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Beziique Creative Wedding Storytellers
Journal

Elina & Iain Dewale — Wotton House, Dorking

Elina and Iain met several years ago when Iain lived in North London. Elina was invited to a BBQ by a mutual friend and they were introduced. They didn't become a couple until approximately three years after that first meeting, and were together for almost four years before Iain proposed.

Elina and Iain embracing before a lit stone temple at night at Wotton House, Dorking
Autumn view over the wooded Surrey Hills near Wotton House
Victorian gatehouse and tree-lined drive at Wotton House in low winter sun

How they met

The proposal

Iain sought permission from Elina's mother to marry her in June 2016. He proposed on 21 September 2016 while they were punting along the river Cam in Cambridge — the location of their second date. It was a beautiful sunny day and Elina had no idea until Iain was on one knee. There were plenty of tourist groups punting on the river, so when Elina said yes they had a loud round of applause.

On the day of the proposal, Elina's mother was visiting from abroad, which made the day even more special.

The three-stone platinum engagement ring featured a round centre sapphire (Elina's birthstone) flanked by two side diamonds. The bespoke ring was designed by jewellers in Hatton Garden, London.

The dress and groom's suit

A backless wedding dress with a modern high neckline and classic, romantic lace by Stella York, style 6500 — featured in Wedding magazine in November 2017, the month of the wedding. Both the groom and the groom's party wore Jack Bunney's suits.

Finishing touches

  • Flowers by Flowers by Elaine in Dorking, Surrey
  • Hired a Starlight Backdrop and Post Box from Harper's Events
  • Donation to Cancer Research on behalf of each guest (including children) as wedding favours
  • Children had a play table with sweets and games during the reception
  • A thank-you note attached to a white rose for men and a blush pink rose for women, placed at each setting
  • Clear crystals scattered on the tables; rose petals and crystals on the cake table
  • A toastmaster who made the day effortlessly smooth
  • A pianist during the wedding breakfast
  • Singing Waiters as a surprise just before the speeches — a wonderful surprise for Iain and the guests
  • A five-piece band that saw them into the night
Vintage green Morris Minor van parked outside the red-brick facade of Wotton House
Frosty lawn and formal gardens at Wotton House, Dorking, at sunrise
Classical stone grotto with a statue niche in the gardens of Wotton House

The wedding day

It was exactly as planned. They knew it would be a happy occasion when they pulled the curtains that morning to clear blue skies and glorious sunshine.

The night before the wedding, Elina was surprised by a beautiful necklace and a bespoke card delivered by her bridesmaid from the groom. On the day of the wedding, Elina was again surprised by another bespoke card from Iain and a Rolex watch — the black-screen watch matched Iain's Rolex and had sentimental value.

They had a beautiful ceremony, took plenty of pictures while guests drank in the 1879 bar, then enjoyed the wedding breakfast (their first meal as husband and wife). After the singing waiters and speeches there was a coffee break, then wedding cake, first dance and evening canapés. Everything went smoothly and as planned — absolutely perfect, but the day went so fast.

Favourite part of the day

Hard to choose one part — the ceremony was perfect, as were the food and entertainment. They are over the moon with the pictures.

Why Wotton House

After looking at approximately 70 venues online and across the country, Elina found Wotton House and they both thought it was perfect from the minute they saw it. A beautiful venue overlooking the exclusive Roman Gardens, with stunning 17th-century detailing and modern luxurious touches — the wow factor.

Ceremony and reception music

Row of colourful wellington boots lined up beneath a window
Framed antique keys above a fireplace garlanded with dried oranges and greenery
Gold bauble on a Christmas tree with the De Vere sign glowing behind
  • Guests sitting: Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
  • Walking down the aisle: A Thousand Years (instrumental)
  • Exchanging vows: River Flows in You by Yiruma
  • Walking down the aisle as a married couple: Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden
  • Evening entertainment: Ronnie Scott's Rejects — absolutely fabulous
  • First dance: Perfect by Ed Sheeran

Advice for other couples

"Try not to stress about the day and enjoy the fun time like menu or cake tasting or choosing your dress — those are very special moments which make the big day even more special. If possible, have a date the week before the wedding. Take your mind off the wedding. Anything that helps you both relax. And of course, enjoy the day as it goes so fast."

