We arrived and I could sense it wasn’t going exactly to plan, so it was straight up to the bar for bubbles in the sun. After a great meal and sunset, we were riding high, so I took my chance, with all the nerves it just blurted out. There was a very quick yes, and the hot champagne and stinky cheese were long forgotten.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re quite similar, we had very similar upbringings. Our parents have been married for a long time (April’s 52 yrs & Matt’s 38yrs). We’re a couple who loves to travel ideally incorporating good food and wine. Always to new countries and new restaurants and off the beaten track.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We used to work together and quite frankly I don’t think we looked at each other sideways. It wasn’t till Matt started asking April if she wanted a cup of tea each day (April doesn’t drink tea) then it started to change, and it was a whirl wind from there.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
April – Very early on, I describe it like someone hitting me over the head with a brick. It just made sense like I didn’t have a choice.
Matt – I was probably the first to realise out of the two of us. April is an independent lady and whilst she fell for my charms, it was clear early on her strong character drew me to her and I respected it very much. Meanwhile I kept quiet on it for a while as it was very early into the relationship. I was reassured whilst being introduced to the parents in Australia, April’s mum mentioned ‘’this man must be special if she’s brought you home so quickly.”
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
April – Matt planned a “surprise” weekend. We arrived at Three Choirs vineyard in the Cotswolds on one of the hottest weekends ever in the UK. We were staying in a hut in the middle of the vineyards with ummm unique odor (no air con or fridge) not knowing that Matt had packed all these lovely cheeses, champagne etc.. I was being a little difficult about it all (I shamefully look back and think why he even asked me haha). We went to dinner – Matt knew the way to my heart through wining and dining me. Back at the cabin, we had only sat down a second when Matt got down on one knee and quickly asked the big question. A ‘YES’ very quickly followed.
All through this, I had an inkling that it was on the cards given on holiday in Bali a couple of months earlier he insisted on going out for a drink with my father on his own. The ring Matt proposed with was just a timekeeper, as we had never really discussed rings or anything of that nature. It was a rough emerald, I really love it and still wear every day. A month or two later Matt chose my diamond, and I chose the setting, I really like that it was a collaboration.
Matt – I had been very busy with work in the lead up and perhaps didn’t plan as much as I would have liked. I knew April would like to design her own ring so I had a rough cut emerald ring we saw in South Africa a couple of years back to propose with. We arrived and I could sense it wasn’t going exactly to plan, so it was straight up to the bar for bubbles in the sun. After a great meal and sunset, we were riding high, so I took my chance, with all the nerves it just blurted out. There was a very quick yes, and the hot champagne and stinky cheese were long forgotten.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
Neither of us are huge wedding people, it’s not a day we had dreamed of forever, so we didn’t really know where to start. Originally it was supposed to be in Italy as it has a special place in our hearts however covid scuppered those plans. So April, being from Australia, wanted the quintessential English affair without all the usual traditions. We only looked at 2 locations, St Giles House was a yes straight away.
The things that were important to us were the food, wine and entertainment. We did not want a traditional menu so we came to Bread & Flowers, eg: ceviche, middle eastern duck leg with freekeh. We opted to supply our own wine and champagne. From there, we let Helen take the reins….. she came up with everything just from talking to us. She was a heaven sent, truly amazing. I have to say the rust/burnt orange came colour came from our puppy (Digger) we got in July while also moving and decorating a house!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
April – I didn’t really LOVE my dress, I didn’t have that big wow realisation ‘’this is it’’, until the day. In the lead up I thought it was nice enough, it will do. Another big decision ticked off, but on the day, I couldn’t have been more in love with it. I would dearly love to wear it again. The sentimental special touches – inside my dress my mum hand stitched a diamond letter “A” charm that she always wears around her neck. It was to remember my brother who sadly is no longer with us. I also had a vintage lace handkerchief wrapped around my bouquet that was my Nan’s on her wedding day.
I always thought I would sell my dress so I wanted something I could keep, so I got my veil made separately. I had A&M 24/9/22 hand stitched into it. I thought with the vintage French lace it is something I could keep forever, possibly pass down if that opportunity ever arose.
For my evening dress, I wanted something fun and a bit different as my main dress was rather simple. I ended up renting it, this way I had more budget for the shoes.
Ceremony + Reception Location: St Giles House, @stgileshouseweddings / Photographer: Carla – The Unbridled, @the_unbridled__ / Videographer: Studio Westlake, @studiowestlake / Celebrant: We used my friend’s Dad. He came out of retirement for us. / Entertainment: String Quartet – Halo Strings, @halostringsuk; Band – The White Keys, @thewhitekeysuk / Styling + Planner: Helen at What Peggy Did Next, @whatpdidnext / Hair: Victoria Ralph, @victoria_ralphhair / Linen & Crockery Hire: Allens, @allens_hire / Furniture Hire: The W Collection, @thewstudiostyle / Flora: Flowers by Blomme, @flowers_by_blomme / Catering + Beverages: Bread and Flowers, @breadandflowers / Cake: Little Mallow, @little_mallow_ / Stationery: Paper Stories Co, @paperstoriesco / Matt’s Tux: Kingsman by Huntsman Savile Row, @huntsmansavilerow / Matt’s Shirt: Tom Ford, @tomford / Matt’s Shoes: YSL, @ysl / April’s Dress (Day): Pronovias, @pronovias / April’s Veil: Julita Bride, @julita_ldn_bride / April’s Shoes (Day): Loeffler Randall, @loefflerrandall / Jewellery: Soru, @sorujewellery / Aprils’ Dress (Evening): NADINE MERABI, @nadinemerabi, @nadinemerabibridal / April’s Shoes (Evening): Aquazzura, @aquazzura / Costume Jewellery: & Other Stories, @andotherstories / Ring/s: Bespoke from 77 Diamonds, @77diamonds / Fragrance: Super Cedar (Matt) & Mojave Ghost (April) by Byredo, @officialbyredo / Flower Girl Attire: Ivy – Dress from Pinterest; Flower crown made by @flowers_by_blomme / Best Man’s Attire: Luis – Tux from Reiss, @reiss / Page Boy’s Attire: Ernie – Outfit from Pinterest