Hitched in Lockdown - The Wedding of Hayley and Chris

It had only been a couple of months since they met, however Hayley and Chris were smitten. After meeting on tinder back in March 2016, they quickly became official and the rest is history. Four years later Chris popped the question and the couple had a fantastic wedding in December 2020.

It was a beautiful proposal. Chris took Hayley for a walk around the beautiful Morden Hall Park, a stunning “green oasis” on the edge of London, surrounding the river Wandle and teeming with local wildlife. It was the anniversary of the day they had first met, four years on and according to Hayley, Chris was acting a little bit strange, however she didn’t know why. All became clear though, when during their walk, Chris got down on one knee and proposed with a beautiful emerald and diamond ring.

The Venue

Their engagement lasted seven months before sealing the deal. Hayley and Chris got married at Morden Hall on 11 December 2020. They had actually won the wedding venue for that day as part of a competition with Hitched. Even so, it felt like it was meant to be as that is where Chris first proposed. The colour scheme was navy blue, white and gold and matched well with the Christmas theme of the venue itself. The room in which the ceremony was held was decorated with delicate silk flowers by Fleur De La Couture. For the reception, gorgeous flowers by Florissa Design Events adorned the space.

The Dress

Hayley wore a beautiful champagne coloured full length gown, (Needle and Thread) with gorgeous full sleeves and stunning sequins and lace design. She wanted something a little different from the norm and had seen the dress on Instagram months previously and searched endlessly until she found it. A lovely gold veil was gifted from Tulle and Flo and matched the gown perfectly. Her hair and make up were done by Rachel Dwan and NW Make-up. Hayley had a half updo, with relaxed curls flowing down. She carried a bouquet of greenery and white flowers that matched the theme of the wedding and her gown. Hayley had one bridesmaid, her best friend from university who wore a pretty navy blue one shouldered gown from ASOS and had her hair in a similar style to the bride.

The Groom

Chris and his best man both wore navy velvet suits on the day, with matching watches and cufflinks. They certainly looked dapper!

The Wedding

The wedding was small, only consisting of themselves, plus 13 others, due to current lockdown guidelines. It was a beautiful evening ceremony, planned and styled effortlessly and exquisitely by Events with Akilah and Carmela Weddings, and led by celebrant Jennifer Patrice. The couple managed to add Zoom so that other family and friends could be a part of it, albeit online. It was a lovely warm and intimate ceremony, with many laughs and emotional moments woven in. Jennifer had been wonderful in getting to know the couple beforehand, both together and separately, the ceremony was really and truly personal to them.

The Reception

The reception and wedding breakfast followed shortly afterwards. The space itself was elegantly decorated according to the theme of the wedding with gorgeous blue candles in gold candles they, foliage runners with chiffon and silk fabrics. Tiny fairly lights hung from the beams in the ceiling making the feel of the event even more magical.

The Menu

The menu listed of croquettes, pot roast chicken and assumptions that their of sticky toffee pudding. The wedding cake, (Claire’s Sweet Temptations) was a light and fluffy red velvet sponge with signature Swiss around buttercream filling. The cake itself was covered in a crisp white fondant icing, wrapped with pure silk ribbons in the wedding colours of white and navy blue and topped with fresh flowers provided by the florist.

The Entertainment

For entertainment, Hayley and Chris had a violinist (Naomi Wilmshurst) and a silhouette cutting artist (Roving Artist), both part of the competition winnings. Both artists made it an exceptional evening.