Weddings are a celebration of love, but for Annabel & Alex, it was also an opportunity to honour their heritage, embrace tradition, and throw one unforgettable party. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of RHS Garden Wisley Glasshouse, their wedding was a seamless blend of cultures, personal touches, and joy-filled moments. From a heartfelt Chinese tea ceremony to a late-night snack of BBQ pork buns, every detail was thoughtfully curated to reflect their personalities and values.
Their goal was to create a relaxed and meaningful day filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of fun. And that’s exactly what they did. With lush tropical palms, elegant orchids, and the glowing warmth of a neon ‘double happiness’ sign, their wedding wasn’t just a day, it was an experience for everyone in attendance. The couple chose Recommended Supplier, Prezola, for their gift list.
Botanical Glasshouse Wedding At RHS Wisley Garden With Chinese Tea Ceremony
We wanted a day that was fun, relaxed, and incorporated Chinese elements to honour the heritage of the groom. After our tea ceremony at home, we had a wedding ceremony by the Chinese Butterfly Lovers Pavilion, followed by drinks on the glasshouse terrace, then dinner and fancing under the tropical palms in the glasshouse.
Annabel & Alex
Double Happiness
The day kicked off with a Chinese tea ceremony at home in a heartfelt nod to Alex’s heritage. The couple honoured tradition, serving tea to their elders in exchange for wisdom, blessings, and some well-received red envelopes. Then it was off to the Butterfly Lovers Pavilion, a breathtakingly poetic spot to say "I do," inspired by the legendary Chinese love story. The couple exchanged vows, surrounded by nature and the people they love. Post-ceremony, guests sipped on cocktails on the glasshouse terrace, enjoying the lush botanical surroundings before heading inside for the ultimate tropical-meets-tradition reception. With Chinese lanterns swaying above, guests were greeted by a glowing neon sign of the Chinese character 囍, which means ‘double happiness.’ And happiness was certainly in abundance, especially when the late-night snack of Chinese BBQ pork buns made an appearance!
Making An Entrance
Thanks to their event coordinator, Sue, Annabel & Alex stole a quiet moment together before making their grand entrance. Tucked away on the second level of the glasshouse, hidden behind layers of greenery, they took it all in. Then, as The Vaccines’ I Always Knew filled the air, they dramatically emerged onto the balcony to cheer and applause. Speaking of cake, this was no ordinary wedding dessert. Annabel’s sister, an avid baker, took on the task of creating the cake masterpiece. The couple landed on a flavour for each tier: double vanilla for Alex and chocolate passion fruit for Annabel.
Cake & Flowers
The cake topper itself was a bespoke creation by Alex’s sister, an architect with an eye for detail. Featuring two golden pigs, it was both a nod to their shared Chinese zodiac sign and the traditional gold colour associated with Chinese weddings. We love those meaningful details! Not to be outdone, Annabel’s mother and aunt took floristry into their own hands. Rising at the crack of dawn to scour the Covent Garden Flower Market, they hand-selected and arranged every bloom for the wedding, which resulted in stunning floral arrangements that were both personal and breathtakingly beautiful.
Having A First Look Moment Meant The Couple Could Exchange Their Vows In Private
Our biggest advice would be to throw tradition to the wind and only put in your wedding exactly what you want. Also, wherever you can, try and squeeze in meaningful elements to you both. You will also spend a lot of time with certain suppliers on the day, most notably your photographer and videographer. Do ensure you click with them in your pre-wedding communications, as it will make the day so much nicer.
Annabel & Alex
If Annabel & Alex have one piece of advice for couples planning their wedding, it’s this: only include what truly matters to you. Whether that’s a first look (which they highly recommend for smoothing out the timeline and stealing a private moment together), meaningful cultural touches, or simply making sure you really get along with your photographer (shoutout to Heather!), the key is to make the day yours.
Annabel & Alex wanted to give a huge, heartfelt thank you to their family and friends for their help, their energy, and the overwhelming love that made their wedding day so unforgettable. Here’s to a lifetime of double happiness for Annabel & Alex!
This couple’s wedding venue was definitely what made Annabel & Alex’s day unique and so memorable. Looking for more of the best glasshouse wedding venues? We’ve got you covered.
