Nikita & Gareth’s Winter Wedding at Northbrook Park

As Head of Weddings at this country house in Surrey, Nikita knew the venue search was in the bag. N&G created a stylish winter celebration in the Orangery, with twinkling lights and an abundance of candles, delicious seasonal food and a champagne tower. All the love for this wedding story, enjoy, folks…

Nikita says…

As the Head of Weddings at Northbrook Park, choosing our venue was a breeze! I know every nook and cranny of this magical place, making it the perfect spot for our Winter Wedding.

The Vine Room, drenched in beautiful natural light with an open fire, set the stage for our ceremony, beautifully conducted by Stewart, our fantastic celebrant. The Orangery, adorned with twinkly lights and abundant candles, created the exact dinner vibe we envisioned.

My bridal look featured a Stella York gown from Wedding Frox, complemented by a bespoke pearl tulle jacket from Beatrice Espinosa. I then changed into an evening dress from ASOS, paired with Manolo Blahnik shoes in dark green to match my emerald engagement ring. My hair was by Gavin Harvie. My Maid of Honour wore a Coast dress with emerald green sparkles. And for the gentlemen, a Suit Supply dark green velvet suit for Gareth, while the groomsmen rocked M&S black velvet suits. The dress code? Black Tie & Sparkles, of course, and everyone looked absolutely stunning!

Embracing the winter vibe, we chose black table linen that looked absolutely amazing, creating a chic contrast with the black/emerald green theme. The floral arrangements featured a stunning mix of whites, greens, and deep purples, and an abundance of candles elevated the entire setting. The Orangery, draped in fairy lights from Farnham Sound & Light and adorned with foliage and flowers, created a luxuriously magical atmosphere.

White Lilac Flowers, our go-to floral maestros for over a decade, completely understood our vision. The added touches, like black sparkly pears on dinner tables, tied everything together wonderfully. Being a flower lover, I ensured an abundance of blooms, even gifting our guests the next morning. My bouquet was nothing short of a dream.

The cake was a work of art with four tiers, three detailed with pearls matching my dress, and the bottom tier adorned with beautiful ruffles. Each tier offered a different flavour – red velvet, banoffee, Oreo, and lemon. The remaining cake made its way to our mini-moon! Next to our cake table, we had a champagne tower.

Jacaranda catered our wedding, offering an incredible menu with Winter Aperols, Bramble Gin, and Mulled Wine for the reception. Canapés featuring gruyere beignets, smokey mac ‘n’ cheese, and more, while the main course showcased a duo of beef and a delightful trio of desserts.

Choosing Charlotte for photography was a no-brainer. We love her relaxed and natural style, and along with the second photographer, Maddie, she captured the day beautifully. I had expressed the desire for darker Orangery photos to capture the vibe, and Charlotte nailed it. Our family photos are particularly special and will be cherished forever.

Best part of the day

For Gareth, it was seeing me come down the aisle and our first dance to Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best.” For me, seeing the completed rooms, especially the breathtaking Orangery, and witnessing our guests during the ceremony were unforgettable.

Our ceremony, crafted by Stewart, was incredibly special, incorporating our story perfectly. Even mentioning my late father in a happy light was beyond touching. Stewart went above and beyond, and we are forever grateful.

From one couple to another…

Don’t let finances overwhelm you. Trust your suppliers, and focus on what matters. We spent on key areas like food and flowers, saving on others like stationery. The day may seem like a lot for a moment, but we’re thrilled we invested where it counted.

Nerves didn’t faze me, thanks to a relaxed morning with family. Trust your suppliers, switch off, and savour every moment!

Our personal touches were a hit with guests, and I highly recommend adding those to your special day.