Quintessential English Summer Garden Wedding at a Family Home

This wedding was the definition of a quintessential English summer garden celebration — timelessly elegant, uniquely personal, and full of quiet beauty. Set in the garden of the family home where the bride grew up, Imogen & Tom's wedding felt deeply rooted in place, with every detail reflecting both tradition and a fresh, modern sensibility.

Imogen's Gillian Million dress had multiple pieces so that she could customise it through the day; with the shoulder piece keeping a classic look alongside the long train for the ceremony and garden reception. And later on, these accessories were removed for a more relaxed evening look.

The wedding took place at the local village church, a setting rich with history and sentiment. There’s something incredibly special about a couple getting married somewhere so familiar and full of memories — a place woven into everyday life, now marking one of its most important moments. Understated florals in soft neutrals and gentle pastels echoed the timeless, traditional feel of the day, while the marquee brought a modern contrast with layered shades of pink and coral, finished with rattan details.

mother of the bride doing daughters dress on wedding day

The bridal party complemented the setting beautifully. Bridesmaids wore soft light blue dresses with an elegant and classic cut, paired with neutral florals full of texture and softness. Together, the palette felt calm, romantic, and perfectly suited to a quintessential English summer garden celebration.

mother and bridesmaids admiring the bride

Back at the family home, the garden had been transformed into an effortlessly elegant reception space where the guests mingled in the late summer afternoon sun with a string quartet setting the mood and adding a romance to the atmosphere. A marquee sat at the far end on the lawn, decorated in soft shades of pink that brought warmth without overpowering the natural surroundings. Rattan lights hung overhead, adding texture and a relaxed, modern edge, while thoughtful detailing throughout kept everything feeling refined and intentional.

wedding marquee with pink flowers and rustic lights

As the afternoon faded into evening, golden hour arrived — bathing the garden in the most beautiful, glowing light. This is when everything seemed to slow. Guests lingered outside the marquee, laughter drifted across the lawn, and the couple took a quiet moment together as the sun dipped behind the trees.

As evening fell, the marquee took on a different feel as the lights glowed warmer, glasses were topped up, and guests gathered ready to celebrate. A live band kicked off the party, filling the space with energy and drawing everyone onto the dance floor. The celebration carried on well into the summer evening, rounding off the day in the best possible way.

This wedding was a perfect example of how classic English style can be reimagined with a modern twist — heartfelt, relaxed, and beautifully personal from start to finish.

If you’re planning an English garden wedding or a celebration at a family home, you can explore more inspiration and real weddings over on my Weddings page and Blog pages. If you’re currently looking for a photographer to capture your day in a natural, elegant and timeless way, get in touch directly via my Contact page — I’d love to hear all about your plans.