This stunning Hampshire wedding started off with an intimate rehearsal dinner on the eve of Alana & Andrews wedding. Their closet friends and family gathered in the grand ballroom at Somerley to a romantic candlelit dinner, with gorgeous posies of white roses dotted along the long trestle tables. The perfect start to the most wonderful weekend.
On the wedding day itself, Alana spent the morning with her mum and bridesmaids, getting ready in the wonderful bridal preparation suites at Somerley before posing for some gorgeous bridal pictures. Her bridesmaids looked so elegant in their satin champagne gowns and elegant white posy bouquets. Alana looked simply stunning in a Suzanne Neville dress with a v-neck front and back, flowing satin train, elegant veil and Manolo Blahnik heels.
After the bridal prep shots, Alana headed to the church in style in a classic white Rolls Royce. The beautiful church featured the most stunning floral arch to frame the bride and groom on their exit, where they were greeted by a confetti shower.
Back at Somerley House, preparations for Alana & Andrews reception and after party were in full swing. A split-level marquee had been erected in the private gardens with lots of preparations and details being finalised. The wedding breakfast area featured several long trestle tables lined with candles and bud vase floral arrangements in neutral shades with pops of peach and pink. Opulent chandeliers hung from the marquee ceiling and were adorned with lush green foliage for a beautifully elevated and organic feel. Down on the ground floor of the marquee, the evening entertainment area was being set up – an incredibly impressive dance floor, lighting and stage were being installed in preparation for what was set to be an epic party later on in the day! Once set up, this area would be hidden behind a privacy curtain to later be unveiled to guests after the wedding breakfast.
Alana & Andrew wanted a beautifully elegant wedding cake that complimented their wedding florals. I designed a 4 tier all white cake with subtle floral embossing to add texture and incorporated their wedding monogram into the design. To pull in the beautiful pastel colour palette and florals from their wedding styling, I added an abundance of sugar flowers in blush tones including roses, peonies, blossoms and cosmos.
After feasting on a delicious wedding breakfast courtesy of Kalm Kitchen, the evening festivities began. A privacy curtain dropped to reveal the evening set up with the bride and groom in position for their first dance (The Stylistics, ‘You make me feel brand new’. A huge glitter ball (including dancers with glitter balls on their heads!) and neon lights decorated the dance floor with an art deco feel/design. A live band kick started the evening party followed by a DJ, providing the party tunes late into the night.
Alana & Andrew made the most of the all-weekend, exclusive access to their stunning venue, hosting a post wedding brunch for their nearest and dearest the day after the wedding.
Such a beautiful wedding and a beautiful couple – this was a real highlight of my year! Here are just a few of the gorgeous couples portraits that their talented photographer, Steph Newton, captured of them on the day:
- Venue: Somerley House
- Photographer: Steph Newton Photography
- Florist: Millie Rich Flowers
- Caterer: Kalm Kitchen
- Wedding Cake Designer: Louise Hayes
- Bridalwear: Dress – Suzanne Neville, Shoes – Minolo Blahnik
- Hair/make-up: Blow London
- Production: Knight Light Events
- Marquee: Greenhill Marquees
- Video: Affinity Wedding Films
- Stationery: Retro Press UK
- Church Choir: High Row Music
- Band: Soul Supreme band
- String Quartet: Blue Topaz Music
- DJ: Wardy DJ
- Percussion: J Walks Artist
- Evening Bars: Bootle Gliquor
- Event Dancers: Ultimate Event Dancers