Kurt and Chloe’s wedding
An Eastern Promise in an English Garden
Kurt and Chloe didn’t realise their extended family would all want to make the trip to the UK from the far east to celebrate their nuptials in the quiet English countryside.
So when they found out, they began planning a stunning wedding which brought the importance of ceremony from Chinese wedding traditions and combined it with a British country home venue.
Stage One: The Brief
This three day long wedding celebration involved bringing Kurt and Chloe’s friends and family all the way from Hong Kong and Taiwan to the English countryside but it was important to the couple to ensure their UK wedding celebrated their Eastern heritage by featuring many traditional Chinese wedding rituals.
They wanted their marriage ceremony outdoors embracing the English gardens (and weather!) but also opted to to book a selection of our traditional Chinese entertainment to help bless their marriage with good luck. The East meets West elements of this wedding were essential and attention to detail was of utmost importance.
Stage Two: The Venue
The ceremony was to take place at Heckfield Place, a beautiful English country home in Hampshire- it has a very Jane Austen feel about it brought into modern day but with heaps of rustic charm.
This Georgian family home has been lovingly restored to it’s historic origins and sits at the heart of a 400-acre estate. Situated less than an hour from London the estate was the perfect location for Kurt and Chloe’s special day.
Stage Three: Decor and Florals
Over 150 handmade paper lanterns were strung from the ceiling creating a stunning visual display, accompanied by chinoiserie blues, patterned red crockery and bespoke illustrative stationery with brushstroke calligraphy names created by the vary talented wedding designer, Alice Wilkes Design.
Not to mention the incredible floral displays, by All For Love, London. A whole team was brought in to create multiple stunning and very different themed floral sets for over the three day wedding. The ceremony day featured white and red roses in abundance, lining corridors, creating arches and displays and with the banquet tables bursting with colour and including bamboo spirals. The floral arrangements for the tea drinking ceremony were equally breathtaking with a much more Asian flower species selection, brightly coloured birds of paradise, orchids and peonies.
Stage Four: The Ceremony
Kurt and Chloe wanted to feature the outdoors in their ceremony and opted for single row of chairs outlining the terrace to create a statement with an archway of white florals and the venue making a picturesque backdrop.
However the English weather wanted to challenge their plans, despite it being August the rain came down in full force, outdoor became indoor then back to outdoor again as the weather couldn’t seem to settle, the guests bravely collected clear umbrellas and embraced the British weather before everyone finally headed inside to continue the celebrations.
Stage Five: Cultural Traditions
Due to the delicate and traditional build of the Chinese lion (papier mache and bamboo) the grounds were too wet for their performance to take place outside. So as guests dried off with a glass of champagne and Kurt and Chloe’s baby boy enjoyed some photos with his parents the red lion made its entrance to their delight.
Guests posed for photos and enjoyed interacting with the lion as it weaved and danced it’s way amongst them. As is often the case the bride opted for a traditional English white wedding dress for the ceremony and changed into a Qipao – a traditional Chinese fitted silk dress for the tea drinking ceremony.
Stage Six: Memories and Moments
This was possibly the most beautiful wedding we have had the pleasure of providing entertainment for, the event was visually perfect and the couple’s relaxed attitude made their day peaceful, beautiful and very intimate.
The fusion of Eastern and Western style and tradition was created seamlessly with incredible levels of detail and final touches. Thankfully the bride, groom and their guests can look back on their memories of this love filled day thanks to the incredible photography of Philip White.
“Thank you so much, it’s been absolutely wonderful!”
– CHLOE LIN
Heckfield Place Wedding, Bride
If you are interested in hiring a Chinese lion for your wedding day you can find out more information about them on our Chinese Lion Dancers page. Alternatively if you have your own ideas in mind and would like to discuss a custom package created just for you – feel free to drop us a message form our Contact page.