Steph and Jack tied the knot on 18th February 2023 at Elmore Court in Gloucestershire. Their stunning wedding was full of red and pink hues and the most glorious smile and sense of joy and celebration.
Elmore Court is one of our favourite British wedding venues. It is insanely beautiful but run by the most amazing team, lead by estate owner, Anselm Guise, who is committed to running a sustainable and earth friendly venue – you’ve absolutely got to check out Elmore’s new treehouse accommodation.
The bride wore two incredible dresses – in the daytime, a long-sleeved, classy design by Suzanne Neville. She slipped in to a sensuous, figure hugging gown by Kenneth Winston for the evening and looked sensational.
Enjoy these gorgeous photographs by Jade Touron.
The Venue
We chose Elmore Court because we love the Cotswolds area and is the most beautiful house we’ve ever seen. We loved having our close family stay at the venue.
I always knew I wanted a winter wedding with candles and black e and for it to feel like a black e event rather than a typical wedding. The venue just felt right, we love the Cotswolds and we loved the feel of the house the second we walked in. It just feels so grand. Colours were inspired by it being near valentines day and I just think they look really romantic.
The Day Dress
Suzanne Neville
I already had my Kenneth Winston dress, but I kept seeing Suzanne Neville dresses and worrying I had made a mistake by not trying any on. I went by myself to the The Bride boutique in St Albans, and Lynsey there was so lovely and understanding about me thinking I might want to have another dress.
I took my sister and mum to see it and they weren’t very pleased about me getting another dress (understandably) and were quite negative initially. Lynsey and team were lovely throughout. When I decided to go for it (three months before the wedding), she was so helpful and when it finally arrived, my family absolutely loved it.
The Suzanne Neville shop felt luxurious, private and had the most gorgeous dresses. The quality of the Suzanne Neville dresses are just incredible.
Bridal Beauty & Accessories
I chose a very plain, cathedral veil from Bellissima weddings. I loved how simple it was but just completed the look.
My hair accessories were by Ivy&I bridal (who was amazing, helpful and her work is beautiful. She custom made mine and my bridesmaids hair pieces). My shoes were Jimmy Choo.
I was in such a rush I forgot to put perfume on but I had planned to wear Si by Giorgio Armani as it is my favourite. My husband wore Issey Miyake because it’s the scent he used to wear when we started dang and really reminds me of that me whenever I smell it.
I borrowed my Mum’s ring on the day which was really special (not just because it is a beautiful ring) but because it was hers.
My husband bought me jewellery from Browns Family Jewellers, which were diamond and pearls. I LOVE pearls. I think they are so bridal and I loved that they matched my Jimmy Choo shoes.
I also chose to buy my Mum, Sister & Nana similar jewellery for the day as it felt special to match with them and for them to have something they can keep to know how grateful I am for them and everything they do for me.
I loved that my husband bought me jewellery especially for the wedding as it’s now jewellery I will only wear on very special occasions and it will always remind me of our wedding day. I borrowed my Mothers Bulgari ring, which was also very special.
My bridesmaids wore dresses by Sisterhood Bridesmaids.
Photography
Our photographer was Jade Touron. We chose her because I loved her Instagram and when I spoke to her on the phone she was friendly, informative and not at all pushy. I felt really comfortable talking to her and like I would feel relaxed having her there on our wedding day.
I would absolutely recommend her, so much so that she is doing my Mum’s wedding later in the year. She captured all of the day beautifully, all of the details and got some really special, candid pictures of family members like my Nana which I am so grateful for. She was lovely to have around whilst getting ready and throughout the whole day. So many of our guests commented on how lovely she was and it was lovely that a lot.
How They Met
We met on Hinge (The dating app). We didn’t speak much online and I almost didn’t turn up to our first date. We went to a lovely little pub which was local’ish to where we both lived and had cocktails and nibbles.
We got engaged in St Ives on a Yacht that Jack surprised me with.
We’d had a prey rubbish holiday as Jack got EXTREMELY burnt on the first day and his legs were all swollen (was worried he wouldn’t be able to get down on one knee). It also rained prey much the whole week (again Jack was worried this would ruin the plans).
Jack wore a suit by Edit Suits. I surprised him with a Jaeger Le Coultre reverso watch on the day, he was so surprised and happy.
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We had a lovely meal at a Tapas restaurant in St Ives on the Friday night and Jack woke me up early Saturday morning and said he had planned a surprise picnic. We got to the Yacht in Falmouth and I was so suspicious I checked his pockets but didn’t find anything.
We had the most perfect, sunny day with Pimms and a picnic and he proposed on the front of the boat. We were engaged around eighteen months before our wedding day.
Evening & Favourite Moments
I loved changing into a more glamorous dress in the evening that was so different to my first dress. The fact it had been altered made it feel more special and it felt very “me” in terms of the silhouette style. I also know how much my partner loved this dress.
I got my Kenneth Winston from Bellissima Weddings in Essex. I had really struggled previously to find a dress I liked. All of the staff I met there were so lovely and made me feel so comfortable – they felt like friends.
I chose the Kenneth Winston dress as I knew my partner would love this and it stood out from every other dress that I had tried. I had a bit of a worry about the original sleeves on the dress and they introduced me to Dale, their tailor who was the most incredible, talented man EVER. He was so lovely, reassuring and built me sleeves to my dress that made me feel much more comfortable and like the dress was a bit unique to me. At other shops previously I had been told I couldn’t have sleeves added to similar style dresses. I couldn’t recommend him and the team enough.
I am so glad I went to both of these shops and met such lovely, professional people. I am so glad I got two very different dresses as I loved them both and it was lovely to be able to change style for the evening.
Our first dance was to ‘Please Forgive Me’, by David Grey. We had this song picked years ago as we love the words. Jack found it one evening when we had been dang about a year and said how much it reminded him of the way he feels and it’s a really important song to us now. We saw him perform it live in the lead up to the wedding which made it extra memorable.
Favourite moments are so hard to pick; I think for me it was when the roaming band came out during dinner and sang ‘Simply The Best’. We were officially husband and wife, Jack had finished his speech and wasn’t so nervous.
Our guests had just finished a beautiful meal and plenty of our favourite wine. We were all dancing and signing and watching our guests have a fantastic me and it just felt amazing. Also, the Roaming All Stars Band were the highlight of the day.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Enjoy every second – it goes so quickly, so milk it! Remember every moment and just enjoy it. The day goes too quickly but if you plan it and stay true to the things that actually matter to YOU about the day (mainly for me the people who were there) you will have the best me and look back and enjoy the memories forever.
Our original budget was £50k and we exceeded this but I don’t regret it one bit.
Additional Credits
The below suppliers and venues are featured in this article, but are not part of the Love My Dress Wedding Directory.
Annabel View all Annabel’s articles
Annabel is the founder of Love My Dress. She has a passion for photography, walking, yoga, nature, and loves to support talented artists and creative businesses. In 2013, she became a published author. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters Eska and Leanora and menagerie of furry hounds. Annabel supports Philip in the running of the family flower farm at at Moonwind Flowers. She is also co-founder of What About Weddings.