ELENA & WILL

“We met during Covid. It was a strange time to date. The restrictions meant
the only thing we could do was go on long walks or cook for each other,
so we ended up getting to know each other really well,” Elena says. So the pandemic may have been a strange and difficult time, but it was also an extremely joyful
one for this British-American couple.
When life got back to normal, Will got down on one knee in New York.
The couple designed the wedding concept to reflect their true selves, featuring their favourite food and music, and above all intended
to make their 135 cherished guests feel at home. For their wedding venue they chose the stunning country estate of Pylewell House on the south coast of Britain, within sight of the sea and the Isle of Wight. Coordinating the
suppliers and making sure the wedding day ran smoothly was mainly Elena’s responsibility, but she was guided through the process
by Abigail from AR Weddings and assisted by her mum.
“We focused on the big suppliers first, like the photographer, florist, make-up and hair artist, catering and, of course, the venue. My mum and I handled most
of it ourselves and it was even a lot of fun! My mum is incredibly organised,
so I took charge of the creative side of things and the content, while she handled the logistics, timing and practical details. We made a great team!”
When it came to the décor and overall atmosphere of the wedding,
the couple didn’t want anything too fussy. As a couple, they combine unpretentious elegance, warmth and a sense of humour, so that’s what their big day was like.
At two o’clock in the afternoon on a beautiful July day,
the guests were seated in a semicircle facing the historic country house and
the ceremony could begin. The wedding menu
was also chosen by the bride, who is a chef by profession – one of the items on the gifts list was cast iron pots and pans! Instead of fine dining,
Elena opted for more of a family feast. Many of the dishes, including the dessert, were vegan and created with possible allergies in mind;
the flavours were summery, punchy and delicious. The floral colour palette was also anything but gaudy: just white and green tones, but in a breathtaking and original array of shapes and textures, just as the bride wanted.
After an unforgettable party full of music, dancing and laughter,
the newlyweds headed to Sardinia in search of experiences and culinary delights. What better way for a marriage to start!

Text: Helena Stiessová | Photos: Divine Day Photography