Emma and Adam’s wedding on August 10th, 2018, at Kew Gardens in London was a truly enchanting affair. The stunning couple exchanged vows amidst breathtaking scenery, Emma wearing a sleek and glamorous Pronovias gown that perfectly complemented the whimsical atmosphere. Every detail of this special day oozed elegance, from the lush gardens to the understated yet effective floral centrepieces and show-stopping cake. What’s more, their decision to change venues, initially deemed too pricey, proved to be a stroke of genius as it allowed them to create an unforgettable experience for themselves and their loved ones. As Emma so eloquently puts it, Kew Gardens’ natural beauty required minimal décor, allowing the couple to focus on the true essence of their special day. With heartfelt moments captured by esteemed photographer Marianne Chua, this wedding will forever be etched in the memories of all who witnessed it.
The Proposal
I was completely caught off guard when Adam asked me to join him for a weekend getaway in Europe, but I had no idea what he truly had planned. Despite my busy university schedule, I didn’t think much of it at first, as he kept emphasizing how easy it would be and booking the theatre and hotel in advance. His living situation in East London added to my lack of suspicion, as we’d often spend time together exploring the city.As the weekend drew closer, Adam shared a menu for Locanda Locetelli, an upscale Italian restaurant in Marylebone – a culinary delight that only heightened our excitement. Both of us being passionate foodies, we were thrilled at the prospect of trying new flavors and restaurants. The evening’s events unfolded seamlessly, with a fantastic meal followed by a stroll to our hotel near the Thames.Adam had reserved a stunning penthouse suite, which left me speechless. After indulging in the sumptuous feast, I decided to take a break and slip into something more comfortable. Donning the hotel’s plush dressing gown (how divine!), I stepped out onto the balcony for a glass of champagne, only to have Adam surprise me with an unforgettable proposal!
The Vision
In my mind’s eye, I envisioned an event space that exuded refinement and poise. While rustic barns with their impressive beams and whimsical fairy lights have a certain charm, they didn’t resonate with me. Our decision to avoid a church wedding was also driven by the desire for our guests to be in one place all day, allowing us to create a seamless and memorable experience.
The Planning Process
As I embarked on my wedding planning journey, I found myself instinctively gravitating towards Pinterest, a platform that has become synonymous with inspiration and creative vision. My initial quest was to curate the perfect dress, which soon snowballed into a collection of centre pieces and guestbook ideas. Meanwhile, Adam’s priorities were centered around food and music, leaving me more than happy to delegate these aspects to him, allowing us to focus on the other important details.
Budget
In reality, couples often find themselves exceeding their initial budgetary expectations. For us, it was no exception. As our wedding plans evolved, so did our expenses. Although we haven’t yet nailed down an exact figure, I can confidently say that we spent a bit more than initially anticipated. The journey was worth it, but I must admit that the final bill still has me scratching my head!
The Venue
As we started planning our special day, Adam suggested a picturesque country manor house in Essex. We attended their open day and were blown away by its beauty. The grounds were breathtaking, and the bridal suite was nothing short of dreamy. After sipping some champagne, we decided to take the leap and booked it for Easter Sunday in April 2017. It was an impulsive decision, but one that felt right at the time.However, as the months went by, I started to have doubts about our choice. We attended a wedding show with friends who were also getting married, and seeing all the different options available made me realize that maybe our original venue wasn’t the best fit for us. It took some courage, but I finally confessed my concerns to Adam, and luckily he was on the same page.Around this time, we revisited an idea that had been floating around in the back of our minds – a wedding at Kew Gardens. Adam had attended a wedding there a few years prior and always raved about it being one of the best weddings he’d ever been to. It was definitely out of our budget, but we decided to schedule an appointment anyway. As soon as we saw it, we knew that this was the place for us. We cancelled our original booking at the manor house and secured Kew Gardens for August 10th, 2018.Looking back, I’m grateful that our daughter arrived a few months before our wedding date – being nine months pregnant on my big day didn’t exactly appeal to me! It’s funny how things work out sometimes.
Your Outfits & Accessories
From the moment I discovered Pronovias dresses, I was captivated by their understated elegance. I envisioned a simple yet sophisticated design that would make me feel like a princess on my special day. After scouring online for inspiration, I found my dream dress and located a stockist in Colchester. Although I still had some baby weight to shed at the time – my daughter was just four months old – I was determined to tackle the challenge head-on. With 14 dresses tried on and countless alterations made, I finally found ‘the one’ and The Wedding Shop team in Colchester were absolute gems, offering unparalleled patience and expertise throughout the process.Shoes were another story altogether! I had always dreamed of walking down the aisle in a show-stopping pair, and Sophia Webster’s Evangeline heels in white and gold did not disappoint. Adam surprised me with them on Christmas day last year, making it an unforgettable holiday season. And to complete the look, I opted for matching minis from Sophia Webster’s children’s collection – my daughter’s adorable little feet were dressed to impress!
