Marquee wedding in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
We first met Arthur and Aimee in 2016 when we planned Arthur’s sisters 21st Birthday party & what a party that was! Fast forward three years to 2019 and it was time to help plan another celebration for the lovely Johnson family. Originally planned for May 2020 and after countless date changes due to the pandemic, Aimee and Arthur finally tied the knot in August 2021 and it was most definitely worth the wait.
Wedding Video: Will Warr
THE BRIDAL PARTY
The groom and his ushers spent the wedding morning at his family home just outside of the regency town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, whilst bride and her twelve bridesmaids got ready at Ellenborough Park and were looked after by the amazing team at Gemma Sutton. Aimee looked beautiful in her bespoke Caroline Castigliano wedding dress, purchased from their Knightsbridge Atelier in London. Each bridesmaid looked stunning in their own choice of bridesmaid dress, in either cream, white or blush pink.
CHURCH WEDDING
The couple said I do at a beautiful church ceremony in the Cotswold village of Naunton. St Andrew’s church was dressed with an abundance of florals; a one sided natural arch at the entrance, made with beech, daisies, blousy creamy white roses and gypsophia, a font overflowing with foliage and flowers and over each pew end, small posies were hung. Railings to both sides of the chancel steps were entwined with bunches of loose, trailing arrangements and greenery dotted with candles filled the stone window sills.
The newly weds left the church in style in a vintage MG and headed to the grooms family home, over looking Cheltenham and the rolling Cotswold hills. Covid 19 had ensured that there were a few bumps in the road along the wedding planning journey, including the company that had originally been booked for the marquee going out of business. Luckily Original Marquees stepped in and Harry and his team did the most amazing job building the couples dream marquee, with an ajoining bar tent, which guests accessed through a magical tunnel of hanging foliage and twinkling lights.
MARQUEE STYLING
Working with Miranda Fairhust Flowers, the marquee was styled with an abundance of soft, wild and unstructured designs and looked incredible. A 4 metre floral ring took centre stage over the dancefloor and hung around one of the poles. It was filled with late summer foliage, which was mixed with beautiful cream and white florals, fairy lights, and twinkling hanging baubles. Each pole was wrapped with beech trees, on the branches of which hung glass baubles filled with more flickering night light candles, to create a magical effect, which really came into their own as it became dark.
Each of the long dining tables were adhourned with spectacular foliage and floral runners, dotted with glass candle holders and on the round tables Miranda builts ‘trees’ of foliage reaching up from the table, again with hanging glass baubles, filled with night light candles. At the base of the tree, there were pretty floral arrangements with foliage, cow parsley and sweet peas together with lots of night light candles.
Each individual place setting included gold-rimmed charger plates and elegant gold flatware hired from Tipples and menus designed by a friend of the couple sat on the guests napkins. A special batch of Spirit of Ilmington rhubarb & ginger gin to be made from rhubarb grown at the family home, for a truly bespoke momento of their wedding day.
ENTERTAIMENT
The fabulous Juke Joints, booked via ALR music took centre stage on the steps of the beautiful family home during the drinks reception and then suprised guests after main course for a fabulous set in the marquee - with guests dancing on their seats! Later in the evening Matt Maurice DJ ensured the dance floor was filled all night long with interactive entertainmemt including singers and percussionists.
WEDDING DAY FOOD & DRINK
A to Zest caterers served a selection of canapes during the reception and the most delicious three course meal, using delicious local produce from Gloucestershire and surrounding counties and The Wonder Bar ensured thirsty guests were well looked after! The four tierd butter cream wedding cake was lovingly made by two of the bridesmaids - one of the brides sisters and one of her best friends. Later in the evening, The Wedding Pizza company served delicious pizza, whilst guests watched an incredible firework display, by friends of the grooms father.
Photography Credit: John Alexander Photography