“We met in a very modern way – on Hinge!” laughs Anna, reflecting on her romantic beginnings with Sam. “We spoke online for a few weeks before our first date, and the rest is history!”
Their love story came full circle when Sam, living in the US at the time, planned a romantic proposal in London – the city where it all began. “I wanted to propose at the highest point in the city we love, right around the corner from our first date spot,” he says. That point? The Shard. On arrival, they were ushered into a private dining room, where rose petals spelled out ‘Marry Me’. Champagne and a three-course meal followed – all with views across the city, including Anna’s home. “I got down on one knee and asked the big question looking over the London skyline,” says Sam.
For their wedding, the couple swapped city lights for countryside charm, choosing River Cottage as their venue. The day unfolded in a dreamy palette of pink, green and creamy whites, echoing the lush landscape. Anna’s creativity set the tone: she handmade everything from the stationery and rag bunting adorning the marquee to the red velvet wedding cake flanked by macarons.
Perfectly in tune with the venue’s rustic beauty, Anna wore a gown embroidered with wildflowers for the ceremony in the threshing barn. “My mum walked me down the aisle as she raised me as a single mother,” she says. A reading of Union by Robert Fulghum and a poem written by a family member added personal touches. “The ceremony was my favourite moment of the day,” says Sam. “It was all so incredibly special.”
Post-ceremony, guests spilled into the courtyard for drinks, canapés and games while an accordionist added to the relaxed atmosphere. “We wanted to create the feeling of being on holiday and included nods to various places we had travelled to as a couple,” explains Anna. “Each table was named after places we had visited on holiday, with a photo and a short excerpt from our time there.”
Overlooking sweeping valley views, guests gathered in the marquee for speeches – a standout moment for Anna. “I felt so overwhelmed with love from our nearest and dearest,” she recalls. “It was so grounding sitting and listening to the people around me laughing and tearing up in equal measure.”
Dinner was a delicious feast courtesy of River Cottage’s talented chefs: crab salad, pork three ways with ripped potato chips and crunch garden slaw salads, followed by pavlovas served with lemon curd, fresh berries and strawberry sorbet.
At sunset, the couple opened the dance floor with a routine to Michael Bublé’s Everything. “It felt special but not over rehearsed, and it was so fun and exciting knowing nobody was expecting it either!” says Anna. With a photo booth in the yurt and a dance floor full of energy, the party carried on into the night – fuelled by pizzas, cheese and s’mores. “We ended the night dancing the night away back in the barn!”
For couples planning their own day, Anna’s advice is to resist the pressure of trends or tradition. “It’s your day and it should reflect you! Try to stay focused on what works best for your day as a couple and stay true to it.” Sam agrees – with a smile: “Listen to the bride!” he laughs. “And make sure you have your groomsmen in check, and they have you in check. If everyone is on the same page, the whole day will run smoothly.”
Photography Emma Lawson Photography emmalawsonphotography.com
Second shooter Leanne Heron leanneheronphotography.com
Venue River Cottage rivercottage.net
Dresses Calla Blanche callablanche.com
Miphai miphai.com
Shoes Charles & Keith charleskeith.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Six Stories sixstories.co.uk
Suit Cad & the Dandy cadandthedandy.co.uk
Groomsmen’s suits Charles Tyrwhitt charlestyrwhitt.com
Hair & make-up Jo Adams jo-adams.com
Bridesmaids’ hair Hair from the Heart hairfromtheheart.co.uk
Flowers Floren Flowers florenflowers.com
Entertainment accordion Claudio Allodi
DJ Andrew Marston djandrewmarston.com
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