Bridesmaids
I initially purchased my bridesmaids’ dresses from ASOS, taking advantage of their impressive bridesmaid collection. It was July 2017 when I made the purchase. The dresses were understated yet elegant, featuring floor-length silhouettes with a subtle embellished back in a captivating lavender-grey hue. As the wedding drew nearer, we entrusted our local seamstress to make the necessary alterations to ensure a perfect fit for each bridesmaid. However, due to the delicate fabric and low back design, adding cups was not feasible as it would have been visible through the dress. The seamstress wisely advised against it, citing the potential for unsightly stitching. I found myself searching again just four weeks before the big day, which added to my wedding stress! In desperation, I stumbled upon Ted Baker’s stunning baby pink floor-length bridesmaid dresses, and I was smitten! My girls adored them, and they fit like a glove – requiring minimal alterations in the process. As an added bonus, the new dresses made the girls feel more at ease and they loved wearing them more than their original gowns. It was a truly happy ending for this bride!
Groomsmen
In a surprising twist on the traditional groom’s dress code secrecy, I decided to take matters into my own hands when it came to dressing Adam and his best men for our special day. While it’s common for the bride to have her dress a closely guarded secret from the groom, I was determined to ensure that Adam and his attendants looked their absolute best. With Matilda by my side, we set out on a mission to Moss Bros, where we selected a stylish blue Ted Baker three-piece suit for Adam. We even took it a step further by sending all the details to his groomsmen, who then visited tailor’s and outfitters to get measured and fitted with their own bespoke suits. The finishing touches included silver ties from M&S and white pocket squares from Charles Tyrwhitt, while Adam and his best men added a touch of sophistication with grey/silvery waistcoats from Anthony’s in Billericay, Essex. And to complete the look, Adam wore classic black brogues from Russell and Bromley.
Beauty
When I booked Botias for my hair, Charlie truly exceeded my expectations. We went through two trials together to ensure perfection, and her patience was impressive. I was looking for something unique and unconventional for my wedding day look, so we explored various styles before settling on the final choice. On the actual day, it all came together!I’m a makeup enthusiast who spent countless hours searching Instagram for the ideal MUA. My fascination with Real Housewives of Cheshire led me to discover Vanessa Thornton-Yates, Tanya Bardsley’s go-to makeup artist. I reached out to Vanessa, expecting a delayed response due to her busy schedule, but she promptly got back to me! I booked her immediately and was thrilled for her to work on my wedding day look. A trial was essential, as it allowed us to fine-tune the perfect look.As the wedding approached, I scheduled all my beauty treatments in advance, with my 15-month-old daughter accompanying me to each one. As any mum can attest, this was no easy feat! She sat through various treatments like lashes, nails, brows, tanning, and waxing, and she proved to be a resilient little trooper!
The Readings & Music
Our ceremony took place at the Nash Conservatory in Kew, a stunning venue that allowed us to showcase our love for acoustic music. To create the perfect ambiance, we hired Niche, a talented string quartet, who played a mix of traditional and modern songs during the ceremony and drinks reception. We carefully selected specific tunes for key moments, such as Bride’s entrance, signing the register, and Bride and Groom exit. The rest of the time, they surprised us with modern hits from Ed Sheeran to Beyonce! What really stood out was their jukebox feature, allowing guests to request songs – a lovely touch that made everyone feel included.
During the ceremony, Adam’s best man and brother delivered a heartfelt reading, which was actually a poem written by Adam himself. It was an emotional moment that brought tears to many eyes.
For our reception, we opted for Totem Tribe, an incredible band we had previously witnessed at a friend’s wedding. They immediately got everyone dancing and even mingled with the guests during dinner. I would highly recommend them – if only we had another big event planned, we’d hire them again in a heartbeat!
Your Photographer
Adam spearheaded the process by organizing a meeting with Marianne Chua, whose documentary-style approach aligned perfectly with our vision. Following their meeting, Adam successfully secured our booking with Maranne. Her exceptional professionalism and dedication to capturing the perfect shot left us in awe. Throughout the wedding day, Marianne demonstrated unwavering patience and a calming presence, making it easy for us to feel at ease as we prepared for the big moment. Nothing was too much trouble for her; she went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfected. The stunning final product speaks volumes about Marianne’s skill and attention to detail. We wholeheartedly recommend her services without hesitation.
