An Elegant Late Summer Wedding at Barnett Hill: Rachel & Tim's Romantic Celebration

Tucked away in the Surrey countryside lies Barnett Hill, a hidden gem of a venue.

Last September, as the leaves turned golden and late summer flowers held onto their last blooms, Rachel and Tim said, "I do".

From the beginning, Rachel and Tim had a clear vision for their day: timeless, romantic, with a subtle nod to Italy, the country where Tim had proposed.

That vision influenced every detail. From the black-tie suits, Tim and the groomsmen wore to the sage green dresses chosen for Rachel's six bridesmaids.

Rachel looked absolutely stunning in a lace Stella York gown and her floor-length veil.

The couple's floral vision was perfectly curated and echoed throughout the venue, from the ceremony space to the reception room. There was an abundance of blush and white roses, gyp, lisianthus, white thistle, veronica, and plenty of fresh green foliage.

Their love of motor racing subtly came through with tables named after Formula One drivers, a playful nod to something they both enjoy.

The guests were welcomed into the ceremony by the gentle music of a live string quartet, setting the tone for a day filled with heartfelt emotion and joyful celebration.

After the ceremony, guests went into the gardens for drinks, and lawn games brought smiles and some friendly competition while the string quartet played on.

 

Rachel and Tim booked their wedding cake with me 18 months before their big day, which meant we had the luxury of time to design something truly personal. Rachel had sent over a handful of inspirational images and beautiful designs that captured the feel she wanted, but they weren't quite "the one". Together, we incorporated elements she loved into a unique, elegant cake design that felt completely theirs.

Their cake featured three tiers of delicious flavours: cookies and cream; this was a personal cake for them to take home and enjoy. Lemon for the middle tier, and white chocolate and raspberry for the base tier.

To reflect their colour palette, I hand-painted a sage green watercolour wash around the middle tier and added delicate touches of white edible glitter where the tiers met, just enough shimmer to catch the light and echo Rachel's later party look.

Their initials were featured on the centre tier, styled in the same elegant font used on their stationery, a personal detail that tied everything together.

Two arrangements of sugar flowers decorated either side of the cake, mirroring the fresh flowers used throughout the venue. Blush and white roses, lisianthus, and foliage were meticulously recreated in sugar.

These sugar florals matched the real flowers perfectly and added that luxurious, timeless feel that Rachel and Tim wanted.

After the speeches and the cake-cutting moment ahead of the wedding breakfast, Tim's mum surprised everyone by serving celebratory shots. What a way to start the evening!

As the sun set, the evening began with Rachel and Tim's first dance to Everlasting Love. Not long after, Rachel surprised guests again by changing into her 'party dress', a dazzling, floor-length gown covered in sequins and sparkle, ready for the party of all parties.

The night ended with a sparkler exit that lit up the sky, creating a gorgeous glow of celebration.

Rachel and Tim's wedding was a joy to be part of from beginning to end.

If you dream of a beautiful and delicious wedding cake that reflects your unique story, I'd love to hear from you. Let's create something unforgettable!

Get in touch today to begin your cake journey.

Venue: Barnett Hill

Photography: Nicola Drummond Photography 

Videography: Jake Burgess Films

Hair and makeup: Melissa Oldridge Bridal

Dress: Stella York

Dress shop: Anya Bridal Couture

Bridesmaids dresses: Lá Closet Dé Chánel

Stationary: Mally’s Crafts

Florist: The Surrey Florist

Faux Flowers: Floradora

Suits: Stephen Bishop Suiting

Band: The Alleycatz

String Quartet: Quattro String Quartet