A botanical romance Silke and Matt’s wedding blended timeless style with heartfelt moments Images courtesy of Nicole Amy Visuals Chocolate, long considered a symbol of love, is where Matt and Silke’s story began. Despite growing up in the same town and attending the same school, it wasn’t until they worked for Hotel Chocolat that their paths truly crossed. Silke comments,“The Mayans said chocolate was linked to love and marriage and, in our case, it has definitely been the case. We just clicked and connected; we felt happy in each other’s company, and spending time together outside of work became a permanent thing. We’ve been inseparable ever since.” Matt proposed in New York 10 years later, a city that held special meaning for him. “I still didn’t expect it!” Silke continues, “Matt’s a planner and a bit of a perfectionist, so he organised everything from designing a bespoke ring to arranging lunch, drinks and a walk past the perfect spot – a quiet, cobbled street in Manhattan lined with wisteria. Matt got down to pop the question, which took me completely by surprise, but of course, after the initial shock, I said ‘Yes’!” SETTING THE SCENE Matt and Silke’s goal was for the day to feel unmistakably like them, surrounded by as many of their loved ones as possible. With guests flying in from Malaysia, Australia, Denmark and the America, the celebration had a truly international feel. Another key focus? Ensuring that the food, drinks and entertainment reflected their personalities and shared story. When venue hunting, the couple had their hearts set on a hall or mansion-style setting, and Hawkstone Hall delivered beyond expectations. “Coming down the long driveway, the venue reveals itself nestled in the picturesque Shropshire countryside, and it was breathtaking,” Silke recalls. “As soon as we walked into the chapel, I knew that was where Matt and I would be getting married. Every room was a ‘wow’ moment.” Their wedding stylist, Lesley at White Fern Weddings, helped bring Silke’s vision to life: a timeless, botanical, and elegant aesthetic with ivory, gold and green at its core. “Lesley is worth her weight in gold,” says Silke. “She even helped me include a tribute to my late dad by reserving him a seat at the ceremony. Seeing his buttonhole there, created by Emma from Luna Bloom, meant everything to me.” Emma also designed all the floral elements, from the low-footed centrepieces to a statement broken arch that was later repurposed behind the sweetheart table. The cake, a four-tier showpiece by Boutique Bakery, featured sugar flowers and pink prosecco, chocolate, elderflower lemon, and cookies and cream flavours. A naturally dyed silk ribbon and edible gold leaf added the perfect finishing touches. Every detail was carefully considered throughout the day. Hotel Chocolat favours nodded to the couple’s beginnings, while the table plan and stationery styled by Lesley combined elegance with personal touches. Each guest received a personalised menu card sealed with a bronze wax leaf emblem, and a QR code at every table, encouraging guests to upload their photos from the day. Hawkstone Hall also provided the catering, accommodating a wide range of dietary needs. “They were fantastic,” Silke says. “We even paid extra to offer two main course options as we couldn’t choose just one! REAL WEDDINGS 31
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