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Wedding Guide 2023

This year, weddings are all about going large, getting creative and, above all else, possibility. Remember that street-food truck in Nashville you loved? Re-create the experience for your canapés. Want to perfectly match your invitations to your dress? No problem. Whether you’re planning a classic church wedding at home or a romantic weekend in the Riviera, we have talked to the people at the top of their game, from bespoke jewellers to the most sought-after wedding planners, to help to inspire you to plan the most unforgettable weekend of your lives

Researched and edited by

Holly Kirkwood

Structural integrity

Bridalwear is going to be all about the silhouette this year, according to those in the know. ‘Girls want to make a statement with dresses that are big, bold and powerful,’ explains bespoke bridalwear designer Caroline Castigliano. ‘These dresses feature classic shapes created with corsets, big sleeves and long trains, which means we are working with a lot of very structural fabrics, such as mikado, organza and satin, which ensure the silhouette is absolutely immaculate.’ Detailing comes with the accessories. ‘Everything from the veil to a shrug or a beautiful little jacket can be embellished to add to the interest,’ Mrs Castigliano explains (www.carolinecastigliano.com).

Life’s a beach

Honeymooning couples are returning to beaches and island locations with an emphasis on luxury and relaxation, according to travel expert The Turquoise Holiday Company (TTHC). ‘Pre-pandemic, the big trend in honeymoons was to combine multiple destinations and/or regions within an adventurous two-to-three-week itinerary,’ explains Lizzie Jones from TTHC. ‘Now, we are seeing a shift back towards islands and beaches, with couples choosing to upgrade flights and rooms, rather than spending extra time away.’ Multi-centre trips combining safari and beach destinations are still popular, adds Miss Jones, whereas the most requested island locations this year include Tahiti, Fiji, the Seychelles, Thailand and Indonesia (www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk).

Joint effort

THE traditions around proposals may be changing, it seems, as couples are increasingly designing the engagement ring together. According to diamond and emerald specialist London DE, fewer men are choosing the ring alone, particularly when it’s a bespoke commission ‘It doesn’t have to take the romance out of the occasion,’ explains Philip Spencer, m anaging d irector of London DE. ‘Often, the man has proposed with something else very beautiful and then the couple comes in together to design the ring.

‘ There can still be an element of surprise. E ven when the girl’s been involved in the process, seeing the finished piece for the first time in real life is a hugely exciting moment’ (www.londonde.com).

A paw-fect day

Move over brides—a new star of the show will be stealing the limelight at weddings across the country this year, as the canine family members get involved. According to the latest findings from Guide Dogs, 94% of dog owners currently planning a wedding said they intended to assign a lead role in the celebrations to their hound. The report found the most common roles for dogs are starring in the first dance (42%), walking a bride down the aisle (39%), being the dog of honour or best man (37%) and taking ring-bearer responsibilities (30%).

Perfect fit

Two iconic British womenowned brands, Phillipa Lepley and Emmy London, have announced a new collaboration offering brides the chance to order exquisite handmade wedding shoes that exactly match their dress. The Emmy London shoes take three months to make and are all hand-embroidered onto fine tulle, then stretched and mounted over ivory suede. According to Mrs Lepley, the shoes ‘talk to the dresses’. as the dress blends into the shoes to create a complete bridal look (www.phillipalepley.com; www.emmylondon.com).

Inviting prospect

The bridal collaboration between Temperley London and Papier goes from strength to strength. One of the latest designs to launch is Toledo, a vibrant floral design inspired by the iconic Temperley Toledo dress, which allows brides to match their stationery to their dress. Each suite in the collaboration includes save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards, on-the-day essentials and post-wedding stationery (www.papier. com/collaborations/ temperley-london).

Mix it up

COCKTAIL carts continue to be wildly popular for weddings and a cocktail- class hen can be a fun place to get some ideas for the drinks menu.

Mixology Events in Shoreditch has built up a reputation for fun, hands-on evenings in which guests all learn to make four seasonal cocktails as well as inventing their own bespoke drink at the end.

‘We specialise in twists on classics, which is perfect for weddings,’ says Mixology’s Stephen Thompson. ‘Our classes are a great activity for a hen; our dedicated mixology rooms are an ideal place for everyone to bond and have a good time, as well as learning something new’ (www.mixologyevents.co.uk) .

