Henrietta & Michael

English Garden Elegance at Ashby Manor

This beautiful intimate wedding celebration for Henrietta & Michael at Ashby Manor House in Northamptonshire was an absolute dream to design. From the soft romantic English garden inspired florals framing the Music Room window, to the curved stationery designs and Ceremony chair layout mirroring the Lutyens Hall ceiling. Each and every single detail was carefully considered and refined to perfection. We couldn’t have asked for a better brief!

Arrival

Henrietta & Michael’s guests were invited to stay in Ashby Manor House for the weekend. In each couple’s bedroom there was beautiful Welcome Gift Bag awaiting for them to enjoy a few treats throughout their stay. These thoughtful gifts are something I really LOVE to create, to excite and enhance each guests experience. Each bag contained luxurious Aesop goodies, Salted Caramel Truffles from The Chocolatier, a bespoke guideline to the weekend’s events, and bottled Voss with Berocca tablets for their delicate heads on Sunday morning!

 

On Friday evening, guests were treated to a selection of delicious pizzas and flatbreads cooked in the pizza oven of this fabulous converted Land Rover Defender. Served alongside a curated grazing table filled with Italian speciality cheeses, bruschetta, olives and cured meats. We also created bespoke cocktails with a selection of the couples favourite spirits, including a Negroni, Boulevardier, Margarita and French 75’s – heaven!

Ceremony

Henrietta & Michael really wished for a relaxed personal Ceremony, so their Blessing was conducted by a Celebrant rather than having a legal Civil Ceremony. Isabel Russo was the perfect match for them, and created the most wonderful script for their celebrations which felt so very personal and truly memorable forever. Henrietta walked down the aisle to Vivaldi’s ‘Spring’, performed beautifully by the Nero String Quartet. It really did feel magical.

We created this curved seating layout in the Music Room, as a nod to Edwin Lutyens style. As the Architect of this beautiful Northamptonshire home, we wanted to highlight some of Henrietta & Michael’s favourite design features of the house. The ceiling in the central room of the home, Lutyens Hall, became a focal point of inspiration for our designs. India at Vervain exceeded our brief, and created these gorgeous wild and organic floral arrangements for the Ceremony. Filled with British beauty as an extension of the fabulous gardens at Ashby Manor House.

Dining

For Henrietta & Michael’s dinner, we wanted to create something truly unique and special to reflect them as a couple. Hosted in the exquisite Lutyens Hall, with it’s detailed curved ceiling, and light flooding in through the windows, we designed an intimate feasting tablescape. We used delicate greenery and English florals, blended with brass bowls overspilling with luscious fruits, tapered candles and the softest green tones for linen and glassware. Each tablescape piece was considered; with sage ceramic pinch pots for salt & pepper and mango wooden boards for the freshly baked bread (Olive & sun-blushed tomato foccacia) and flavoured butters (roasted garlic and maple butter!). As a result, it truly was the most decadent meal with a 5 course feast, accompanied by wine flights; a menu which we designed in collaboration with the White Swan Shawell.

DREAM TEAM

Wedding Design, Planning & Management: Vanilla Rose Weddings

Venue: Ashby Manor House | Floral Design: Vervain

Photography: Lucy Davenport

 

If you’re just starting to plan your Cotswolds wedding celebration, and looking for a luxury UK based Wedding Planner, discover my wedding planning services here.  I offer a bespoke service to suit your wedding plans, inspiration and ideas. If you’ve fallen in love with the beauty of Ashby Manor House, and would like to enquire about hosting your wedding or celebration there, Send me an email to schedule an initial Discovery Call with me. I’d love to learn more about your plans and help you to realise your dream English wedding. Let’s make your wedding planning more about joy, and less about stress!

 

Jeni x