Love in Springtime - Real Life wedding

Rachel and Stuart were searching for the perfect wedding venue in Berkshire. When they came across Wasing Park, they knew they had found the one.

“As soon as we arrived at the Wasing Park Wedding Showcase, we knew it was the venue for us! From the long driveway to the stunning buildings and accommodation, it had everything we could possibly have wanted.” - Rachel

Design and Decor

Setting an April wedding date, the happy couple wanted their look to be soft and romantic. After getting engaged in New York, they also wanted to incorporate the city in to the day so had a New York themed table plan.

Embracing tones of blush pink, ivory and metallics, Rachel and Stuart set the scene with beautiful decorations. Storm lanterns and pillar candles lined the aisle for the ceremony while large floral arrangements sat either side of the registrar’s table.

Fairy lights wrapped around the beams of the Castle Barn and the florist filled the arrow slits with tea lights. Meanwhile, silver candelabras stood upon mirrored plates in the centre of each table, adorned with beautiful flowers. To complete the look, each place setting featured a menu and a blush pink and gold sparkly lollipop favour.

All About Flowers

The beautiful blooms were arranged by florist Joanna Carter. Rachel’s bouquet featured pale pink Avalanche roses, blush pink peopies, ivory ranunculus, ivory anemones and pale pink astilbe. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids carried smaller posies featuring some of the same flowers and these stunning flowers were carried through to corsages, buttonholes and venue arrangements.

“Joanna very kindly gave us a decorative floral heart which we hung outside the Garden Room.” – Rachel

Bridal Style

The bride looked fabulous in a lace dress with scalloped hemline by Madeline Gardner for Morilee.

“I fell in love with it and the gorgeous bateau neckline. The back was my absolute favourite – it turned a fairly traditional dress in to a showstopper!” – Rachel.

With a high neckline, Rachel kept her jewellery simple. She accessorised with a veil, hair vine and Monsoon bridal shoes.

Looking the part, Stuart and his groomsmen chose a slim fit navy and black checked suit from Moss London with ties and pocket squares to match the bridesmaid dresses.

Finally, Rachel’s maid of honour and bridesmaid wore blush pink chiffon dresses with embellished shoulder straps by Adrianna Papell.

Order of the Day at Wasing Park

Following their romantic ceremony in the Garden Room, guests spilled out on to the terrace and lawn to enjoy Strawberry Rosé Sangria, Prosecco and beer drums alongside delicious canapés.

Moving inside to dine, we were served a ham hock starter followed by fillet of beef with dauphinoise potatoes and a deconstructed vanilla cheesecake for pudding.

“We love our food and chose all our favourites from the extensive Galloping Gourmet menu. The fillet of beef was absolutely delicious.” – Rachel

Creative Cakes

The spectacular cake was designed by Samantha at The Pretty Cake Company. Rachel chose rose gold and copper accents, an exquisite sugar flower, blush watercolour and their initials. With three different flavours including chocolate brownie with salted caramel buttercream, it certainly tasted as magnificent as it looked!

Evening Celebrations

As music lovers, Rachel and Stuart chose a great selection of playlists throughout the day.

“A highlight of our ceremony was our recessional music - ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by AC/DC! We than had an amazing live band in the evening. I don’t think Stu or I left the dance floor all night.” – Rachel

The evening celebration also saw the arrival of an Airstream studio photo booth filled with quirky vintage props. A martini station served post-dinner cocktails for day guests and greeted evening guests. And, to delight the guests once more, wood-fired pizza was served with a choice of spiced pepperoni and chorizo or spinach and goat’s cheese.  What a celebration!

Memorable Moments

“I loved every second and spent the following few days grinning from ear to ear! I had been anxious about my entrance in to the ceremony room. Seeing Stu calmed any nerves I had. I don’t think I saw anyone else on the way in – I just focused on him. It was really special.” - Rachel

Advice from the Bride

“Stress and emotions can sometimes get the better of you but once you get to the day itself, it will all be worth it! Do what makes you and your husband happy and don’t try to please all your guests at once.” – Rachel

Additional Suppliers

Photography - Bowtie & Belle Photography 

Hair and Make Up - Lorraine Milligan 

Wedding Dress - Morilee by Madeleine Gardner, from The Cotswold Frock Shop

Videographer - Minty Slippers 

Fairylights - Partylights

Band - Alive via Tailored Entertainment 

Stationary - Amanda Michelle