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Why Clevedon Hall?
For Ellie, returning to the West Country to marry felt like coming home. “I grew up in the Chew Valley and went to school in Bristol, so I always imagined getting married in this area,” she explains. “Clevedon Hall was the first venue I visited with my parents—Titus was
delayed in Liverpool with family—and we were immediately struck by how beautiful it was. We also had complete confidence in Lauren and the team from the very beginning.”
Once Titus arrived, the couple explored a few more venues—but none compared. “The house and gardens are stunning. We loved the grandeur of the Great Hall and the light-filled Orangery, perfect for a spring celebration. With multiple indoor options full of character, we knew we’d be in safe hands whatever the weather. The on-site accommodation also made hosting guests much easier, and the team were warm, attentive, and thoroughly professional. When I finally brought Titus back for an open day, he agreed instantly.”
The Ceremony
The ceremony was a deeply personal highlight. The couple worked with Tara the Celebrant to craft a bespoke experience that reflected their story and honoured both their families’ cultural and religious backgrounds. Held in the majestic Grand Hall and styled by Lara Parnell, the setting was breathtaking.
“Just over a year before the wedding, we sadly lost Titus’s father very unexpectedly. It was important to us that he was still part of the day in a way that felt uplifting,” says Ellie. They reserved a seat for him and included a musical tribute—Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten—a shared memory from a concert they attended with his parents. “It started as a surprise, but ended with everyone on their feet, singing and dancing. It was a magical moment.”
The ceremony also featured moving readings from their mothers, Titus’s godfather, and Ellie’s childhood friend and bridesmaid.
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Celebration & Style
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a wedding breakfast filled with laughter and heartfelt speeches—Ellie’s father’s speech famously ran over by 15 minutes—and an evening of dancing with Boujee Music’s Uptown Showdown, who kept the dance floor full all night. A charming photobooth by Loove_booth added a playful touch.
The styling, created by Lara Parnell, brought their vision to life. “We wanted something romantic, youthful, and celebratory, inspired by spring,” says Ellie. “We loved the idea of a whimsical palette with pinks, blues, and a touch of sunset yellow—a nod to Titus’s Nigerian heritage.”
Statement pedestals framed the aisle, meadow-like florals dressed the staircase, and bud vases and coloured glassware completed the look. Emma’s cake featured fresh florals and a piped Nigerian pattern inspired by the couple’s stationery, designed by Carly. “The whole design process was so thoughtful and creative—it felt very ‘us’,” Ellie shares.
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Cultural Influences & Modern Traditions
Though they didn’t follow traditional customs, the couple celebrated Titus’s Nigerian roots through attire, colour, food, and design. Titus wore a striking blue Agbada, made by a
Nigerian designer, and his brother and mother also wore traditional outfits. “His outfit was meant to fuse Western and Nigerian styles, but ended up being full Agbada—no sleeves! It wasn’t what we planned, but he looked amazing.”
In the evening, a street food station served Nigerian dishes like suya tacos and jollof rice, giving guests a taste of his heritage.
As a modern couple, they tailored traditions to suit their personalities. Ellie walked down the aisle with her father—but met him at the bottom of the stairs. “In the words of Beyoncé, I’m an independent woman,” she laughs. She also gave a speech, and included female ushers—or “brushers”—in the bridal party.
Outfits
Ellie wore a romantic Jesus Peiro gown from Miss Bush Bridal with dramatic sleeves and a full skirt. “It was whimsical, beautifully made, and gave me that cool-girl princess energy. I never planned to wear something so bold, but Emma and the team opened my eyes to what was possible.”
Instead of changing dresses for the evening, she added custom sparkly puff sleeves from Nortier, Miss Bush’s in-house design team. “They were so fun and fabulous—I felt like Glinda the Good Witch on the dancefloor.”
Advice for Future Couples
“Make it yours,” Ellie says. “Personal touches make the day feel special and unforgettable. We had animal-shaped favours that guests could assemble, as a nod to our first date at London Zoo and our proposal at the Natural History Museum on New Year’s Eve. Our children’s menu was titled Little Aussies in honour of our young cousins visiting from Australia.”
The couple also emphasised the importance of choosing the right team. “Your venue and suppliers shape your entire experience, so work with people you trust and click with. The Clevedon Hall team were incredible—Megan kept us organised, Katie delivered flawlessly on the day, and we’ll be forever grateful.”
Their photographer, Charlie Britz, was also a standout. “She was with us for nearly the entire day and was an absolute dream—so kind, calm, and endlessly talented. We can’t wait to see the full gallery.”
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