Sophia and Ed got married at the church of St Thomas a Becket in April 2014, then brought everyone back to Goodwood House on a vintage Southdown bus. After a wet week the weather turned brilliant for them.
The date was chosen for the bluebells, and Ed is a Yorkshireman, so the whole day was built around white roses and bluebells.
How they met
Ed told us the story himself:
“Sophia is the little sister of one of my friends. Thankfully her brother Al doesn’t bear any grudges, as he is one of my ushers! We first met at a wedding of our mutual friends JP and Anita. JP used to live near Sophia and her brother when they were kids in Venezuela, and later boarded at the same school in York as me. When we all moved to London, it was JP who brought everyone together.”
JP read at the wedding, an extract on marriage from Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
Ed proposed on the way to Marrakech for New Year’s Eve. They missed the flight, thanks partly to the celebrations and partly to the Gatwick Express, and ended up in a taxi to Heathrow for another one. It didn’t dampen anything.
Getting ready with the girls
The morning started at Sophia’s parents’ house. Hair and make-up were by Toni Todd, and everyone was relaxed.
Sophia wore an ivory lace gown and veil by Sassi Holford, from her Fulham boutique, with a lace bolero and sash, vintage earrings, an Art Deco bracelet that belonged to her great-grandmother, and cobalt blue Jimmy Choos. Her perfume, Jo Malone’s Wild Bluebell, was borrowed from her mum. The bridesmaids were in royal blue by Maids to Measure of Fulham.
White roses and bluebells
The flowers were by Spriggs Florist. Sophia carried a small trailing bouquet of white roses with bluebells, the bridesmaids and flower girls had posies, and every man at the wedding wore a white rose.
If you’re marrying in Sussex in late April, the bluebells are worth planning around. They’re out for a few weeks at most.
The boys at the Goodwood Hotel
I spent the morning with Ed and the groomsmen at the Goodwood Hotel. They wore gun grey mohair morning suits with dove grey waistcoats from Favourbrook on Jermyn Street, Liberty print ties and silver birch leaf cufflinks.
To the church in a red Jaguar
Sophia went to church with her father, Rick, in a red Jaguar Mark 1. St Thomas a Becket is where her grandparents were married.
The ceremony
She arrived in full sun. The church has a lot of natural light and a raised gallery, which is a gift: you can photograph the whole ceremony from above without being in anyone’s way.
Back to Goodwood House
After the ceremony the guests went to Goodwood House in a vintage Southdown bus. Drinks, canapes and tours of the house, with a string quartet from the London Contemporary Orchestra playing, while we did the family groups in the Tapestry Room.
The staff at Goodwood make these days run like clockwork. The Tapestry Room is a good room for the groups, and it keeps them away from the drinks.
The Ballroom
The Ballroom at Goodwood is one of the best wedding dining rooms I know. The place names were in beautiful calligraphy by Kalli Weddings, and the cake was hand-painted with bluebells by Natasha Collins of Nevie Pie Cakes. Silver candelabras and low bowls of white roses, lisianthus, ranunculus and bluebells finished the tables.
Portraits at the Hill Climb
While the guests sat down, we took Sophia and Ed down to the start of the Hill Climb. The sun was out, and it gave them some time alone before they were introduced as Mr and Mrs Birch.
The tree-lined start of the Hill Climb is one of the best spots on the estate. Go while the guests are being seated and nobody misses you.
Speeches and dinner
They had the speeches before the meal, from Rick, Ed and the best man. Amusing, heartfelt and entertaining. Then oak smoked salmon, Southdown lamb and a chocolate and single malt whisky tart.
Speeches before dinner is worth thinking about. Everyone relaxes and enjoys the meal, and the light is still good for portraits afterwards.
Evening light and the band
After dinner we went back outside for the low evening sun in front of the house. Then The Cassettes played, and everyone was on the dance floor.
Sophia and Ed
Congratulations to you both.
Barrie
The day in detail
Ceremony: St Thomas a Becket church
Reception: Goodwood House, West Sussex
Dress and veil: Sassi Holford
Bridesmaids: Maids to Measure
Groom’s suits: Favourbrook
Hair and make-up: Toni Todd
Flowers: Spriggs Florist
Cake: Nevie Pie Cakes
Calligraphy: Kalli Weddings
Music: London Contemporary Orchestra soloists, The Cassettes
Photography: Barrie Downie
Getting married at Goodwood House?
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More weddings at Goodwood
More from the house and the estate, and the full Goodwood House wedding guide.
