“Our wedding was in Sorrento so it was only right for us to go with an Italian style. Our tables were named after Italian landmarks and our wedding cake was decorated with local Sorrentine lemons. We served locally made wine and limoncello shots and our venues were decorated with olive branches and eucalyptus leaves.

Our colour scheme was sage green and white. The bridesmaids dresses were silk sage and we chose white flowers of different textures, with olive branches and eucalyptus leaves. We chose silver jewellery / accessories and everything blended effortlessly. We were delighted with how our vision was brought to life.”

Wedding photographer’s website

https://jossdenham.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

Joss was an incredible photographer. There really aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to him for being an all round fabulous person. He felt like a friend from the outset, gave us encouragement and guidance when we needed it and was such an asset to our day.

We chose to do a pre-shoot with Joss a few days before the wedding and this was an invaluable experience. It made us more comfortable with the camera and also allowed us to meet Joss and get to know one another. The photos also turned out great!

Joss kindly attended a dinner the night before our wedding and captured some special moments of us greeting our friends and family. He made an effort to talk to people and lots of our guests commented on what a lovely guy he is.

Joss returned over 700 beautifully edited photos and they capture every element of our day perfectly. He found and captured little moments that we ourselves missed and it’s wonderful that we can relive our wedding from different perspectives. He also returned all of the photos within just a few weeks which is unheard of!

We would without a doubt recommend Joss to anyone getting married, he was one of the best decisions we made and we will cherish our photos forever.

We wanted our photos to be natural and ‘in the moment,’ with as little posing as possible. Even for our portraits we wanted a fairly relaxed vibe. We were so lucky with the surroundings that we had a multitude of incredible options for shoot locations. We got some stunning ceremony photos at the Cloisters along with the portraits with our families and wedding party. We got some romantic photos of just the two of us on the windy path down to La Marinella beach. Golden hour was fairly muted for us but it didn’t matter at all, the photos came out perfectly! We also have some amazing drone footage.

Venue name + review

We got married in Chiostro di San Francesco (The Cloisters) in Sorrento, Italy. It is a 14th century town hall with a rustic court yard, classic archways, draping vines and a bell tower. It is a truly stunning and romantic space, as soon as we set eyes on it we knew this was the place!

For our reception we chose Hotel Mediterraneo for its incredible sky bar with panoramic views over the Bay of Naples. Both venues were a dream and we would 100% recommend them to anyone wishing for a Sorrento wedding.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

My dress was a simple shape but covered in sequins. I chose it because it was comfortable, weather appropriate and felt glamorous! It sparkled in the light and in photos, which was what I was going for. I chose a plain waterfall cathedral length veil.

Tom wore a 3 piece navy tux with a bow tie. He chose it because it was timeless and was surprisingly not too hot on the day! We both felt great on our wedding day.

Flowers

We found it difficult to choose flowers initially but after a visit to the Florist in Sorrento it all fell into place. We went for white avalanche roses, white lysinathus, white hydrangeas, cotton flowers to add some texture, olive branches and eucalyptus leaves. We had two flower columns next to the ceremony table and these were transported to the reception venue and used as table decorations. We were both delighted with the flowers.

Entertainment, music and dancing!

We had a Guitar & Mandolin duo play during the ceremony and they created a romantic atmosphere. The mandolin particularly is an instrument we don’t hear very often and it felt authentic and special.

For entertainment in the evening we had a DJ and saxophonist do joint sets. Together they really brought the party vibe and it was a surreal experience dancing to a live sax on a rooftop with everyone we love! One of our most cherished and special memories to date. The DJ opened with Earth, Wind & Fire – September, and so many people commented 21st night of September.. oh that’s today! This song will now always hold a special place in our hearts.

The post Eleanor & Tom’s magical Sorrento wedding, with Joss Denham Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

As always, we’ll share lots more including favourite photos on instagram @englishweddingblog

This luxury celebration will have you aching to make lemonade! The welcome party is a glorious fiesta styled with a thousand lemons, sunflowers everywhere and festoon lights shining into the Italian evening light. The bride’s floral dress is divine; Michelle created the most captivating ambiance for the happy couple and their guests.

