Temple Island Wedding
Jo & Ashley chose one of Henley-on-Thames' most iconic settings for their wedding ceremony — Temple Island, a beautiful private island on the River Thames and a truly unforgettable place to say "I do".
With guests arriving by boat, the wedding began with drinks and canapés on the island, before the bride made her own spectacular entrance by boat.
The outdoor ceremony was filled with personal touches that made the occasion incredibly special. The ceremony was led by the groom's sister as celebrant, while a close friend provided the music, singing during the drinks reception afterwards.
It was a wonderfully intimate and personal start to the celebrations.
From Temple Island to a marquee at home
After the ceremony, guests made their way back to Henley by boat, where vintage buses were waiting to transport everyone to the couple's home.
There, a beautiful stretch marquee had been created for the wedding reception.
The relaxed outdoor setting was perfect for the couple's summer wedding, with guests enjoying a delicious two-course dinner cooked outside over an open fire.
As the sun began to set, the surrounding woodland was illuminated, transforming the garden and creating the most magical atmosphere as the celebrations continued into the evening.
It was one of those settings that really didn't need much embellishment — the combination of the river, the woodland, the open fire and the soft evening light created something incredibly atmospheric.
Partial wedding planning and wedding day management
Jo & Ashley booked me for partial wedding planning, bringing me in to help pull all the different elements of their wedding together in the run-up to the big day.
With two very different settings to coordinate — a ceremony on Temple Island and a marquee reception at their home — there were plenty of logistics to consider, from boats and guest transportation to the marquee, catering, lighting and the timings of the day.
My role was to help coordinate the different suppliers and details in the lead-up to the wedding, as well as being there on the day to manage the entire wedding and ensure everything ran smoothly and to time.
Having a wedding planner managing the logistics behind the scenes meant that Jo & Ashley could simply enjoy their day, knowing that the timings, suppliers and practical details were all being taken care of.
It was a real privilege to help bring all those elements together and create a wedding that their guests will hopefully remember for many years to come.
A big thank you to the wonderful team of professionals who helped make it such a special day.
Credits: Temple Island (venue), Hobbs of Henley (boats), Atlas Munro (photographer), Elegant Cuisine (caterer), Hurlingham Stretch Tents (marquee), Valley Events (caterer), Joanne Caldwell (florist), Illumination Events (lighting), Rustic Restrooms (washrooms), Eight Ray Music / Baller Sounds (DJ).