A Monique Lhuillier Gown for an American-British Countryside Wedding

Despite hating the dying of the light that winter brings, I do adore autumn- the fabulous colours of the trees, that amazing autumnal light you get on cool sunny days, the excitement of back to school.

I’m delighted therefore, to bring you a beautiful wedding from last September which brings together all the nicest traditions from British and American weddings and blends them seamlessly into the most tasteful and classic day. Catherine and Robert both work in investment management and married on the 17th September 2016 at the gorgeous Lords of the Manor Hotel, Lower Slaughter, Cheltenham.  The wedding was planned by Rebecca Aubrey-Fletcher from Isobel Wedding and photographed by Weddings by Nicola and Glen in their beautiful light and bright style.

“We wanted the wedding to feel both British and American, so we had pieces from both. We wanted it to be elegant and classic. We loved everything about the wedding. We were so happy to be surrounded by all of our family and friends, and to celebrate with them!”

Photography by Weddings by Nicola and Glen

Catherine looked incredibly glamorous in a lace fishtail gown by Monique Lhuillier which she purchased from the Monique Lhuillier Boutique in New York.  That lace is just exquisite.

“I knew I wanted a lace dress.  When I tried it on with my mom and sister, we all knew that was ‘the dress’. We thought it would be beautiful in the English countryside.”For scent Catherine opted for her favourite and everyday perfume, Gypsy Water by Byredo and hair and make up were the work of Claire Nicole.

 

The bridesmaids looked very elegant in pale green one-shoulder dresses from Amsale, which they wore with pearl earrings.

The flower girls looked gorgeous in dresses from US Angels (with a sash to match the bridesmaids), while the pageboys wore smart outfits from Jacadi.

Catherine’s long and simple veil was also by Monique Lhuillier and sets off the complexity of the lace gown perfectly. She wore heels by Manolo Blahnik while for jewellery she chose very personal pieces.

“I wore some beautiful pearl earrings that were made for me as a gift from my Aunt.  I also wore a ring (an emerald surrounded by diamonds) which was a family heirloom.”

The fabulous florals were the work of Emma Walker Flowers.  I’m especially overwhelmed by that amazing floral arch over the hotel doorway- utterly stunning.

Flowers are absolutely everywhere at this wedding and pull all the colours and styling together beautifully.

Robert looked very dashing in a suit by Gieves & Hawkes, worn with a blue tie, while each groomsmen wore a different pink tie, which was a gift from Robert.

“Friends introduced us and we got engaged on the banks of the Seine in Paris during a surprise weekend away.”

Catherine’s Father walked her down the aisle to Canon in D Major by Pachelbel- I just love how her excitement and nerves have been captured perfectly on camera.

Robert and Catherine chose two readings- 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, read by a friend of the groom and ‘Blessing of a Marriage’ by James Dillet Freeman, which was read by a friend of the bride.  It begins:

May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.

May you always need one another – not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness.  A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it.  So let it be with you and you.

To accommodate their guests, Catherine and Robert chose to have a marquee in the grounds of the hotel, hired from Marquees and Pavilions.

The beautiful cake was the work of Princess Patisserie and again covered in stunning blooms.

Entertainment came in the form of Candy Apple Blue, who kept the dance floor full all evening.  The first dance was a father/daughter dance beginning with ‘My Girl’ and merging into ‘Thinking out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran for the bride and groom.

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Decide what parts of the wedding are important to you and focus on that.  Don’t worry about perfection on the day, just relax and enjoy yourself – it goes by way too fast.”

Thank you so much to Catherine and Robert for sharing their day with us- a very happy (slightly belated) first wedding anniversary to you both.  For more brides in Monique Lhuillier take a peek here– there are some stunning gowns.

Much love, S x