“Guests were totally immersed in their surroundings by abundant decor, lighting and cosy seating areas provided by Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design and Alma Project. A chinoiserie-and-citrus theme gave a flavour of the vintage charm of Florence, and we doubt there was a lemon left in the whole city when we’d finished! Beyond the seating area was the main event space; a fantastic hidden gem in the city, a grassy courtyard that unfolds before your eyes and was filled with warm fairy lighting, tables set with blue, white and yellow, and an array of wonderful Italian food and drink. It was a beautiful sight to see, and as the sun set on their very own cosy little corner of Florence we knew A&A’s wedding day was going to be something special.” ~ Elegante by Michelle J

The wedding day itself is styled with breathtaking and abundant florals in shades of red and pink, filling tables and cascading into the most fabulous arrangements.

“When it was time for the big reveal, guests made their way up from the gardens and were greeted with the warm honey-yellow facade of the Villa and a spectacular clearspan marquee, filled to the brim with stunning florals and delicate details. The whole design was sumptuous and flowing, filling the space with lavish life and surprising the guests at every turn. Beautiful bespoke stationery by Ceci New York announced the menu for the evening, and custom monogrammed napkins from Laurel House Design made for a lovely personalised touch. ”

This wedding was previously featured on Smashing the Glass. If the welcome bags look familiar they inspired us to write a piece on Thoughtful Touches: wedding welcome bags earlier this month!

For a fascinating peek behind the scenes, head on over to Michelle’s own blog, where she shares a brilliant behind-the-scenes wedding video showing the incredible hard work, and contributions from all the amazing suppliers that came together to create this exceptional celebration.

Photography – David Bastianoni
Planner – Elegante by Michelle J
Videography – Waterfall Visuals
Venue – Villa di Maiano
Dresses – Elie Saab
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Hair + Makeup – Your Beauty Team
Flowers – Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design
Band – Muzika
Catering and Cake – Galateo Ricevimenti
Stationery/Invitation – Ceci New York
Embroidered napkins – Laurel House Designs
Marquee – Pellicci & Meschi
Production – Alma Project
Travel Services – Come Wander Travels
Singer – Udi Ullman
Welcome Party Venue – Palazzo Ximenes
Synagogue – Florence Synagogue

The post An incredible two-day wedding in Florence, with Elegante by Michelle J appeared first on English Wedding.

Their weekend wedding in Italy was planned and brought to life by lovely Elegante by Michelle J. Michelle specialises in Italian weddings for UK couples, and is one of the UK’s top destination wedding planners. Together with the happy couple, she designed a wedding with a Chianti theme, delicious florals styled around a soft peach colour palette, and oodles of green foliage.

A Borgo is a magical concept unique to Italy – a medieval village comprised of buildings and farmhouses, many of which have now been reimagined into hotels. Borgo di Pietrafitta is a wonderful example of a Borgo which operates as a hotel and self catering accommodation and can be booked in its entirety on an exclusive use basis. “It was the perfect venue to allow all their loved ones to stay together and become fully enveloped in the experience of their wedding weekend, and we designed a celebration over the course of 3 nights using each of the different spaces available.”

The beauty of a wedding weekend is how relaxing it feels for you and for your guests. There’s time – nothing is rushed. You get to have proper catchups with everyone you love. They have the chance to settle in and really enjoy the surroundings – so important for destination weddings where your guests have travelled! And Charlie and Bobby got to do all of this together, which meant the world to them, especially as their wedding would reunite family and friends after the pandemic.

“We placed great importance on bringing everyone together for an ongoing celebration, immersing their guests fully in the Italian lifestyle experience.” – Elegante by Michelle J

Charlie and Bobby had a welcome party for guests on the Friday evening – a pizza party at the rear of Borgo di Pietrafitta’s main villa. Their symbolic ceremony was held in the villa’s Italian garden the following day and officiated by a family friend.

The outdoor ceremony overlooking the Tuscany hills is just magical. The views are spectacular, the archway draped with florals and foliage is incredible.

Day three is genius… the recovery BBQ! I can’t think of a single better way to celebrate the day after a wedding!

