Heidi & Sam: An Intimate English Garden Wedding at Cowdray Walled Garden

We spent a lot of time thinking about what we truly wanted our wedding day to feel like. From the beginning, we knew we wanted something small and intimate, shared only with our closest family and friends. It felt a little unconventional, and not every venue we looked at could accommodate that vision.

While searching, we came across The Walled Garden at Cowdray. We had visited the Cowdray Estate before, but hadn’t realised this beautiful hidden gem was there. We booked a visit, and from the moment we walked through the gates into the stunning English garden, we just knew it was the one. The photos online simply don’t do it justice—the setting is even more breathtaking in person.

When we shared our ideas for the day, the team were incredibly accommodating and open to everything we had in mind. It truly felt like the perfect fit, and I honestly couldn’t recommend the staff and caterers at Cowdray highly enough.

Once we had found the venue, it really helped shape the overall vision for the day. We wanted something sophisticated, with a vintage and timeless feel that complemented the English garden setting.

For the dress, I always knew I wanted something simple and elegant. I had spotted a style on Pinterest and spent some time trying to track down a bridal boutique that could help bring that vision to life. My mum discovered The Bridal Atelier in Brighton, which stocked a very similar design. We booked an appointment, and as soon as I tried it on, I knew it was the one—although I couldn’t resist trying on a few other beautiful dresses, just to be sure!

I paired the dress with vintage-inspired satin pointed heels, finished with a statement bow at the front, along with a long, simple veil and a calla lily bouquet to complete the look.

For the evening, I swapped my veil for a shorter one to create a more relaxed, playful feel, which worked perfectly with my “wife of the party” jacket. My hair and makeup were kept soft and understated to complement the dress’s simplicity.

Sam wore a classic tuxedo, styled with a vintage brooch in place of a traditional buttonhole. In the evening, he added sunglasses for a more relaxed, fun touch.

We imagined our ceremony taking place outdoors, surrounded by beautiful florals and an intimate gathering of our closest guests. The aisle was framed with elegant urns on plinths, filled with delicate gypsophila, while guests were shaded with white parasols—adding both charm and practicality.

In the afternoon, we continued the relaxed garden-party feel with tables dressed in crisp white linens, scattered among the flowers and fountains. White parasols dotted the space, creating a soft, romantic atmosphere, while live music and lawn games added a sense of fun and ease for everyone to enjoy.

As our wedding was set in a beautiful garden, we naturally wanted our floral choices to complement rather than overwhelm the setting. I chose my local florist, Findon Flowers, to create my bouquet, which was a simple yet elegant arrangement of white calla lilies.

For the wider décor, we sourced vintage-style urns to hold floral arrangements that could be placed throughout the garden—lining the aisle, decorating tables, and enhancing key areas. One of the things we loved most was their versatility; they could easily be moved and repurposed for different parts of the day, including the indoor space in the evening.

We kept the aisle styling minimal with delicate gypsophila, while the other arrangements featured a soft mix of white flowers and greenery, creating a timeless and romantic look that blended beautifully with the surroundings.

The Yellow Kitchen were incredibly accommodating from the very beginning. We wanted to offer our guests three options for each course, ensuring everyone could enjoy a meal suited to their preferences.

The food on the day was truly outstanding, and our guests are still talking about it—especially the lamb, which was a real highlight.

As our evening guests arrived in the garden around 5pm, we wanted to create a warm, inviting atmosphere with a beautifully styled charcuterie table. I provided vintage-inspired silverware, which the caterers used to present the spread and enhance the overall aesthetic.

For the evening, we opted for Cowdray’s delicious wood-fired pizzas, which are also served at the estate’s restaurant. Presented on slate boards and shared throughout the garden, they added a relaxed and sociable feel to the celebrations.

In the lead-up to the wedding, we were also invited to a wonderful tasting evening. It was a fantastic opportunity to sample the menu, meet a range of suppliers and stylists, and connect with wine experts—helping us feel confident and excited for the day ahead.

For the cake, we were incredibly lucky that my sister-in-law is a professional baker. After sharing a selection of Pinterest inspiration, she created a beautiful, vintage-inspired “Just Married” cake that perfectly complemented the day’s style.

We spent a huge amount of time searching for the right photographer, as the imagery was one of the most important aspects of the day for us. We knew we didn’t want traditional wedding photos. Instead, we were drawn to a more editorial style—something warm, romantic, and natural that would truly capture the day’s feeling.

While searching on Instagram, we came across Joy, by Ash. After looking through her work, we instantly felt that her style aligned perfectly with our vision, so we reached out, hoping she might be available.

Thankfully, she was. We arranged a Zoom call and immediately felt at ease, chatting through our ideas and plans for the day.

Working with Ash was an absolute pleasure. She was so friendly and relaxed, which made the whole experience feel effortless.

When we received our preview photos, we were completely blown away—they were even more beautiful than we could have imagined. We feel incredibly lucky to have had Ash capture our day.

The best part of the day was undoubtedly the weather. After planning our entire wedding around celebrating in the gardens, the possibility of rain was always at the back of our minds—especially with the unpredictability of British weather.

When our guests arrived, and we were able to experience the gardens exactly as we had hoped, it felt truly magical. The sunshine made the setting even more special, and everyone commented on just how beautiful the venue was.