Get personal

A welcome addition to every honeymoon wardrobe, beautiful silk pyjamas make for a marvellous wedding present. Olivia von Halle is the go-to designer for elegant nightwear; her silk bridal PJs are classic, and absolutely everything the company makes can be monogrammed. Her latest Costumier collection is an 18-piece edit, which renews the brand’s partnership with embroidery artist Jenny King to create amped-up, hand-finished pieces featuring exquisite beading and handsewn sequins, whereas the joyous faux fur-trimmed Queenie Equus is easily their most opulent robe to date (www.oliviavonhalle.com).

Smart style

As well as celebrating 35 years in the business in 2023, Surrey-based bridalwear boutique Miss Bush is offering a new line in store by Australian designer Toni Maticevski. Known for his attention to detail, architectural-inspired ruffles and modern fabric choices, Maticevski’s bridal collections can often be reworn after the big day is over. ‘There is an increasing demand for wedding dresses that work for a city wedding, or a legal ceremony and can also find a place in a wardrobe post wedding,’ says Miss Bush managing director Emma Meek. ‘I love this collection because it’s sharp, smart and flexible’ (www.missbush.co.uk).

Wedding venues

Best of British

We’ve located the top venues for four different styles of wedding from a festival-themed weekend to a smart London do Happy Valley, Norfolk

Cornish Tipi Weddings, Cornwall

Just inland from Port Isaac, this hidden Cornish valley makes a wonderful wedding location. Couples can choose from three very different spots in which to hold their ceremony—the canvas-and-willow pavilion, the woodland or down by the lake. The Grand Lodge makes a fine focal point for postceremony drinks and canapés, after which it’s up to the marquee meadow for the reception. The venue can host between two and 200 people and the weddings team works closely with every couple to bring their dream day to life. After the celebrations are over the tipis are ideal for friends and family who want to stay overnight—there is certainly no shortage of accommodation (01208 880781; www.cornishtipiweddings.co.uk).

Festival vibes

Set in a glorious corner of East Anglia, Happy Valley has developed a reputation over the years for magical woodland weddings. With nearly 10 acres of outdoor space and two rustic barns for indoor options, the venue can cater for anything from a two-person elopement all the way up to 250 guests, with 80 people able to sleep overnight in the quirky accommodation, which features a mix of bell tents, shepherd’s huts and luxe glamping cabins. The wedding packages span three days and two nights, so everyone comes away feeling as if they have had a marvellous holiday (01485 600719; www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk).

Hayne, Devon

Located in a tranquil spot between Exmoor and Dartmoor this privately owned Jacobean farmstead has a beautiful threshing barn, a newly renovated long barn and a walled garden as options for ceremonies indoors and out. Musicians by trade, the owners can provide top-class entertainment and organise everything from fine dining to a barbecue on the lawn—they even grow their own wedding flowers. Overnight accommodation includes the Long Barn, the Log Cabin, Shepherd’s Hut, Mongolian Yurt and a number of bell tents. Summer weddings can accommodate up to 200 guests with 100 staying overnight for a big festival wedding; winter weddings are smaller to keep everyone cosy (01363 82515; www.haynedevon.co.uk).

Wedding venues

Claridge’s, Mayfair W1

This iconic Art Deco hotel needs no introduction—it has been hosting Society weddings for well over a century. Couples often choose to hold their ceremony in the light-filled Drawing Room, but different rooms suit parties of varying sizes, from the legendary Ballroom to more intimate spaces, such as the French Salon or the Foyer Private Dining Room. The events team can help couples to plan every detail of their big day, from the catering to the cake—staff are accustomed to organising weddings from 30 people all the way up to 300. And, of course, for those who don’t want to go home yet the accommodation on offer is some of the best in town (020–7629 8860; https://claridges-weddings.venuecrew.com).

The Ned, Poultry EC2

London’s former Midland Bank building was reopened as a grande dame hotel six years ago and offers a handsome location right in the heart of the city. Couples can choose between six wonderfully characterful rooms of different sizes and shapes for their ceremony, from the cosy Rose Room to the Tapestry Room with its beautiful walnut panelling—although most larger weddings take over the entire sixth floor for exclusive use. There are a number of different wedding packages available or couples can go completely bespoke; either way the service, catering and accommodation will all be terrific—as will the photographs from the two spectacular outdoor terraces overlooking the City (020–3828 2000; https://the-ned-weddings.venuecrew.com).