Bobby and Charlie booked some amazing wedding suppliers, alongside Elegante by Michelle J, to make their dream wedding happen. The images are all by Charm Wedding Florence, and we’ve included a full list of supplier credits below for you to check out!

Destination wedding planner: Elegante by Michelle J
Venue: Borgo di Pietrafitta
Photography: Charm Wedding Florence
Videography: Vertigo Wedding Films
Florals: Il Giardino delle Fate
Catering: Delizia Ricevimenti
Ceremony written by Katie Keen of True Blue Ceremonies
Roaming band: Mamas Tomatoes
APE vehicle: Noleggio Chianti 500
HMUA: Ayelet Garson

The post Charlie and Bobby’s Chianti wedding weekend in Tuscany, with Elegante by Michelle J appeared first on English Wedding.

Destination weddings can feel like a fairytale, but they can take a heavy toll on the environment. If you’ve always dreamed of getting married in a magical, faraway place, is it possible to achieve your vision without harming the planet? Here are some suggestions for planning an eco-friendly destination wedding. 

Liam Collard Photography – real wedding feature here

1. Keep Your Guest List Tiny

People often assume that weddings are large events, but small, intimate affairs have much less of an environmental impact. If your venue requires guests to travel, having few invitees will reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced through travel. You may even choose to have only your parents, or just one person to serve as a witness.

Martin Dabek Photography – real wedding in Portugal here

Martin Dabek Photography

2. Stay Close to Home

While some couples choose to jetset across the globe for an extravagant wedding, it’s really not necessary. Choosing a no-fly destination wedding will keep your CO2 emissions to a minimum. The Lake District, Wales, Scotland and anywhere in the U.K. countryside will be a beautiful backdrop for your wedding – without needing to get on a plane. 

3. Find an Eco-Friendly Venue

Once you decide which region you want to have your wedding, look into finding an eco-friendly venue. There are many venues throughout the U.K. that prioritize sustainability, like Folly Farm Centre in Somerset or Borthwick Castle in Scotland. These venues, and more, have committed to reducing their carbon footprint and hosting events that produce less waste than the typical wedding venue.

Francesco Mantino Photography (Italy) – styled elopement feature and full credits here

4. If You Do Go Abroad, Find Sustainable Lodging

If you choose a venue that doesn’t have accommodation, you’ll also want to look for a sustainable hotel option. Your best options will be ones closest to your venue, to minimize travel between them. A sustainable hotel may also feature green architectural details like heat-resistant windows or rainwater recycling equipment, as well as renewable energy sources and low-waste practices. 

Kalampokas Fotografia with Lefkas Weddings in Greece – full wedding feature here

5. Connect With Local Vendors

For any extra elements, like catering or flowers, try to find local vendors in the region you choose. This will cut down on CO2 emission from transportation. For example, you might have a favourite bakery in London that you would love to have bake your wedding cake, but transporting that cake from the city to the countryside would create unnecessary waste. Instead, see what options your venue offers nearby, or simply skip the unnecessary elements if they’re going to cause too much harm. 

6. Break Unsustainable Wedding Traditions

Decorating with traditional flower arrangements or disposable table settings creates a lot of waste. Digital wedding invitations are better for the environment and a great way to save money. And while you might think of flowers, confetti or balloons as traditional wedding decor, none of it is essential to have the perfect wedding day. Consider creating new eco-friendly traditions for your wedding – like letting the beauty of your venue be all the decor you need. Instead of a typical wedding cake or a large catered meal, simply enjoy a small meal at a local restaurant to cut down on food waste. 

Maxeen Kim Photography at Lefkas Weddings, Greece – full wedding feature here

7. Remember Your Exit

At the end of the wedding ceremony, many couples like to have a dramatic exit. Whether it be confetti, balloons or a getaway car, this tradition often comes with waste. If you want to enjoy the tradition without the negative impact, choose an eco-friendly alternative. Flower petals or bird seed can replace confetti as biodegradable options. And instead of a getaway car, why not simply walk off into the sunset at your stunning destination as the perfect photo opp. 

