Inside: A Chic Hampshire Home Wedding

From a sun-drenched Maldivian proposal beneath the water’s surface to a chic Hampshire home wedding, step inside Lucy and Amir’s culture-woven celebration – a weekend wedding that blended Iranian tradition, family warmth and the unmistakable bond of two best friends building a life, a legacy and a love story together.

The Story So Far

We are clearly best friends as well as husband and wife and most people spot this when they meet us. Our first date would not have happened had I not called Amir’s bluff about a motorbike ride. We are a strong couple in many areas of our lives, including the work we do for others. Amir is a cleft lip and palate surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I raise awareness about heart transplantation as I am currently on the active waiting list for a new heart. Alongside that we are building a brand together and that brand is Mr Amir Sadri. We love working together and I beam with pride when I speak about Amir performing the first ever closed cleft rhinoplasty in the UK and being featured in Tatler and other publications as he becomes increasingly recognised in London for rhinoplasty.

For our engagement Amir chose the perfect spot. While snorkelling in the Maldives he proposed, though he admitted he was terrified of dropping the ring in the ocean. My ring is a beautiful design of three emerald cut diamonds set in yellow gold. It stands out, especially as I am quite petite.

Venue

We chose to marry at my mother’s home in Hampshire. It was our first choice because we have spent so many happy weekends, half terms and holidays in the garden with Amir’s two children, Edward and Leila, and we have such fond memories there.

As Amir is Iranian it was important for us to reflect his heritage in the wedding. We married in the local church in Binsted followed by an Iranian Sofre Aagd ceremony in the marquee, led by Amir’s sister. It was a celebration of two families coming together and embracing one another’s cultures.

The evening before the wedding an Iranian caterer from London cooked a feast for both families, joined by Amir’s best man and my three best friends known affectionately as Ducky, Weezer and Bimmy.

The weekend continued on Sunday for party number three as my parents’ friends came to celebrate with us. Champagne and nibbles were served while everyone caught up on stories from the day before and toasted us again.

Fashion

I wore a stunning Alice Temperley dress, intricately beaded, high necked with a sheer patterned back. As soon as I tried it on I knew it was the one. Temperley made the experience such fun, even when I managed to rip the dress during my final fitting. A tiny baby blue flower was sewn into the lining for my something blue. My veil was borrowed from my best friend Ducky and my shoes were my favourite pair of high heeled boots which I had spent hours covering in individual crystals. For dancing I changed into a Nadine Merabi sequin jumpsuit which I kept secret from Amir so I could move freely without worrying about my dress.

Jewellery

I wore an heirloom tiara along with my grandmother’s diamond and pearl earrings. I kept the tiny star and moon studs in my second piercings as my nephews gave them to me and they remind us of our shared phrase, love you to the moon and back. I kept jewellery minimal so it would not distract from my dress.

Bridal Party

We had six little bridesmaids, Amir’s daughter Leila, my four goddaughters and my youngest niece Lexi, all in Rachel Riley ivory dresses with light blue flowers. The page boys, my nephews Josiah, Natty and Milo and Amir’s son Ted wore navy chinos and collarless shirts from Trotters with navy and light blue braces. My eldest niece Thea wore a long navy dress she chose from Monsoon.

Transportation

My father and I travelled to the church in my uncle’s classic Bentley Silver Dawn, which Amir and I also used to drive back to the reception. The older bridesmaids travelled behind us in a vintage Austin One.

Tablescape

Lucy Crosthwaithe created all the decorations, invitations, menus and name places. I trusted her completely as everything she designs is spectacular. The blue patterned tablecloth, blue water glasses and handwritten menus in her beautiful calligraphy made the tables look magical. She and her team also arranged the flowers for the marquee and bar, alongside the flowers brought back from the church and prepared by the Binsted flower ladies, led by Sam.

Food and Drinks

Alaister Carey catered the day and served canapés with Gosset Champagne and gin and tonics. Once seated, guests were served Iranian dips, Mast O Khiyah and Mirza Ghasemi, with flatbreads delivered from London. This was followed by cannon of lamb with Madeira sauce, crushed new potatoes, roasted cauliflower with tahini and broccoli with flaked almonds.

During speeches we served Chapel Down as a nod to my Kent heritage. For pudding we chose Amir’s favourite, Eaton Mess with autumn berries. Wines were paired by Guy Nightingale. Baklava was served with tea and coffee while cocktails including espresso martinis, mojitos and cosmopolitans flowed through the night.

Entertainment

As guests arrived at the church Christine Perkin, a family friend, accompanied my stepfather Andrew on the piano and he then played the organ throughout the service. Ben Hardy, another family friend, played Disney classics during the signing of the register.

At the reception a live saxophonist played Ibiza classics. After dinner the band Miami Coast kept everyone dancing.

Beauty Regime and Wellness

I felt some pressure as a plastic surgeon’s wife to look perfect on the day. Some of my friends booked their Botox and filler ahead of the wedding. I saw Dr Meriem Martins for Botox, filler and Profhilo and had BBL and Moxi laser in the months beforehand to tighten my skin.

My make up was applied by Emma and my hair was done by a friend. I follow a strict skincare regime using Obagi, SKIN and ALLSKIN MED. I have a monthly facial with Dr Meriem Martins and I exfoliate weekly. Cleansing, toning, retinol and SPF are non negotiable. Amir is very focused on mental health and goes to the gym whenever he can, believing in healthy body, healthy mind.

Favourite Wedding Gifts

My favourite gift was a collage made by my niece Thea which included my bouquet pressed inside it. Amir was overwhelmed by our friends’ generosity, from hand painted bowls to dinners for us to enjoy together. Our gift list was at The Wedding Shop in Fulham and I spent hours looking through linens, cutlery, vases and plates while Amir was in theatre.

Honeymoon

We wanted a relaxed mini moon the week after the wedding and stayed at The Swan in Lavenham. It gave Amir time to rest and switch off from surgery. Our full honeymoon is planned for January, something lovely to look forward to after Christmas.