The Elvetham Wedding Venue in Hampshire with Feather Bridal Gown

Photography by Natalie J Weddings Photography

There are so many heartwarming and amazing elements that make up this winter celebration at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire. The groom Tilman's mother wrote and recited a poem about love and commitment in German, and Avril's mum gave a wedding speech during the reception. Plus Avril's wedding dress story is not to be missed. Especially as in her words: (although we wholeheartedly agree) "I know most people want to feel like a princess, but I wanted to feel like a queen" And an absolute queen she looks, from her West-African-Meets-Old-Hollywood updo right through to her Badgley Mischka bridal shoes.

The Elvetham country house wedding venue

Art deco diamond engagement ring and wedding bands

The Elvetham wedding ceremony room with ornate fireplace

blush pink roses and eucalyptus aisle wedding flowers

Ornate fireplace at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire

Wedding flowers with foliage and blush pink roses

Wedding morning bridal preparations at The Elvetham

Black bride in Mira Zwillinger wedding dress with feathers

Groom in tuxedo standing at the altar of The Elvetham wedding venue

Wedding ceremony bridal entrance in Mira Zwillinger dress

Bride and groom exchange vows at The Elvetham wedding ceremony

Bride and groom kissing at The Elvetham wedding ceremony

Black tie wedding with Mira Zwillinger wedding dress and tuxedo

Bride and groom walking up the aisle as husband and wife

Confetti moment with bride in faux fur coverup

Bride in white faux fur coverup hugging a wedding guest

Winter wedding at The Elvetham country house in Hampshire

Stylish bride and groom at Winter wedding

What Made Our Day Unique
I'd never been keen on having the big wedding - or a wedding at all really. I certainly didn't think I'd be planning a UK wedding from NYC. But seeing our friends fly in from across Europe, from Australia, Dubai and South Africa just to celebrate how happy we make each other meant more than I could have imagined. Out mothers read poems in English and German, our siblings tied our hands together. Our wedding day was a seamless contradiction: global, yet small (75 guests), elegant, yet edgy, emotionally moving, yet an all-out party. The bartender didn't stop serving until sunrise!
Avril & Tilman

The Elvetham Wedding

As Avril and Tilman reside in NYC they enlisted the help of wedding planner, Planned for Perfection who is based in the Cotswolds, to help them plan their winter celebration at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire U.K. She understood their vision instantly and introduced them to lots of wedding suppliers. One thing she didn't help choose was Avril's Mira Zwillinger wedding dress. In fact, nobody helped her choose her stunning off the shoulder feather gown. On a whim, a week after the engagement she visited a showroom in NY and took five dresses into the changing room. One she thought was cool, one for laughs and one which was not her style at all. Well, guess what? She bought the one that was not her style the very next day. She instantly knew that was the dress she wanted everyone to see her saying her vows in, and would be the best thing she'd ever wear.

Inspiration & Styling
I know most people want to feel like a princess, but I wanted to feel like a queen. You can see it in my 1930s Art Deco engagement ring, the castle-like backdrop, my feathered wedding dress and my West-Africa-Meets-Old-Hollywood. This may have been inspired by the fact that Tilman proposed to me on the day of the Royal Wedding. As for the feel of the day itself, I wanted moody, mysterious, unusual, elegant, surprising and free. The wedding day was was me in wedding day form. There were no weighty traditions or family pressure: it was our own day from start to finish.
Avril & Tilman

Sophisticated black tie winter wedding with tuxedo and feather cover up

Multicultural wedding at The Elvetham in Hampshire

Groom in tuxedo embracing his bride in feather coverup

Wedding portrait by Natalie J Weddings of bride and groom outside The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire

Bride and groom kissing with The Elvetham wedding venue in the backdrop

Intimate wedding portrait by Natalie J Weddings

stylish bride and groom walking through the grounds at The Elvetham wedding venue

Bride and groom portrait in the gardens at The Elvetham wedding venue

Groom in strapless Mira Zwillinger wedding dress talking to a guest

Table centrepiece with candles and flower arrangement

Winter wedding table centrepiece at The Elvetham

Romantic candlelight reception at The Elvetham wedding venue

Winter wedding at The Elvetham with bride and groom in black tie attire

Wedding guests walking around talking to guests at The Elvetham wedding reception

Cake station at The Elvetham wedding venue

Wedding speeches at The Elvetham wedding reception

Mother of the bride giving a wedding speech

Bride and groom laughing during wedding speeches

Bride and groom first dance at The Elvetham wedding venue in Hampshire

First dance with bride in Mira Zwillinger wedding dress

One of Avril and Tilman's favourite moments was their first dance. It was an incredibly romantic and endearing moment captured beautifully by Natalie J Photography. If you're looking for some first dance song inspiration, we've written an article featuring lots of popular romantic, upbeat and classic song choices to inspire you.