Queen’s House, Greenwich SE10

Originally built as a ‘House of Delight’ for James I’s Queen, Anne of Denmark, this former palace in Greenwich is an impressive place to celebrate your union in style. The Great Hall is an historic setting for a wedding ceremony, with its original 17th-century black-and-white sunburst floor and seating for up to 120 guests. In the summertime, outdoor receptions on the south lawn offer spectacular views across Greenwich Park and beyond. After the wedding breakfast, guests head down to The Undercroft, a series of three vaulted underground rooms. With capacity for up to 150 people, it’s perfect for a party with its dedicated dance floor, bar and lounge area (020–8312 8517; www.rmg.co.uk/venue-hire).

Luis Holden Photography; @appleBimages; Elena Popa; Claridge’s; Matt Wing; National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London; Fiona Kelly; Kristin Perers

Classic countryside

Coworth Park, Berkshire

As the English country-house outpost of the Dorchester Collection, couples holding their wedding at Coworth Park can rest assured they’re in safe hands. Set in rolling Berkshire countryside, Coworth Park is equally happy hosting both intimate and large-scale weddings. In terms of outdoor locations, the enormously romantic 10-acre wildflower meadow is hard to beat, although the rose garden gives it a run for its money. Heading inside couples can choose between the magnificent Oval Room, the Oak Room, the Garden Room or the more informal setting of the renovated barn. There are a number of wedding packages to choose from, including accommodation for the bridal party and a host of fun added extras (01344 630539; www.dorchestercollection.com/en/ascot/coworth-park).

Wild Thyme & Honey, Gloucestershire

Located in Ampney Crucis just outside Cirencester, boutique hotel Wild Thyme & Honey’s recent refurbishment has delivered next-level tasteful country chic in spades. With 24 bedrooms (including No 3 London Road— arguably the finest suite in the Cotswolds), wedding parties book exclusive use of the hotel so they can have the run of the entire place. Couples can either have a church wedding in Cirencester or get married on-site in the Secret Garden Room, the Courtyard or the Wild Thyme & Honey Suite, which has room for 100 guests for supper and 140 in the evening. The events team is on hand to help couples plan their dream day. The food and beverage options are top class and the venue works with a network of local suppliers to source the finest in everything from flowers to photographers (01285 851806; www.wildthymeandhoney.co.uk).

Kin House, Wiltshire

This handsome Georgian country house, beautifully appointed throughout, promises to provide wedding parties with a pictureperfect home from home for a whole weekend. At the heart of the house, The Hearth Room, with its 18th-century fireplace, has space for up to 100 guests and makes a wonderful location for a ceremony; alternatively, the Garden House and the romantic outdoor Arbour can accommodate up to 200 people. Receptions are held in the Kilvert Hall, which sits in its own separate wing, after which night owls can take the party on to the Fitz Bar. Kin House sleeps 24 guests in 12 bedrooms, and its owners can organise classes, therapies and activities throughout the weekend, from early morning yoga to a restorative massage (01249 479385; www.kinhouse.co.uk).

Wedding venues

Romantic castles

Neidpath Castle, Scottish Borders

A castle wedding should provide romance first and foremost, and Neidpath near Peebles in the Scottish Borders has no shortage of wow factor. Located only an hour from Edinburgh, the venue offers wedding parties exclusive use of the castle over three days, with up to 94 guests on the big day itself. Choose to get married in The Laigh Hall, with its dramatic vaulted ceiling, or outside in the grounds, which offer a multitude of spectacular locations for photographs (a snowy winter wedding here is unforgettable). Drinks receptions take place on the battlements with their far-reaching views and the wedding breakfast is held in the storied Great Hall. The castle itself sleeps 16 overnight. Queen Mary’s Chamber— where Mary, Queen of Scots once slept as a friend of the Hay family—makes for a particularly special bridal suite (01721 720333; www.neidpathcastle.com/weddings).

