A Romanic English Wedding: Middleton Lodge Estate, North Yorkshire

Your wedding day is often one of the most anticipated and memorable days of your life. Whether you choose to have an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration with many guests, it is a day that you will cherish forever. I have always enjoyed learning about the intricate details that go into making a wedding unique and special, from the gown to the dessert. For those seeking ideas, look no further – Dale and I had a modern and romantic wedding at the Middleton Lodge Estate in North Yorkshire.

The Planning + Venue

I was so excited to dive headfirst into the world of weddings. I had always envisioned a romantic and whimsical setting, with a modern twist, perhaps in a Georgian property or Victorian-style greenhouse surrounded with lush gardens. We both agreed on a UK wedding as we didn't want to put too much pressure on our families and wanted to prioritize a long honeymoon directly after. Growing up in the beautiful and leafy Richmond Upon Thames in southwest London, I thought it would be a no-brainer to pick one of the stunning venues on our doorstep.

During this time, a wedding photo of a friend I had met while travelling in Thailand back in 2013 popped up on my feed. The photo showed stunning arched windows and a full garden, ticking all the boxes that we both wanted. I quickly reached out and before we knew it, an email had been sent to the events team of Middleton Lodge Estate.

Within a few weeks, I had booked a train from London to Yorkshire and visited the Middleton Lodge, which coincidentally sits just outside of the town of Richmond where my dad grew up. It felt like a full circle moment and the first and last venue I viewed, as they say, when you know you know. As someone experienced in creative management, I confidently planned, budgeted, and created our wedding without the need for a wedding planner.

The Girls Morning

I believe that getting ready is such an enjoyable part of any event and our wedding morning was no exception. To ensure a relaxing and beautiful start to the day, we booked the charming farmhouse at Middleton Lodge for both nights surrounding the wedding. This served as a background for getting-ready photos and for my immediate family to stay in. I organized hair, makeup, and breakfast for my six bridesmaids and mother, wanting them to be able to relax and enjoy the morning without lifting a finger. The robes from Meeka in a soft nude were a perfect fit for my girls and complemented the day's colour scheme. For myself, I chose a long textured robe, French knickers, a bralette, and a scrunchie also from Meeka.

The morning was perfectly relaxed, with glorious sunshine on the longest day of the year. Fortunately, my suppliers covered all setup and coordination for the day, allowing us to pop some bottles stress free. The girls got into their dresses before we relocated to the walled gardens on the estate. We used the Head Gardens cottage as a beautiful backdrop for some mother-daughter photos and any final touch-ups as I got into my dress.

The Hair + Makeup

As I have fine hair that doesn't hold well I had always envisioned my hair in an elegant updo. Kate did an amazing job with a twisted low bun that could handle the weight of my pearl veil and would last throughout the day. She also styled some of my hair to frame my face and to showcase my statement earrings. Becca, my makeup artist, created a soft smoky brown eye with feathery lashes and glowing skin. To ensure I felt relaxed I had my trials done three months in advance so there were no last minute changes on the morning.

The Dress

As a bride-to-be, I initially had a clear idea of the type of wedding dress I wanted. However, when it came time to go shopping, I decided to keep an open mind and try on different styles. I was torn between several options, including a slinky satin dress, an embellished gown, and a classic elegant style. After trying on around 20-25 dresses across three different shops, I finally found "the one" at Lovely Bride in Fitzrovia London. The Wren dress by Louvienne was simple, yet timeless and comfortable, made from a simple crepe fabric that allowed me to play with accessories. I paired it with a pearl veil from Pronovias, modern statement earrings and hair pins from Sabben Maison, and satin Manolo Blahniks.

The Boys Morning

A few minutes from the Farmhouse we booked The Dairy Cottage for Dale to stay the night before and use as a base for his morning. The boys gathered together at 10 am to jump in the hot tub with champagne before getting dressed into their suites. In keeping with our contemporary scheme Dale went for an elegant 3-piece pure linen suit from SuitSupply with brown leather loafers from Russell and Bromley. After they had finished with the photographer they headed to meet the rest of our guests before heading to the church.

The Bridesmaids & Ushers

I was particular about the appearance I wanted for my bridesmaids. I aimed for a fresh, modern, and slightly sexy look for their attire choosing various styles of light champagne satin dresses from Pretty Lavish. The hairstyles were either a bun or ponytail, and the makeup was kept minimal for a fresh look. The jewellery was mall and dainty and matching bouquets were used for each girl a little smaller than mine. Keeping colours cohesive the ushers wore beige suites with an open colour shirt and brown shoes.

‘He couldn't help but cry, and that set off everyone else's tears as well.'

