Francesca & Zach
Couples' Names:
Francesca & Zach
Wedding date:
26/07/2025
Wedding Location
Your love story: Tell us a bit about how you met and how this led to your engagement. Feel free to share your engagement story with us, too!
Zach and I met while working together in our very first jobs at Knebworth House. We spent years as friends who secretly wanted to be more, before losing touch for a few years. In 2019, we reconnected and instantly became inseparable all over again. Zach soon moved in with me, and after two years together, we got engaged. He took me back to the grounds of Knebworth House where we first met and proposed during a picnic, with 100 flowers scattered all around us. It was incredibly special and full circle for us.
Which Catherine Deane gown/bridal separates, and accessories did you choose?
I wore the Darla Bodice in satin, paired with the Zuri Skirt and the Calla Top.
Did you find your Catherine Deane outfit online, at our London Boutique, or at one of our stockists?
I visited the Catherine Deane London Boutique.
What does it mean to you to be a Catherine Deane Bride / Why did you fall in love with the brand?
I just fell in love with the Calla Top. It was one of the very first pieces I saw online, and I knew immediately that it was the one.
Tell us about your bridal accessories (think shoes, hair accessories, and your bridal fragrance) and what drew you to these.
I wore simple white heels from ASOS, although my dress was so long that you couldn’t really see them. After a few hours, I swapped them for white Birkenstocks. I didn’t wear any traditional hair accessories, but I did have hair tinsel, which felt fun and very me. My bridal fragrance was Penhaligon’s Solaris.
Did you have a specific theme/color palette for your wedding day – if so, what drew you to this mood?
Our vision for the wedding was a big family barbecue. We wanted a super chill atmosphere where we and all of our guests felt completely comfortable. We’re very relaxed people and didn’t want any stress on the day. We focused on spending time together and enjoying the moment, rather than following a strict timetable.
How did you decide that your wedding venue was the one?
It was the very first venue we visited, and it felt like pure magic. They also told us that our dog could be there on the day, which was incredibly important to us and made the decision even easier.
After going through the wedding planning and gown shopping journey, what advice do you have for future brides?
My advice would be to lead with happiness. Try on what brings you joy and choose what makes you feel the most beautiful. Don’t steer yourself toward what’s expected of you or what feels most practical. This is the one day where you get to be authentically yourself and celebrated for exactly who you are, so let your dress reflect that.
What is the most memorable moment from your wedding day?
My dad walking me down the aisle to my future husband. Sharing that moment with the two men I love most in the world was incredibly special and something I’ll treasure forever.
Vendor Lover:
Photographer @janemorganphoto
Florist @_rootedwild
Venue @thegardensatpolehanger
Bar @theswigandfilly
Food @bitearound_theworld
Makeup @beccybrothertonmua
Hair @clairebarberella
Wedding Planner @whitebuttonweddings
