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Published on Sunday, 23 September 2018 09:01

Emotional Horsley Towers English Chinese wedding 

And so to a Sunday morning in mid July and I am off to Horsley Towers, a Victorian Gothic mansion designed by Sir Charles Barry who most famously designed the Houses of Parliament. I always look forward to covering weddings at this extraordinary Surrey wedding venue as there is always a very different view from every turn you take here.

I also remember when I first met the Bride and Groom Linda and Matthew, that it was that element of difference that they liked so much, the towers, lake, cloisters and the lovely tiled chapel, something we would make the most of when we walked around the venue for some romantic portraits.

So back to the day and it's a beautiful day for a wedding.

Linda is just completing her final touches when I meet her and she looks lovely, full of excitement, calm but with a hint of nerves beginning to surface as the time gets nearer.

Matthew is around the bar, greeting guests and smiling all the time, but he's admitted that he is nervous, however, with his Best man in tow, he's in safe hands.

Soon Linda is sweeping down the grand staircase on route for the Great Hall which has been dressed in a striking and vibrant red which is the palette chosen for the Chinese element of this English Chinese wedding.

Down the wedding aisle and through to the marriage ceremony and the emotions are running high....there are lots of tears and you can tell how precious this moment is for Linda and Matthew. 

Then with the wedding completed it's out onto the parched lawn for refreshing drinks, confetti throwing and general relaxation and fun...and the Chinese guest certainly know how to have fun!

After the group wedding pictures and the hilarious throwing of the bouquet everyone heads back into the Great Hall for a special Chinese Tea ceremony where the Bride and Groom present Tea to family and close friends in exchange for little envelopes of money. Again, a very emotional moment for this is where Linda shows her respect and gratitude to her parents for their love and care in bringing her up. 

Then onto the wedding breakfast, again beautifully dressed in red and with elements of Chinese good luck and blessings....and where Linda took a star roll as Matthew had decided that the speech side of things wasn't something he wanted to do.

After dinner we then took some time out for some romantic wedding pictures away from the reception taking in some of the classic Horsley Tower photo opportunities.

The day ended, for me anyway, on a high...after a great first dance the dance floor was fully taken up by mainly Chinese guests carrying out some full on and impressive synchcronised dancing and boy was everyone having such a great time.

Today had been a colourful world wind of a day and Linda and Matthew were on top form. 

It was also great to see Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies Steve Eggleton again, I can't remember where I last saw him but it was good to work with him as we had some rather tight deadlines to meet, which I am glad to say we did.

I always love finding firsts at a wedding and today was the first time I had shot a wedding cake made of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and shot a Tesla wedding car complete with gull wing doors. Also Linda changed from white to red for the Chinese tea ceremony and back again immediately after for the English wedding breakfast.... a no mean feat.

I wish Linda and Matthew all the happiness for the future, a great couple who fully deserve it.

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