We love showcasing the beautiful weddings that take place at Worstead Estate, and what better way to do so than by talking to our couples themselves? Today, we’re delighted to revisit the stunning July 2023 wedding of Ella and Mark, who celebrated their special day with us over a sunny weekend. Here’s what they had to say as they reminisced about the big day — from what went perfectly to the little surprises along the way!

The Preparation - Why did you choose our venue, and did you have a specific place in mind from the start?

"We knew we wanted to get married at Mark’s family church, so we focused on venues nearby. We packed our weekend with venue appointments, but The Woodyard at Worstead Estate was the clear winner. It perfectly blended history and character with a modern, contemporary finish, which we loved."

Did you have a theme or particular colour scheme?

"We wanted a joyous yet modern atmosphere. I (Ella) love olive green and orange, so we built the palette around those shades, balanced with blush and forest green to keep it fresh for a summer wedding. My mum handmade 25 metres of streamer bunting to hang over the dance floor, which, paired with disco balls, added a fun 70’s feel-good vibe! I’m a graphic designer, so I designed all the stationery to match the theme."

The Wedding Day - How did you feel on the morning of the wedding?

"We were both definitely nervous in the morning, but our amazing friends and family kept us calm. We knew as soon as we saw each other at the aisle, the nerves would disappear."

Tell us about arriving at the venue and your reception details.

"After the ceremony, we arrived at the reception in a classic VW campervan while our guests lined up to throw confetti. We had our photos taken immediately, after clearing Ella’s veil of the dried flower petals. Speeches from Ella’s Dad, Mark, and James, the best man, kicked off the wedding breakfast. We chose mezze platters to start, followed by grazing boards for mains, to keep things relaxed and encourage conversation. Mark’s favourite dessert, Eton Mess, rounded off the meal. Ella’s brother, a professional pastry chef, created a Banoffee Pie-flavoured wedding cake that went down a storm! For the evening, we served tacos to keep the informal vibe going."

Did you have any evening entertainment?

"Yes, we had the band Joe The Ringer play in the evening, and they were phenomenal! They got everyone on the dance floor with some great crowd-pleasers. We closed the night with ‘Mr Brightside’ while our guests cheered us on — a moment I’ll never forget."

Wedding Wisdom - Do you have any tips for other couples?

"Enjoy every step! The planning process goes by so quickly, and you’ll soon find yourselves reminiscing. We received great advice to follow the '80/20 rule — if something is 80% good, it’s good enough! Focus on the big things and don’t sweat the small details."

"Also, keep some elements of your day a surprise! Mark, with the help of his musically talented dad and friends, arranged a surprise ‘Love Actually’ style performance of All You Need is Love at the church. The look on my face was priceless!"

What do you wish you’d known?

‘That the decisions you make will be the right ones! It’s natural to second-guess, but on the day, seeing everything come together is worth it."

Memorable Moments, or any funny stories to share?

The only little hiccup was getting the rings on — it was a scorching day, and Ella had a bit of trouble slipping the ring onto Mark’s finger. When it finally went on, everyone cheered, making it a funny, light-hearted moment we’ll always remember!

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Thank you, Ella and Mark, for choosing Worstead Estate and sharing your insights to inspire other couples. We loved hosting your special day.

If you’re interested in booking The Woodyard for your wedding, contact our venue manager, Marie, to schedule a viewing. We look forward to making your dream day a reality.