A Colourful Celebration for Leah & Kerry

Kerry originally interviewed Leah for a job role which landed the two girls in the same team, working for a wonderful cruise company. They were lucky enough to travel the world together and through this, a romance blossomed and the couple became official. Kerry proposed to Leah after a gin tour at the Silent Pool Gin Distillery in Surrey and the couple started planning their wedding the very next day! Their bright, happy and colourful June wedding day took place just shy of two years after their memorable gin-themed engagement.

The Team at Farnham Castle

Leah and Kerry shortlisted 4-5 wedding venues to look around at the start of their engagement. “None of them were as incredible as Farnham Castle” said Kerry after the couple had initially discovered the historic Surrey venue via our Instagram account! “No one had the service that we received when we came for our two open days. We had pencilled in a different location, but after meeting the team at Farnham we knew it had to be there”.

The couple loved the variety of rooms and the grounds that Farnham Castle offered; from the personal and intimate Lantern Hall, to the splendour of the Great Hall, the incredible gardens, and of course the added bonus of the Castle Keep. Mostly, however, the couple fell in love with the service provided by our team, and the quality of our Dining Menu!

Farnham Castle luxury wedding venue in Surrey

Wedding Day Preparations

Leah tried on 7 different wedding dresses, but her final choice was the one she had loved from the very beginning. The lace adorned, A-line, Justin Alexander gown was the only dress that actually made her cry, so she knew it had to be ‘the one’. Leah teamed up her gorgeous wedding dress with a stunning veil, and a matching pearl necklace and earring set that were a gift from her parents and Kerry. Kerry tried on a number of unique outfits, but fell in love with a baby blue, zebra lined, 3-piece suit, which looked and felt amazing on the summer day!

Leah chose 4 bridesmaids, who all wore ‘something blue’, and Kerry chose 3 close friends to support her on the big day, who all wore green! The couple wanted their wedding party to feel comfortable throughout the day, so they offered a variety of ideas but let them choose styles and colours that most suited their personalities.

Kerry got ready for the wedding in the glamorous Guildford Suite at Farnham Castle and Leah prepared for the big moment in the gorgeous Gatehouse. Everyone felt relaxed and at ease, ahead of the 1pm ceremony that took place in the Lantern Hall. Farnham Castle’s recommended supplier NWMakeUp spent the morning pampering the girls, bridesmaids and mothers.

A copper framed ‘Welcome’ sign sat at the top of the Fox’s Steps and welcomed guests into the Stone Hall ahead of the ceremony in the Lantern Hall. It was the perfect introduction to what was going to be an incredible summer wedding day ahead!

Wedding Day: Saturday 26^th June, 2021

Leah and Kerry felt that it was important for both of their fathers to walk their daughters down the aisle, so in turn, Kerry walked down the aisle in the Lantern Hall with her father Tony, and Leah walked down with her father Bryan, all to what the girls consider to be the greatest piece of music in the world, the theme tune to Jurassic Park!

Floral décor, including a neon pink foliage filled arch, brightened up the Lantern Hall. Sue and her team from local florist, Lavender Hill, designed an incredible, bright selection of arrangements to decorate the venue; from bouquets for Leah and the bridesmaids, to arrangements that sat in the Lancet windows of the Stone Hall, plus, the team created an incredible floral installation around the chandelier in the Great Hall.

Outdoor Wedding Reception

One of the most memorable moments of a wedding day at Farnham Castle is when the newlywed couple are introduced and walk down the iconic Fox’s Steps, whilst being showered with confetti. Leah and Kerry’s introduction was beautiful. Their guests lined up to congratulate them, and over-sized balloons added the perfect fun, pop of colour to the moment! The weather was beautiful, so the couple and their guests could take full advantage of the Great Lawn for their reception drinks and canapés. “The sun was shining, the service was excellent and the drinks were perfect” said Kerry. Singer (and recommended supplier) James McClean entertained guests throughout the afternoon and everyone was excited and ready for the four-course dining experience they were about to enjoy.

As the couple got engaged at the Silent Pool Distillery, they decided to give each of their guests a traditional Silent Pool gin glass as a wedding favour. Reception tables were decorated with floral arrangements, but the couple were clever with their décor, and the balloons that had decorated the Fox’s Steps were moved in to the Great Hall, to complement the colourful balloon display over the historic fireplace, behind the top table.

Evening Celebrations in the Great Hall

After a relaxed wedding breakfast, guests continued to enjoy the Great Lawn and gardens at Farnham Castle.

Karizma Band set up in the Great Hall for the evening and their first dance ‘Symphony’ by Clean Bandit had sentimental meaning for the couple as they’d originally met on the cruise line ‘Symphony of the Seas’. After dancing the night away, the guests retired to the bedrooms in the Castle, and Leah and Kerry spent the night in the fabulous Guildford Suite. Everyone loved staying in such a beautiful, historic building and the couple added that “the Castle looked after everyone so well……..they were all accommodated for wonderfully”.

After their memorable day, the newlywed couple set off on a minimoon to relax at a Spa hotel in Bath – a well-deserved break for them both.

When asked what the favourite part of their wedding day was, the couple responded with: “All of it! But the moment you’re stood in front of your family and friends whilst reading your vows to each other was very emotional. Even with Covid and the restrictions in place, we couldn’t have asked for a better day – it was perfect!”