Lauren and Chris married at the wonderful Coworth Park in Ascot, Berkshire. The Dorchester Collection’s, 5 star luxury hotel is set in the most stunning grounds, including a wild flower meadow in which the Bride and Groom were to be married.
Lauren was introduced to me through our mutual friend Amanda Handley whom I had known for years as the luxury event’s organiser in London. She was to be married originally in another hotel but due to a last minute sale of the venue - the wedding switched to Coworth Park - Emma, the amazing events organiser, stepped up to help with less than 5 weeks notice, and were simply amazing. I finally met Lauren and Chris, thanks to Covid restrictions, almost a year after our initial conversation. However, when we did meet, it was on the most beautifully sunny day at Coworth Park. Their Wild Flower Meadow was in full bloom, the sun was shining and it was as if it was always meant to be there..
My Bride and Groom had met online - love at first glance really as Lauren had only just signed up and the first person she met was Chris! They have a beautiful little girl together and were looking forward to their wedding day.
I arrived early and went up to see Lauren and the girls in their gorgeous suite. I love the atmosphere of the Bridal Suite on the morning of a wedding. The atmosphere is wonderful! There is just that right balance of excitement, the smell of amazing flowers and luscious products - oh, and a lot of excitement! Lauren was in her make-up artist’s chair having the final touches applied. Never skimp on a great make-up and hair artists - obviously, their job is to make you look great but, the rare atmosphere of calm around them really sets you up for the day. Her lovely Mum helped the smaller girls to get ready.
The Bridal bouquet was simply stunning! “A loosely bound posy-style bouquet of fully blown roses including Secret Garden, Mentha and Majolika varieties bound by stems of delicate plum coloured raw silk ribbon.” - Hannah Martin Flowers - we love you!
Lauren’s team of 5 Bridesmaids and 2 Flower Girls comprised of family and her best friend who was her Matron of Honour - and top dresser! The Flower Girls obviously stole the show for cuteness!
The Reveal - The Father of the Bride entered the room to meet his daughter as a Bride. He was great - so understated, so proud and his smile was fabulous! It was time for the wedding to start!
The gazebo was set up with the most perfect white hydrangea and soft pink roses surrounded by a complimentary ivy and eucalyptus.
The Bride walked down the long grassy aisle of the wild flower meadow with her father - her Groom waiting for her in awe, by the gazebo with his Best Man at his side. Sometimes there are tears - and sometimes, there are the biggest smiles, today was the latter. The Ceremony began.
Such beaming smiles - even when the rings wouldn’t quite go on without a push! The Flower Girls also had a great time! Then after the ceremony the new husband and wife walked back down the grassy aisle to a plethora of confetti thrown by their wonderful guests.
The couple held a Champagne Reception in the Rose Garden.
The Wedding Breakfast was beautifully decorated helped in no small way by the Bride's mother who personally decorated the table plan mirror and added to the florist's decorations on the tables with tea lights. The floral pedestals from the ceremony were also prominent. Simple copper floral decorations for the tables. The Bride’s Aunt had made her beautiful 3 tiered marble wedding cake - this was surrounded by a copper hexagonal decoration with the floral theme continuing.
The Father of the Bride gave the Welcoming Speech - a touching and amusing few words dedicated to his daughter and the wonderful mother she had become. After the Wedding Breakfast, it was the turn of the Groom and his Best Man. The Groom’s speech was warm and full of love for his wonderful Bride - The Best Man recalled some dubious early dance routines that I won’t share here but otherwise paid a fitting tribute to their long friendship.
It was time for the Cutting of the Cake and the First Dance. The Bride’s Aunt had put a great deal of effort into making and decorating the cake. As is their right, the flower girls were first on the dance floor, inspecting the cake. Then, after checking the height of the ceiling - Lauren tossed her bouquet - which was caught by her Brother’s long time partner and mother of the other flower girl - she also appeared to be the only one trying to catch the bouquet...
The Bride and Groom’’s first dance was lovely - followed by a Father and Daughter dance which was amended to include all of her family and the Groom dancing with his lovely Mum.
Being high summer it was still gorgeous outside - and the sun was fully out and glorious! Lauren and Chris saw this too and after collecting up the still clean Flower Girls we moved into the warm evening light and the now even more colourful Wild Flower Meadow. What perfection! The warmth of the light and the obvious happiness of my gorgeous Bride and Groom with their completely scrummy Flower Girls shone through. I truly love my job. Photo spamming - hard to edit, gorgeous in every way!
Thank you so much for having me Lauren and Chris - I loved your wedding!
Lauren and Chris said in their 5 star review;
“I cannot thank Gill enough for taking our wedding photos. She took the time to understand what we wanted and really captured the day, she was fun too! She was mega flexible with us (thanks COVID) and super quick in responding to any questions we had. If you are looking for a photographer to ‘get you’, to blend into the background and capture those moments that you might miss on the day but are so important to have … Gill’s your photographer!”
Venue Coworth Park, Ascot
Lauren work a dress from The Dress Bridalwear in Teddington
Bridesmaid dresses were from Needle & Thread
Make up Rosie Scott
Hair Mitch @mjreynolds
Flowers by the wonderful Hannah Martin Flowers
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