Andrew Dawson Photography · Wedding Journal
Gemma & Matt A Wasing Park Wedding
A classic celebration with an enchanted heart.
When Gemma described her plans for marrying Matt at Wasing Park, her vision was clear: whimsical and enchanted, but also classic. Sage green, blush-pink florals, handmade details and music chosen for its meaning were at the heart of the wedding she had always dreamed of.
The morning
Getting ready, with their favourite people
Kitts Cottage was the starting point for Gemma’s preparations, with Catherine Adkins of A Finishing Touch booked for hair and make-up. From there, the plan was to move to Wasing’s bridal suite for dresses and the finishing touches.
Before the ceremony, Gemma wanted separate first looks with her bridesmaids, dad, mum and brother. Making space for each of those people was an important part of her plans for the morning.
Matt’s preparations were planned for the Groom’s Room with his best man and three groomsmen, before welcoming guests at the Stable Bar.
The ceremony
An enchanted beginning
Music was one of the most personal choices in Gemma and Matt’s ceremony plans. A huge Taylor Swift fan, Gemma chose Enchanted for her walk down the aisle, with Megan Collins Music booked to sing for both the ceremony and drinks reception.
Celebrant Sally Smither-Harvey was chosen to lead the service. The couple’s preferred setting was Wasing Park’s Victorian Summerhouse, with the Garden Room as the alternative if the weather called for it.
For their exit, they chose Natalie Cole’s This Will Be (an Everlasting Love) — a song they described as joyful, upbeat and celebratory.
The personal touches
Sage green, blush pink & handmade details
Green is Gemma’s favourite colour, which shaped her choice of sage green and blush-pink florals. Her brief was whimsical and enchanted, while keeping a classic feel.
“I have put so much time and effort into every little detail and crafted so many items myself, I will be so proud of what I have achieved.”
Gemma, before the wedding
Gemma had made many of the details herself and specifically wanted them photographed. Those carefully crafted pieces were part of the story she wanted the photographs to preserve.
The celebration
The Castle Barn & a soundtrack for celebrating
Keeping everything at Wasing was part of the plan, with a drinks reception around the Garden Room and terrace before the wedding breakfast in the Castle Barn.
Gemma and Matt had also made room for a private first drink together straight after the ceremony, before the planned confetti photographs in front of the barn.
Their choice of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough for the wedding breakfast entrance came with a very clear idea: everyone up, with napkins in the air. Four speeches were scheduled before the meal, from the father of the bride, groom, maid of honour and best man.
Into the evening
A first dance with a personal meaning
For their first dance, Gemma and Matt chose Amazed by Lonestar. They described it as their song — the one whose lyrics best expressed how they felt about each other.
Cake cutting, a father-and-daughter dance and pizza later in the evening were also part of the plans, with Together Events booked for the evening entertainment.
From the handmade details to that choice of music, their plans kept returning to the same things: the people they love and the details that mean something to them.
The creative team
The people behind the details
The suppliers chosen by Gemma and Matt for their Wasing Park wedding.
- Venue & catering
- Wasing Park
- Wedding coordination
- Lauren Skeels · Wasing
- Photography & film
- Andrew Dawson Photography
- Wedding dress
- Sophie Grace Bridal · Wokingham
- Suits
- Slaters · Reading
- Bridesmaid dresses
- Azazie
- Hair & make-up
- Catherine Adkins · A Finishing Touch
- Flowers
- Debbie Ford · Add Style UK
- Cake
- Claire’s Creative Cakes
- Celebrant
- Sally Smither-Harvey
- Live music
- Megan Collins Music
- Evening entertainment
- Together Events
- Lighting
- Party lights
Your wedding story
A day that feels like you.
Planning your wedding at Wasing Park, or somewhere else that means something to you? Tell me about your date, your plans and the photographs you would love to have.
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