Love and Marriage

When Chris and Emma Elgee were choosing their dream wedding venue, Buxted Park proved the perfect place to say ‘I do’. We took them back to the iconic Churchill Suite, where they spent their first night as husband and wife, to reminisce about their nuptials and the special touches that led to their perfect day.

Where better to get advice on how to create the perfect wedding than a newlywed couple who has already been through the highs and lows, to be rewarded with memories and moments to cherish.

Every great love story starts with a first encounter, and for Chris and Emma, a student pub in Bristol provided the backdrop for that iconic love-at-first-sight moment. “I was smitten by Chris straight away,” Emma explains. Thankfully, Chris was equally taken by Emma, asking her on a first date that would lead to a magical moment in Florence six years later when he dropped down on one knee. He explains, “I’d been carrying the ring around for the whole trip, and remember feeling so excited – and a little bit sweaty!” Emma immediately said ‘yes’, and the couple gave themselves 18 months to plan the wedding.

Choosing the venue was the easiest part—Buxted Park had a special place in Emma’s heart as she grew up in the area. The grounds were ideal and the relationships formed with the teams in the hotel were such an important part of making the day so special. Styling the wedding was something Emma had an eye for and no detail was left untouched, making the big day a reflection of both their personalities. All of the planning paid off. “Everything was perfect and we stayed up drinking Espresso Martinis until 2am; we just didn’t want the day to end!”

Asking Emma and Chris how they feel about returning brings back many happy memories. “The support, love and fun we experienced here has set the tone for married life,” says Chris. “Being back reminds us of that unique experience of seeing everyone express their love for us. It’s a huge comfort and something we’ll cherish for life.”

“The support, love and fun we experienced has set the tone for married life”