This regal countryside-inspired wedding at The Stables at Hartwood Acres was a stunning tapestry of rich florals, luxurious decor, and timeless charm, set against ivy-draped backdrops and historic stone architecture. The Stables at Hartwood Acres, built in the 1920s to resemble an English Cotswold village, served as the perfect muse for Events by Emily, who brought the royal vision to life. Captured beautifully by Margaret James Photography, the shoot bloomed with an air of sophisticated elegance. Hello Beautiful Designs created stationery reminiscent of a bygone era, featuring calligraphy, hand-torn edges, and wax seals. The bride’s Jenny Yoo gown from Blanc de Blanc Bridal was royally styled with pearls and elbow-length satin gloves to complement the sleek crepe silhouette. The color palette artfully incorporated Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, through taupe table linens, smoky brown glassware, and toffee-hued roses. May Chester Design crafted floral arrangements that made grand statements, with a stylized Victorian sofa encapsulated in blooms in front of the stone exterior of the cottage. Final flourishes included: a cake by Benjamin Bishop, adorned with lilies of the valley etched into the icing; a whimsical “tea tower” made from vintage tea sets; and a vintage 1928 Chrysler Windsor Highlander from Jeff’s Antique Car Rental, bringing a touch of timeless sophistication to this modern-meets-royal daydream.
About the Shoot
From the photographer…
Our inspiration largely stemmed from the venue’s history, as it was designed in the 1920s to resemble an English Cotswold Village. We loved its unique and gorgeous design, brimming with old-world charm. The ivy-covered stone walls and authentic stables, which once housed several horses, provided a serene, bucolic presence.
To showcase this English countryside-inspired wedding, the florals were designed to evoke the feel of an English garden. We chose warmer tones to reflect the transition from summer to fall. One floral installation was placed at the back of a stone staircase, featuring a British-style settee in the center for the couple to sit on. We couldn’t resist highlighting the outstanding architecture of the double archway at The Stables, so we designed a breathtaking floral arrangement there as well. The floral designers incorporated large roses alongside other blooms for a lavish display, while the bride’s bouquet included lilies of the valley and other delicate flowers, reminiscent of Meghan Markle’s bouquet.
Decadent stationery was created by Hello Beautiful Stationery, featuring scripted calligraphy and an illustration of a Cotswold Village. This look was achieved on cotton-like paper with torn edges for the invitations, while the menus were shaped like scrolls. We also included love letters for the couple to read to each other, encased in fabric envelopes sealed with wax.
The table settings embraced warm but neutral tones, with a cashmere velvet linen and coffee lamour napkins. For the sweetheart table, we opted for a more ornate look, featuring a taupe paisley cloth paired with coffee lamour napkins. Many other details had a modern twist: we selected matte black flatware, plates, and smoked glassware instead of traditional white plates and clear glass. The bride wore black Jimmy Choos, and the pastry chef, Benjamin, designed a matte black cake adorned with a lily of the valley motif in white piping.
Favorite Moment
A favorite design detail was the classic car we rented, which perfectly completed the look and feel of our shoot. We found a company that provided a 1948 Chrysler Windsor Highlander, which elevated our vision. A standout DIY feature was our “tea tower,” a creative twist on a champagne tower. It was crafted from several tea sets we purchased and was a unique element we hadn’t seen before.
