Nazlee & Ossian: A Homegrown Love Story at Offley Place

Held at the venue she knows so well, having designed the Hester Ballroom with her Father in 2018, the day featured a stunning outdoor ceremony, elegant black-and-white decor, personalised touches, and lively entertainment. With heartfelt speeches, an Iranian knife dance, and sparklers, it was a magical and stylish summer celebration for N&O.

The Venue

Our wedding at Offley Place was always going to be special. Having worked there for most of my life and helped host so many weddings, it was meaningful to have our own there. In 2018, I worked closely with my father to design the Hester Ballroom, imagining my dream wedding space without ever thinking I would one day celebrate in it myself.

The night before, we had a welcome dinner with the family staying at Offley Place. We placed personalised welcome bags in each room, complete with champagne, snacks, and a newspaper detailing the weekend’s itinerary. Personal letters to each guest were a special touch, and we also surprised our parents with engraved bottles of Nikka whiskey and Jo Malone perfume. My brother, who helped us plan, received a watch.

The dinner, held in the Conservatory, was catered by Portfolio Events and decorated with flowers by Liz at Blue Sky Flowers to set the tone for the wedding. We enjoyed a champagne reception on the grounds and an intimate meal with a violinist playing. Penny from Ousia Events captured these moments with beautiful, informal clips that let us relive the night before.

The Fashion

I wore a silk Danielle Frankel dress with an asymmetrical neckline, Rene Caovilla crystal sandals, and accessories like pearl earrings and a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet. My veil was from Mirror Mirror Bridal, embroidered with “always and forever” from the card Ossian gave me when he proposed. Ossian wore a custom three-piece suit from Cad & The Dandy paired with a pocket watch gifted by his grandfather.

For my day-to-night look, I replaced the veil with an ornate gold hair vine, adding a touch of glam to my flowing, pearlescent outfit.

The Styling

Our wedding planner, Katy Cresner, coordinated everything perfectly. Our ceremony took place outside, under a floral arch with a meadow aisle, accompanied by black bentwood chairs for a modern touch. Guests were treated to personalised fans and parasols as the sunny weather added to the day. Ossian’s nieces and nephew started the procession, followed by my bridesmaids, and finally, I walked down the aisle with my parents.

We included black and white confetti made of jasmine and cornflower, paying homage to Ossian’s love of books with confetti cones made from book pages. A live artist, Emily, captured the day with an incredible painting, marking a special moment honouring our love for art.

The seating chart, designed by me, was a large acrylic pane with names listed alphabetically, hanging from a black metal frame adorned with foliage. Our champagne tower greeted guests as they entered the Hester Ballroom, where Creation Band kicked off the festivities. Mia Sylvia had draped the Ballroom in fabrics to complement the chandeliers and skylight, creating an elegant setting.

Our tables had organic floral displays, each featuring unique arrangements. Marble slabs served as table numbers, paired with black menus and fluted glassware. Black accents throughout the tablescape contrasted beautifully with the flowing fabrics, adding a modern touch to the décor.

The Celebrations

Katy expertly intertwined the meal courses, speeches, and dancing throughout the night. Our fathers gave speeches, and my brother shared a few words, followed by a short speech from Ossian and me. Our incredible band and Iranian DJ, DJ Noise, kept guests dancing all night, with a mix of Iranian music adding to the fun.

We served our favourite cocktails, with a white marble menu at the bar. Syrup Bar provided personalised stirrers and fun fact napkins, sharing some secrets with our guests. A lace tipi was set up for the children, complete with games and cosy throws, although they spent most of the night on the dancefloor.

As part of the Iranian tradition, the cake-cutting featured a ‘knife dance’. My cousins and friends danced with the knife before passing it to Ossian after much bribing, allowing us to cut the cake. Designed by Nina from Erzulie Cakes, the cake was an elegant piece of art that tasted just as amazing.

Ossian’s love for Korean cuisine inspired the late-night snack of Korean fried chicken and courgette, which was a big hit with guests. We also had an Iranian-style fruit platter featuring pomegranates, figs, honeycomb, and pistachios. The night ended with sparklers, bringing everyone together for a magical close.

The Flowers

Liz from Blue Sky Flowers created breathtaking floral arrangements for the welcome dinner and the wedding day. My bouquet made up of cascading miniature orchids, echoed my mother’s wedding bouquet, serving as my ‘something borrowed’. Liz also crafted the broken floral arch for our ceremony and designed the abstract floral displays on each reception table, ensuring each arrangement was unique. My bridesmaids carried white roses tied with black silk ribbons, a striking contrast to their high-neck mocha dresses.

The Food & Drink

We started the wedding day with a grazing table of fruits, pastries, and charcuterie set up by Lauren and Toby from Bite Around the World. Enjoying the spread on the Roseview Dressing Room patio overlooking the Rose Garden was a peaceful start to the day. Our caterers, Goose & Berry, provided an incredible selection of canapés and a champagne reception, which we enjoyed while mingling with guests.

The Photographer

Jack Henry, our photographer, captured every moment with patience and artistic vision, ensuring my dress looked perfect despite the wind. Michael Pearl, our videographer, and Mel from Mrs. Bunn Events, our content creator, ensured that every candid and intimate moment of the day was beautifully documented.