With an old school friend as her florist and the village where she spent her childhood as the backdrop to her day, Anouska's wedding at Bridwell Park, an elegant Georgian house and home to Lord Ivar Mountbatten, was a family affair. "I was at home," says Anouska, "but in this gorgeous house," she explains. "Seeing everyone we loved in the same room at once was incredible."
The sunny yellow of daisies was the colour scheme - from the groomsmen's ties to the bride's craspedia bouquet - and the sun shone brightly as Anouska and her dad left his house "after bacon sandwiches and playing 'Going to the chapel, and we're gonna get married' on repeat!" she laughs. Driving through the village where she grew up, in her dad's convertible Mercedes, Anouska could hear the bells ringing for their ceremony. "Waking into the church and seeing Sam was the best moment ever. I had missed him so much all morning, getting my hair done, wearing the dress - all of which he hadn't seen - and that made me extra nervous; he's my best friend and normally I'd ask his advice on everything!" she explains. But she needn't have worried. Anouska wowed her groom and guests in a tea-length vintage-inspired applique dress with keyhole back. The bridesmaids shimmered in dresses of a similar style, "the gold sparkles in the material matched my shoes," says Anouska.
Post-ceremony, drinks were served on the stunning terrace, before a menu of giant couscous, cherry tomatoes, lentil and fresh herb salads, homemade mini tarts, and beef, ham and trout. "This was followed by mini Eton mess and scones with clotted cream and jam - yum!" explains Anouska.
Before the couple knew it, midnight had arrived and taxis came to take their guests home. But not before Anouska's favourite moment, which was seeing their two-year-old son take over their first dance and entice everyone onto the dance floor, "including my 83-year-old nan," she says, "who had the biggest, happiest smile I'd seen on her face in a long time!"
Photography Tom Blake Photography www.tomblakephotography.com
Venue Bridwell Park www.bridwell.co.uk
Dress LouLou Bridal at Pirouette www.pirouettethecollection.com
Bridesmaids' dresses Vertbaudet www.vertbaudet.co.uk
Groom's suit Reiss www.reiss.com
Catering Posh Nosh www.posh-nosh.co.uk
Hair and make-up Julia
Flowers Hayley's Flowers www.hayleysflowerswellington.co.uk
Entertainment Royal Blue via Entertainment Nation
www.entertainment-nation.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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