Elizabeth and Joe’s English Countryside Wedding featured a regal Sareh Nouri gown, a medieval Cathedral, an English countryside manor, and a New Orleans style jazz band come together in a quintessentially British wedding with a touch of Southern American soul.

This American bride knew that if she was going to ask people to travel 4,000 miles to her groom’s home country, they’d better give guests the experience of a lifetime in a classically British setting — think Pride & Prejudice meets Downton Abbey meets Bridgerton. Lucky for us, Kristin Sautter Photography was there to capture every detail so that we can live vicariously through the full gallery. 

Elizabeth and Joe’s Transatlantic love story began with a serendipitous meeting whilst Elizabeth was studying abroad in the UK and Joe was staying with his med school rugby team in the same hostel as her. Fast forward to more than a decade of travelling the world, living in New Zealand, and then buying a home in North Carolina, it felt only fitting to bring it full circle to be married in the UK, where it all began. 

I felt truly honoured to be involved in Elizabeth and Joe’s special day

The Details

Getting ready

The ceremony

This was a real Anglo/American celebration where both homelands were honoured. Bristol Cathedral holds special meaning to the groom, as it was his alma mater. Its thousand-year-old architecture felt fit for a royal wedding, so the couple leaned into British traditions with fascinators, top hats, morning suits, and wedding bells chiming as the bride and her father arrived in an opalescent blue 1963 Mk 2 Jaguar 3.4. 

A classical string quartet with a repertoire including favorites from Bridgerton set the scene as the bride glided down the lengthy aisle to meet her groom who represented his Scottish heritage in his family tartan kilt and thistle in his buttonhole. A strong New Orleans presence also ran throughout the day, most notably as The Mississippi Swamp Dogs greeted the wedding party performing jazz music as they exited the Cathedral. Joe and Elizabeth, a New Orleans native, led the band and guests in a traditional jazz ‘second-line’ parade around the Cathedral green, as guests waved personalised handkerchiefs in the air and onlookers revelled in the spectacle. 

The styling

The Orangery was adorned with billowing English garden florals by Bijoux Floral and touches of “something blue” in the candles, napkins and stationery.

The reception

At the reception, guests were welcomed to Grittleton House with a Sazerac, “the original New Orleans cocktail” and an English Elderflower spritz, followed by a traditional British-grown meal in The Orangery.

They rounded out the evening with a surprise performance by the groom who sang Ed Shereen’s “Castle on the Hill”, backed by the incredibly talented Soho Collective party band, and then filled up on New Orleans beignets and Cornish pasties for a late night snack. 
The day was overflowing with old-world English charm and endless romance. An unforgettable day to be cherished for a lifetime. 

The film

Planner: Host Weddings & Events

Photographer: Kristin Sautter

Videographer: Vogue Wedding Films

Ceremony Location: Bristol Cathedral

Venue: Grittleton House

Florist: Bijoux Floral Design

Cake: Joanna Pyda

Car: AJE Classics

Elizabeth’s Dress: Sareh Nouri

Elizabeth’s Shoes: BHLDN

Men’s Attire: The Original Mobile Menswear

Stationery: Ivy Inks Studio

Ceremony Music The Bristol String Quartet

Second Line and Drinks Reception Music: The Mississippi Swamp Dogs 

Evening Band: Soho Collective via Tailored Entertainment

Makeup Artist: Elle Hitchens

Hair Stylist: Louise Alway

Linen: 88 Events

Tableware: The Luxe Collection

Transport: Eurotaxis

Pre-wedding accommodation: Number Thirty Eight