Real Wedding: Annie & Jon, 4th May, The Walled Garden

When Jon and Annie started looking for wedding venues, their hunt in West London failed to find the relaxed place with beautiful surroundings that they sought. Kew Gardens and Richmond Park were both potential options, but they didn’t offer the privacy that the couple wanted. They wanted somewhere more secluded, more intimate, more magical.

An internet search led them to the Jacaranda website and from there through to our nextdoor neighbours, The Walled Garden at Cowdray. A trip to visit the romantic venue on the way home from their respective stag and hen dos in Bournemouth took Annie’s breath away and as Jan Howard, owner and creator of The Walled Garden, showed the soon-to-be-weds around that afternoon, a few tears were shed in appreciation that they had found their idyllic reception venue.

The wedding ceremony took place at the vibrant church of St Mary’s in Easebourne. 120 guests packed the pews of the 11th Century church to witness Jon and Annie’s union, though perhaps witnessing slightly more than the pair might have liked when the vicar left her microphone on whilst directing Annie and Jon where to sign the register. All the congregation heard was, “Jonathan, you go on top and Annie you’re underneath,” much to everybody’s amusement.

Annie’s stunning Anoushka G wedding dress dripped with sequins, crystals and immaculate beaded details. Delicate capped lace sleeves added a demure touch to the dazzling dress as she made her way along the aisle, captivating guests with her radiant smile and exquisite gown.

After the traditional ceremony, a family friend whisked the newlyweds away to The Walled Garden in his vintage Talbot that had delivered the bride to the church earlier that day.

Echoing the bridal bouquets, the round tables of Jon and Annie’s wedding breakfast sported voluptuous arrangements of cream and peach coloured blossoms as their centrepieces. Dove grey table linen and immaculate silverware injected an understated glamour to the exposed brickwork of the reception room.

One of the bride’s friend’s, Jessamy, wrote and recited a poem about Annie prior to dinner which set the tone (and the standard!) for the meal and speeches that followed. Despite being teased by his fiancé about his 35 cue cards, Jon’s speech was funny, emotional and witty all at once. Annie beamed up at him with unswerving affection and a heart bursting with pride as he charted their relationship and spoke of their future together.
Annie and Jon chose a menu bursting with fresh spring ingredients for their guests to enjoy, including:

Seabass with sauce vierge and a fennel puree
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Chargrilled South Downs lamb with spring vegetables
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50/50 banoffee trifle with salted caramel in kilner jars (Jon’s choice) or hot chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream (Annie’s choice)
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Cheese, wedding cake and macaroons made by a friend as evening refreshments

“The wedding breakfast and afterwards were our favourite time of the day,” said Annie. “As it felt like we were able to enjoy ourselves properly, whilst the service and reception had gone by very quickly.”

Annie and Jon’s wedding cake, made by the mother of the groom and decorated with flowers from Spriggs florists took centre stage in the pergola at the heart of The Walled Garden.

With a live band keeping the dance floor packed all night, the historic ramparts of The Walled Garden rocked well into the night after Annie and Jon enjoyed their first dance together.

“Our wedding was the perfect celebration of our relationship in front of our closest family and friends,” explained Annie. “The food was superlative. We had many guests say it was the best wedding food they’ve ever had and better than most restaurants they’ve eaten in as well. JJ’s organisational skills were second to none. We valued his expertise, attention to detail and passion so highly and we have no doubt the day would not have been as well run had it not been for him.”