Advice

• Do allow for “time-out” to be alone as a couple after the Ceremony, and to be “in the moment” before you’ll get busy greeting and chatting to all your guests during the reception, as well as having to deal with the photographers and videographer. It’s all very overwhelming and emotions run high. Time passes so quickly and before you realise your wedding day is over. Therefore, spending time alone as newlyweds is very precious, and it will leave you forever with those unforgettable intimate moments. 

With thanks

Photography: @tuscanyweddingphotographers 

Videographer: @italian_wedding_videographer 

Catering & Wedding cake: @tuscanexcelsia 

Flowers: @exo_usia_events  

Music & DJ: @chiaratrallorimusicplanner  

Venue: @tenuta_corbinaia  

Wedding planners: Mascia @happening_tuscany  

Wedding dresses: @millanova  

Shoes: @louboutinworld  

Jewellery: @vancleefarpels  

Hair: Maurizio and Deborah @mau_firenze @ciroviadelleterme, Tatiana @tatianakarelinaofficial  

Wedding Dress alterations: Rosana Rosa @alterationsboutique @rosejakob89 

Wedding favours: Siobhan @lucidilucca  

Handheld fans: Fan of Fans via @etsyuk

Guest book: @assouline  

Calligraphy: @marianneverkest

Related Article: The Dress With Yasmine Naghdi

The post Inside: Yasmine Naghdi’s Wedding, Principal Ballerina Of The Royal Ballet appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

The Journey

It didn’t take me long to find my perfect wedding dress because I knew exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a traditional wedding gown with a long train and classic veil but with a contemporary twist. I looked at many international wedding dress designers but the moment I saw the “Sara” wedding gown, designed by the world renowned, all female-led Ukrainian bridal brand Milla Nova, founded by sisters Zoryana and Iryna Senshyn, I instantly knew that was the one: a satin strapless wedding gown with a long train, in ivory colour, with a rushed “Mikado” bodice, and a draped multi-folded floor length skirt with a high slit in the middle to reveal a mini skirt underneath. I also asked to personalise my veil and embroider “Always in my heart” on it.

The Decision

I discovered the internationally renowned bridal brand in Vogue UK magazine. When a few months later I saw a CNN documentary about Milla Nova, I heard how Zoryana and Iryna Senshyn had helped relocate seventy members of their team, along with their family members and small children, to a new and safe facility over the border in Warsaw, I just knew I had to support them. It was the strong social responsibility taken by this company, 95% are women with young children, that made me decide I wanted my two wedding dresses, and my Dress Rehearsal bodice, to be designed by Milla Nova. I sent them my detailed measurements, used by the costume designers at the Royal Opera House. Once my dresses arrived in London, I asked Rosana Rosa of the Alterations Boutique near Marble Arch, to make a few adjustments to the length and folds of my gown to get the perfect look and fit.

The Style Support

For styling support, I relied on my mum and sister Tatiana because they have an impeccable taste and a sharp eye for details, and they instinctively know what works and what doesn’t. They always get it so right.

The Accessories

Shoes: once I had chosen my two wedding dresses and Dress Rehearsal outfit the hunt was on to find the perfect heels. I knew exactly what style of heels I wanted to wear with my wedding gown: strappy white satin open toe sling backs. I just needed to find them… A few months before my wedding I was invited to The Wedding Edition Christian Louboutin event in Mayfair, and it was at this event that I found my two pairs of wedding heels. I had also spotted the stunning “Sandale du Desert” and I knew straight away they’d be the perfect pair to go with my second wedding dress. 

Jewellery: I wore a gold Vintage Alhambra necklace with matching bracelet and diamond teardrop earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, my engagement ring – a round diamond with a Pavé band- paired with my Eternity ring, as well as a sapphire ring, a present from my future sister-in-law so… “wearing something blue” was also there. 

