We begin our Real Weddings series with a real life fairy tale. Set in the English countryside, complete with a 150 year old church, a custom Chantilly lace gown and a countryside mansion overlooking the River Thames. We couldn't make this up.
Charlotte René, a senior technology delivery manager, and Patrick Muyot, a media communications officer had initially considered a destination wedding in France, but were lucky enough to find their dream venue less than an hour from their home in London. Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire (the aforementioned mansion) was the perfect classic and romantic setting for the stylish couple. “It was everything we wanted from a venue; almost like your own home for the day, where every room would be accessible to all your guests" says Charlotte. Working with Louise Hughes of One Stylish Day, Charlotte drew on her Mauritian heritage and Patricks Filipino background to create a day that honoured their families, as well as being true to their life in England. Including traditional elements while keeping a modern aesthetic with the flower arrangements, food and music.
Read on for all the details of the couple’s incredible day in the English countryside, planned by One Stylish Day and photographed by The Curries.
Charlotte wore a custom Chantilly lace dress with pearls by Emma Beaumont. “I love everything about my dress and only wish I could wear it again someday," initially finding the dress shopping experience stressful, it wasn't until she met the designer that she felt excited “Emma immediately put me at ease and I knew I wanted her to design and make my dress,” the bride adds.
Florist, Liberty Lane Flowers, created a stunning bouquet which included Charlottes requested anthurium, the national flower of Mauritius, along with roses and orchids.
Charlotte’s two nieces served as flower girls, wearing our Violette full length lace flower girl dresses, and fresh crowns of roses.
Patrick wore a custom three-piece suit in midnight blue by London based Zebel Bespoke. He added gold cufflinks and a gift from Charlotte: a silver and rose-gold Rotary timepiece.
It was important for the couple to say “I do” in a Catholic ceremony. The ceremony was held at St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church in Windsor. Statement floral arrangements flanked the doors to the church. They included dried palm fronds and seed heads, dried bracken, smokebush foliage, and café latte and quicksand roses. "It was such a wonderful sight to see as I pulled up to the church that day" says Charlotte.
"Both of us recall the amazing feeling once we were married"
Charlotte adores that Patrick retells the story of how they met as if it were a scene in a rom-com film. “Slow motion included!” she adds. Meeting at an office party, he later proposed on a trip to Mauritius with a ring he designed with the couple’s friends at Burt + Gurt Jewellery.
“From the beautiful country lanes leading up to the gated entrance and then a further drive through the breath-taking grounds, we were already filled with excitement,” Charlotte says of first encountering their venue, Hedsor House, in Buckinghamshire. “It was everything we wanted in a venue.”
Charlotte’s bridesmaids wore champagne satin gowns designed by a friend’s mother, Sylvee Orcran. They carried bouquets that echoed the bride’s flowers and each added gold, pearl, and crystal hair accessories to complete the look.
The bride and groom took a sneak peek at their reception venue before the guests arrived for cocktail hour. "Take time to pause and take it all in".
After enjoying a European-inspired menu, the newlyweds cut into their incredible cake with a trio of flavours: white chocolate with raspberry, vanilla with champagne and strawberry, and red velvet. Charlotte loved that the detailed sugar flowers made the confection look like a work of art and Patrick touts the cake tasting as one of his favourite parts of planning.
“One moment during dinner—when the evening sun was casting a beautiful, warm glow upon the room, with the candles flickering and everyone laughing and enjoying themselves—I turned to Patrick and told him to take it in," says Charlotte. "This is exactly what we wanted from our day: all of our family and friends coming together and having an amazing time.”
The couple kept the celebrations going later in the year. After a six-week honeymoon through Sri Lanka, Vietnam & Bali, they had a family-moon in The Philippines with Patrick’s extended family and Charlotte’s parents and grandparents. “It really was a trip of a lifetime,” Charlotte says.
Vendors:
Ceremony venue: St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Hedsor House
Planner: Louise Hughes, One Stylish Day
Bridal Gown and Veil: Emma Beaumont
Jewellery: Victoria Fergusson; Tania Maras
Shoes: Valentino
Hair: Michael Gray Hair
Bridal Party hair: Brooke Painter
Makeup: Ruth Lily Reynolds
Bridesmaid dresses: Sylvee Ocran
Mother of the Bride dress: Altuzarra
Groom's Attire: Zebel Bespoke
Flower girl dresses: Oui Babe
Ring bearer attire: Next
Engagement ring and wedding bands: Burt & Gurt Jewellery
Florals: Liberty Lane Flowers
Paper goods: Emily & Jo
Ceremony music: Get Gospel
Reception music: DJ TJ
Saxophonist: Dan Blaax
Catering: Caper & Berry
Cake: Dotty Rose
Rentals: Glo Productions
Car Rental: Kudos Cars
Photo Booth: Foto Noir
Videography: Grace & Mitch
Photography: The Curries
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