A Classic Union Amidst Glass and Greenery in Kew Gardens, London

Set within the Royal Botanic Gardens in the British countryside, in south-west London, this monumental, nearly 10-meter-tall glasshouse provided the backdrop for this luminescently romantic wedding.

Orchestrated within the glass walls of The Nash Conservatory in Kew Gardens, soaring nearly ten meters high, Catarina and Joshua’s wedding exuded contemporary elegance and botanical charm. Bathed in soft, diffused light, the space seamlessly merged architectural beauty with verdant abundance, where cascading greenery weaved through contrasting iron frameworks.

Captivated by the way sunlight filtered generously through floor-to-ceiling windows, the couple chose the conservatory as the backdrop for their vows. A Brazilian priest officiated the ceremony beneath a canopy of delicate roses, gypsophila, and orchids, while an ivory aisle carpet led the way through a dreamy meadow of florals. Flickering candles and sculptural urns overflowing with hydrangeas enhanced the ethereal setting, creating a moment where time seemed to slow down, allowing all invited to truly take it all in.

The bride wore a bespoke Caroline Castigliano gown, its clean silhouette featuring a low scooped back and delicate button detailing.

Photography by Stories from Eros.

Our Story

Names / Catarina de Barros Lima Ferraz and Joshua Cason

Location / London, England

Wedding Date / May 11th, 2024

Guest Numbers / 140

Kew Gardens Wedding London

How We Met

Catarina and Josh met near their workplaces, which were conveniently close to each other. Their first date was at a cosy little pub on the river Thames, just a stone’s throw (well, 20 minutes) from where they’d later marry at Kew Gardens. Catarina arrived at 7pm, but by 9pm, she hit Joshua with an unexpected line: she had to dash off to work on a legal case! Joshua, who’d heard his fair share of dating excuses, thought, “Well, that’s a new one!” Despite the surprise exit, they met again days later – and the rest is history.

Our Engagement Story

Catarina and Joshua got engaged on a very special trip to Spain, where Joshua has a place.

What we love most about each other…

Our companionship and how much we complement each other!

The Setting

Wedding Location

Catarina and Joshua chose Kew Gardens for its iconic beauty, featuring stunning glasshouses and as an ideal location for their many international guests.

Aesthetic

Catarina and Joshua drew inspiration from their Brazilian and English backgrounds, blending them with a focus on contemporary elegance and timeless aesthetics.

Preparation

Catarina and Josh both got ready separately with their families at The Hilton, located near Kew Gardens.

Photography & Videography

Catarina and Joshua’s wedding planner recommended Stories from Eros for both photography and videography. Their ability to provide both services ensured a cohesive look across the photos and video, all beautifully edited in a timeless style.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

The ceremony took place in The Nash Conservatory, a stunning 19th-century glasshouse with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, bathed in summery light. The space was transformed into a contemporary white wonderland, featuring a seamless aisle meadow of roses and gypsophila and twinkling candles, framed by four urns at both the start and end of the aisle, filled with orchids, roses, and hydrangeas. An ivory aisle carpet, and a small stage for the vows set the scene, with a Brazilian priest officiating the ceremony. As a nod to the bride’s Catholic faith, a crucifix was placed on a transparent plinth, appearing to float in the air.

Reception Décor

The reception was held in Kew’s Orangery, where the tables exuded subtle elegance with crisp white linen, blue rose charger plates, soft pale blue napkins, and matching, blue-tinted glassware. The floral arrangements, inspired by modern Brazilian florists, added a unique touch, with flowers grouped together in large cylinder vases.

A mirrored, fully circular bar elegantly separated the dining area from the dance floor, and a leaf pattern was projected onto the ceiling, as a nod to the botanical venue. The fusion menu celebrated both cultures, and the dessert table was an important feature, showcasing an impressive display of a thousand Brigadeiros, presented in fabric flower cases brought over from Brazil as a tribute to the bride’s roots.

Music was central to the evening’s festivities. Live music played during dinner, which was served at food stations, a nod to Brazilian wedding traditions that keep guests moving straight into the party. The celebration seamlessly transitioned into a vibrant party, with Latin DJ tracks and energetic band performances keeping the dance floor packed. Guests slipped off their shoes and into Havaianas, provided especially for dancing.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Catarina hired a wedding planner, Amie of Amie Jackson Weddings & Events, to help bring her vision to life. Amie was absolutely amazing to work with – organised, responsive, and adaptable, always working hard to implement the bride’s vision. Without her, Catarina wouldn’t have been able to have her dream wedding, and on the day, she didn’t need to worry about a thing.