The Evening Look

I changed into a second wedding dress, also designed by Milla Nova, for the Wedding Cake cutting and Party. Riccardo is not a Fred Astaire and I feared he would step on the train of my wedding gown during our First Dance, and I could just imagine a disaster waiting to happen. I chose the “Dorothy” mini dress, adorned with 3D flowers, a sweetheart neckline and puffy mini skirt. I paired the dress with Christian Louboutin colourful “Sandale du Desert” in crepe satin Melancholia. Once the party was in full swing, I swapped my delicate Louboutin heels for a pair of customised high top, white bridal Converse. The satin laces were imprinted with “Mrs Ghezzi“, and our wedding date “02.09.23” was printed on the back of the Converse. I danced the night away until the early morning hours!

The Dress Rehearsal Look

The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted in Firenze. It was attended by our Italian and Belgian family, as well as close friends. It was the perfect occasion for everyone to connect with each other, and share the excitement for our wedding the following day. I went for an all-white outfit and choose a stunning off-shoulders semi 

transparent white top embroidered with rhinestones and 3D- flowers, with a lace-up closure on the back, designed by Milla Nova. I paired the top with Nadine Merabi’s white crepe and satin flowing trousers, and wore classic peep-toe, camel satin pumps, embellished with Swarovski crystals called “Ayres”, designed by GINA. 

Advice For Brides

I’d say do not feel pressurised by anyone nor by any wedding trends. It is your wedding, and you need to feel 100% happy and comfortable. Stay true to yourself and to your personal taste, this is your moment to make a statement about who you are and what you stand for. Your individuality and personality must shine true. 

Favourite Photo Of The Dress

My favourite photo was taken at a very specific moment in time: the sun was slowly setting over the hills and the sky was tinged with a thousand shades. All the guests were already seated in the magical “Giardino Il Crystal” where candles and sparkly chandeliers created a magical feeling. Through the open windows blew cooling evening breezes enabling the guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding greenery of the gardens. This enchanting atmosphere came fully to life as the night was falling and my wedding photographers Damiano and Donatella captured that moment in a stunning black & white photo, just as Riccardo and I were walking down the stairs of the main villa before entering the “Giardino Il Crystal” to join our guests for dinner. The photo reminds me of those glamorous 1950/60’s Hollywood photos. The photo has a very specific look in both lighting and contrast, as well as the composition and is incredibly evocative of that precise moment in time. It really sums up all that our wedding stood for. We love this photo so much that we had it enlarged and printed on brushed aluminium: this adds texture and depth to the photo as the whites are not printed out so any white areas of a photo shines through in eye-catching metallic silver, and the reflective surface gives the photo a high definition appearance. It’s a real work of art and the photo perfectly captures our happiness!

Bride: @yasmine_naghdi

Dress: @millanova

Photographer: @tuscanyweddingphotographers

Related Article: Inside: A Radiant Three Day Wedding In Tuscany

The post The Dress With Yasmine Naghdi appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

We met through a dating app 8 years ago, our first date was Saturday lunch at a pub in Bermondsey, there was an immediate spark, even though Bertie felt like he couldn’t get a word in edgeways! Second, third, fourth dates and meeting friends happened shortly after and we were living together after 1.5 years. We got engaged during covid lockdowns in the garden at home, over an evening negroni and a shared cigarette – a lockdown tradition. Max loves history, so Bertie proposed with a 2000 year old roman signet ring he had sourced from an ancient art dealer in Mayfair.

Venue

Bertie’s family are from Southwold, and Max’s family are from France but now are spread across the world. When choosing a location, Southwold felt right and by chance Sibton Park/Wilderness Reserve was free the exact weekend. We had a small, family only wedding for 50 people and were able to host everyone at Sibton Park or at Bertie’s family’s house in Southwold.

Over the weekend we had multiple events for everyone to get to know each other, with an intimate service officiated by our two sisters at a nearby abandoned church called St Andrews Covehithe. 

