Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place in Hook, England provided the perfect backdrop for Mabel and Pete’s beautifully considered autumn wedding. With its sweeping grounds, exquisite homely interiors, and quietly luxurious atmosphere, the estate set the tone for a celebration that felt both intimate and effortlessly elegant.
The festivities began the evening before the wedding with a relaxed welcome party, in the Hearth restaurant, allowing friends and family to gather, reconnect, and settle into the weekend ahead. As the sun dipped behind the trees and early autumn air rolled in, guests were greeted by warm candlelight, seasonal florals, and a palette that hinted at what was to come. Deep burgundies, greens and rich plums were woven throughout the styling, complemented by soft textures in the linen and natural greenery that echoed the surrounding landscape. The evening hosted a mix of buffet style food, welcome speeches and relaxed background music to set the scene for the weekend.
The welcome party struck the perfect balance between refined and informal. Laughter spilled out across the grounds as guests either reconnected or were meeting for the first time. As well as sharing stories helped by handwritten name cards with fun facts on the reverse, guests shared drinks and food, setting a joyful, unhurried rhythm for the weekend. It was a thoughtful way for Mabel and Pete to bring everyone together before the main event, and it created a sense of closeness that carried through to the wedding day itself.
The following morning, Heckfield Place came alive with the quiet excitement of Mabel and Pete’s wedding day. September light filtered through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the estate as preparations got underway. Autumn had just begun to make its presence known—golden leaves underfoot, cooler air, and that unmistakable feeling of change that makes the season so romantic.
The ceremony embraced the natural beauty of the outdoor setting using the fountain as the main focal point, arranging chairs around it into two semi circles and whilst staying true to the couple’s vision. Burgundies, plums and soft pinks took centre stage, from the floral arrangements to the finer details, adding depth and warmth against the neutral tones of Heckfield Place. The overall look felt rich yet understated, perfectly suited to the season and the venue.
Following the ceremony, guests moved seamlessly into the cocktail hour celebrations that followed out the front of the main house. Greeted by a quartet, lawn games and plenty of drinks and canapés to keep guests entertained and comfortable. The grounds of Heckfield Place offered endless opportunities to linger, explore, and get some great photos by the talented Jessica Lily and her team.
As evening fell, the celebration took on a more intimate, candlelit feel. Long tables, soft lighting, and lush florals in moody autumn hues transformed the Marle Restaurant into something truly special. The warmth of the colour palette mirrored the feeling in the room—joyful, heartfelt, and full of love. Speeches were met with laughter and tears in equal measure particularly from Jean, Mabel’s mum who really summed up beautifully both the wedding and Mabel and Pete as a couple.
Following a really special and delicious dinner by the Heckfield team it was time to take a very fun and different turn for the after party. Guests were guided down to a completely transformed Assembly Room. The idea was to create a super cool and sexy ‘Speak Easy’ vibe whilst still threading through some of the theming from the wedding and in particular the Fox and Hedgehog which ran through all the communications with guests and stationery on the day. A deep red, with gold and dark green accented room was adorned with a slick bar and DJ deck with the Fox and Hedgehog taking centre stage in the form of a neon sign which helped to create that after party club vibe. Will and his Luminaire team worked so hard to bring this vision to life and boy was it a success!
Mabel and Pete’s wedding was a beautiful reflection of the season and truly complimenting the setting. By embracing the richness of early autumn and allowing Heckfield Place to shine, they created a weekend that felt timeless, elegant, and deeply personal (as well as super fun!). From the first welcome drinks to the final moments of the wedding day, every detail worked in harmony, resulting in a celebration that will be remembered long after the leaves have fallen.
Photos by Jessica Lily
