These newlyweds mixed rustic style with a dash of classic elegance at their luxury hotel wedding.

Tessa and Cyrus first crossed paths in 2013 when Tessa became friends with Cyrus’s sister. “Then, the following year, one of my close friends introduced us to each other at a Philippines festival in London,” says Tessa. “Our first date was watching a movie and eating Subway. We like keeping it simple!” 

Cyrus proposed in January 2023 at a park where the couple used to go for picnic dates. “It has a small castle at the top of the peak,” says Tessa. “He asked me the night before if I wanted to go for an early morning walk to try and catch the sunrise, but little did I know there was a surprise in store. As we liked taking walks in general, I didn’t expect anything. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy morning but we still went ahead. We walked around the woods first and then towards the castle and he proposed in that moment. The skies began to brighten with a little bit of sun peeking through, so it was a very special and sentimental moment for the two of us."

Shopping for the dress

Tessa headed to wed2b’s Wednesbury store to look for her dream dress. “I enjoyed trying on dresses,” she says. “There were lots of beautiful designs and I definitely found the one for me.”

She chose Jamilla, a modern floral lace sheath with a pretty keyhole back, by Anna Sorrano. “I felt like the dress was just waiting for me,” she says. “Luckily, it didn’t even need any alterations! I tried on many other dresses that had similar detailing/styles but Jamilla had a combination of all my favourite elements. I felt comfortable and beautiful in it, it really felt like ‘The One’.”

A luxury hotel wedding venue

The couple married at Hogarth’s Hotel, a stylish hotel in the West Midlands, on 23rd September. “Our reception was held in its big structured marquee,” says Tessa. “There’s also a beautiful riverside and woodland area where some of our photos were taken. The woodland vibe fitted our proposal, so it felt like the place for us. However, on the day, it rained so we weren’t able to have our ceremony in the woodland. We had to have it inside the hotel instead.”

The big day 

“It was a rainy morning but I had great company during the getting ready part with my family and bridesmaids,” says Tessa. “My mum walked me down the aisle and I had my late father’s photo on a reserved seat for him. I walked in to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis, which was the song my dad used to sing a lot for karaoke.” 

Let’s party

“After the ceremony there were canapés and drinks while we took time for some photos outdoors,” says Tessa. “Our wedding breakfast was a three-course menu served with red and white wines. For our first dance song we chose ‘Lover' by Taylor Swift, as we both like her music.” 

The prettiest pinks and greens

The colour scheme was dusty rose pink and sage green. “We felt the colours complemented each other nicely,” says Tessa. “It was rustic with a simple and elegant touch. We made our own wedding favours, table place cards, bridesmaids’ bouquets and chair drapes. There was also a three-tier wedding cake made by my husband’s cousin, with vanilla and red velvet flavours. Later, our main entertainment was a DJ and a photo booth.”

The best bits…

“One of the most memorable moments of the whole day was during the ceremony,” says Tessa. “I accidentally called Cyrus ‘my wife’ during the exchange of vows, due to a mix up of notes! I corrected myself in the end. Also, just focusing on enjoying the day as a married couple.”

My top tips…

“Try to stick to your budget,” says Tessa. “Make the most of DIY and hunting for cheaper deals. Also, create a photography list, as it's hard to keep everyone in one spot. If you have a large guest list, go digital for invites and RSVPs, as digital invites work better. Just prioritise family and close friends for a printed invite. Then, on the day, try to take a breath and enjoy the moment.”

Tess and Cyrus’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Thirdy Ado

Luxury hotel wedding venue: Hogarths Hotel 

Wedding dresses Birmingham: wed2b

Makeup: Makeup by Ploy

Hair: Zane Hair

Florist/Decor: Stylish Stems

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