These lovebirds first met at a computer programming meetup in London in 2016, thanks to a mutual friend. Being ex-astrophysicists, they hit it off right away. Despite living in different cities, they managed to spend more time together when Stew moved to London for a data science internship program. It took a while, but they eventually realised their feelings for each other after several visits between London and Hampshire. For a while, Amy had been subtly suggesting that it would be great to tie the knot, and suddenly, Stew began asking her about preferences for ring designs. Since she doesn’t usually wear jewellery, Amy was clueless. That’s why they decided to visit the wonderful Queensmith Jewellers in Hatton Garden to create a ring together in the fall of 2022. The couple thought getting engaged in Lyme Regis would be special, as it’s a place they love and have so many happy memories. They planned a winter weekend getaway, and Amy let Stew take care of all the details as a surprise. Just before the trip, there was heavy snowfall, and the pair thought they might not be able to leave, but after much digging, they managed to get the car out. One morning during the holiday, they watched the sunrise over the sea and walked along the harbour wall. Stew got down on one knee at the end of the wall with little seabirds around them before popping the question. SETTING THE SCENE When the couple was planning their wedding, their top priority was to capture the magical atmosphere of the New Forest, where Stew spent his childhood. They explored multiple locations in hopes of finding a property enveloped by woodland, could be exclusively used and accommodate around 80 guests. Upon arriving at Burley Manor, the couple instantly adored the warm hues of the red brick exterior and could envision their dream autumn wedding. The deer park and surrounding forest were breathtaking, and the interior exuded a lovely rustic charm. Having a herd of red deer outside the venue was a hit with the guests, who loved watching and listening to them. Hand-feeding these creatures in a secluded field as the sun set was one of the loveliest moments the pair experienced. They alternated between holding each other in peaceful perfection and giggling as the deer frantically but delicately gobbled food from their hands. The bride comments, “I thought my little white wedding shoes would get wrecked in the muddy fields while feeding the deer, so I bought plain white welly boots and decorated them with big ribbons – the guests thought it was hilarious!” The couple, being scientists and not stylists, were initially overwhelmed with planning the venue styling. They felt a wave of relief when they enlisted the help of Emma from Ambience Venue Styling and Nicola from Petals & Posies Floral Design, who transformed their vague ideas into beautiful scenes. With an autumnal theme in mind, they chose warm-coloured flowers, greenery, pumpkins, and pinecones. Potted ferns served as both decorations and wedding favours, and the pair found it heartwarming to receive updates on their growth months later. The couple decided to add a personal touch to their wedding decorations by incorporating Polaroid-style photos in a large frame and scattering other pictures around the venue, showcasing important moments from their lives, such as their pets and loved ones. Their shared interests in scuba diving adventures and guinea pigs were featured on the big day. Instead of traditional gifts, they requested donations to the Marine Conservation Society and Ashtead Guinea Pig Rescue, where their little ones came from. Amy forgot to warn Emma on the wedding day about the box of guinea pig memorabilia to include in the décor, which she creatively incorporated into a fun and fantastic display. The reception featured long banquet layout tables, creating a rustic great hall feeling and eliminating the need to divide guests into separate groups per table. Real leaves with names on them were used for place names, keeping with the woodland theme, and the guests absolutely adored them. The pair opted for raised flower displays down the centre of each table, allowing for large floral arrangements without obstructing the view between seated guests or the head table. It was truly magical to see everyone’s reaction to the dining hall, and from the top table, the newlyweds felt like the lord and lady of the manor. The catering, from the delicious canapés to the wedding breakfast and large evening buffet, was all provided as part of the Burley Manor wedding package. The couple thoroughly enjoyed selecting their wedding cake! They wanted a nearby bakery and came across Rosie Lea House near Lymington. After tasting their delectable cakes, they were hooked. Lisa, the baker, provided a range of 46
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