The First Looks

Originally, I had planned to have a pre-ceremony first look with my fiancé however, a few months prior to the wedding, I changed my mind and decided to have a first look with my dad and bridesmaids instead. Even though my bridesmaids had already seen my dress, it still made for some beautiful photos of my mum helping me into it and my girls waiting for me in the garden. The first look with my dad was by far the most emotional moment of the day, and it was captured so beautifully. He couldn't help but cry, and that set off everyone else's tears as well.

The Transport

To ensure a seamless event, I instructed everyone to gather at the Gin Terrace at Middleton Lodge Estate to board a classic double-decker bus to the church. This not only enhanced the guests' experience but also paid homage to our hometown of London. Additionally, I arranged for a vintage Rolls Royce and Austin Princess for myself, the bridesmaids, and my parents, giving us ample time for a first look before we followed the guests to the church.

‘I have always wondered what it feels like to be the bride before she walks down the aisle and I think I was very lucky that excitement is what I remember most from that moment.’

The Ceramony

Getting married in a church was always my dream as I have fond childhood memories of attending weekly services. Luckily, the quaint St. Michael and All Angels was just down the road from our wedding venue. To be able to get married there, I had to attend 9 services, which helped me get to know the parish well, and I felt calm and at home on the wedding day. The ceremony lasted approximately 45 minutes, and walking down the aisle was an unforgettable experience. Right after, we had a confetti throw before being whisked away back to the lodge. I have always wondered what it feels like just before a bride walks down the aisle and I think I was very lucky that excitement is what I remember most from that moment.

The Photographer & Videographer

I always knew I wanted to avoid traditional wedding-style photography and instead opt for a romantic, candid, and editorial style. Finding the right photographer was one of the biggest challenges since there are so many talented individuals out there however when I stumbled upon Alex's work, I knew I had found the one. Although I gave her a few group-shot ideas, I mostly gave her complete creative freedom. It's crucial to find a photographer whose style you absolutely love from the get-go, so you can enjoy your big day and look back on it captured perfectly for years to come.

Having a videographer was also essential for us, and I wanted the video to have a fun and playful feel, which was a bit different from Alex's editorial style. Daniel from MadeToLastFilm was with us throughout the day and produced a beautiful selection of perfectly edited videos.

‘To keep the event looking sophisticated, it was important that the colour palette was consistent throughout, from the bridesmaid’s robes to the table runners and even the guest attire.'

The Florals + Styling

At first, I wanted a classic scheme of green and white, but when it came closer to the big day in 2023, I realized that it wasn't enough for me. Since my wedding was on the longest day of the year, I wanted a fresh, light, modern, and contemporary feel. I created a document for my florist and stylist Jane at Wedding and Events Floral Design to visually communicate my strong palette of white, creams, and warm coffee browns. This made the day feel sophisticated and slick but not too formal while photographing beautifully.

To create a cohesive look, I adhered to a strict color scheme while incorporating various textures and organic shapes. Since the venue had a beautiful garden, I aimed to keep things simple and not overwhelm the natural beauty. In the dining room, I opted for grand statement florals, including a hanging installation and a floral centre piece in front of Dale and I, which made a memorable impression. For the remaining tables, I kept the decor minimal with delicate fabrics and an abundance of pillar candles. To complete the look, I used matching stationery with white ink from StampDesignCo. To keep the event looking sophisticated, it was important that the colour palette was consistent throughout, from the bridesmaid’s robes to the table runners and even the guest attire.

The Food

As someone who loves food, it was crucial to me that the quality of the cuisine was top-notch and the drinks were continuously flowing and the food and drink experience is a vital aspect of any guest's day. A few months ago, we had a food-tasting session, where we made some modifications to the initial menu, so we were confident in what we would be serving to our guests. For all weddings held at Middleton Lodge, they manage the food and drinks, which is part of the agreement. We received several compliments from guests regarding the food, particularly the steak chimichurri, while I opted for a fish dish that was delicious. During the wedding breakfast, we served white, red, and rose wine, with rose being the most popular among guests in the gorgeous summer sun.

Champagne Moments

During the cocktail hour, I wanted to create some enjoyable moments for the guests. I fell in love with the idea of a glamorous champagne tower, which we left to the staff and photographer to set up. The glasses were already prepared and arranged for us to capture 'the shot'. Although it only lasts a few minutes, it's an entertaining sight for guests, and it also means more champagne to go around. Furthermore, I'm not a fan of formal group photos, so we gathered the bridesmaids and ushers to take a champagne bottle popping shot before everyone took their seats.

Golden Hour

After the speeches and wedding breakfast, we took a short break before the evening entertainment started to use this time to be alone and enjoy the moment. We were fortunate to have beautiful, sunny weather throughout the day and during golden hour, our photographer found a field of long grass that was perfectly illuminated by the sun. These photos turned out to be some of the most natural and simplistic pictures from the entire day.

