Real Weddings: Hannah and Adam

October 5, 2018 | Weddings and celebrations | 5 minute read

From Holkham’s beautiful countryside surroundings to the timeless green, white and gold flower arrangements, Hannah and Adam’s winter wonderland wedding was a romantic and elegant affair, with a touch of Christmas magic thrown in.

Hannah Millard married Adam Rivers on 9th December 2017 at Holkham Hall, she says:

We were looking for a venue that could provide an elegant setting for a small winter wedding. We had spent many weekends looking at different Norfolk and Suffolk venues, but couldn’t visualise the look and feeling we had hoped for.

As we drove through the Holkham gates, however, our excitement grew. The beautiful setting with free roaming deer and the immaculately kept estate was without a doubt the perfect venue for our winter wedding. As we stepped into the Marble Hall we were stunned by its elegance. It has an ethereal quality that is difficult to put into words.

The night before the wedding I stayed at The Victoria Inn with my family and close friends. In the morning I had a relaxed breakfast in my suite with my mum and bridesmaids, while we had our hair and make-up done by Melissa Abel and Hannah Edmunds.

We got married at 1pm in the Marble Hall – which at Christmas, is really something special. I walked down the aisle in a Pronovias dress from La Creme in Norwich, carrying a natural, hand-tied bouquet including blousy roses, white veronica, brunnia, white anemone, eucalyptus, poplus, and white wax flowers.

Our ceremony was followed by drinks and canapes in the Saloon, then Adam and I went around Holkham’s grounds in the Land Rover of our photographer Steven Brooks to take some pictures, we had great fun getting my dress in and out of the car!

In the late afternoon, our guests walked along the tree-lit path to the Lady Elizabeth Wing, where the team at Holkham had indeed exceeded all of our hopes and transformed this space into a stunning venue. Our favourite Christmas film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ projected on to the wall. The main area of the Lady Elizabeth Wing was lined with beautiful, twinkling Christmas trees.

We drank mulled wine and spiced hot apple juice before sitting down to supper by Andy Parle Event Catering. We served a three-course meal, guests chose between a hot smoked salmon tart or Norfolk pigeon to start roast cod loin or cutlets and shoulder of lamb, followed by Amaretti and chocolate torte or spiced date and Earl Grey pudding for dessert.

After our first course, my Dad began the speeches with a very heartfelt one, followed by Adam giving an incredibly funny and emotional speech, which had the room moved, and lastly, James, our Best Man, made sure everyone had a good laugh – mainly at Adam’s expense.

After coffees, we did the traditional cutting of the cake followed by our first dance to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. Then the disco began with the DJ playing pre-arranged requests from our guests.

The most important thing for us was that we could look back on our wedding and remember a beautiful relaxed day, knowing that our friends and family thoroughly enjoyed themselves too. I know this sounds like a cliche but it was more than we could have ever imagined. From setting up and having a close family meal the night before, to the day itself, and a long walk along Holkham beach the day after – there wasn’t a single moment we would change.