8. Wear Eco-Conscious Wedding Clothes

Wedding clothes are another critical aspect to remember when planning a sustainable wedding. You can look for eco-friendly dress designers, and there are plenty of suit options with sustainable fabric. Couples on a budget could also buy from brands with eco-friendly mission statements or secondhand clothes to keep them out of landfills. You can even wear something you already own, which is the most sustainable option.  

Maxeen Kim Photography at Lefkas Weddings, Greece – full elopement feature here

Plan Your Eco-Friendly Destination Wedding

Traditional destination weddings can produce a lot of waste, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan the event you’ve been dreaming of without the environmental harm. There are plenty of options for couples to have an eco-friendly destination wedding. Celebrate your love for each other and the planet with these tips. 

Fourfold Pictures in Mumbai – full wedding feature here

The post How to Have an Eco-Friendly Destination Wedding appeared first on English Wedding.

Destination weddings work with any wedding budget

Couples often expect a destination wedding to be cheaper than a UK wedding. You can choose to save – or spend! – wherever you get married though! A micro wedding in the south of France might cost less than a grand celebration in an English country hotel. If you’re spending more on your day, a luxury wedding in Greece might work out the same as a traditional English wedding.

All images in this blog post by Anna Roussos Photography

Start by working out your wedding budget, then look at locations – and consider everywhere! The cost of a wedding often comes down to your choice of venue and decor, not the country you choose to get wed.

Guests will travel for a destination wedding

The key is to let your guests know well in advance, and before they book their holidays abroad. (Sending invitations at Christmas time is a nice idea, as the key time for booking holidays is January.) Then they can look forward to your destination wedding as a really special holiday!

“Some couples have doubts about whether it is reasonable to ask their loved ones to travel overseas, and I always tell them this: you will undoubtedly lose some guests on the periphery of your lives who choose not to incur those costs. However, the people who do travel genuinely want to be there, and I have only ever seen guests at the end of a wedding be extremely thankful for a wonderful few days.” ~ Michelle (Elegante by Michelle J.)

You can still have your favourite suppliers

If you’ve fallen head over heels for a particular photographer or stylist, ask if they’ll be a part of your destination wedding! Sometimes couples don’t realise that suppliers will travel – and be super excited about your wedding day too!

Language barriers needn’t be a headache

If you do bring key suppliers with you (photographer, videographer, hair and makeup for example) it can be a comfort to know communication will be easy.

Liaising with venue staff and catering, florists and entertainment can be made simpler by hiring a professional. This is where wedding planners are worth their weight in gold. It’s often the logistics of a destination wedding that need careful handling and absolute expertise, and this can be taken off your hands with the help of an experienced planner.

“At Elegante by Michelle J we plan luxury, detail-oriented celebrations, and whether they take place in the UK or Europe we will plan with the same meticulous attention to getting each element right.”

Destination weddings can be sustainable

Asking your guests to fly abroad for your wedding (as is most often the case for destination weddings) means your day will have a carbon footprint. Encourage your guests to make a holiday of it by having a weekend-long celebration and involving everyone in the events before and after the big day. Guests might travel on to extend their holiday, rather than flying again later in the year.

Wherever you get married, you can choose sustainable wedding attire – peace silk dresses or preloved ones, bespoke suits you’ll wear for years to come, vegan shoes… often the smaller details can be earth-friendly.

Scaling back on single use items, especially plastic, can have a huge impact too. Consider all the elements of your wedding, and chat to your planner about sustainability too.

You don’t even need to fly!

A ‘destination’ wedding doesn’t have to be that far away. Last month we listed some incredible UK destination wedding venues on the blog, from Hampshire to Scotland via Cheshire and the Lake District. You can have those destination wedding vibes without going near an airport!

Images are from Claudia & James’s Mykonos wedding, planned by Elegante by Michelle J.

Photographer – Anna Roussos
Videographer – Mont Videography
Wedding planner – Elegante by Michelle J
Venue – Royal Myconian Hotel
Bride’s dress – Jenny Packham
Groom’s attire – Esclot

The post 5 surprising things you didn’t know about destination weddings, inspired by Elegante by Michelle J appeared first on English Wedding.

