Location: The Cotswolds, UK
Setting: Castle
Wedding season: Summer
Wedding theme/style: Fairy tale, english, refined elegance.
Sarah and Brandon’s English Castle Fairy-tale Wedding designed, planned, and styled by The W Studio, was a memorable day filled with style, elegance, and an abundance of love, impeccably captured by photography and videography duo, Jacob and Pauline.
Sarah and Brandon waited a long time for their English fairy tale wedding! Lockdowns, wedding guest limitations and UK/US travel restrictions all contributed to postponement, a lengthy lead up and multiple changes of plan. But with the travel corridor opening in late July, they made the firm decision to push forward with their wedding plans, and they finally married in August last year.
As Americans living in the UK, the vast majority of Sarah and Brandon’s guests were travelling from the US to share the celebration of their marriage, and they wanted to give them a truly memorable ‘English experience’. Sudeley Castle, nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of The Cotswolds, provided the perfect quintessentially English backdrop for such an experience.
The event was exquisitely captured by Jacob and Pauline, the talented filmmaker and photographer duo. Drawing inspiration from fashion photography and videography, their work reflects a unique style that seamlessly blends with the wedding itself. With more than a decade of wedding experience, Jacob and Pauline understand the importance of working subtly and unobtrusively. They skillfully captured the flow of the day, preserving the emotions of the wedding party and guests, all while showcasing the breathtaking surroundings.
Including personal touches in their design was imperative for the couple to ensure their day was not only distinctive, but a true reflection of their story. Of great significance was a beautiful sketch drawn by Sarah’s Father, of St Mary’s Chapel – not only the place where Sarah and Brandon said their vows, but also the resting place of Queen Katherine Parr, the last wife (and widow) of King Henry VIII. This sketch was incorporated into their invitations and on to their guest’s individual menus by Stationery designer, Ash, from Pale Press London.
Their ceremony, set within this incredible building, was all the more special to them as it was led by Hubert, their dear friend and Father of Brandon’s late best friend.
Sarah was a vision of elegance in her intricately laced gown, with bold red lips and makeup done by Sylwia Kunysz. She was accompanied by her stunning bridesmaids, donning chic slip dresses in champagne gold. Each bridesmaid held a delicate bouquet of white summer flowers accentuated with trailing silk ribbons.
Brandon and his groomsmen looked fittingly dapper, dressed in classic, chic black tie dinner suits with contrasting white floral boutonnières.
A true English experience would not be complete without a rain shower or two and The Cotswolds did not disappoint! Although not entirely what was hoped for, a last-minute change of location for their drinks reception did not dampen the spirits of their guests. As Sarah and Brandon were chauffeured through the castle grounds in a beautiful, classic English Bentley from Barringtons, their guests were led from the chapel to the Grand Banqueting Hall by the Viola player from The Kings String Quartet.
In keeping with their English vision, the day was designed with stylish simplicity and refined elegance. Subtle accents of soft, pastel grey and blue completed their colour palette with flowing chiffon table runners, linen napkins from Just 4 Linen, tall Ester and Erik dinner candles and touches of bespoke calligraphy on their menus and hung fabric welcome signs. An abundance of greenery and bountiful blooms of white from Vervain Flowers, provided a fresh, summery English garden aesthetic. Florals lined the centre of the tables and table ends, whilst garlands of foliage climbed the walls and cascaded informally from the ceiling.
An English sit-down wedding breakfast was served in the glass walled Pavilion of the Castle by Relish Events, with tables built from historical reclaimed floorboards paired with modern Philip Stark Ghost chairs, both from The W Collection, and elegant tableware and flatware provided by Duchess and Butler.
An English sit-down wedding breakfast was served in the glass walled Pavilion of the Castle by Relish Events, with tables built from historical reclaimed floorboards paired with modern Philip Stark Ghost chairs, both from The W Collection, and elegant tableware and flatware provided by Duchess and Butler.
A trio of wedding cakes from Anna Lewis, took pride of place, displayed upon clear, acrylic plinths and set against a pure white, candlelit backdrop and an abundance of low level floral meadows.
With intermittent dry spells, dramatic skies and multiple rainbows, guests explored the grounds of this amazing venue and soaked up the all-English experience before dancing the night away to the sounds of The Blue Lion Band.
VENUE Sudeley Castle & Gardens | WEDDING PLANNER, DESIGNER, AND STYLIST The W Studio | PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY Jacob and Pauline | PLANNING ASSISTANT Attabara Studio | ON THE DAY SUPPORT Little green barn Carpentry | CATERING Relish Events | FLOWERS Vervain Flowers | CAKE Anna Lewis | STATIONARY Pale Press London | FURNITURE, BACKDROP, PHOTO BOTH, AND PROPS The W Collection MAKEUP Sylwia Kunysz | HAIR MACH Management | LINEN NAPKINS Just 4 Linen | LIGHTING Knight Light Events | BAND Blue Lion Band | STRINGS TRIO Kings String Quartet via Bands For Hire | TABLE RENTALS Duchess & Butler | CANDLES Ester and Erik