Hay Castle, Powys

The history of Hay Castle goes back almost 1,000 years, from medieval sieges right up to the Swinging Sixties. Set in the heart of Hay-on-Wye, this historic venue sits against the spectacular backdrop of the Black Mountains and offers different options for a wedding ceremony from The Great Hall to the impressive Former Stateroom. Most weddings take place after the castle has closed to the public and are glamorous evening affairs, with room for 70 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and 120 for the reception. Couples looking to find out more should check the website for information on the Hay Castle Weddings Fair, to be held in the early summer (01497 820079; www.haycastletrust.org).

Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire

For sheer kerb appeal, wedding venues don’t get much better than Cluny Castle, a 14th-century Aberdeenshire property that is still a much-loved family home. Wedding parties have exclusive use of the venue for the weekend, including its spectacular private chapel. Drinks are held on the lawns in front of the castle and the wedding breakfast takes place in the Tenants’ Hall with its stained-glass mullioned windows, parquet flooring and seating for up to 94 guests—larger parties can opt for a marquee. With room for up to 26 guests overnight, the bride and groom can party the night away in this magnificent setting with all their favourite people (01330 833302; www.clunycastle.com/weddings).

Gavin Hill Photography; Kelly Weech Photography; @a_ontheroad

A feast for the senses

IT’S the moment everyone’s been waiting for: the ceremony is over and the guests are seated at their tables for the wedding breakfast. As the bride and groom appear as Mr and Mrs for the very first time, a huge cheer erupts around the room. And, according to d irector at Rocket Food (www.rocketfood.com) Charlie Grant Peterkin, it is this entrance, rather than the first dance, which is becoming the climax of the day ‘This is increasingly the big moment,’ he says. ‘Couples are choosing the music and planning it carefully to make everything perfect. And it’s straight after this that the food is served, so it’s important to keep that sense of drama nobody wants an anticlimax.’

Previous generations seemed to think of the wedding breakfast mainly as a chance for guests to mop up the booze, but couples are now taking a different approach, planning the menu carefully to reflect their tastes and

influences and foregrounding local, seasonal ingredients ‘We always try to make the food and drinks at a wedding really tell the story of the couple,’ explains Holly Congdon, director at Lettice Events (www.letticeevents.com)

‘For instance, lots of our clients have travelled together extensively, so incorporating food from the locations they’ve visited can be a great starting point it’s really fun to do this with the canapé s, where there is plenty of chance to experiment, from sushi stations to streetfood carts.’ Mr Grant Peterkin agrees that mixing things up can be fun: ‘Most of our clients like the idea of having two sit-down courses, after which you can do something more unusual like a dessert station where people serve themselves that way guests get to mix more as well.’

Using local, seasonal produce on all menus is an important part of the mission at Lettice and Miss Congdon is firm that this doesn’t

mean compromising on quality ‘We have some of the best ingredients in the world in the UK and we love to show that off,’ she explains. The team at Rocket also works hard to showcase British produce: ‘Once we agree the menu with the couple we can track down the best pos sible local suppliers. We’ve actually used vegetables from our client’s own garden before.’

Finally, a brilliant caterer can also help you squeeze the most out of your budget ‘Spend money on the things that are important to you and save elsewhere,’ Mr Grant Peterkin advises. ‘Is the cake really important or would you rather do good cheese ? Perhaps you can save a little bit on the wines and do entire turbots or t omahawk steaks for the main course. Our job is to show our clients the possibilities so they know they’re going to give their guests a truly memorable experience as well as a really good feed.’

Top caterers combine local, seasonal ingredients with international flavours to give the traditional wedding breakfast a modern twist

James Stack; Lara Arnott Photography

The wedding breakfast (top) is key, with Lettice (above left) and Rocket (above centre and right) keen to showcase local ingredients

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Wedding planners

Plan for perfection

GETTING engaged is a little bit like hopping onto a cloud and going for a ride for the next few weeks, wherever you go, friends, family and colleagues will want to give you Champagne and celebrate. But when the fuzzy head finally clears and the world returns to normal, you’ll realise you actually have a wedding to plan, which is no mean feat. Unsurprisingly, it is at this point that many people decide to enlist the help of a professional.

