Real wedding: A perfect English country-house celebration

With a romantic country house in Berkshire as their backdrop, and a lush botanical theme, Sarah and Matt’s English country wedding was a feast for the senses with live music and partying long into the night

For Sarah and Matt, fairytale romance was definitely in the air on their wedding day. The venue they chose, the Italianate Georgian-style mansion Hedsor House, has both history and star credentials. It has been the venue for several films, including most recently, the 2015 Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow 1920s comedy Mortdecai.

Its parkland setting, listed gardens and lavish interiors – replete with wedding-cake style cornicing and splendid domed-ceiling – also offer a timeless backdrop and seem a world away from London, less than 30 miles down the road.

SARAH & MATT WEDDING 120 copy — The theme of the day was roses all the way, with lush garden blooms decking the wedding aisle

Music was an important linking element of the day and, to continue the fairytale theme of the venue, Sarah and Matt walked up the aisle to ‘As the World Falls Down’ from Labyrinth, played by harpist Rebeca Jones. With the formalities over, Stringfever – a celebrated string quartet – provided a change of pace, playing classical with an acoustic twist for the after party.

When it came to flowers, it was roses all the way. The panelled dining-room and domed hall where the celebrations took place were draped with subtle pastel blooms and pearls by Mary Jane Vaughan.

The same botanical theme was continued in the cake, which was created by Rosalind Miller; this had a pearl-themed icing and featured multiple sponge layers delicately flavoured with rose, lavender and lemon. Rocket Food provided the remainder of the catering – from elegant canapés to wedding breakfast menu: “I genuinely think that most guests thought they were in a Michelin-starred restaurant, says Sarah, “They really did go that extra mile”.

SARAH & MATT WEDDING 195 copy — With wedding party and guests remaining in one venue throughout the celebration, it was one worry off the wedding planning list

With all the guests remaining in one place for the whole celebration, it was one planning worry off the list, and Hedsor House converted easily from wedding to after-party setting, thanks to clever mood lighting and fairytale touches, such as circus performers to entertain younger guests.

With all the finer details of planning managed by Cranberry Blue, Sarah and Matt could relax and enjoy their party. Wedding photographer Pippa Mackenzie was on hand throughout to record the day and Sarah was delighted with the blend of formal and informal moments captured through these images: “Pippa captured every special moment from our day with unique creativity”.