Fashion

Both of us wore made to measure navy suits from Timothy Everest, we chose this tailor because they made all the suits for the Crown which has exceptional tailoring.

Tablescape

Maria Castellanos, our talented table designer extraordinaire, worked wonders for us. Her creativity knew no bounds as she masterfully crafted distinct themes for each night, seamlessly transforming the shared space into unique and enchanting settings. Through her expert touch, the venue came alive with a symphony of colors and arrangements that left a lasting impression on our guests.

But it didn’t stop there. Our wedding favors became true works of art, thanks to the skilled hand of a local artist. Each guest received a hand-painted, personalized mug, adding a touch of local flair and individuality to the celebration. These thoughtful keepsakes not only served as a token of appreciation but also as a reminder of the special moments we shared on those magical nights. The blend of Maria’s artistic brilliance and the local artist’s craftsmanship elevated our wedding experience to new heights, creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Food & drink

The exquisite selection of wines at our celebration was curated with precision and passion, thanks to Bertie’s parents, esteemed members of the wine industry. Their wealth of knowledge and refined taste ensured that our guests experienced a symphony of flavors that perfectly complemented the joyous atmosphere.

One standout highlight was the Langham Brut sparkling wine, a true gem in the world of oenology. This award-winning English sparkling wine not only delighted the senses but also added a touch of sophistication to our festivities. What made it even more special was the familial connection—Langham Brut was founded by none other than Bertie’s uncle, a distinguished figure in the industry and a cherished guest at our celebration.

Honeymoon

Our journey of romance and adventure reached new heights as we embarked on the legendary Orient Express, a luxurious train that whisked us away from the enchanting streets of Paris to the romantic waterways of Venice. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks beneath us echoed the excitement in our hearts as we indulged in the opulence of this iconic rail experience.

Upon our arrival in Venice, the magic continued as we found ourselves immersed in the timeless elegance of the Gritti Palace. Nestled along the picturesque Grand Canal, this historic gem provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend of indulgence and splendor. From the opulent interiors to the unparalleled views of the Venetian landscape, every moment felt like a scene from a dream.

But the adventure didn’t end there. Our journey took us to the idyllic island of Ischia, where the sun-kissed shores and azure waters welcomed us with open arms. Exploring the charming streets, savoring local cuisine, and basking in the warm Mediterranean sun created memories that will forever be etched in our hearts.

Advice

• Choosing a venue that’s meaningful to you makes it unique, even if it’s not as glamorous.
• Doing a wedding over a weekend gives you time to spend time with everyone and lets people from different sides mingle.
• Get the party playlist right and you’ll have all generations dancing.

With thanks

Grooms: @bertietysome @mcancre

Venue: @wildernessreserve

Caterer: @wildernessreserve

Groom outfit: @timothyeverest

Florist: @southwoldflowerco @figaandco

Table styling: @mariacastellanosdesign

Photographer: @emilytylerphoto

Related Article: Inside: A Chic Wedding Soirée In South Africa

The post Inside: An Intimate Wedding At Wilderness Reserve appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

The story at our Vegas wedding began when we met at a mutual friend’s birthday party which was animal theme. I was in a leopard-print body and he was dressed as a Ninja Turtle…neither of us had bothered in terms of a costume at all. We exchanged numbers and met properly a week or so later.

We never actually got properly engaged. Dan had booked us tickets to the Lovers & Friends concert in Las Vegas – a show with our all-time favourite 90s and 00s R&B stars – and when we discussed going we thought ‘shall we just get hitched while we’re there?’ It was a very casual, open discussion and it is something that had come up in the past; we never wanted a big white wedding and both had said if we ever got married it would be something fun and not serious like Vegas, so, it kinda felt like fate. 

Dan did actually end up doing a cute proposal in West Hollywood a few days before we got married. We celebrated with street tacos and cocktails.