Michelle Jacobs of Elegante by Michelle J was our wedding planner – she was a dream to work with and took a lot of the stress off us in the planning process and on the day.

Cartalia provided perfect stationery in the pocket style we wanted.

We couldn’t bring the suppliers we wanted from London, so instead we found freelance MUA Maria who was amazing, and had done celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga when they were on the island.
Our DJ was a renowned global DJ from the island, amazing at reading a crowd and playing music to get everyone up and dancing.
We wanted welcome gifts in keeping with the island, so our wedding planner Michelle found a lady on the island to supply us with typical Myconian bags.

Wedding photographer’s website

https://annaroussos.com

How did you choose your photographer?

She had photographed weddings at our venue before and had worked with Jewish couples before too, so understood the special moments of the day. Her style is elegant and captivating and different to generic Jewish wedding photographers. She knew the island and timings that would work to capture the best light for the day.

What’s your fondest memory of your wedding?

The first dance was one of the most special moments of the night. It was sung by James’ brother Matthew (best man), who once had a career in theatre. Together we chose a song we loved and suited him, which ended up being ‘You Are The Reason’ by Calum Scott. Our guests were blown away and there were lots of tears, it was magical. We knew Matthew wouldn’t want to give a speech so this was the perfect way of involving him.

Did you have a wedding videographer?

Our videographer was Mont Videography and they had a unique way of filming to capture the day. Tassos, who rungs the company, worked with us to ensure they recorded all our special moments. They knew the best ways to film in the heat and wind that Mykonos is known for, and even used a drone to capture everything from above.

Tell us about your venue – what made this place special for you?

Mykonos is like our second home – we went for 7 summers in a row after coincidentally meeting a hotel owner of the Myconian Collection on our first trip. We became close friends, and once we got engaged we explored having our wedding in Mykonos…and it only made sense to get married in one of the 11 hotels he owned on the island! We decided on the Royal Myconian which suited our style best, and had the Chuppah and reception on the Sunset Terrace followed by dinner and dancing in the Horizon Suite upstairs.

Did you love wearing your outfits? How was your shopping experience, was it fun to find your wedding gear?

Claudia: My dress was so special to me. Jenny Packham is a good friend of my mum, and she designed my bespoke wedding dress. I knew the style that suited me after trying on a few things first, and Jenny then sketched me some options which I narrowed down to my favourite. At my final fitting when I put it on, it was magical – Jenny and her whole team made it such an unforgettable experience!

James: James’ suit was tailor made from Esclot in Bond Street. He designed it right down to the buttons and stitching. His vision was to wear two different colored blues to complement the wedding party, so his suit jacket was a lighter blue and trousers were darker. The jacket had our names and wedding date embroidered on the lining.

Did you hire a florist? Tell us about any floral amazingness

We used Studio 7 Flowers for our event, and they also put together the structure and flowers on our Chuppah. We went for a combination of blue, white, blush pink and green to go with the rest of the wedding, with trailing white flowers at the back. We had a mix of hydrangeas, roses, wisteria, eucalyptus, ruscus, ivy, freesia, delphinium and amaranthus. Studio 7 were incredible and brought my vision to life.

As cake lovers here at English Wedding we’d LOVE to know who made your cake, and how delicious it was?

We didn’t want a cake as we felt they never seem to get eaten! Instead, we went for a dessert buffet so guests could come and go as they pleased.

Tell us about any special personal touches, or creative projects you made yourselves (we love that stuff!)

The jewellery I wore on the day was my Grandma’s diamond tennis bracelet which was a gift from her when I got engaged (my something old), my mum’s hoop diamond earrings (something borrowed) and my diamond necklace which was also a gift from my Grandma for my Bat mitzvah.

Did you have any wedding readings? What were they?

We had a Jewish ceremony put together by our celebrant Jonny Kustow, as our Rabbi options couldn’t make it due to travel restrictions. We put together a bespoke ceremony with traditions, but also allowed for readings and elements which wouldn’t normally be included.

What was your first dance song? Why did you choose it?

You Are The Reason by Calum Scott, see ‘fondest memory’ question for more detail.