Founder at Apollo Events Tim Hanbury (www.apollo-ec.co.uk) has been taking the stress out of weddings for more than 30 years and, he believes, getting to know a couple is crucial ‘Sitting down with clients at home allows me to get a feel for who they are and what’s important to them. I also always make sure we are firm on budget and numbers from the outset being realistic is hugely important.’

Every wedding planner worth their salt explains straight away that securing the venue is key until you have this booked, you can’t lock in anything else. Getting married at home solves this issue, but plenty of couples have their hearts set on a hotel either in this

country or abroad. Indeed, post-Covid, destination weddings are more popular than ever, according to founder at GSP Events Emma Gold (www.gsp-uk.com) ‘I think many couples feel that if they’re spending all this money anyway, it’s fun to feel like they’re on holiday together. Going away also guarantees glorious weather and acts as a handy filter for the guest list,’ she points out. Most wedding planners have a definite aesthetic and you ca n research their work on their social channels to determine whether it fits with your own style. That said, GSP itself isn’t known for a particular look . ‘We like to pull in the right infrastructure and suppliers for each individual couple depending on what they require,’ explains Mrs Gold. ‘It’s about thinking outside of the box often we come up with things they didn’t know were even possible.’

Another wedding planner with a reputation for exquisite destination weddings is Bruce Russell (www.brucerussellevents.com). ‘Wedding planners don’t have a product instead, it’s all about the service,’ he explains. ‘And when choosing the right wedding planner for them, couples need to find a service which fits with their vision.’

A good wedding planner then takes that vision and brings it to life in the most authentic way possible, says Mr Russell ‘We are there to take the worry out of everything. Once we have organised your dream wedding down to the most minute detail, we are there on the day, too, to make sure it’s all executed perfectly so you and your guests can relax and have the most original, joyful, unforgettable day. And we get to be part of it it’s the best job in the world.’

The best wedding planners help you to get creative in organising your dream day

GSP Events has a reputation for planning exquisite destination weddings all over the world

Apollo Events always finds a way to add something a little different to weddings

Wedding jewellery

A piece of history

EVEN fresh out of the box , an engagement ring is a piece imbued with instant significance, but a ring that has been passed down over the generations becomes a highly storied item. Incredible as they are, older pieces can appear dated, so many couples have family rings remade into something more suited to 21st - century life.

Only a very select band of jewellers have their own on-site workshops this is highly specialised work but those that do are able to remodel treasured family pieces for a new generation of wearer. ‘In the 19th and 20th centuries, rings were not the same because women lived their lives very differently,’ explains Omar Vaja from Bentley & Skinner (www.bentley-skinner.co.uk). ‘Today’s young ladies put their jewellery through quite the

From engagement rings to tiaras, reworking family jewellery is a wonderful way of giving pieces a new lease of life

Top and above: Glamorous recycling: designer Harriet Kelsall prides herself on bringing older pieces to life by transforming them into beautiful items of jewellery

they’re at the gym, they’re at work, they’re getting their children ready for school; even driving can cause damage to an older piece.

‘When we rework an engagement ring we have to make sure it’s going to be up to the job required of it,’ Mr Vaja explains. ‘Of course the ring must be beautiful, but it must also be practical, and the design has to be absolutely classic just as wonderful on a girl when she’s 90 as when she’s 29.’

Harriet Kelsall’s workshop in Hertfordshire (www.hkjewellery.co.uk) prides itself on being able to rework almost anything for a client ‘People come to us with all sorts of pieces, from brooches and pendants to old strings of pearls. We not only remake engagement rings, but pieces for the whole wedding party, from cufflinks for the groom to sparkly things for the bridesmaids,’ she says.

‘We call it glamorous recycling so many families have jewellery sitting around that isn’t worn, but when it’s reworked it can also serve as a memory of the people it once belonged to, such as a great - grandmother. After all, diamonds are already millions of years old which is what makes them such a great symbol of commitment so it’s absolutely the right thing to do.’

Of course the wedding day isn’t only about the rings tiaras are a very good example of family pieces that don’t get a huge amount of wear. Mr Vaja loves watching tiaras being restored. ‘We give them a thorough clean and ensure everything is sitting properly on the frame, then we change the ribbon to match

the girl’s hair colour it’s a joy to see a tiara coming back to life,’ he says.

