An Italian-Inspired Editorial Set in the English Countryside

You and 22 of your close friends and family can make this your home-from-home for a whole wedding weekend, and we think it’s the perfect compromise if you dream of a destination wedding, but some practicalities mean you need to celebrate a little closer to home. Keep reading to see how to transform an English Country Manor House into a dreamy Italian-esque escape.

The Venue

Pauntley Court is a quintessential English Manor House in the Gloucestershire countryside on the edge of the Cotswolds. Yet it has a Mediterranean feel with its pinkish-terracotta-painted walls and stunning, ornate gardens. We felt we could create a destination wedding vibe with a Mediterranean feel using the magical, intimate spaces in the different garden rooms and the backdrop of the beautiful house. Just think ‘PP’: Pauntley Puglia or Pauntley Provence!

The Brief

The overall theme and style was an Italian-inspired destination wedding using local suppliers and set in a venue conveniently located on the edge of the Cotswolds. We used individual and one-of-a-kind details, such as the newly designed alfresco bar and parasol and the glittering and glamorous chandeliers above the wedding breakfast table. For couples seeking a destination wedding vibe but do not want to ask their guests to travel to Italy or France, Pauntley Court has all the quintessential atmosphere of a Mediterranean wedding venue but is conveniently located.

The Flowers & Styling

Colours were creamy yellows, heavenly whites and pops of soft apricots and yellows to give flashes of zesty Italian vibes. Hannah of Bride and Bloom used locally grown flowers from the newly created Flower Hub just next door (The Flower Hub at Pauntley). They made a timeless and elegant ceremony space in the sunken gardens with the ornamental pond and its reflections. The full and flamboyant garland of flowers down the centre of the wedding breakfast table created a beautiful and elegant tablescape with soft creams, whites, and little pops of vibrant yellows and apricots. Beth of Alba Tableware & Venue Styling decided upon beautiful gold cutlery and pale yellow candles and worked with Bella Peach Creative to make the soft, creamy stationery shaped with unusual wavy edges. The luxurious chairs with high fabric backs from Furniture 4 Events added to the photoshoot’s modern elegance.

The newly designed alfresco bar, positioned in front of the pinkish-terracotta walls of the house and the red roses growing there, exuded Italianate vibes. With its latticework detailing and embellished with touches of gold, Fabio of The Watering Hole concocted a limoncello spritz. He gave a flamboyant air to this outdoor bar set-up.

The soft evening light, with the glow of chandeliers and candlelight, created an Italianate fairytale in the English garden. The reflections in the ornamental pond and shots from above were stunning.

The Fashion

The dress was hand-made and designed by a Cotswold-based dress designer, Ellie Lowe, who designs and hand-makes all her dresses. We wanted the dress to have an elegant and sophisticated edge to pair perfectly with the Groom in his tuxedo. We used a wonderfully detailed hair comb from Cotswold-based milliner Gemma Sangwine to add a touch of classic Italian glamour.