Favourite wedding suppliers

Photographer – Anna Roussos
Videographer – Mont Videography
Wedding planner – Elegante by Michelle J
Stationery – Cartalia
Chazan – Jonny Mosesson
Venue – Royal Myconian Hotel
Bride’s dress – Jenny Packham
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Bride’s accessories – Jenny Packham
Groom’s attire – Esclot
Bridesmaids – Jasmine Bridal from Boutique and Co
Hair + Makeup – Konstantinos Kontizas, Makeup Mykonos
Florist –Studio 7 Mykonos
DJ – Richard Horn
Production – Sound Mykonos
Rentals – Blue Event Rentals Mykonos
Ketubah – The Ketubah Studio
Officiant – Jonathon Kustow

The post Claudia & James’s dream wedding in Mykonos, with Elegante by Michelle J appeared first on English Wedding.

We’re in love with Vikki’s dress – the tulle layers and floral embroidery make a lovely statement, and we adore the timeless style! The photos of the bride in the Tuscany sunset are breathtaking, with the light on the dress falling just perfectly… who wouldn’t want to get married in Italy when it’s this beautiful!

Vikki & Nick’s rustic theme brought the celebrations together just perfectly, with eucalyptus sprigs everywhere and gorgeous lighting in the courtyard as the sun set. The styling fits perfectly with the location, creating a magical ambiance – and with sax player Ellie and musical entertainment from Leo and the Blue Band, the vibe was pure summer bliss!

This is wedding blog gold, and we hope you love it! That dress… those flowers! And Vikki and Nick are just gorgeous.

Their destination wedding photographer was Liam Collard Photography. Talented photographers Liam and Stam are based in London, internationally awarded and featured in 15 different countries. We’re also very proud to say they’re members of English Wedding.

Vikki & Nick’s Italian destination wedding suppliers

Wedding Venue: https://www.residenzedepoca.it/en/weddings/
Bridal Shoes: https://www.dunelondon.com/
Groom’s Suit: https://www.moss.co.uk/
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: https://www.asos.com/
Wedding and Engagement Rings: https://www.solitairelondon.com/
Wedding Jewellery: https://www.cartier.co.uk/
Hair: Jennifer Louise Nails
Make-Up: Glam by Marlena
Wedding Planner: https://www.instagram.com/jhaycreative/ & https://www.instagram.com/annafernweddings/
Catering: https://www.instagram.com/delizie_deliziose_catering/
Flowers: https://www.instagram.com/flowerscortona/
Musical Entertainment: https://www.instagram.com/leoandtheblueband/
Special Entertainment: https://www.instagram.com/ellie.sax/
Videographer: https://www.instagram.com/thewedding_filmmakers/
Lighting & Equipment: https://www.instagram.com/weddingmusicandlights/
Celebrant: https://www.instagram.com/weddingdocsandmore/

The post Vikki & Nick’s amazing Italian destination wedding, with Liam Collard Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

“After having to delay our huge Indian wedding four times due to the pandemic, Shiv and I decided to have an intimate 50 person affair to celebrate our love for each other and to do our Hindu wedding ceremony. Starting with a list of 800 and cutting down to 50 was a task in itself! We decided to do it in Mumbai, India, which is where I am from originally.”

I decided to go completely makeup-free to one of the events (Haldi) at our wedding. I have acne-prone skin and have struggled with acne as well as scarring for a lot of my adult life so this was a risk for me but I really wanted to be comfortable in my own skin.

The event was a ritual-based one, but I was still going to be heavily photographed and of course, all our guests were there but I was so happy I did this because I really wanted to look and feel myself during our wedding. It really proved to me that beauty is on the inside and real happiness radiates beyond any make up! What better event, as the significance of a haldi is to purify you and your soul before your wedding and to have your families good wishes and love showered upon you.

For the ceremony itself, Shiv and I broke tradition and actually saw each other before. Once he was dressed he came up to my room and saw me before I had my veil on and we were able to take some photos and spend time together. It was one of the best decisions we made. It really helped us both feel calmer before the actual ceremony and although we weren’t sure if it was going to take away from the moment that we would see each other at the ceremony, it actually made it all so much more special. I wore a custom made Manish Malhotra outfit for this, which was a dream to have made and to finally be able to wear. Note: I tried on my outfit only 5 days before our wedding due to the pandemic!!!

