Inside Olivia Harper Lower’s Super-Chic Cotswolds Celebration

From a sun-soaked English garden weekend at The Rectory in Crudwell, where fashion-forward styling met thoughtful personal touches, to a soundtrack that drifted effortlessly from Elvis to Abba via brass band and sax, step inside Olivia Harper-Lower and Jaydon Harper-Lower’s intimate July wedding celebration – joyful, immersive and beautifully considered from start to finish.

The Story So Far

Jaydon and I met in 2016, although in many ways our story started long before that. We grew up in the same town, went to the same primary school and shared mutual friends, yet our paths never crossed until the timing was right. We often talk about the invisible string theory, and it became a really meaningful part of our vows. It always felt like we were destined to find one another, just not until the right moment.

Jaydon proposed in October 2023 beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He surprised me with the trip and suggested we head to the tower before dinner. As I stood admiring the light show, he got down on one knee and asked the question. It was completely unexpected and so emotional. We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating in Paris, which made it feel even more special.

Although the proposal itself was a surprise, we had worked on the ring together earlier that year. I dropped a few hints about designs I loved, and Jaydon organised a bespoke 3.8 carat oval diamond set on a gold band. It was, and still is, my absolute dream ring.

The Venue

We got married on 29 July 2025 at The Rectory in Crudwell, tucked away in the quiet heart of the Cotswolds. It felt like the perfect halfway point between my hometown in Somerset and where we, and most of our friends, live in London.

When searching for a venue, we were really conscious that we wanted somewhere that felt like an escape. Not just for us, but for our guests too. We were keen to avoid a traditional wedding venue where everything felt prescriptive and instead wanted complete creative freedom over the weekend. That led us to explore boutique hotels rather than wedding venues.

We discovered The Rectory through The Telegraph’s list of top UK hotels and I was instantly drawn to the outdoor pool. That detail became central to our English garden escape vision. When we visited, everything just clicked. We stayed for the evening, enjoyed the incredible food by the chef and even took a dip in the pool. It felt relaxed, special and intimate, and the glasshouse space was the perfect setting to host our 65 guests for both the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

The Night Before

The night before the wedding, we hosted a ‘One Day Away’ cocktail party beside the pool at the top of The Rectory’s gardens. Our florist, Fi Passey of Corky and Prince, decorated circular tables around the pool with soft white florals, paired with blue and white striped parasols.

We created a custom cocktail bar serving drinks Jaydon and I both love, alongside a wine bar. At the opposite end of the pool was a long table filled with incredible food from the chef. There were chargrilled meats and vegetables, focaccia, local delicacies and a huge layered Eaton mess stacked high, which quickly became an iconic photo moment.

Personal touches were really important to us, so we hung photos from our ten year love story around the pool with ribbon, created a wishing well using Cotswolds postcards and added a music station filled with Elvis Presley records, a singer who means so much to us both. We also had a merch area with custom Cotswolds wedding hats and bags illustrated with a sketch of the venue. Seeing guests still wearing them around town now makes us smile.

We danced until around midnight with live sax and guitar, and of course it would not have been a poolside party without Jaydon and the best men jumping into the pool before the night ended.

Fashion

My dress was by Spanish designer House of St Patrick, a name I had carried with me for years after spotting their designs in a boutique window in Barcelona long before I was engaged. The dresses felt classic and bridal, but with a subtle fashion edge that really spoke to me.

When I began trying on dresses in London, I found most styles fell into two categories. Either very classic or very edgy. Neither quite felt like me. I did some research and discovered Bridal Rouge Gallery on Connaught Street, where House of St Patrick was stocked. I booked an appointment with my bridal party, and the moment I walked into the showroom I saw The Britannia. A mikado silk gown with a tiered skirt that immediately stopped me in my tracks.

As soon as I tried it on, we all knew. It felt like it had been made for me. I paired it with Amina Muaddi heels, chosen because the lace mirrored my mantilla cathedral veil. I later had our initials and wedding date embroidered into the veil, which made it feel incredibly special.

My something blue came from my bridesmaids and my mum. My bridesmaids wore baby blue high neck open back dresses with matching scarves, while my mum wore a blue gown that complemented the palette beautifully.

Jewellery

On the morning of the wedding, I was gifted my something new. A pair of Cartier Love hoop earrings. I wore these alongside one carat oval diamond studs, which matched my engagement ring and wedding band perfectly.

Tablescape

The glasshouse came to life exactly as I had imagined. Draping ran from ceiling to floor and across the tables, with hydrangeas cascading throughout the space and continuing from our cocktail hour bar.

Guests found their seating assignments displayed on an oversized mirror outside the glasshouse, with handwritten envelopes containing a poem Jaydon and I had written for each guest alongside their table and seat number. Once inside, their place cards were tambourines tied with blue and white striped ribbon, which quickly became part of the energy of the wedding breakfast and stayed with everyone onto the dance floor.

The atmosphere built throughout the meal and completely set the tone for the evening ahead.

Food and Drink

Food and drink were a huge focus for us. Guests were welcomed with a personalised lemonade stand outside the venue, which felt perfect for the summer sunshine.

After the ceremony, cocktail hour took place at our hydrangea draped bar with free flowing champagne, wine, beer and three bespoke cocktails. Maple’s Margarita, named after our cockapoo. The Harper Lower Highball. And Liv’s Laugh, Love Paloma.

Our wedding breakfast began with lightly smoked trout tartare, followed by sliced sirloin with potato cake and finished with a Valrhona chocolate cremeux. We then cut into our three tier vintage piped cake filled with vanilla sponge and strawberry champagne jam.

Entertainment

Music was pivotal to the entire day. We had a live violinist during the ceremony, with my walk down the aisle to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. After the ceremony, our guests were surprised by a walking brass band who played us out and continued through cocktail hour, performing some of our favourite Elvis songs and ABBA classics.

During dinner, singers and saxophonists performed between courses, bringing guests up onto their feet before plates were even cleared. For our first dance, Jaydon and I chose The Wonder of You by Elvis Presley, before the evening carried on with sax, drums and DJ sets filled with 2000s classics.

Beauty and Wellness

Jaydon and I both had pre wedding spray tans ahead of the celebrations. For my hair and makeup, I wanted something effortless and glowing. My makeup artist focused on skin prep and luminosity, while my hair was styled into soft Hollywood waves that framed my dress beautifully. The bridal party wore sleek updos and glowing complexions, which tied everything together perfectly.

The Honeymoon

Instead of a traditional gift list, we were lucky enough to be gifted experiences and funds towards our honeymoon. We left for Santorini the day after the wedding, spending ten days at Santo Pure, which felt like the perfect way to extend the magic.

Advice

Enjoy every moment. The planning, the small details and the evenings spent bringing your vision to life go by so quickly. Even when it feels like another job, those moments are incredibly special.

It’s your day, your way. There is no right or wrong. Stick to what feels true to you as a couple and do not let outside noise interfere.

Celebrate the tiny moments. From choosing your dress to giving notice, those smaller milestones become part of your love story too.