Alternatively, tiaras that aren’t being worn at all can be completely reimagined ‘Not long ago, we remade a marvellous tiara into a smaller piece for the wedding day and turned the remaining stones into gifts for the wed ding party,’ remembers Mrs Kelsall.

A word of warning it’s always worth taking a piece for an assessment before it’s broken up. ‘I had a client who came in with a ring she didn’t want to wear, but it was an incredible

piece,’ remembers Mr Vaja. ‘I said to her “Please don’t change a thing, this ring is a classic, just live with it for a while and see how you feel…” The woman i s now a longterm client and every time we see each other she thanks me for persuading her to keep it exactly as it was.’

If you don’t want to completely remodel a ring, then party jackets detachable pieces that fit around the ring are another option.

Designer Jessica McCormack (www.jessica mccormack.com) is known for her imaginative jackets that can be bought off the shelf or made bespoke in her workshop to fit onto an existing ring. ‘I really believe we should be wearing our jewellery,’ she explains. ‘Especially the pieces that hold meaning to us, so when someone comes to me with something that they love, but aren’t wearing, it makes sense to sit together and discuss what type of piece they will actually wear.

‘I recently finished a bespoke commission for a client who came to us with a beautiful fancy pink pear-shaped diamond that we reworked into a button-back pinky-ring and surrounded with a diamond crescent - moon party jacket. I’ve also being doing some hex r ing hybrid party jackets where you take a simple solitaire ring and add a jacket around it. This makes the ring feel very 1920s, but tremendously modern at the same time, because of the use of negative space.’

So many families have jewellery that isn’t worn, but when it’s reworked it can serve as a memory of the people it once belonged to

The New York ( left ), the Crescent Moon ( below ) and the Wing of Desire ( bottom right ) are examples of exquisite partyjacket rings created by Jessica McCormack

Wedding gifts

Present and correct

ONCE upon a time, creating a gift list meant spending hours in a vast department store deliberating over five types of fork but , happily, this is no longer the case. ‘A few people still think of gift lists as a bit old fashioned, but that is simply not true,’ says Georgie Evans from The Wedding Present Company (WPC) (www.weddingpresentco.com), which creates bespoke wedding lists full of wonderful things for its clients.

The WPC showroom in Chelsea , London SW10, is a veritable Aladdin’s cave here, couples meet their weddingl ist a dviser, who sits them down over a glass or two of fizz to find out what their house is like, which designers and brands they admire and what’s important to them at home. After this, couples are let loose in the showroom to try things out ‘It’s actually so fun for people because they get to come in and play house,’ says Mrs Evans. ‘Sometimes the men arrive slightly reluctant , but often by, the end, they’re enjoying themselves more than the girls.’

WPC advisers are full of bright ideas, such as bringing elements from the wedding into your home. ‘If you’re having an amazing barbecue or a cocktail cart at the wedding, then put one on your

list and it will be a source of happy memories,’ suggests Mrs Evans.

‘In every category, we only stock brands that we absolutely love,’ she continues. ‘It’s all about the quality because you’re investing in your future. These are pieces that are going to be with you for years we’re not interested in fads.’

Including some elements linked to the wedding day itself, such as a cocktail cart, on your gift list can help to bring those memories into your everyday married lives

maker will outlast all of us,’ jokes founder Tara Button. It’s certainly worth giving some thought to curating a list that is going to bring you little moments of happiness for the rest of your lives. After all, as Mrs Evans points out, the gift list is the one part of the ‘wedmin’ that doesn’t revolve around the wedding day itself ‘This list isn’t about preparing for your wedding which is really the most important part of all,’ she concludes.

Three hero products from The Wedding Present Company

Umbrella Stand, Soho Home, £180 Zester, Walnut Wood, Microplane, £40

Sustainability is also a huge focus for online retailer Buy Me Once ( https:// uk.buymeonce.com) , which has built up a collection of homeware it guarantees will last you forever. The company’s wedding list is a popular option with couples who want to ‘buy well and buy once’. ‘We do vast amounts of research to ensure we only stock the very ‘best in show’ items we know will stand the test of time. Everything from our frying pans to our espresso

Picnic Rug, Olive, Tweedmill, £114

Compiling a gift list is a fun chance to future-proof your lives with things that are both beautiful and useful

These are pieces that are going to be with you for years–we’re not interested in fads