Our biggest takeaway from this whole experience is that a wedding is truly a celebration of you as a couple, so it should reflect the two of you and your values in every way!

Wedding photographer’s website

https://www.instagram.com/fourfoldpictures/

How did you choose your photographer?

Indian weddings have a lot of ceremonies involved, and since our wedding was incredibly intimate, we were looking for someone who could capture the essence and mood of the event. It was really important that our couple photographs were as beautiful as the candid imagery from the wedding.

Were you pleased with your wedding photographer? Do tell… we love a brilliant review!

Incredibly pleased. Our photographers really took the time to get to know us as a couple and the photos were a real reflection of us. They captured our candid moments so beautifully and more than just us they also captured our family so well. When we look at the photos we are filled with joy!

Tell us about your venue – what made this place special for you?

We chose to do it in a hotel in Mumbai. We wanted our guests to all stay at the venue as we had so many different ceremonies taking place and as it was mainly family, it was quite a lot of fun to all be together. The hotel was the JW Marriott Sahar, and they took fabulous care of us!

Did you love wearing your outfits? How was the dress / suit shopping experience?

Shiv and I had to plan our wedding remotely – we had initially planned a huge Indian wedding in Jaipur but due to the pandemic and countless delays. Shiv looked for his outfit completely remotely. He had identified the designer as it was someone he had worn before and worked with them virtually to choose a design. They sent it to us in London where he tried it on! For me, it was a little different. Indian wedding outfits are quite large and elaborate so getting it to London just for a trial was not going to be possible. I had worked with one the team of one of my favorite Indian designers, Manish Malhotra, to create something custom-made. Back in 2019, we identified the types of work I liked, the colour, the cut and from there the team created a beautiful custom-made lehnga. The only catch was that I wasn’t going to be able to try it on until I arrived in Mumbai. I tried my wedding outfit on for the first time a few days before our wedding! Luckily it was incredible, exactly what I had imagined and wanted. It just shows how important it is to go for a designer whose aesthetics match your own!

Mehendi. The Mehendi ceremony is where the bride and her female family members have henna applied to their hands in intricate patterns. Bridal henna is incredibly intricate and is done on the hands and the feet – mine took 5 hours to do! I did it in advance so I could truly enjoy the event.

Did you hire a wedding planner?

Our wedding planners are called The Design Company by Henna Arora – they are a couple, Henna and Ashish and they not only styled our big day but also handled the logistics. Indian weddings take place over a few days so there was a lot to plan! They made sure to create the most stunning scenes for every event – every event looked and felt different and had an amazing atmosphere! We genuinely couldn’t have done it without them! Not only were they an incredible support on that front, but they were also so supportive for Shiv and I, making us feel so special.

Tell us about any special personal touches, or creative projects you made yourselves

Since our wedding was very intimate we wanted to make sure that our guests felt that. We handwrote little welcome notes, as well as thank you notes for each of our guests that were then dropped off in their rooms for them along with a special little present. Shiv’s mother who is an illustrator actually designed these cards for us – the welcome note had a background of lotuses to represent India (our heritage, but also where I was born and brought up) and our thank you notes were with a background of tulips to represent Holland (where Shiv was born and brought up!)

Although our wedding was only 50 people, Shiv and I are planning something larger for the year, which is why we chose an Italian theme!

How did the pandemic affect your wedding plans? Do you have any advice to share with couples planning their weddings right now?

We got engaged in 2019 and were planning to have our wedding in 2020. It was such a difficult process to have to continuously delay our wedding (it was delayed perhaps 5 times!) not just from a logistic perspective but also an emotional one. What we both learned was that at some point, you have to let go of the stress and try to enjoy the moment. Things change so rapidly, and we had to just focus on what was in our control, and be flexible and open to making changes to still be able to create the day that we wanted.

The post Shloka & Shiv’s classic, timeless Indian wedding in Mumbai, with Fourfold Pictures appeared first on English Wedding.