Inside: An Autumn Cathedral Wedding

From a dream proposal on a secluded Mauritian shoreline, to an autumn celebration woven with meaning, step inside Jessica and Greg’s cathedral wedding – a wedding shaped by heritage, family and the heartfelt details that define a life built together.

The story so far

We met in August 2022 and had our first date on the hottest day of the year. We bonded over our love of tennis and travel and ended up sharing our bucket lists with each other. Two years, seven countries and some big bucket list moments later, including moving to a new city, Oxford, and buying our dream home, we found ourselves on a catamaran trip in Mauritius in October 2024. We were visiting Île aux Cerfs and on the picture perfect island with no one around, Greg got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. The photo we took says it all. We both have salty, wet hair from swimming with turtles and are shiny with sunscreen but it captures the moment perfectly. He proposed with a 3.03 ct oval cut solitaire diamond on a gold band. Truly the proposal of my dreams. We got married a year later on 4 October 2025.

Venue

We married in Gloucester Cathedral, a venue very close to my heart as I am an alumna of The King’s School Gloucester. I spent my childhood attending services and assemblies in the Cathedral so it felt like a real full circle moment to be standing there with Greg.

We held our reception at Ellenborough Park Hotel, the most beautiful hotel overlooking Cheltenham Racecourse. It felt especially personal as Greg grew up in Cheltenham and would often go to the racecourse with his friends.

The day after the wedding we hosted a casual lunch at my parents’ home in Cheltenham with our immediate family and bridal party. It was such a special moment to share stories and laughter from the night before.

Fashion

My wedding dress was by Maggie Sottero and I bought it from a small boutique called Bride by Design in Swindon. It was a Mikado silk ball gown with a structured bodice, two straps and a scooping neckline. We added a matching silk belt to give it some interest and it brought the whole dress together. It had button details all the way down to the train.

My second dress, which I changed into after the speeches during cocktail hour, was a halter neck A line dress by Australian brand Meshki. I had some adjustments made by my amazing seamstress to personalise the front and it fit like a glove.

Jewellery

My engagement ring from Samara James set the tone – timeless, luminous, and thoughtfully chosen. I then accessorised with elegant freshwater pearl drop earrings in 9k gold from Ernest Jones, a cherished gift from my granny and grandad, and a 9ct gold bracelet threaded with freshwater pearls and an infinity motif from Beaverbrooks, opened in a quiet, emotional moment on the morning of the wedding – a present from Greg.

For my something borrowed, I slipped on a vintage gold and pearl trilogy ring once worn by my mother on her own wedding day, its history adding a delicate, heirloom charm. Close to my heart, tucked discreetly into my pocket, I also carried my late grandmother’s watch as my something old and inside my shoe, a sixpence gifted by Greg’s granny brought a final, sentimental touch, a symbol of luck and love that made the ensemble feel beautifully complete.

For our wedding bands we chose an 18 ct gold half eternity 0.1 ct diamond band for me and a 9 ct plain gold band for Greg, both from Austen and Blake.

I gifted Greg gold cufflinks engraved with our wedding date and G and J which he wore on the day, plus a hip flask personalised with the words see you at the altar. His best man filled it with whisky and he kept it in his pocket.

Bridal party

I had four bridesmaids and they all wore burgundy dresses that I found on Etsy by Atom Attelier. I bought them burgundy pyjamas and white fluffy slippers to wear while we got ready. I wore white satin pyjamas with a detailed cuff which I had also worn to my hen do.

I wrote each bridesmaid a personalised letter about what it meant to have them by my side and it definitely brought the tears. I also gifted them small tennis bracelets which they all chose to wear on the day.

The groomsmen all hired morning suits from Moss Bros and wore burgundy ties and pocket squares which Greg gifted to them from Jenson Samuel.

Transportation

Azure Wedding Cars provided our transport. My dad and I travelled to the Cathedral in a vintage Rolls Royce while the bridesmaids travelled in a Daimler. After the ceremony Greg and I travelled in the Rolls and my dad was moved back to travel with my family.

Tablescape

Our tablescape was a beautiful DIY collaboration between my mum and our florist. Ali Adkins created the most stunning bouquets of burnt orange roses, ivory roses, lilies, eucalyptus and autumnal foliage which sat in coloured vases on each table. Our top table had a long arrangement that flowed over the edge in a waterfall style to break up the ivory tablecloth.

We used gold photo frames thrifted from local charity shops for table names and burnt orange candle holders with ivory taper candles. Each place setting had a menu and hand written place name which we tied to the back of chairs with burgundy ribbon. My mum did a calligraphy course which made them even more special.

Entertainment

During our ceremony the organist James Lancelot played our hymns. During the signing of the register we had three beautiful songs performed by Caroline Mander’s choir who sang Only You, Fields of Gold and Beauty of the Earth.

During welcome drinks we had Scott James, a family friend, playing guitar and singing a mixture of Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and some of his own songs while everyone enjoyed champagne and canapés.

Our evening band was Sound City who kept the dancefloor full all night. Our first dance was to Best of Me by Luke Combs.

Beauty regime and wellness

We had the amazing Libby Macmillan as our make up artist for myself, my bridesmaids and my mum. For hair we had Kim from Fallon Hair and Make Up Team.

In the lead up to the wedding I had two hydra facials at Walton Street Wellness in Jericho, Oxford. Other than that, I drank lots of water, avoided sugar and alcohol and swear by The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner which I used on my face, neck and chest for a smooth and even tone.

Favourite wedding gifts

We had our registry with The Wedding Present Company and they made everything so easy. Our favourite gifts were our KitchenAid in almond cream, our Denby tableware set in Blue Kiln, our Emma Bridgewater Mr and Mrs mugs which we use every day and the incredibly generous contributions to our honeymoon fund.

Honeymoon

We went on a mini moon two days after the wedding to Montenegro which was the best week. We stayed in Perast and Tivat and visited Kotor for the day. It is one of the most beautiful countries. For our honeymoon we are planning a road trip across America in June 2026 including Texas, California, LA and Hawaii. Watch this space.

Advice

Do not get too caught up in the finer details. Your guests want to be fed, watered and see you smiling all day. The tiny details are not what they remember.
Do not scrimp on photography or videography. Those memories will last forever. Choose a photographer you connect with and love.
If you can, book a mini moon straight after your wedding. You stay in that newly wed bubble for longer and get to relive every moment together.