Weddings and Honeymoons
Your Wedding Day Planning and Honeymoon Excitement Starts Here!
+44 (0) 20 3720 6320

Claire & Ivor's Country Manor Wedding

Claire and Ivor hosted classy day in Hertfordshire filled with glitz, glamour and cute personalised touches. Follow their journey here...

 

Photography by Poppy Carter Portraits

Picture-Perfect Proposal

Taking snaps on a sunny morning walk set the scene for this wholesome marriage proposal: "It was the first weekend Ashridge House opened their gardens and we were the only people in there. We love a photo or two, gotta do it for the gram! We had found the most perfect spot on the walkway leading up to the stately home. Ivor snapped me probably around 50 times, and following suit, Ivor wanted a photo shoot himself! He was being Mr. Cool with his back to the camera, and as I was snapping away, I realised he had taken to his knee - I managed to capture my own engagement!" 

Claire_Ivor_poppycarterportraits

“I just loved trying on dresses; I mean you only get married once so why not go all out?”

 

Sentimental Settings 

Endless dog walks and a surprise engagement photo shoot later, it was only ever going to be Ashridge House for their Hertfordshire wedding venue. The couple opted for an elegant romance theme with hundreds of white roses and lots of gold details. "It has an incredible grand hall and the most beautiful staircase. This is where I made my entrance with my Dad on my arm, walking into married life, a moment I will never forget. Ashridge House also just happens to be right on our doorstep so we really couldn’t pick anywhere more perfect for us!"

Claire_Ivor_poppycarterportraits

The Lady Marian Alford Room, Ashridge House 

 

Bubbles Of Excitement

While the boys looked dapper in black dinner suits, the girls opted for a palette of satin gold and champagne tones for their gowns. "I had the best morning with my girls dressed in matching slippers and robes, getting glammed up, drinking champagne, singing and dancing the morning away with a playlist one of my bridesmaids pulled together, it was pure magic!" The bubbles of excitement continued throughout the day with an opulent champagne tower at the drinks reception, making the perfect photo opportunity as the newlyweds celebrated their next chapter.

Claire_Ivor_poppycarterportraits

“The singing waiters had all our guests up on their chairs within minutes!”

 

Lion King Rings 

Claire and Ivor's four-legged best friend dressed up as the sweetest ring bearer. "The biggest surprise for our guests was when our puppy Simba came running down the staircase to ‘I Just Can’t Wait to Be King’ from the Lion King in his very own tuxedo with our rings strapped to his back!" Simba's exclusive appearance was a rarity at Ashridge House, as the only other dog that's been allowed in is Ronnie Wood's from the Rolling Stones!

Claire_Ivor_poppycarterportraits

"With an array of music, jokes, lots of tears and puppies, guests told us it was the best ceremony they had ever seen!"

 

Maldivian Memories

From gilded celebrations to golden sunsets, the pair jetted off to the Maldives. "We stayed at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, which was just paradise! We wanted to experience a sea villa, which felt like we were floating on the Indian Ocean. I still can’t explain the colour of the water! Endless sunrises, sunsets, romantic beach dinners, swimming with sharks and turtles and, of course, lots of cocktails. It was the best start to married life!"

Claire_Ivor_poppycarterportraits

VENUE Ashridge House PHOTOGRAPHER Poppy Carter Portraits VIDEOGRAPHER All the Sparks FLORIST Apple Blossom Flowers DRESS Justin Alexander from Brides of Berkhamsted SHOES Valentino BEAUTY Storme Makeup & Hair GROOM Fogarty Formal Hire CELEBRANT The Civil Celebrant (Alison Ann) CAKE Terre et Lune ENTERTAINMENT LTW Laura Tumelty-Williams, City Sounds – Entertainment Nation, Silver Service Singers

Share this article

   

Register or Login to post a comment.

Subscribe to our newsletter

For the latest news, magazine releases, trends, inspiration, wedding planning tips and exciting launches delivered straight to your inbox!

Leave this empty:

Love W&H xoxo

It's Here'