An English Country Garden

Anuj and Kara's wedding combined Indian and British influences at an English countryside estate...

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Early days…

Anuj and Kara both met whilst working at the BBC. "Anuj was a trainee director and I was a researcher on the Evergreen children's show for Blue Peter when we met over a pile of badges," says Kara. "Anuj had recently returned from a trip to India bearing gifts and gave me a decorative turban from Rajasthan." Shortly after, the pair went on their first date - to a landfill site in Brighton. "I had the unfortunate task of researching this place for a film and invited Anuj along jokingly, but he eagerly accepted," she recalls.

The proposal…

"Anuj proposed over a Marks and Spencer picnic on the riverbank in Startford-upon-Avon," says Kara. "It was a hot, sunny day and in the middle of our conversation he whipped out a sparkly engagement ring that he'd chosen himself - and which actually fitted!"

Hen and stag parties…

Kara celebrated her hen party in London, along with 30 of her friends. "I went Bollywood dancing which was a complete surprise to me, it was such great fun," she says. "Afterwards we went to Jewel bar and Sugar Reef."

Meanwhile, Anuj's stag do took him and his friends to Edinburgh. "Drinking, eating and debauchery ensued," he says. "Especially when my friends dressed me up in a green Borat mankini and I was forced to wear it up the Royal Mile!"

The venues…

Kara and Anuj decided on a countryside theme that would fuse their English and Indian roots. "We wanted to create an exclusive countryside experience for our guests," says Kara. "Having been to hundreds of weddings in our twenties, we wanted ours to be a personalised and memorable experience."

"Orchardleigh gave us exclusive access to the grounds and house for the whole weekend," says Kara, "which meant around 120 guests could also stay overnight and party all night."

The dress…

Kara looked beautifully elegant in a vintage rose-lace wedding dress, which she accessorised with pearl jewellery.

The flowers…

In keeping with her countryside theme and natural look, Kara chose a bridal bouquet made up of wild country green flowers and white fressias and ivory roses.

In the centre of the tables, ivory lisianthus and roses, white freesias and a mixture of wild country green flowers were placed in silver buckets to "look as natural as possible" and ivory freesias were placed on the tables for the female guests to place in their hair.

The decorative touches…

Kara and Anuj had their venue decorated with candles, flowers and butterfly details. "The reception was candlelit with hurricane lanterns on the mantlepieces, flowers were everywhere and draped around the pillars," says Kara. "We had ivory table cloths and crockery and ivory seating cards with teal butterflies on them." For their wedding cake, Kara and Anuj chose pretty butterfly cakes.

The best bits…

Looking back the couple agree that the ceremony was a memorable moment from their big day. "Getting married outside in the orangery was our dream," says Kara.

Top tips…

To other couples, Kara and Anuj warn that costs may spiral. "Make sure you track all costs in a spreadsheet and you update it and double check it every weekend," says Kara.

The honeymoon…

After the wedding the couple left the countryside behind them in exchange for a city break in Florence and San Gimignano where the couple say romance and amazing food is a certainty.

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