Katie + Ben by Bo Leray Photography - Together Journal

Our goal was to achieve a timeless aesthetic—something we can look back on and still love for years to come.

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

I’m half Chinese, so we have a deep love for Asian food—we’ve even been to Thailand four times!

One thing people always find surprising about us is that we’ve been together since we were just 11 and 12 years old.

We both live just outside London in the town where we grew up and now work in the city—Ben as a commodities broker and I in a tech company.

Travel is one of our biggest passions, and we’ll take any excuse to go away, whether it’s a birthday or an anniversary. We’ve spent many anniversaries in Paris, but after we got engaged at home, Ben surprised me with a trip to New York!

We’re huge foodies and love dining out, but we also enjoy cozy nights in with our two black cats (“our boys!”), watching movies and playing Monopoly.

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

Ben and I met at secondary school—I was 11, and he was 12—when we first became boyfriend and girlfriend. We’ve been together for more of our lives than we’ve been apart, which is so special.

One of the things I love most about Ben is his selflessness and the way he loves me. Whether it’s swapping meals at a restaurant because I don’t like mine or letting me pick what to watch on TV when I’m feeling down, he always puts me first.

We grew up together and later traveled around Southeast Asia and Australia, experiencing so many incredible things—skydiving, exploring new cultures, and stepping outside our comfort zones. It was scary at first, but knowing we had each other made it easy.

Even when we went to different universities, a few hours apart, we made it work. Visiting each other and meeting new friends made that time so fun and memorable.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

Within days of meeting Ben, I was already signing off my diary entries as “Katie Farrar”— and I was only 11! He was my first ever crush, and I’ve been obsessed with him ever since. I still remember the first time he kissed me on the cheek—there’s even a photo! I was so excited that I filled pages after pages of my diary about it, and to this day, I still have that diary.

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

We chose our wedding venue first, drawn to its old rustic charm. To create contrast, we opted for a refined black-and-white colour scheme while incorporating stone table numbers and soft signage for added texture. The bold black accents stand out beautifully against the white brickwork, enhancing the venue’s character. Our goal was to achieve a timeless aesthetic—something we can look back on and still love for years to come.

Gypsophila has always been my favourite flower—I keep it in a vase at home all year round. When I found my dress, which featured a big bow detail on the back, we decided to carry the bow theme throughout. We used black ribbons as place holders, which guests could later tie around their glasses to keep track of their drinks. Some even tied the ribbons on their backs, which was such a cute touch!

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).

We wanted the venue’s beauty to take centre stage, so we used different areas for each part of the wedding, allowing guests to fully experience the space. The ceremony took place by the grand staircase, the reception was held in the main courtyard, and the cake cutting took place in a more intimate round patio. This way, guests always had something new and beautiful to take in throughout the day.

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

One of the best parts of the planning process was seeing our vision come to life—from those first Pinterest boards to all the little details that made the day feel so personal. We loved curating every element, from the stone table numbers to the playing cards we used as a guest book, making sure everything felt unique to us.

That being said, I cannot stress enough how important a wedding planner is. Santa was incredible—she made the entire process seamless and stress-free. Having someone to handle logistics meant we could truly enjoy every moment, from the excitement of getting engaged to the final moments of our wedding day.

Ben and I especially loved visiting the venue, going for the food tasting, and getting a full tour—it made everything feel so real and exciting! We brought our mums along, which made the experience even more special. Seeing their reactions, sharing the excitement, and getting their input on the details was something we’ll always cherish.

It was such a great way to soak in the moment and really envision what our wedding day would look like. Plus, tasting all the delicious food was definitely a highlight! It’s those little moments during the planning process that make it so memorable.

For couples just starting their planning journey, my biggest tip is to enjoy every step. The time goes so fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the stress. Stay organised, trust your vendors, and most importantly, have fun!

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

My Party dress had a mandarin collar to symbolise my Chinese heritage.

I also had a personalised veil with the date of the wedding and our initials.

What was 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?).

For us, photography and videography were the most important elements to invest in. These memories will last a lifetime, and it was absolutely worth the investment. We were also thrilled with the food—it was traditional Italian cuisine, but elevated to another level and truly out of this world.

We actually found our venue on TikTok, which sparked our entire vision. From there, we chose details like the black bridesmaid dresses and accents to complement the white brickwork at Masseria Grieco.

Of course, one of our top priorities was ensuring that there were plenty of drinks flowing for the nearest and dearest who had traveled to Italy to celebrate with us.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

There was definitely a moment that made us laugh now, even though it was a bit stressful at the time. It rained on our wedding day, and we had no Plan B for an indoor option. But thanks to our incredible wedding planner, we quickly reached out to a marquee company who were able to set everything up that morning.

Ben and I really united as a team to stay positive and make sure the rain didn’t impact our day. And of course, just as guests were being seated and I was about to walk down the aisle, the sun came out and everything cleared up. It was like the weather knew it was time for us to have our moment! Now, we look back and laugh at how it all worked out perfectly in the end.