Timeless love Emily and Henry’s black-tie celebration at Pennsylvania Castle blended coastal beauty, modern classics and personal touches Images courtesy of Storybox Films & Photography Emily and Henry met as students at the University of Exeter in 2017. Life later took them in different directions, but fate had other plans, and they reunited in London in 2021. From there, everything fell into place, leading to Henry proposing during a sun-soaked holiday in Crete in July 2024. A year of wedding planning later, they were married in July 2025 and what a beautiful day it was! The couple chose the breathtaking Pennsylvania Castle Estate in Dorset, drawn in by its coastal setting and elegant balance of old and new. “The ocean views were a huge part of it for us,” says the bride. “We loved the modern décor of the castle paired with the historic stone walls, and the grounds were just beautiful.” The venue offered endless photographic backdrops, from Italian gardens and waterfalls to the roof terrace and sweeping lawns. Having accommodation on-site and nearby also meant many guests could stay over. Emily and Henry envisioned a modern, classical and understated aesthetic, with green and white tones chosen to complement the castle’s lawn and stone exterior. A black-tie dress code brought a sense of timeless elegance to the day. Emily says, “We wanted everything to feel clean, simple and cohesive. Nothing too fussy, just classic and elegant.” The florals reflected this vision perfectly, featuring a refined mix of roses, spray roses and gypsophila, softened with parviflora foliage. The groom and groomsmen wore a single white rose boutonnière for a crisp, minimal look. The couple’s cake echoed the same classic feel with a white buttercream design with delicate piped dots, finished with cymbidium orchids and foliage. “Having orchids was really meaningful to me,” says Emily. “I grew up in Singapore and it’s the national flower, it felt like a nod to my childhood.” Stationery followed the same green-and-white palette, with a matching table plan, menus and table numbers. To personalise the tables, Emily and Henry included baby photos of themselves, matched to each table number. “It was such a fun way for guests to get to know us a little better,” Emily comments. After the ceremony, the flowers were repurposed for the reception, with’ bouquets styled across the tablesand the ceremony plinth arrangements framed the newlyweds during the wedding breakfast. Guests were treated to a generous and crowd-pleasing menu throughout the day. This started with canapés, followed by the wedding breakfast. This begain with a prosciutto, mozzarella and melon salad with crunchy sourdough croutons, followed by chicken cordon bleu served with velouté sauce, tenderstem broccoli and new potatoes. Dessert was a comforting sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. For the evening, relaxed pizzas and chips kept everyone fuelled on the dancefloor. Emily’s bridal look was entirely bespoke. Her gown was created by combining two Catherine Deane designs, Kyla and Brie, into one unique piece. “I felt incredibly lucky that the team allowed me to do that,” Emily says. “I loved elements of both dresses and couldn’t choose.” Tailor Ernie Eaton brought her vision to life, using the Kyla as a base and adding straps and a pearl belt inspired by the Brie design. “What really appealed to me was that it felt different to what was trending,” Emily explains. “It also suited the venue perfectly with a slightly Grecian feel.” Henry and his groomsmen wore classic tuxedos, while the bridesmaids were dressed in eucalyptus green gowns from Azazie. Each bridesmaid chose from three different styles in the same colour, allowing them to feel comfortable while maintaining a cohesive look. Entertainment flowed throughout the day, with a live jazz band setting the tone during the drinks reception. Guests also enjoyed garden games, making the most of the stunning outdoor setting. One of Emily and Henry’s favourite moments came during the wedding breakfast entrance. The bride says, “Surprisingly, our walk-in was such a highlight as everyone was singing, clapping and waving napkins to Hey Baby by DJ Ötzi. It was the first time all our guests were together in one room, completely in sync. The atmosphere was unreal! If you can and would like a videographer, we would really recommend one as it’s lovely to look back and see emotions and re-listen back to the speeches!” Elegant, personal and full of joy, Emily and Henry’s wedding was a beautiful celebration of love and perfect timing. BY THE SEA REAL WEDDINGS 45
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