Emma + Elliot by Kirsty Great

We knew we wanted something timeless and chic.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re food and wine obsessives, forever on the hunt for beautiful restaurants around the world, and always cooking something new in our East London flat. We love the finer things in life, but the best nights are spent at home with friends—hosting dinner parties, DJing, playing games, laughing until it hurts. Fun fact: we DJ’d at our own wedding! Elliot even taught Emma how to mix. Fashion and hair are also how we express ourselves—both of us love playing with identity through style. Emma’s rocked every hair colour imaginable and is currently living her best life with a bleach-blonde bob. Elliot is a Project Manager at a company producing fine furniture and joinery. Emma works in charity as a Brand & Comms Specialist and is also a qualified counsellor. We love what we do—and love doing life together even more.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met on Tinder in the (very small) town of Loughborough. Emma was a local girl, and Elliot had just landed a job there post-uni. He wasn’t thrilled about staying in Loughborough—but that changed fast. Emma had just come out of a terrible relationship, and her friends were (fairly!) suspicious of her dating choices. But then she superliked Elliot for his big, beautiful smile—”He’s always been my happy chap.” Our first date was in Queen’s Park with Peter’s Pizza, and we just couldn’t stop giggling. It felt instantly easy. By the end of the day, it was like we’d known each other forever. We even discovered we’d been at the same events before and shared loads of mutual friends. It truly felt meant to be.

Emma: “He was so effortlessly cool, but didn’t take himself seriously, which I find wildly attractive. He was curious, hilarious, and genuinely interested in me. We just talked and talked. He’s been my best friend ever since.”

Elliot: “Breathtakingly beautiful with the kindest nature of anyone I had ever encountered. I’ll never forget how I felt at the end of the night; I practically levitated home. I can’t imagine life without my best friend who I am now incredibly lucky to call my wife”

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

At first? Chaos! We had six Pinterest weddings saved on one board. It was colourful, a bit maximalist, very Emma at the time. But over time, we distilled it down to something more us. We knew we wanted something timeless and chic, but not stuffy—something romantic and stylish that still felt like our personalities were stamped on every inch. We landed on a vibe we called “modern, romantic banquet styling.” Draping was a game-changer. It softened the barn and gave it a totally different feel. We were worried about it looking too millennial-wedding twee, but Janie (Orange Tree Weddings) and Hannah (The Bud & Pot) transformed the space into something bold and breathtaking. Flowers were a non-negotiable. Hannah understood us completely—especially with the drama of the ceremony staging. We wanted it to feel like an immersive experience, not just a ceremony. The plinths, the draping, the depth of colour… she nailed it. And then there was the fruit—YES, fruit! We were obsessed with weddings that used it sculpturally in florals. Hannah used figs, grapes, and other jewel-toned fruit that brought this beautiful depth and texture to everything. Our colour palette started wild but settled into something soft and layered: ivory, white, dusty pinks, lush greens. It worked perfectly with the wood tones in the barn and helped it all feel light, fresh, and romantic—even on a grey July day.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The draping: It gave the ceremony and cake cutting the most cinematic feel. It even looked like part of Emma’s dress and scarf in photos—like she was the missing piece.

The florals: Dramatic plinths at the ceremony and a top table transformation. Emma’s bouquet was a structural dream.

The fruit: Added texture, colour, and a really organic, banquet-style opulence.

The contrast: Our modern floral styling against the rustic barn was magic. Ivory tones made everything pop and lifted the entire space.

Grange Barn itself: Those windows, those countryside views—it was the perfect setting for a drinks reception.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Finding the dress: Emma never imagined herself getting married. Finding the dress—and having that visceral reaction—was unforgettable. Also keeping secrets from each other as to what we were going to wear was so much fun! It meant post wedding and even now we have so much still to catch up on!

Involving friends and family: From readings to DJ sets, pub quizzes, and handmade favours (thanks Mum and Dad for the gorgeous glass ring dishes!), we made it about everyone, not just us.

Invest in florals: Hannah worked magic within our budget, but stretching it a little gave us the jaw-dropping drama we dreamed of.

