Inside: A Serene Wedding At Cliveden House

The Story

We met at work, I was working for the family business in HR and a mutual friend asked if I could hook Daniel up with a job, so I ended up employing him and a friendship grew from there.

The proposal was in Santorini. Our first night there we went out for a beautiful meal, watching the sun set. When we returned to the room afterwards the entrance and leading into the bedroom was candlelit and covered in rose petals. That’s when he got down on one knee! The engagement ring was one on my late mother’s rings which made it extra special.

Venue

The wedding day was just perfect from start to finish. I started my day with yoga on the terrace with my bridesmaids, overlooking the beautiful gardens of Cliveden, there was a lovely sense of calm. Daniel started his playing tennis with the groomsmen and other family members.

Then came the ceremony, neither of us were nervous, just excited to start this new adventure together. It truly was the happiest day, surrounded by our friends and family.

A stunning mirrored aisle was lined by incredible florals and the floral arch provided the perfect backdrop for the outdoor ceremony.

The wedding reception decor was filled with soft pinks and golds, it was warm and romantic during the day. The evening decor the venue was transformed into a wild safari party.

We knew we wanted a UK wedding as we really wanted all the family there, I had always envisioned an outdoor ceremony, a little risky with the English weather but we were so lucky with beautiful sunshine so the back up plan was not required.

The day before we hosted a BBQ at the Spring Cottage in Cliveden House. Cliveden was rented exclusively for our wedding.

Fashion

I wore a bespoke Phillipa Leple. with the most stunning pair of Manolos. More about the dress can be found here. Daniel dressed to impress in a Gieves & Hawkes suit.

Jewellery

The engagement ring was one on my late mother’s rings, from Picketts & Pursers.

Bridal Party

The bridesmaids dresses were from Lynda Yong. We chose different styles to suit all my bridesmaids and to make them feel beautiful and comfortable.

Each guest had a welcome box in their bedroom, we had personalised cocktail napkins as well as cute little gold animal stirrers for the evening cocktails.

Transportation

We didn’t arrange any guests transfers as all our guests stayed at Cliveden as the venue was rented exclusively for us.

We rented a Rolls Royce for the weekend that we used the evening before for our pre-wedding photos at sunset at Cliveden House, just before our welcome event at Spring Cottage (where we planned a bbq for our families). The Rolls Royce was then vinyled with zebra print and was dressed with flowers by our florist with an abundance of tropical foliage giving an incredible display for the evening jungle party.

Tablescape

The tablescape was beautiful, elegant and full of blush, gold and white flowers.

We had a bespoke made escort card wall created with gold mirror writing. It was completed with small glass bottles filled with a shot and personalised with name cards for each guest.

Our sit down wedding breakfast was in the Andre Garret Restaurant. The restaurant has been transformed into a bright and airy space. It has been recarpeted in a stunning blush carpet to create a base for the fresh and luxurious design. The table design was kept rose gold and ivory with beautiful blush touches and elegant styling throughout including personalised menu cards for each guest.

For the after party we moved into the Great Hall which was transformed into a jungle styled party. It created a relaxed club feel using a clash of prints, smoked bubbles and confetti cannons throughout the evening, large palms and other foliage. We had personalised napkins and colourful metallic safari animal cocktail stirrers for a fun little touch. We also added lights in the garden to create a stunning visual for guests as they lounged outside on the terrace and projected into the entrance were our initials monogrammed.

Food & Drink

The themed cake and sweet treats buffet display from Rosalind Miller was a real hit and incorporated the evening party theme, as was the jungle-themed photo booth from Beatrice and Bertrum. I also have to mention the edible mist orbs from Lick Me I’m Delicious that created an
intense cloud of floating inhalable flavour you suck up through a straw for an instant flavour hit.

For the cake, a stunning cake plinth was built in the centre of the French Dining Room to complement the grandeur of the space while tying in the contemporary design of the outdoor area. Our florist then created a beautiful ring of flowers to sit beneath the cake.

Entertainment

We hired an 11-piece band, Totem Superstars to made sure everyone hit the dance floor. We had musicians, an aerial dancer and a magician from Sternberg Clarke to entertain our guests during the drinks reception in the gardens and there was even an adorable vintage carousel from Irvin with funfairs on the lawns!

Beauty Regime & Wellness

I’d have loved to do pre-wedding treatments but having a toddler and work made making time for that a tad tricky so I just stuck to my favourite products to ensure my skin was the best it could be. My hair was done by Victoria Preece, and my wonderful bestie who had flown over from Australia did my makeup. I am very particular about how it is done and she knows me well so I loved having her and she did an amazing job!

Honeymoon

We started our honeymoon in Botswana on safari. A first for both of us and it was absolutely incredible. As soon as we arrived at our first camp, Zarafa, we entered our room only to be met by a beautiful elephant greeting us on our balcony. He stuck around whilst we dipped our toes in the plunge pool and popped the champagne. After 6 days on safari we headed to

North Island in the Seychelles to relax and unwind. Then a short stay in the One&Only in Dubai on the way home.