Flowers

Catarina carried a small, simple bouquet of white roses, with great care taken to ensure they were the perfect size and shade to complement her dress. The flower girls carried matching posies in the same elegant style.

Stationery

With so many guests flying in from around the world, Catarina and Joshua decided to share all their information on a wedding website. On the day itself, they had illustrated timelines of the day in double-sided English and Portuguese text placed on the guests’ ceremony chairs.

Favors / Bonbonniere

Guests took home Brigadeiros and bem-casados, traditional Brazilian wedding treats whose name means ‘well married’ in English. According to legend, they symbolise the couple’s union and commitment, as well as the promise of a life filled with luck and happiness. Guests also received white Havaianas, both thoughtful nods to Catarina’s Brazilian heritage.

Cake

Catarina and Joshua’s wedding cake was a beautiful three-tier creation, with two tiers of vanilla sponge and one tier of tropical fruit cake. It was covered in bridal white fondant, adorned with a delicate piped lace pattern inspired by Catarina’s veil, and topped with sugar roses.

Food & Beverages

Catarina and Joshua blended Brazilian and English traditions for their dining experience. In Brazilian weddings, food stations are common, with guests enjoying the party from the start without the need for formal seating. They incorporated this by featuring food stations with chefs serving a variety of international cuisine, including charcuterie, a beef carving station, a salad bar, and a pasta station with dishes cooked live to order, allowing guests to move freely. To honour English wedding traditions, they also set up round tables for a more formal dining option, offering guests the choice to sit and enjoy their meal while the band played. Catarina and Joshua chose not to assign themselves seats, instead mingling with their guests and leaving chairs open at most tables. The open bar, complete with tray service of whisky and champagne, alongside a menu of their favourite cocktails, kept the atmosphere lively. Catarina and Joshua also hosted an intimate moment on the terrace for a champagne tower, using it as a special way to toast with their immediate family.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

Catarina’s dress was bespoke Caroline Castigliano with a classic, chic and simple silhouette, low scooped back and button detail. Her shoes were white pointed-toe heels, with a ‘Say Yes’ detail printed inside.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

Catarina’s engagement ring is a beautiful solitaire diamond, and the wedding rings are gold bands.

Catarina kept her look timeless and elegant, wearing no other jewellery. However, she added a meaningful touch by delicately wrapping a silver cross on a beaded chain around the stem of her bouquet.

Groom’s Attire

The groom wore a navy-blue suit paired with a matching tie and a classic grey waistcoat, balancing timeless elegance with a modern touch.

Flowergirls Attire

The two flower girls wore matching white dresses with short ruffle sleeves and delicate pearl details. Their full-length dresses featured a pearl sash with a bow tied at the back and coordinating while bows in their hair.

The Details

Transport

Catarina arrived in a vintage white Rolls Royce. The couple took a taxi back to their hotel when the party finished at 1am.

Honeymoon

Starting in the Maldives for relaxation, then continuing to Sri Lanka for adventure during the second part of the honeymoon.

Wedding Songs

Ceremony songs (all performed by a string trio):

Canon in D (Pachebel): Groom entrance accompanied by MOG
Waltz of the Flowers (Nutcracker): Flower girls’ entrance
Bridal Chorus (R Wagner): Bride accompanied by FOB
Air on the G String: Wedding Rings Exchange
Salut d Amour: Ceremony photos on stage
Wedding March: Bride and Groom Exit

First Dance:

At Last by Etta James performed live by their band

Entertainment

Catarina and Joshua had a band and a DJ so they could keep the energy high throughout the night. They played a mix of Brazilian and music with Latin vibes as well as a mix of songs – old and new.

Celebrant

Catarina found a Brazilian Catholic priest to bless her and Joshua’s marriage. It was important to her that the priest could speak both English and Portuguese, honouring her Brazilian heritage.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

Catarina and Josh’s most memorable wedding moment was the celebration with friends and family during the party portion of the wedding.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

How many details there are to be decided!

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

Don’t worry too much, as the day will be perfect, and you’ll feel so special.

Sources of inspiration…

Catarina sent her favourite inspiration images to her wedding planner to create a cohesive design to share with her supplier team. The images came from a variety of sources, with much of the inspiration drawn from Brazilian wedding aesthetics.