The real marriage that we have today is elegant, fun, and, surprisingly, very close to home.
We are based in the UK, with a bit of Ireland and Dubai for good measure. We feature weddings all over the world, including in the US, Europe, and even further afield.
It’s an honor to share Sophie and David’s romantic wedding today on the blog by Fiona Kelly Photograph and to show off the cool couples, amazing venues, and talented vendors that English Weddings is all about.
Sophie and David’s country house wedding was set against the beautiful Woburn Abby in Bedfordshire, so they needed very little to make the event special.
The styling was brought together by an abundance of spring florals in peach tones, with touches of purple for the bridesmaids’ dresses and subtle grey ribbons.
Sophie looked so chic in her Claire Pettibone gown with the ballerina bun (look for the signature back detail), and David’s grey bespoke suit matched the grandeur surrounding him. This couple is a great example of how to be both elegant and contemporary on your wedding day.
David and Sophie’s wedding was not about style or decor but about their family and friends and their dancefloor.
When asked to describe their wedding day in three words, the newlyweds replied, “Love, laughter, and lots of drunken people” (that’s actually more than three, sorry!) ).”
It sounds like a fun day!
Wedding Day Snapshot
The Story of Our Proposal
Sophie’s last gift was a small, ribbon-wrapped box on the morning of her 28th birthday.
She opened the box and found a Scrabble set with a note that read, “Make a phrase to claim your prize …” As she began to remove each letter, she guessed that they spelled out, “Will You Marry Me?”
The Venue
The moment we walked into the Sculpture Gallery of Woburn Abby, we knew that it was the place for us. It had a quirky but traditional feel.
The room is filled with large art pieces, Roman marble columns at one end, and giant windows that let in the light from the garden.
Even though we visited during our anniversary weekend, the hairs still stood up on our necks.
The Ceremony
Dave’s father wrote an amazing reading entitled ‘Chance.’ It was about our meeting and journey to where we are today.
Enjoying Our Favorite Moments
The party was full of laughter and lots of drunken people.
The wedding was not for those who wanted to sit down. It was all about dancing.
Advice to other couples
Make a list of things to do, plan early, and visit many venues. Ignore other people’s opinions. If you enjoy it, then do it. It’s your day.
The Refreshments
Each guest received a favor that contained toffee-flavored chocolates from Cartel, Cumbria, where we were engaged.
Prosecco, elderflower press, and canapes were served at the reception. An elegant sit-down meal followed this.
Chocolate fondant is a favorite dessert!
We both went to bed at around 4 a.m. after enjoying a few drinks throughout the evening.
The Music
Dave made a playlist for us that included all of our favorite songs, including the Buble version of Frank Sinatra’s “For Once in My Life.”
Honeymoon
We flew out the day after our wedding, which was on a Saturday …. We’d advise anyone who is doing this to try and fly out immediately because you can continue to celebrate in privacy and relax following the big day.
After a city stop of three nights in Kuala Lumpur, we went to Bali for four days (Ubud), then to the Gili Islands, and back to Bali for another four nights.