Not getting traditionally engaged meant I could choose the ring, which was ideal because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted so I found it crazy Dan would ever be able to get it right himself. We went to the antique ring shops in Hatton Garden and I fell in love with an antique Victorian ring. It was gold with a blue sapphire in the centre and diamonds all around the sapphire. Unfortunately, it was super expensive and I didn’t want Dan to spend so much on the ring, it really wasn’t that important to me. So, I went back to the drawing board and contact Olivia Madigan Shea, a ring designer in Hatton Garden. I showed her the ring I loved and we discussed her making a completely different style, more in line with her work. However, by some crazy fate, she went to one of her ring dealers and showed him the ring I loved and the man had the exact same ring, minus the sapphire stone. It was crazy! It meant I could choose a sapphire stone myself and I had the choice of a very light blue and a deeper blue – I went for the latter. Because of the style of ring, I decided I didn’t want/need a separate wedding ring. It’s my favourite thing I own and I wear it every day. 

It’s something I think brides should get to do (especially if you’re a control freak haha) because you’re going to have it forever, so it should be just as you want it to be.

Dan’s ring was bespoke and made by Karly Wake of AURUM.Ldn . A square gold signet ring with a black diamond in the centre.

Venue

We chose Graceland chapel because it’s such an iconic wedding chapel in Vegas but we had also read a lot of reviews and went with Graceland as so many people said they had a personal touch where they didn’t rush you out or make you feel like it was slap dash, as a lot of Vegas chapels are. 

We opted out of having Elvis marry us though as neither of us are crazy Elvis fans so it kinda felt irrelevant. Plus, although we wanted a Vegas kitsch style, we didn’t want it to feel like a joke.

Fashion

I knew I wanted a bespoke dress for many reasons; I never saw myself picking a traditional dress from a wedding store for starters and I also took the venue/city where we were getting married into account too. It’s absolutely boiling in Vegas so a heavy dress was out of the question and I knew we would go out drinking after too. Plus, I’m only 5ft so certain styles don’t suit me. 

I wanted a short dress and a long veil, and when I couldn’t find anything I loved within my budget (up to £1500) I was lucky enough to have my friends Mollie and Liv of Barbara Bianco have the capacity to make me my dream dress within the short timeframe. It was the best decision because the dress was made to fit me perfectly. I knew I wanted a tight fitting bodice chest panel and then for it to be a mini length with some pleating. The girls put forward the idea of Swarovski crystal embellishments and I fell in love! They drew various options (I’ll attach an image) and this became the basis of the dress. After a couple of fittings we added a tie-up element to the bodice so that I could adjust to fit me perfectly on the day, and the veil became a double layer style which worked beautifully with the mini length. 

The shoes – I had my eyes on an Amina Muaddi pair and an Attico pair but I could find my tiny size (36) anywhere and I ended up finding a similar style to the Attico pair in Zara which were a hot pink mules, which the girls embellished with pink Swarovski crystals too. 

My sunglasses were hot pink The Attico x Linda Farrow. 

I changed into a bespoke Senja by Maddie open-back, faux-fur trim dress – very Vegas! 

For Dan – he knew he wanted a patterned silk Casablanca shirt so we kept our eye out for THE ONE which soon came along. He paired it with white Levi’s chinos and green Clark’s wallabees that complemented the shirt and gave a nod to his Jamaican heritage. 

We were a nice mix of white and colour. 

I gave Dan a pair of white versace Biggie sunglasses on the morning of our Vegas wedding as a present also. 

Jewellery

My earrings were by gold jewellery designer Karly Wake of AURUM.Ldn 

And I wore my friend’s vintage necklace.

My nails were done by Anouska Anastasia which were wedding themed.

Entertainment

Afterwards we went to a few casinos, had dinner, back to some casinos then karaoke and bed. The perfect night in Vegas!

The next day we spent it by the pool then we went to an afrobeats pool party at Drai’s. The day after that was Lovers & Friends which was one of the best days of our lives! 