Hire a stylist/planner: Janie was our wedding fairy godmother. She found every supplier and executed the vision with style and love.

Make it your own: Be the glam quizmasters, serve BBQ instead of a plated meal, wear something that makes your nan gasp—in a good way. The day is yours to run how you wish. Reject statements like: “traditionally you would do…”. There are no right or wrong ways to bring your wedding together, so just do what feels right to you.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Janie – Orange Tree Weddings: Our stylist and wedding planner, and an absolute dream to work with. Janie brought order to chaos, always listened, and thoughtfully considered every idea we had. She executed the most perfect wedding for us—even when we struggled to visualise it ourselves. She was our ultimate advocate, had impeccable taste, and could execute any of our wishes to perfection. From the draping and ceremony staging to the stationery and table layouts, Janie took our vision and elevated it. She genuinely went above and beyond, and by the end of it all, felt like a true friend.

Hannah – The Bud and Pot: Our floral genius. Working to a tight budget, Hannah always tried to achieve the maximum impact with what we had. She took our chaotic Pinterest boards and transformed them into cohesive, stunning floral designs that were totally immersive. The plinths at the ceremony created a waterfall effect of pinks, creams, and ivories that felt like walking into a dream. The use of fruit added so much texture and elegance. My bridal bouquet was everything—it brought together all my favourite inspo pics into one structural, soft, unique bouquet full of drama. Hannah even took time to study each of my bridesmaids’ dresses (they chose their own!) and designed bouquets that brought it all together. I’ll never forget the moment she handed it to me—it’s a core memory I’ll always hold.

Kirsty Great – Photographer: Elliot and I are not natural posers, but Kirsty made us feel at ease from the very start. She captured the essence and energy of the day with such care. Our engagement shoot with her helped us feel more relaxed for the big day, and her creative ideas made for iconic shots—like the nostalgic, playful bridesmaids shoot. Her eye, attention to detail, and warmth made her feel like another guest, and so many people commented on how lovely she was. We can’t thank her enough for bottling the joy of the day so perfectly.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Emma began her bridal look with a visit to THE OWN STUDIO, one of the first bridal shops she tried, where she fell in love with their simple, timeless yet on-trend styles. When she discovered a drop-waist, strappy design, the team created a bespoke version to perfectly fit her, raising the waist slightly and adding extra padding on the hips for a subtle baroque feel. The result was a flattering, classic gown that could later be dyed and altered to enjoy again, a sustainable touch she loved. She paired it with a silk scarf, also from THE OWN STUDIO, which became the defining accessory of her look. Having decided to keep her cropped pixie cut rather than grow it out for the wedding, Emma wanted something that would complement her short hair, and the scarf brought a chic, Old Hollywood glamour while tying in with the draping used in the ceremony décor. She had it lengthened for extra drama as she walked down the aisle, though it now bears a small cigarette burn she hopes to have repaired. On her feet were ballerina Tabis, a classic, flat silhouette she had dreamed of wearing since her engagement—perfectly comfortable and height-friendly for her and Elliot, though she warns brides to wear them in before the big day as they can be slippery at first. One iconic photo shows her dangling her feet out of a car with a cigarette between the toes, a playful and unforgettable moment. For the evening, she changed into a custom beaded catsuit from Australian label Dypsnea, a sexy, slinky and party-ready look she had long admired. Made to measure, it fit her like a glove and gave her the freedom to dance all night and even DJ during their set.

