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C5 Cover the elvetham wedding

The Elvetham Wedding Venue in Hampshire with Feather Bridal Gown

Photography by Natalie J Weddings Photography
There are so many heartwarming and amazing elements that make up this winter celebration at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire. The groom Tilman's mother wrote and recited a poem about love and commitment in German, and Avril's mum gave a wedding speech during the reception. Plus Avril's wedding dress story is not to be missed. Especially as in her words: (although we wholeheartedly agree) "I know most people want to feel like a princess, but I wanted to feel like a queen" And an absolute queen she looks, from her West-African-Meets-Old-Hollywood updo right through to her Badgley Mischka bridal shoes.
Winter celebration at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire
The Elvetham country house wedding venue
Black bridal makeup
Badgley Mischka bridal shoes
Art deco diamond engagement ring and wedding bands
The Elvetham wedding ceremony room with ornate fireplace
Copper lantern aisle decoration
blush pink roses and eucalyptus aisle wedding flowers
Ornate fireplace at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire
Wedding flowers with foliage and blush pink roses
Wedding morning bridal preparations at The Elvetham
Black bride in Mira Zwillinger wedding dress with feathers
Wedding morning bridal preparations
Groom in tuxedo standing at the altar of The Elvetham wedding venue
Wedding ceremony bridal entrance in Mira Zwillinger dress
Bride and groom exchange vows at The Elvetham wedding ceremony
The Elvetham wedding ceremony
Bride and groom kissing at The Elvetham wedding ceremony
Black tie wedding with Mira Zwillinger wedding dress and tuxedo
Bride and groom walking up the aisle as husband and wife
Confetti moment with bride in faux fur coverup
Bride in white faux fur coverup hugging a wedding guest
Winter wedding at The Elvetham country house in Hampshire
Bride and groom embracing
Stylish bride and groom at Winter wedding

What Made Our Day Unique

I'd never been keen on having the big wedding - or a wedding at all really. I certainly didn't think I'd be planning a UK wedding from NYC. But seeing our friends fly in from across Europe, from Australia, Dubai and South Africa just to celebrate how happy we make each other meant more than I could have imagined. Out mothers read poems in English and German, our siblings tied our hands together. Our wedding day was a seamless contradiction: global, yet small (75 guests), elegant, yet edgy, emotionally moving, yet an all-out party. The bartender didn't stop serving until sunrise!

Avril & Tilman

The Elvetham Wedding

As Avril and Tilman reside in NYC they enlisted the help of wedding planner, Planned for Perfection who is based in the Cotswolds, to help them plan their winter celebration at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire U.K. She understood their vision instantly and introduced them to lots of wedding suppliers. One thing she didn't help choose was Avril's Mira Zwillinger wedding dress. In fact, nobody helped her choose her stunning off the shoulder feather gown. On a whim, a week after the engagement she visited a showroom in NY and took five dresses into the changing room. One she thought was cool, one for laughs and one which was not her style at all. Well, guess what? She bought the one that was not her style the very next day. She instantly knew that was the dress she wanted everyone to see her saying her vows in, and would be the best thing she'd ever wear.

Inspiration & Styling

I know most people want to feel like a princess, but I wanted to feel like a queen. You can see it in my 1930s Art Deco engagement ring, the castle-like backdrop, my feathered wedding dress and my West-Africa-Meets-Old-Hollywood. This may have been inspired by the fact that Tilman proposed to me on the day of the Royal Wedding. As for the feel of the day itself, I wanted moody, mysterious, unusual, elegant, surprising and free. The wedding day was was me in wedding day form. There were no weighty traditions or family pressure: it was our own day from start to finish.

Avril & Tilman

Sophisticated black tie winter wedding with tuxedo and feather cover up
The Elvetham winter wedding
Winter celebration at  The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire
Multicultural wedding at  The Elvetham in Hampshire
Groom in tuxedo embracing his bride in feather coverup
Wedding portrait by Natalie J Weddings of bride and groom outside  The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire
Bride and groom kissing with  The Elvetham wedding venue in the backdrop
Intimate wedding portrait by Natalie J Weddings
stylish bride and groom walking through the grounds at  The Elvetham wedding venue
Bride and groom portrait in the gardens at The Elvetham wedding venue
Groom in strapless Mira Zwillinger wedding dress talking to a guest
Table plan with polka dot illustration
Place setting with individual flower
Table centrepiece with candles and flower arrangement
Winter wedding table centrepiece at  The Elvetham
Romantic candlelight reception at The Elvetham wedding venue
Winter wedding at The Elvetham with bride and groom in black tie attire
Wedding guests walking around talking to guests at  The Elvetham wedding reception
Individual cupcakes for wedding cake
Cake station at  The Elvetham wedding venue
Wedding speeches at  The Elvetham wedding reception
Mother of the bride giving a wedding speech
Bride and groom laughing during wedding speeches
Bride and groom first dance at  The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire
First dance with bride in Mira Zwillinger wedding dress
One of Avril and Tilman's favourite moments was their first dance. It was an incredibly romantic and endearing moment captured beautifully by Natalie J Photography. If you're looking for some first dance song inspiration, we've written an article featuring lots of popular romantic, upbeat and classic song choices to inspire you. rock my wedding forum

Venue: The Elvetham |
Wedding Dress: Mira Zwullinger - Ciela |
Grooms Suit: Brooks Brothers |
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka |
Florist: Paula Rooney |
Entertainment: The Silent Disco Company |
Planner/Stylist: Planned for Perfection |
Decor & Hire: 88 Evetns |
Transport: Farnham Coaches |
Celebrant: Andri Benson |
Order of the Day & Table Seating Plan: Foil Invite
Real WeddingSouth EastWinterCountry HouseCivil CeremonyClassicBlack TieWhitesPinksGreens