NEILU & TREVOR AT HEDSOR HOUSE

There really is nothing more wonderful than wedding photos. And images from a gorgeous summer wedding on a chilly day are particularly cheering, especially these images by And Your Story from Neilu and Trevor’s wedding ceremony and celebrations at Hedsor House. With guests flying in from around the world for the occasion, the stage was most definitely set for an incredible day and, as you’ll see, incredible is an understatement…

All For Love London worked their floral magic around the venue with flowers trailing and tumbling wherever you looked. The huge arch of flowers around the entrance was just a hint of what awaited guests inside and the decorations in the ceremony room were breathtaking. The phrase ‘bringing the outside in’ has never been more appropriate!

Neilu and Trevor’s celebrant-led wedding ceremony was just a dream and their personal vows really said it all. I also spoke to one of their friends as I was writing the ceremony and these beautiful words had to be included in the script as they painted such a glorious picture of this delightful couple. You can always tell a lot by the reaction guests have to moments such as a couple’s ‘first kiss’ or when they head back down the aisle after the ceremony. It was fair to say that there was a lot of love for Neilu and Trevor in the room as their guests brought the house down!

The whole day was a blend of traditional and modern touches whilst also referencing the couple’s heritage with an intimate vow exchange before our ceremony. Wedding planner Katrina Otter and her team, as always, ensured that everything ran like clockwork and let me tell you that the couple, their guests and all the suppliers involved in this exceptional event appreciated all their efforts.

I’ll leave you with a few more details from the day and let’s all look forward to warmer, brighter months ahead…

YANGZI & JIAN AT SOMERLEY

There are some weddings that aren’t just worth the wait, they are so incredible that you’ll always feel that the wait somehow made them all the sweeter. This was certainly the case with one of my last weddings of 2022, Yangzi and Jian’s glorious celebration at Somerley, planned with such grace and precision by Katrina Otter Weddings and captured by Rebecca Searle Photography.

Delayed numerous times by the pandemic, Yangzi and Jian’s wedding was nothing short of incredible. I mean, just take a look at the florals! All For Love London filled Somerley with towering, cascading arcs of roses, blooms and greenery that were the most perfect backdrop to this longed-for celebration.

Somerley is also a remarkable wedding venue. If you’ve watched recent series of The Crown, you might well recognise it but let me tell you, when you approach the house, making your way down the long drive, it really does take your breath away.

But there is no doubt that it was Yangzi and Jian who, quite rightly, got all the attention on the day. They are a truly lovely couple - gentle, heartfelt, and emotional and being with them was such an honour. Their ceremony spoke of love across the miles, hopes for the future and their roots in their shared histories. Beautifully chosen music from Apollo Strings added yet more atmosphere to the occasion and there were definitely more than a few tears of happiness that afternoon.

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait and Yangzi and Jian deserve the very best of everything as they, finally, get to enjoy married life.

A MAY WEDDING AT THE VICTORA & ALBERT MUSEUM

In May, I was absolutely honoured to lead a wedding ceremony at the world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum. This spectacular venue was transformed in just an hour and a half after closing to visitors and the result was, as you’ll see, utterly extraordinary. Expertly planned by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner and captured by Imogen Xiana, the ceremony in the beautiful Raphael Gallery is one that I’ll remember for a very long time.

Image by Imogen Xiana, wedding planning by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner

This was a ceremony full of tradition and sprinkled with personal touches. It blended details from around the world with individual stories in the most incredible setting. The Raphael Cartoons, seven immense tapestries that are true treasures of the Renaissance, lined the ceremony space and behind us, the golden, gilded altarpiece certainly brought the drama.

Image by Imogen Xiana, wedding planning by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner

I was lucky enough to be inside the venue whilst it was being transformed and to call it a ‘military operation’ is absolutely justified. Teams from Veevers Carter wheeled in endless trolleys full of florals while Caper & Berry set up an entire catering kitchen in a corridor in record time. When the guests arrived, it seemed impossible that just 90 minutes before, the last visitors of the day were being ushered out and the privilege of being there ‘after hours’ for such a unique wedding was undeniable. I was smiling the whole way home!

Image by Imogen Xiana, wedding planning by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner

Image by Imogen Xiana, wedding planning by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner