This couple celebrated their Fulham Palace Great Hall wedding at the most perfect time of year. Stunning white blossoms and vivid lilac wisteria had come early due to the recent warm spell, making the Tudor walled garden at Fulham Palace the perfect spot for wedding photographs. The ancient botanical garden was looking sensational thanks to the hard work put in by a huge team of gardeners and volunteers.

The Great Hall and Bishop Terrick’s Drawing Room were decorated with flowers by Mary Jane Vaughan and suited the rooms to a tee. The Bride arrived for her final preparations in the dressing room at the top of the red staircase, followed closely by the Groom and his brother, the Best Man. Friends and family had come from all over the world including Canada and Scotland and in total there were 70 guests. The great Hall at Fulham Palace is the perfect size for a civil wedding ceremony and it’s rare to find such an historic and pretty room so near to the centre of London. The Hammersmith and Fulham Registrar’s office are in charge of undertaking weddings at Fulham Palace and they kept things very light and professional. The Bride’s parents walked her down the aisle together to the waiting Groom. There were plenty of smiles throughout the short ceremony and a lovely reading by Claire who had come over especially from Canada.

Everyone made a huge effort with confetti in the courtyard and the Groom’s face was a picture. After some family groups we headed out to the walled garden and those spring blossoms. The Groom’s green and navy kilt and the Bride’s lace covered short-sleeve dress looked beautiful in the surroundings. It was a very English and romantic scene and tied in beautifully with their book-themed wedding breakfast. Their love of reading and their careers in teaching brought them together. Books, quintessentially English flowers (in pinks, peaches, purples and creams), and stylish gold written stationery brought the Great Hall alive.

Meanwhile, guests enjoyed a champagne and canape reception in the Bishop Terrick’s Drawing Room. Although it was warm enough to be outside in the courtyard there was certainly the threat of rain and the space inside is an ideal drinks area. There is also a little interior courtyard which many guests enjoyed.

Laura Kellett was the wedding coordinator on the day and ensured that everything ran smoothly. Bovingdons Catering are the caterers at Fulham Palace and they produce stunning wedding food – they are known as the ‘foodies wedding caterers’. Speeches by the Bride’s parents, the Groom, the Best Man, one of the Bridesmaids, and their Master of Ceremonies went down a storm, and then the Bride made her way out into the courtyard to throw her bouquet in traditional English style. It went a little off-route and the guest reactions were priceless.

If you would like to see more weddings like this one, please visit the Fulham Palace information page or Fulham Palace blog posts.