Real Wedding

Kate and Karl’s Wedding at Botleys Mansion

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An Outdoor Wedding at Botleys Mansion

British Kate and Australian Karl met at Oxford University and spent 7 years together spending time in both England and Australia as a couple.

Kate moved over to Australia to be with Karl, but it was on a festive trip back to London when Karl decided to propose. Karl popped the big question in the spare bedroom of Kate’s best friend and even though it wasn’t the most romantic of settings, the fact that the proposal happened in the UK meant that Kate got to celebrate with her family and friends in person which was really lovely. Some things are just better in person as opposed to Facetime, which is how the couple typically communicate with their loved ones when they are abroad!

After a few months umming and ahhing, the newly engaged couple thought that a traditional English summer wedding party would be ideal, so they started doing their research and chose a date 15 months down the line.

Destination Wedding Party Planning

As Kate and Karl live in Australia, they had to plan their UK wedding from afar. The couple sent Kate’s mother and a bridesmaid to visit 6 shortlisted Surrey wedding venues and Botleys Mansion came out on top. Their main feedback in regards to preferring Botleys Mansion was that the whole venue was yours to use exclusively for 24 hours, plus the fact that the venue was beautiful enough not to have to spend extra money decorating it.

Harper’s proprietary online wedding planner was great at structuring all of the jobs the couple needed to do, and the helpful budget planner meant that there were no hidden costs along the way. Not forgetting the fact that the the couple could communicate to the Wedding Planning Team in the UK via the handy messaging system regardless of the time zone.

Luxury Wedding Flowers and Décor

Kate and Karl got in touch with Gabi from Fine Flowers when it came to decorating the Temple for their outdoor wedding celebration, multiple reception tables, and a selection of bridal party blooms. Gabi was brilliant at taking Kate’s vague ideas and offering loads of suggestions. The Fine Flowers team had a huge job on the morning of the wedding as they had to decorate the Temple, staircases, reception tables, ceremony chairs, top table and décor for the Morning Room and Library. Wedding bouquets and floral decorations were formed in loose bunches of white, pink and green foliage.

An Outdoor Wedding Celebration

Jenny from Knight Ceremonies led Kate and Karl’s 1:45pm wedding celebration under the Temple in the Temple Gardens at Botleys Mansion on Friday 6th July, 2018.

The weather was perfect and the personal ceremony produced laughter and tears throughout. The couple had asked two Australian guests to do readings and the couple were delighted to finally be pronounced husband and wife under the basking summer sun.

After having confetti tossed on them as they walked back down the aisle, the couple and their guests enjoyed drinks and canapés to the sounds of The New York Brass Band. The couple had previously seen them play at Glastonbury and another friend had recommended them having watched them play at a wedding in the past. They were a magnificent addition to the summery wedding reception and really got the party started.

Kate decided to toss her bouquet before dinner. She went up to one of the rooms inside the Mansion and tossed her flowers to a group of single girls who were all waiting anxiously down below.

Outdoor wedding Surrey

Banqueting and Partying in The Atrium at Botleys Mansion

A couple of months before their wedding Kate and Karl visited the UK and booked a menu tasting at Botleys Mansion.

They loved everything they tasted on the sample platter, so had a hard time choosing the perfect menu for their guests, but in the end opted to add extra canapés and upgrade their dessert to a trio of mini desserts which was very well received by their 155 guests.

After dinner, guests were able to relax and enjoy the Mansion before the Harper DJ kick-started evening party festivities. The couple had requested a combination of old and new chart music, followed by 3 specific songs to end the night. The Harper DJ filled the dance floor and everyone had a truly wonderful evening.

Luxury Surrey wedding venue

Wedding Attire

When it came to finding a Mansion-worthy wedding dress, bride-to-be Kate travelled to a boutique in Melbourne and chose a stunning Suzanne Harward gown with pockets! The unusual A-line wedding dress featured a bateau neckline and an open back; ideal for a summer celebration. The dress flew from Melbourne to Darwin to Perth and then on to the UK, but landed in perfect condition and Kate was delighted to don it down an outdoor aisle.

Harper Partner Gemma Sutton and her team were amazing when it came to giving Kate a natural bridal look. The bride and her bridesmaids had so much fun on the morning of the wedding, getting ready and enjoying the ambience in the luxurious bridal suite at Botleys Mansion.

Kate invited her 2 sisters and 2 best pals to be her bridesmaids on the big day. They wore elegant grey dresses with alternating necklines, by Australian designer Shona Joy.

The groom and his groomsmen all wore tailored suites by Dress 2 Kill in London who were really accommodating given the short turn around in terms of timings.

Most Memorable Moment

When asked about their most memorable wedding moment at Botleys Mansion, Kate and Karl replied, “Standing at the top of the stairs into the Atrium after being presented as ‘Mr & Mrs’ for the first time and seeing all our friends cheering and smiling was a pretty great feeling!”

Wedding Suppliers

Wedding Venue: Botleys Mansion
Wedding Photographer: Richard Galloway
Wedding Dress Designer: Suzanne Harward
Bridal Beauty: Gemma Sutton
Bridesmaids Dresses: Shona Joy
Groomswear: Dress 2 Kill, London
Wedding Flowers: The Fine Flowers Company
Wedding Celebrant: Knight Ceremonies
Wedding Band: New York Brass Band
Evening Entertainment: Harper DJ

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