For his look, Elliot explored several Savile Row tailors before choosing Paul Smith, where the fit of their base designs suited him perfectly. He selected a made-to-measure black double-breasted suit for a more distinctive and flattering silhouette, paired with off-the-rack double-pleated trousers for a relaxed balance. His spearpoint collar shirt from Thomas Farthing was one of his favourite pieces, inspired by Joe Pesci’s shirts in Goodfellas and crafted using original 1930s and 1940s patterns. After trialling cheaper versions, he knew this was the right choice for its quality and precision, ensuring the collar proportions worked perfectly with his chosen tie. Vintage gold mother-of-pearl cufflinks from Etsy completed the detail. The continental bow tie, inspired by Elvis and discovered through The Own Studio’s Instagram, added a touch of flair, sourced from Oscar Maison Paris after extensive searching to find the perfect quality. On his feet, Elliot wore Paraboot Michael BBR Edition shoes, a polished, slightly dressier version of the classic style, crafted in France with premium leather and the brand’s signature Norwegian welt. Elegant yet characterful, they were the ideal choice for a day that balanced tradition with personal style.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Before we left the UK to travel Europe in our van, I had sneakily worked out Emma’s ring size, purchasing a ring sizer and comparing it to another one of her own personal rings. We had discussed styles of rings briefly, so I had a rough idea what she wanted but mainly I knew it had to be something unique. Whilst travelling through Albania in our van, I found Sue Lane Jewellery online and started communicating with her. We worked together to produce the bespoke gold band and setting, with the pear shaped light blue sapphire, which I chose personally. I had seen lots of engagement and wedding ring pairings online and felt that often there is a disconnect between the two. The engagement ring seems the main priority for most grooms, the wedding ring feeling like more of an afterthought. I explained to Sue I wanted to avoid this and she suggested a setting that would allow a bespoke wedding ring to slot in perfectly with the engagement ring, producing a neat stack. I communicated with Carol, Emma’s mum, who took delivery of the ring in the UK, flew over to the South of France and hid it in their house in Campan. We arrived there a few weeks later in the van and at the end of our 9 month tour of Europe, I proposed to Emma at the base of the Lac Bleu alpine lake in the Pyrenees and all the time back and forth with Sue paid off, she loved it! Emma had a huge input on the wedding ring. She worked with Sue to develop a matching gold band and settings with two additional sapphires, one medium shade round cut and one dark shade octagonal cut. The way it slots together with the pear-shaped sapphire engagement ring is a match made in heaven. Last but not least, my own wedding ring was originally my Pop’s (my dad’s step-dad). He wore it for the years he was married to my Nan before he passed away. Not only do I love the sentimental value but also the style. It’s a very tall band (10mm), so it’s nice and chunky on my hand. I took it to a jeweller in Hatton Garden where they re-sized and re-polished it, so it looked like new ahead of the big day.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Florals: Absolutely our biggest splurge, and it paid off. Everyone commented on them. They were dramatic, personal, and brought the whole vision together. From the cascading ceremony plinths to the banquet-style table styling and those jewel-toned grapes—we were obsessed.

Planner/stylist: Janie was the linchpin. She brought together every loose idea we had and transformed it into a cohesive, magical experience. She was our emotional support and logistics queen.

Food: We added a last-minute brine bar—olives, pickles, and salty snacks—for our drinks hour and it was a total hit. It was quirky, fun, and completely us. Plus, a more cost-effective alternative to traditional canapés.

Outfits: We both spent more than we ever would on clothes, but each item felt personal and intentional. Emma’s dress may have been the most affordable she tried, but felt custom-fit to her personality. And the evening catsuit? Worth every penny for the wow factor and dancefloor freedom.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The ceremony: It was emotional, surreal, and grounding all at once. Seeing each other in our outfits, reading our promises, and sharing that moment with everyone we love—it was unforgettable. Elliot said he felt like he was levitating the entire time.

Our DJ sets: DJing for our friends felt like the ultimate celebration. Being behind the decks together and watching everyone we love lose themselves on the dancefloor was such a rush. It was personal, playful, and iconic.

The bridesmaids photoshoot: Emma’s vision was childlike fun and nostalgia. Think motion blur, wind in our hair, laughter, posing like it’s 2003—and Kirsty captured it perfectly. It was like time travelling with my best friends.

Confetti kiss dip: We didn’t plan it, but we nailed it. It looked straight out of a movie and was one of our favourite photos from the whole day.

Our getaway drive: After the ceremony, we snuck off in a classic car for a little drive through the countryside. Just the two of us. We held hands, debriefed, and soaked up the enormity of what had just happened. It gave us a beautiful, calm moment to catch our breath before diving back into celebration.