Gina and John were lucky enough to say their vows at Welford Park, a place that holds deep meaning for Gina and her family. Welford Park is not only one of Berkshire’s most beautiful private estates, it is also Gina’s aunt and uncle’s family home, where generations have lived for over 400 years. Being able to marry there felt incredibly personal and full of warmth, history and happy memories.
Set within acres of rolling parkland, riverside walks and old orchards, Welford Park offers a peaceful and timeless backdrop. There is even a church within the grounds, where Gina and John chose to hold their ceremony. Many will also recognise the estate from television, as it is where The Great British Bake Off tent appears each summer, adding another layer of charm to an already iconic setting.
A Christmas-Inspired Wedding Style
Gina and John’s wedding took place just a few days before Christmas, and the seasonal atmosphere could not have been more perfect. Their styling took inspiration from the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, with tables named after each verse and a rich palette of reds, greens and soft golds running throughout the day.
The marquee was filled with trestle tables dressed with winter garden floral runners created by Lindsey Kitchin of The White Horse Flower. Verdant greenery flowed down the centre of each table, with taper candlelight rising through the flowers and foliage. The overall look was crisp and elegant, with whites and greens accented by jewel-like reds and touches of gold.
Seasonal flowers included white and green hellebores, cyclamen and heathers, alongside anemones and ranunculus. Textural foliage such as eucalyptus, viburnum tinus, rosemary, pittosporum and other evergreens added depth and a wonderfully wintry feel.
A Sassi Holford bride with bridesmaids in velvet
Gina wore a beautiful gown by Sassi Holford, while her bridesmaids chose rich maroon velvet jumpsuits from Seren, perfectly suited to the winter setting. Every detail felt considered, but never overworked, creating a look that was festive, welcoming and timeless.
The wedding cake was made by a close friend of the bride, Georgie Cumming of Feast with Georgie. The three-tier design featured carrot cake with orange cream, red velvet with cream cheese filling, and sticky gingerbread with biscoff cream cheese. Finished with light buttercream and decorated with herbs, dried citrus, berries and foliage, it was as joyful and colourful as the rest of the day.
A Village Church Ceremony
Gina and John chose to marry at St Gregory’s, the village and estate church just moments down the lane from the house. It was a setting Gina had always dreamed of, with the church steeple visible from the bedrooms at Welford Park.
The ceremony was full of meaningful moments. Christmas carols filled the church, Gina walked down the aisle to Oh Holy Night, and during the signing of the register, her brother and best friend surprised the couple with a duet of Yellow by Coldplay. A poem written by Gina’s grandfather for her grandmother’s wedding was read aloud, creating a moment that was deeply personal and impossible to replicate.
A Romantic Snowy Winter Reception in the Marquee
Following the ceremony, guests returned to the estate for a marquee reception and dinner. The week leading up to the wedding was one of the coldest the UK had seen in years, with marquee build-up taking place in minus nine degrees. Heaters ran continuously to keep everything safe and comfortable, and just before the wedding day, snow fell across the estate.
On the morning of the wedding, Gina and John woke to a beautiful blanket of snow. The cold weather only added to the cosiness inside the marquee, where candlelight, flowers and warmth created an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
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Eat, drink and be merry
Food was an important part of the day, planned with care alongside Milly from Clean Slate Catering. A generous selection of canapés greeted guests, followed by herb-crusted Swaledale lamb for the main course, with a thoughtful vegetarian alternative. Pudding was a salted caramel brownie with locally produced vanilla ice cream, alongside homemade ice cream made by Gina’s brother-in-law, which the couple loved being able to include.
Drinks flowed freely, with Bollinger champagne, carefully chosen wines, and a cocktail bar run by Cartails and Events serving favourites such as espresso martinis and festive mocktails.
How we worked together
Gina chose to work with Honour & Pop as her wedding planner because she wanted the day to run smoothly and needed guidance through the logistics of planning a wedding at home. Having an experienced Berkshire wedding planner to page meant she could enjoy the process, knowing every detail was being handled.
Despite the freezing temperatures and a brief generator hiccup on the day, everything was managed calmly and seamlessly. In fact, when the lights briefly went out, dinner was enjoyed by candlelight, creating an unexpectedly magical moment before everything was back up and running for speeches and dancing.
Bride’s wise words for couples
When asked for advice to newly engaged couples, Gina’s message was simple. Don’t put pressure on yourself to create a perfect day. Focus on what matters to you as a couple, enjoy the process, and trust that with the right support, everything will come together beautifully.
Her favourite moment was sitting down for dinner, surrounded by their closest friends, finally able to pause and take in everything they had just experienced. A quiet, joyful moment in the middle of an unforgettable winter wedding.
Happy review from the happy couple
“We were lucky enough to have Antonia as our wedding planner. From the moment I met her a huge weight had been lifted. She made wedding planning enjoyable rather than stressful, thought of every detail imaginable, and was always there when we needed her. We couldn’t have had a better day.“
Planning a Wedding at Home or in Berkshire?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels personal, meaningful and beautifully run, whether at a family home, a private estate or a Berkshire venue, I’d love to help.
From early planning support through to calm, hands-on coordination on the day, my role is to take the pressure off so you can enjoy every part of the experience.
You can find out more about working with me as a Berkshire wedding planner, or get in touch for a relaxed, no-pressure chat about your plans.
Antonia x
Suppliers:
Venue: Welford Park
Bride: Sassi Holford
Florist: The White Horse Flower
Cake: Feast with Georgie
Photography: Bizzy Arnott
Videographer Clementine Cusack
Stylist: Antonia and The White Horse Flower florist