Beauty Regime & Wellness

My friend came from San Francisco who’s a hairdresser so she kindly did my hair with stick-on gems to one side.

Favourite wedding gifts

Instead of a traditional registry we made a website where people could gift us treats for our trip, for example: dinner for two, a night at a hotel, tickets for Universal Studios, cocktails etc. This meant we didn’t have loads of material things in the home and the gifts were not just super useful, but it meant we could message our friends and family to say ‘thank you so much for dinner tonight, we went here and thought of you’ which was more personal. 

Honeymoon

We spent two weeks in LA and Vegas during this time and we had a busy schedule to return to so never took an immediate trip, then I became pregnant a few months later so the idea of a honeymoon has definitely been put on hold…for now!

However, it would be something in line with how we would normally spend our holidays. Think less luxury in the Maldives and more a new cultural experience in a tropical country. 

Advice

• Break traditions if that’s what you want! People think ‘oh we have to have a first dance or we have to have expensive flowers’ etc but you really don’t.
• Ask yourself, what is it you want from the day rather than what you think people expect from a wedding. I often feel a big white wedding is more enjoyable for guests than those who have meticulously planned it because as the guest, you get to rock up and let loose, with zero stresses about everything running smoothly. 

With thanks

Bride / Groom: @suzie_bks and @danny_rankin

Venue: @gracelandweddingchapellv

Dress: @barbara_bianco__

Groom outfit: @casablancabrand 

Wedding rings: @oliviamadiganshea @aurum_ldn

Hair: My friend from San Francisco, Emma James for the day of and Beth Kucic from Queens Peckham salon cut my hair and got me back to my natural hair colour before I left London.

Nails: @anouskaanastasia

Related Article: Inside: A Radiant Three Day Wedding In Tuscany

The post Inside: An Iconic Vegas Elopement At Graceland Chapel appeared first on The Wedding Edition.

We met at university 10 years ago, we ran in similar circles and eventually started dating. Jamie proposed in Tuscany Italy during an Italian road trip a few years ago, within minutes of the proposal we had decided that we’d get married in Tuscany too. We fell in love with the landscape, rolling hills, incredible food and wine.

Venue

Our wedding took place over 3 days, the first day was a welcome party which featured Italian pizza and an outdoor cinema. We played wedding episodes from our favourite sitcoms (Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends etc). The second day was the wedding, our guests had a wedding brunch and chilled by the pool whilst we got ready. Our ceremony started at 3pm in the Italian garden, followed by aperitifs and an outdoor dinner in the courtyard. We then moved to a cave room for an afterparty which was incredible. We hired Mash Up Kings to perform our favourite garage and R&B songs and served unlimited cocktails and a burger bar to our guests.

Bridal Party

Our bridal party wore custom dresses made by Ginny’s Emporium (South London seamstress). I gifted each bridesmaid a handwritten note, white Telfar bag and bespoke pijamas/ dressing gowns.

Favourite wedding gifts

We did not have a gift list as our guests were taking time off work to fly to Italy to attend our wedding, that was a gift in itself.

Honeymoon

We went to Montenegro for a few days immediately after the wedding to unwind, followed by a three week trip to Sri Lanka a couple months later which was incredible.

Advice

• Make decisions based on what you and your partner want, ignore everyone else (its your day)
• If you’re having a good time, your guests will have a good time. You dictate the vibe!
• Give your bridal party clear roles & responsibilities before the wedding events start. I did not lift a finger during the actual wedding as my bridesmaids were across everything!

With thanks

Bride: @jadebeason

Venue: @villa_catignano

Dress: @marquisebridal / @morgan_davies_bridal

Florist: @agriflor.siena

Photographer: @andreacorsiph

Videographer: @altevedute

Wedding Planner: @marrymeintuscany

Music: @mashupkingsband

Related Article: Inside: An Ethereal Summer Wedding On The Amalfi Coast

The post Inside: A Radiant Three Day Wedding In Tuscany appeared first on The Wedding Edition.