A Modern Italian-Inspired Wedding at Shotesham Park

23 May

Emily & Chris’ Monochrome to Colour Love Story

Some love stories unfold slowly — quietly weaving themselves into the fabric of everyday life until one day, you realise they have shaped your entire world.

Emily and Chris met in high school in 2008, during an era of sweeping fringes, indie playlists and teenage certainty. He asked her out in a Chinese restaurant in front of their friends. She said yes — and from that moment on, they rarely left each other’s side.

Years passed almost unnoticed. Weeks became months; months became years.

Then, on a sunlit beach in Corfu, Chris knelt beneath a painted sky and asked again. Emily said yes — this time to forever.

After more than a decade together, marriage felt less like a milestone and more like a natural evolution.

A Venue That Matched Their Vision

From the outset, Emily and Chris knew they wanted a setting that felt distinctive — somewhere that would allow them complete creative freedom.

When they discovered Shotesham Park shortly after it opened as a wedding venue, it felt serendipitous. With its long private driveway, Italianate charm and beautifully restored stable courtyard, it offered both architectural character and a blank canvas.

For Emily, an interior designer with a refined eye, the space allowed her vision to unfold without compromise.

Their ceremony took place within the converted stables — an intimate yet striking setting — before guests spilled into the courtyard for champagne, conversation and late summer light.

Monochrome, Then Colour — A Symbolic Transition

The design concept was deliberate and deeply personal.

The ceremony unfolded entirely in monochrome. Black bow ties. Off-white gowns. Crisp tailoring. Sculptural florals in black and white. Clean lines and generous scale.

It was elegant, graphic and modern.

The reasoning carried quiet meaning: Emily’s maiden name was White. As long as she remained a White, the aesthetic remained monochrome.

Once they were pronounced husband and wife and she became a Hamer, colour flowed into the celebration.

Reception florals shifted into vibrant tones. The tablescape softened. The atmosphere warmed. The transition felt cinematic — a visual representation of a new chapter beginning.

It was more than styling; it was storytelling.

Editorial Portraiture & Considered Details

Throughout the afternoon, we created a series of editorial portraits around the grounds — including with a classic car driven by Emily’s father. The images felt intentional and composed, balancing modern refinement with romantic softness.

Inside the reception space, every detail had been thoughtfully curated.

Chris had written a speech not to be spoken aloud, but printed onto a fabric banner suspended within the room. Emily read his words for the first time during the wedding breakfast — an intimate, unscripted moment within a beautifully structured day.

Each guest also found a handwritten letter at their place setting — a gesture that transformed the dining experience into something deeply personal.

During drinks, a champagne tower in the courtyard brought a touch of European glamour — effervescent, celebratory and effortlessly stylish.

Refined Style

Emily’s bespoke gown, created through Perla Nova and designed by Made with Love Bridal, featured custom fabric and carefully considered alterations that made it entirely unique to her.

The bridesmaids wore soft, contemporary silhouettes, while the groomsmen’s classic tailoring created a timeless foundation.

Instead of a traditional tiered cake, they chose a sculptural stack of artisan cheese wheels displayed on a white plinth surrounded by florals — a sophisticated alternative that reflected their taste and personality.

An Energetic Evening

As evening fell, the courtyard glowed.

Emily and Chris shared their first dance to “Set You Free” by Sam Ryder — a moment that felt both nostalgic and joyfully present. From there, the celebration accelerated: live music, a packed dance floor, sparklers illuminating the night air.

The energy was effortless. The kind of atmosphere that can’t be staged — only felt.

Their Advice

Plan with intention.

Set a budget, yes — but more importantly, design a day that feels authentically yours. Resist external pressure. Choose details that resonate personally.

The most memorable weddings are not those that follow trends, but those that tell a story.

Emily and Chris’ wedding at Shotesham Park was a masterclass in thoughtful design — modern yet timeless, structured yet emotive, monochrome yet vibrant.

A celebration not just of a wedding day, but of a love story fifteen years in the making.