On working with Beziique

"They are the best — such a creative, fun and professional couple. We don't really need to say much because our beautiful photographs say it all. We enjoyed having them and wish them the best of luck with their wedding this year."

Suppliers

  • Photographer: Nick and Aimie — Beziique
  • Videographer: Craig Doolan
  • Rings: The Diamond Shop, Hatton Garden
  • Wedding Cake: Sweet Rose Cakery, Upminster
  • Florist: Flowers By Elaine, Dorking
  • Transport: Iain's Aston Martin DB9
  • Invitation/Design: Ted & Dolly's
  • DJ: provided by the band Ronnie Scott's Rejects
Decorated Christmas tree at the foot of the staircase at Wotton House
Black-and-white close-up of hands during the bride's hair and make-up
Make-up artist's brushes and palettes spread across a wooden table
Bride having her make-up brushed on while wearing a blue robe
Sapphire engagement ring nestled among Christmas tree lights and a dried orange slice
Sparkly silver Jimmy Choo heels hanging from a silver candelabra
Rolex watch resting on its green Oyster box
Wedding dress hanging in a Gothic stone archway with a vaulted corridor beyond
Vaulted hall at Wotton House decorated with white blossom trees and candles
Make-up artist applying the bride's lipstick by the window
Bride checking her make-up in a hand mirror as she gets ready
Black-and-white photo of the bride having her hair styled, seen through a doorway
Bridal preparations in a hotel suite, glimpsed past styling products in the foreground
Hairstylist setting the bride's hair with spray as she sits in a grey robe
Bridesmaid in a gold sequin dress holding a gypsophila bouquet
Black-and-white photo of the bridal party getting ready, one holding a wide-brimmed hat
Ivory floral hair piece and an embellished veil laid on a patterned carpet
Bride's flower-adorned curls reflected in a mirror as she gets ready
Vaulted hall at Wotton House lit by candelabras, dressed for the ceremony
Ceremony room at Wotton House with white blossom trees, chandeliers and Chiavari chairs
White rose and greenery arrangement before rows of ceremony chairs under gothic arches
Dark car driving up the tree-lined drive between brick pillars at Wotton House
Groom in a blue suit smiling from the passenger seat of the wedding car
Groom and best man walking across the forecourt of Wotton House under bare branches
Groom in a blue suit standing in the arched red-brick entrance of Wotton House
Black-and-white photo of the bride's lace gown being buttoned at the back
Bridesmaid in gold sequins fastening the back of the bride's lace dress
Bridesmaid adjusting the bride's necklace in the hotel suite
Close-up of the bride's clasped hands, bracelet and ring against her lace gown
Bridesmaids in gold sequins arranging the bride's veil
Bride in her lace gown and veil standing in soft window light
Elina holding her bouquet by a window in her lace gown and veil at Wotton House, Dorking
Black-and-white close-up of the lace back, buttons and veil of the bride's dress
Black-and-white photo of bridesmaids helping Elina into her gown at Wotton House
Groom walking down a candlelit aisle lined with white blossom displays at Wotton House
Groomsmen and a toastmaster seen from above through warm golden bokeh
Elina and her bridesmaids descending a grand staircase beneath gilt-framed paintings
Bride and bridesmaids walking down a staircase dressed with a lit Christmas garland
Black-and-white photo of a flower girl and page boy coming down the stairs
Groom laughing with his best man and a red-coated toastmaster before the ceremony
Groom and best man waiting at the front of the blossom-lined ceremony room
Black-and-white photo of the bride arriving with her bridesmaids through a chandeliered hall
Iain waiting for his bride in a navy suit among white blossom arrangements
Red-coated toastmaster announcing the bride's arrival through an arched doorway
Groom glancing back down the aisle, framed by soft-focus white flowers at Wotton House
Elina and her father waiting in the doorway before walking down the aisle
Bride walking with her father down a candlelit aisle under gothic arches at Wotton House
Elina walking down the aisle on her father's arm towards Iain
Wide view of the vaulted, blossom-filled ceremony room as the bride reaches the altar at Wotton House