Your Filmmaker
As we approached the end of our wedding planning journey, filming was another crucial aspect that we had initially thought we couldn’t afford. However, after experiencing an incredible wedding film at a friend’s ceremony in July 2017, I was blown away by how it brought back those cherished moments with such vividness and love. The quality of the footage was exceptional, and watching it again made me realize just how important capturing our special day on film truly is. We decided to book Inverve for our wedding, and they proved to be a delight to work with – professional, hardworking, and dedicated to their craft. Although we’re still waiting for our final video edit, we’re excited to relive the magic of our big day through the lens of this talented team.
The Details & Décor
To maintain a sense of understated elegance, we opted for a minimalist approach to decor at Kew Gardens, allowing the venue’s natural beauty to take center stage. The simplicity of our floral arrangements allowed the stunning surroundings to truly shine.
The Flowers
We had the pleasure of working with Megan from The Willows Flowers in Chelmsford to create our dream wedding bouquets and centre pieces. Prior to the big day, we met with Megan twice to refine our ideas and make sure everything was just right. It’s not always easy to imagine how a bouquet or centrepiece will look based on your colour scheme, but Megan’s expertise and guidance made all the difference. When the flowers arrived at the hotel, we were blown away by their perfection – they looked almost too good to be real! The centre pieces, in particular, left us speechless with their stunning beauty. We can’t thank Megan enough for her incredible work, she truly did an amazing job.
The Cake
In a last-minute dash, I found myself scrambling to find a talented baker to create a show-stopping cake for our special day. After scouring Instagram, I stumbled upon Jen’s Cakery and promptly sent her an email. Miraculously, she was able to fit us in despite having another wedding booked on the same day. Jen’s team went above and beyond by sending us an assortment of delectable cake samples via mail, which just so happened to be one of the most delightful packages I’ve ever received! After sampling each flavor, we ultimately chose a classic Victoria sponge and chocolate orange combination. The pièce de résistance was our stunning four-tier white iced cake adorned with an ‘E&A’ monogram. To add the finishing touches, Megan expertly arranged fresh flowers on the cake just prior to the ceremony. The final product was nothing short of breathtaking! Adam and I wisely preserved the top tier for a special treat in the days following the wedding, savoring every morsel.
The Honeymoon
As newlyweds, Adam, Matilda, and I embarked on a Jamaican adventure two weeks after exchanging vows. Initially, I wondered why couples often jet off on their honeymoons immediately, thinking they needed time to bask in the wedding glow before planning a break later. The reality is that you’re the only ones enveloped in your own little world – life goes on, and before you know it, everyone’s back at work! By the Monday after our big day, Adam was already returning to his job, leaving me feeling like our vacation was miles away.
We spent our days soaking up the sun at Tui Sensatori, where every aspect – food, drink, hotel, and beach – left us in awe. And, yes, it’s true: taking a 15-month-old on honeymoon can be unconventional, but we had an absolute blast! As a result, Adam and I are already looking forward to our baby-free getaway next year, with the Maldives at the top of our bucket list.
Memorable Moments
The memory of getting ready with my girlfriends for the big day still brings a huge smile to my face. It was an incredible experience, filled with laughter and relaxation as we pampered ourselves. The highlight of the day had to be watching our little princess walk down the aisle – she looked absolutely stunning and I think it’s safe to say that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! The wedding speeches did not disappoint either; the guys really brought their A-game and left me eagerly anticipating seeing them on film. But for me, the real magic happened during our first dance as husband and wife. And who could forget Adam’s hilarious mishap when he lost his wedding ring in the hotel room that night? It was a moment we’ll cherish forever!
Advice For Other Couples
When planning your wedding, prioritize your top three must-haves – for us, they were food, music, and venue, which ultimately led to an unforgettable experience. Similarly, consider photographs and film as crucial investments; you truly get what you pay for in terms of quality. It’s essential to approach the week leading up to the big day with a relaxed mindset, trusting that everything will unfold as planned. With time being so fleeting on your special day, make an effort to cherish moments spent together with your partner – it’ll be over before you know it.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Marianne Chua, a talented photographer and member of the Wedding Directory’s team of wedding photographers, had the pleasure of capturing the enchanting Kew Gardens wedding of Emma and Adam. The beautiful venue was made even more special by the outstanding catering service provided by Lodge Catering, whose manager, Jana, went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was taken care of with precision and flair. The couple’s friends and family also played a significant role in making their big day truly unforgettable – including Louise Hunter, who created exquisite wedding favours as a hobby, and Charli Smith at Botias Hair & Makeup, who worked her magic on the bride’s locks. Other standout contributors included Jen’s Cakery, who crafted a stunning cake, Inverve Photography, who captured the special moments on film, and Totem Tribe, who got everyone dancing with their energetic performance. A huge thank you to Emma and Adam for sharing their joyous day with us – it was truly a magical celebration! Rachel x