A Classically English Wedding at a Countryside Manor House

Wed in the garden of the 13th century manor house her family calls home, Jemima and Tom held their wedding in UK’s Derbyshire under a classic white canopy tent. Hosting over a hundred of their friends and family for a poetic ceremony spilling onto the lawn as rain drizzled in July, her parents were married at the same idyllic English countryside property decades before making it a symbolic venue for the couple.

The bride wore an elegant Jesus Peiro gown paired with classic white gloves by Alexandra Anne. A chic long veil, pearl necklace and earrings completed the elegant look.

The romantic English garden wedding was artfully captured by photographer Kate Victoria Photography.

Our Story

Names / Jemima Bunting & Tom Townsend

Location / Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Wedding Date / July 22nd, 2023

Guest Numbers / 130

How We Met

Jemima and Tom met in Chelsea, London. Across an empty bar, Tom was staring at Jemima, so much so that she waved at him. Whilst Tom was convinced from afar that Jemima was hispanic, it turned out she was from Derbyshire. A long walk across the bar ended up in a conversation that ended in a date being planned the following Thursday. They’ve been inseparable ever since, and after spending 3 months locked down in the Peak District together with Jemima’s parents, Jemima moved into Tom’s flat in Clerkenwell.

Our Engagement Story

They got engaged on Holkham beach in Norfolk. Tom’s family has a house in nearby Burnham Market, so it was the perfect spot. They were there with Tom’s family for the weekend. Tom’s Mum, Jemima and Tom were supposed to go on a dog walk, but at the last minute, his Mum backed out, which made Jemima suspicious. The beach was a 25-minute walk from the car and Jemima famously hates walking. So now, not only was she suspicious but she was also getting impatient. When she got out of the car, she tapped Tom’s coat pocket deliberately to see if she could hear the sound of a ring box! She later told him, it turns out she did.

They had a picnic on the sand dunes, with a little speaker playing, and the entire beach to themselves. It was perfect. They don’t remember what was said or what song was playing, but they do remember Jemima instantly saying yes and starting to cry!

Jemima might’ve rustled the proposal but Tom had one final surprise. When they got to the pine woods on the edge of the beach, both of their families were there as a surprise, complete with a champagne bucket, bunting, table and chairs, ready to celebrate! Jemima’s family had secretly checked into an Airbnb the night before and were spying on them through the curtains whilst they had drinks outside the pub opposite, the night before!

The Setting

Wedding Location

Jemima and Tom chose to get married at Jemima’s childhood home; Harthill Hall. Harthill Hall was formerly the manor house of a great 13th century estate, and the hall is now a Grade II-listed building, located near Bakewell in the Peak District national park. Jemima’s Mum and Dad also got married there. Jemima has many special memories growing up in such an idyllic setting, and whilst making Harthill into a wedding venue came with added stress. It was well worth the extra effort given it is the most special place to Jemima and her family.

Eighty guests stayed on site and 50 others stayed in the local area. On the Friday night they hosted drinks at The Flying Childers pub in the local village of Stanton in Peak, which was the perfect way for all the guests to get to know each other.

On the wedding day, they got married in the walled garden of Harthill Hall. The drinks reception was meant to take place in the knot garden at the front of the house. Due to it raining all day, they were forced to host the drinks inside the house. It worked perfectly as they had a jazz trio playing and multiple fire places alight.

After the reception and champagne tower in the knot garden, the party resumed in the marquee on the front lawn. After that, they partied till 5am in the pavilion, which was turned into a nightclub.

Preparation

A food truck was booked for breakfast for all guests staying on site. Jemima and Tom were very traditional, in the sense that they didn’t spend the night together before the wedding, and didn’t not speak on the wedding morning. They exchanged letters to one another instead of presents and got ready with their bridesmaids and groomsmen, champagne and beers flowing.

Photography

The bride and groom couldn’t be happier with how Kate Victoria captured their day. They met her a few weeks before the wedding and instantly knew she understood the feeling and vibe the bride and groom wanted from their photographs.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

The original plan was to have the ceremony outside in front of the pavilion. However, due to the rain Jemima and her parents came up with a new plan to drape material and tapestries inside to create a small romantic area where the registrar would be dry enough to perform the ceremony and the signing of the paperwork could take place.