Iain turning to see Elina arrive at the altar, bridesmaids behind her
Groomsman opening a ring box during the ceremony
Elina and Iain standing before the celebrant as the ceremony begins at Wotton House
Elina smiling at Iain as they exchange rings
Elina and Iain's first kiss beneath the gothic arches and fairy-lit columns at Wotton House, Dorking
Elina looking up at Iain as she signs the register
Newlyweds walking back up the aisle past guests and white blossom arrangements
Elina and Iain kissing beside a lit Christmas tree at the foot of the staircase
Bride and groom walking hand in hand along a panelled corridor at Wotton House
Guest in a hat congratulating the smiling bride and groom after the ceremony
Black-and-white photo of bridesmaids and guests laughing together
Bride and bridesmaids walking through the formal gardens at Wotton House, Dorking
Bride, bridesmaids in gold sequins, flower girl and page boy holding gypsophila bouquets
Elina laughing with two bridesmaids under a stone colonnade, all holding bouquets
Iain with two groomsmen in matching navy suits smiling at the camera
Elina and Iain framed through soft green foliage beside a stone arch
Close portrait of Elina and Iain smiling at each other
Close-up of the bride's cascading pink and ivory rose bouquet against her lace dress
Elina and Iain beneath a classical stone portico with a statue niche at Wotton House
Iain and Elina laughing beside weathered stone columns, her bouquet in hand
Black-and-white photo of the couple before the columned temple folly at Wotton House
Wotton House's red-brick facade and formal knot garden in autumn colour, Dorking
Elina's long veil blowing in the breeze as she and Iain embrace at Wotton House
Couple kissing in the empty vaulted ceremony hall lit by fairy-light columns at Wotton House
Reception room set with white-draped tables and blossom centrepieces before guests arrive
Place setting with a white rose, folded napkin and crystal glasses
Three-tier white wedding cake on a petal-scattered table, glimpsed through blossoms
Guests applauding as the bride and groom enter the reception room
Singing waiter with a guitar serenading the laughing couple at the top table
Singing waiter flourishing a pink rose with arms raised during the wedding breakfast
Guests laughing at the singing waiters' surprise performance at their table
Singing waiters with roses and a guitar performing among the tables
Groomsman laughing as singing waiters perform around him at the reception
Singing waiters dancing between tables as guests cheer
Iain giving his speech with a microphone at the top table
Elina and guests laughing during the speeches
Elina and Iain embracing at night before the illuminated temple folly at Wotton House
Couple standing in a dramatically lit rocky grotto at night at Wotton House
Iain and Elina embracing in the lit grotto, her lace train spread on the ground
Elina and Iain cutting their tiered wedding cake as the band plays behind them
Elina and Iain's first dance in front of a fairy-light backdrop
Iain lifting Elina off her feet during their first dance as guests watch
Elina and Iain dancing in front of the band and fairy-light curtain at Wotton House
Singer performing with arms raised before a fairy-light curtain at the evening reception
Elina dancing with two bridesmaids in gold sequinned dresses
Bride in a field beside a vintage white Triumph convertible, groom leaning on it at sunset, Liopetro, Kouklia
Hedsor House glowing at night with Jade and Ian framed in the lit doorway
Jade and Peter walking hand in hand along a white arched colonnade at Anassa
Emily and Chris silhouetted against a sunset, her bouquet raised high, at Minthis, Paphos
Double-exposure silhouette of a couple holding hands at sunset at Wokefield Park
Bride and groom laughing through a shower of confetti at Liopetro, Kouklia
Couple framed in a lit doorway beneath the Milky Way, glowing lantern bokeh around them, Liopetro
Charlene and Ben twirling on a dusty lane edged with golden grasses at Liopetro, Kouklia
Couple silhouetted on a ridge, her veil streaming against a fiery sunset, Alassos
Elina and Iain dancing at night before the illuminated temple folly at Wotton House, Dorking
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