The Cake

I wanted a cake that was a perfect blend of minimalism and romance. The team at WhereTheRibbonEnds were amazing at comprehending my vision and executing it flawlessly bringing to life a modern and sculptural cake design. The use of 3D edible floral petals added a lovely sense of movement and complemented the floral theme beautifully, making the cake-cutting moment truly special.

The Entertainment

Live music at an event enhances the ambiance for guests so it was important that we have live music throughout the day from the ceremony to midnight. We hired an organist that suited the church who played 'The Prince of Denmark's March - Clarke', 'Wedding March - Mendelssohn', and a few hymns that matched the church's style.

Having a harpist at our drinks reception was a must for me. It was a tribute to our Irish heritage and also something my parents had at their wedding. The gorgeous weather allowed her to play for guests as they enjoyed champagne on the patio. She played a mix of classical and modern music, including my favourite Taylor Swift song, 'Wildest Dreams' during the champagne tower. For our entrance into the wedding breakfast, we chose 'Best I Ever Had' by Drake as everyone waved their napkins. To change the mood and tempo we hired a 4-piece dinner jazz band that enhanced the lively atmosphere as everyone chatted over great food and wine.

‘Live music can contribute significantly to the atmosphere of an occasion making it a memorable aspect of the guest experience and ambiance of the day.’

During our wedding reception, we chose the song 'Forever you and Me' by the Tesky Brothers for our first dance. As soon as the song ended, our five-piece band started playing, and everyone joined us on the dance floor. The band played a mix of songs for the first hour to ensure everyone felt involved. After the first dance, I went to change into my party dress for the evening.

I was surprised to learn during the planning process that live bands usually perform two 45-minute sets, which is not long enough to cover the entire evening. Therefore, we decided to hire a DJ, saxophone player, and percussionist to play during the band's break and until midnight. This kept the atmosphere running throughout the night, and it was one of the most talked-about aspects of the entire wedding day.

The Second Dress

I wanted a dress change after the first dance, as it allowed me to wear a sparkly number and refresh my look for evening photos. I didn't want to spend too much on this dress since it would only be worn for a few hours, so I opted for the dramatic and dazzling Sadie dress in silver by Nadine Merabi. I accessorized it with star gazer drop earrings from Untamed Petals and stayed in my Manolos.

The Day Before

As everyone was travelling from London to Yorkshire for our wedding, we wanted to create a short weekend getaway so decided to hold an cosy event before the big day. With many guests staying onsite it made sense to use Middleton Lodge for its casual group dining options, which included a stretch tent that served wood-fired pizzas, making it perfect for more intimate and relaxed gatherings. During the evening our close friends and family gathered, and we took a small walk with our photographer to capture some moments alone. To make my welcome evening just as special as the wedding day itself, I rented a dress from Shona Joy at Hurr. I paired it with modern chunky drop pearl earrings from &OtherStories and Brandy strap heels from Meshki. These photos turned out to be some of my favourites, and I'm so glad we asked her to join us for the evening.

The evening was lit by candlelight and fueled by wine which made it feel extra special. During this time, my husband's parents gave speeches, and I found out that I was going to be an auntie again. Having this evening event made me feel more relaxed and ready for the following day. Although I was on my best behaviour and headed to bed by 11 pm, the party continued in the hot tub until 4 am.

‘Marriage is a lifelong commitment between two people who choose to stand by each other, remain faithful and loyal, and share their lives together. This is what truly matters.’

Advice For Other Couples

Planning my wedding was a truly enjoyable experience, and I have a lot of advice and ideas that I'd like to share with other couples. It's easy to get caught up in the fantasy world of weddings and forget that a wedding and a marriage are two separate things. Regardless of how much money you spend, the way the napkins are folded, or the color of the bridesmaids' dresses, they are all just for show. A wedding is meant to celebrate the union of two people in marriage. Marriage is a lifelong commitment between two people who choose to stand by each other, remain faithful and loyal, and share their lives together. This is what truly matters.

On a more practical note, it's important to address the issue of money early on and have an open conversation about it. It might feel awkward, but it will make the planning process much more enjoyable and ensure that you don't rack up debt. Lastly, enjoy yourselves and make sure to involve your partner in the decision-making to make the day special for both of you.

Our wedding day was everything I had dreamed it would be spent in a romantic English garden, surrounded by close friends and family and I feel incredibly lucky to have these memories to look back on throughout the rest of our lives together. As time goes on and memories begin to fade, we know that the essence of our special day will live on through the beautifully captured images that we will always treasure. It's important to remember that the true magic of a wedding lies not in the money spent or extravagance of the event, but in the way it feels and the memories created. No matter how big or small your wedding day is, it will always be remembered for the love that was shared and the magic that was in the air that day.

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