Once upon a wedding Kate and Ben’s magical day at Ashridge House was a storybook celebration of love, laughter and unforgettable details Images courtesy of Camilla Joy Photography Ben and Kate met in college while studying acting and quickly bonded, so much that tutors separated them because Ben was “distracting Kate.” Eight years later, on a romantic trip to the Maldives, Ben proposed during a surprise sunset beach dinner. The rest was history! A FAIRYTALE SETTING Since childhood, Kate dreamed of a fairytale wedding in a grand, castle-like setting. “After returning from the Maldives, I booked a viewing at Ashridge House,” she says. “After seeing how incredible it was, we confirmed the booking almost immediately!” The venue features Italian architecture, chandeliers, marble fireplaces, gold-leaf ceilings and 190 acres of gardens. “It had the wow factor,” Kate says, “and ticked all of the practical boxes with on-site catering, accommodation for all our guests, and easy transport links. The couple chose a soft, neutral colour scheme for the day with whites, creams and blush pink with gold accents to tie everything together effortlessly. DELICATE DETAILS From the start, Kate and Ben knew the venue’s iconic staircase would be a focal point. “It’s such a statement,” Kate says. “Our florist, Rebecca Masala, completely brought the vision to life, dressing the stairs with the most incredible blooms, scattered petals and candles. It looked breathtaking and created the perfect backdrop!” Kate carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses, while allwhite blossom trees served as centerpieces during the wedding breakfast, with a full-size blossom tree cleverly relocated to different rooms throughout the day, “It looked especially beautiful positioned in the Italian Loggia,” Kate adds. TO DINE FOR One of the standout elements of Ashridge House was the food. “It truly exceeded expectations,” the bride says. “We went with a classic, crowd-pleasing menu: roast chicken with seasonal vegetables followed by a rich chocolate ganache dessert.” Later in the evening came a fun, relaxed twist with British street food favourites like fish and chip cones, pie and mash, and mini burgers for a warm, informal vibe. And of course, we can’t forget the cake. Four stunning tiers of white chocolate, vanilla and lemon drizzle. “Absolutely delicious,” Kate says. “Huge thanks to Sam at The Little Berko Bakery!” LOOKING THE PART The bride chose a simple, elegant dress. “When I tried on Payton by Caroline Castigliano at The Wedding Shop in Colchester, it was hard to take off! It’s so cliché, but I knew it was the one. The team was so accommodating to my wishes. We added a bow, which made my inner Disney princess squeal with excitement.” Ben wore a classic tuxedo with a bow tie, a waistcoat, Barker shoes, a gold watch from his grandparents and cufflinks that belonged to Kate’s great-grandad. The bridesmaids looked beautiful in blush off-the-shoulder dresses by Dessy. TIME TO CELEBRATE To welcome guests, Kate and Ben had a live violinist who played beautiful music as guests arrived, throughout the ceremony and during the drinks reception. During this time, they also hired an incredible magician, Nick Crown, to keep everyone entertained. He had guests totally baffled! As evening fell, live sax by Dan Goode and a DJ kept guests dancing. “They were both out of this world,” Kate says. The night concluded with a spectacular fireworks display by Pains Fireworks, ending the day with a bang! A MOMENT TO REMEMBER The most meaningful moment for Kate was seeing her Nan quietly sitting in the front just after the couple exchanged vows. Kate had been told her nan couldn’t attend due to her health, which broke the bride’s heart. But with her carers’ help, her nan secretly made the hour-and-a-half journey to surprise them. “She stayed most of the day. Seeing her meant the world to me, and it is a memory we’ll treasure forever.” REAL WEDDINGS 31
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