Reception Décor

The bride said she really wanted to go for a luxury feeling, reflecting the black tie dress code. She really didn’t want it to feel like a pink garden party. She also wanted to minimize on waste so we opted to have a number of plants and herbs along the table to limit the amount of cut flowers which would need to be used. These plants have now been distributed to family and friends to be enjoyed and plated in their gardens. The florist, Catherine, completely understood what the bride wanted and every element of her work was outstanding.

“Jemima and Tom chose to get married at Jemima’s childhood home, Harthill Hall, a former manor house of a great 13th century estate.”

Flowers

The bride could never see herself with a large pink/colourful bunch of flowers as her bouquet. She spent a lot of time thinking about what would suit her and the dress! When talking to Catherine about this, she knew it would be best to leave it with her to source what would be in season and what would work best. The moment the bride saw the flowers she knew they were absolutely perfect.

Stationery

Jemima and Tom decided to do the save-the-date and invitations online via email for environmental reasons. The on-the-day stationery turned out perfectly. They were very happy with Freya’s work, given that they came to her relatively last minute.

Cake

They had a pavlova, with fruit and berries.

Food & Beverages

Local! The bride and groom used a local caterer who sourced lamb from the neighbouring farm. They had canapes at the drinks reception and a dessert table with mini desserts and cheeses, which everyone loved as people wanted to just graze and dance! At midnight, they had a hog roast, with crackling and salad. Cocktails included Kir Royal, Peach Belini, Limoncello spritz and elderflower spritz. Wine and beers from nearby Thornbridge brewery were also plentiful.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

Jemima always knew two things about what she would wear on her wedding day:
1 – Gloves!
2 – Manolos

She couldn’t recommend Jess at Alexandra Anne more! She was helpful, understood the brief and not at all pushy or ‘salesy’.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

Antique! They both agreed that would have antique bands rather than new and ended up getting them from A.R. Ullmann in Hatton Garden, London. Jemima also wore a vintage watch, necklace and earrings belonging to her mother.

Hair & Makeup

Jemima found it particularly tricky to find the perfect makeup artist but when she found Amba she new it was right. For hair, Jamie came recommended from the Jemima’s mother and sister. She did the most perfect job with her and bridesmaids.

Groom’s Attire

Tom wore a Tom Ford tuxedo and a Rolex GMT Master bought for his 18 birthday by his father. Groomsmen wore their own tuxedos and Tom provided cummerbunds and bow ties.

The Details

Transport

Jemima’s dad owns a silver R-Type 1954 Bentley that the couple used to drive off in. They drove down the driveway and drove a 10-minute loop, which was a lovely way to catch up on the day so far and enjoy their first moments together alone as a married couple.

“Due to the rain, Jemima and her parents came up with a new plan to drape material and tapestries inside to create a small romantic area.”

Wedding Songs

Ceremony Song:

Jemima Walking down the aisle
Artist: Serpentwithfeet
Song: Fellowship

Signing of marriage
Artist: Stephen Sanchez
Song: Until I Found You

Walking back down the aisle
Artist: Sade
Song: Smooth Operator

First Dance
Artist: Sade
Song: Kiss of Life

Entertainment

The band were Salut Band. They also provided a jazz trio for the reception drinks and a DJ for the marquee. In the nightclub (which stayed open till 5am), the groom’s cousin DJ’d as well as one of their friends.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

The dance when they first entered that marquee! It wasn’t the ‘first dance’, but it got the energy up immediately before everyone sat down for their meal. It worked so well as the sun was still up and everyone was a bit tipsy but not too drunk. The ‘first dance’ was everyone’s first experience of the marquee and it was the most special moment, dancing in the middle of a big circle, on peoples shoulders, it was so special.

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

That planning a wedding at your home is hard! You are creating a venue from scratch, and that comes with a lot of unforeseen things to do, bookings, expenditure etc. Toilets, refrigerators, signage, and given it rained all day, a wet weather plan.

Our Contacts

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Willow & Rust

Photography / Kate Victoria Photography

Videography / Freya Film Co

Bride’s Dress / Jesus Peiro from Alexandra Anne

Bride’s Shoes / Manolo Blahnik

Wedding Rings / A.R. Ullmann

Bride’s Gloves / Alexandra Anne

Hair / Jamie Hadleigh

Makeup / Amba Logan

Stationery / Deabil & Quince

Florist / Inspired Floristry

Cake & Catering / Coghlans

Entertainment /  Salut Band