2 weeks Ago By Rebecca Cope
When you work for yourself, the likelihood of “meeting someone at work” feels low. Yet for the nutritionist and cookbook author Emily English , that’s exactly how she met her future husband Aaron McFeely, who became a client during the 2020 lockdown. “We were friends for a long time before we fell in love,” she remembers.
“It grew so organically, which was lovely, and we have supported each other through an incredible few years of amazing growth, and the challenges that come with that!” Aaron proposed just before Christmas during a trip to Babington House. “He arranged a full day of surprises, and before dinner, in the privacy of our suite, he asked me to marry him,” shares Emily. “We caught the proposal on camera, and it’s one of our favourite videos to watch together.
We had an amazing Christmas celebrating with our families afterward.” Emily immediately knew that she was going to find her dress at Halfpenny. “Kate is not only an incredible person, but an incredible designer,” she says.
“The moment I laid eyes on the Sadie dress, I was in love. Big plumes of tulle balanced with a sleek, modern neckline – it was unlike anything I had ever seen a bride wear before, and I loved that. I wanted something different.
We paired the dress with an elegant lace-trimmed veil to add some feminine softness.” She also got her party look from the British designer, opting for its iconic Kerry veil, which attaches to the wrists via elasticated cuffs, giving the impression of sheer sleeves. Emily complemented the modernity of her dress with diamonds from Jessica McCormack: the Solar Gypsy earrings, a Diamond Button Back necklace and a tennis bracelet, and carried a bouquet by Ett Hem.
“The beauty of having faux flowers for your bouquet is that I get to keep it forever, always treasuring the memory,” says Emily. “My bouquet had a mix of roses, anthuriums, lisianthus, peonies and hydrangeas – modern and chic.” Looking like the best version of herself was Emily’s priority, so prior to her wedding day she had a little baby Botox and a series of HIFU treatments with Alice at Harley Street Injectables, which left her feeling contoured and lifted.
Her hair colourist, Emilie Fitte, freshened up her balayage for a subtle sun-kissed look, with a gloss treatment to ensure her hair was in its best condition, while Mila Bridge did natural eyelash extensions. Her regular glam team Lottie and Katie were with her on her wedding day. “My make-up was a full face of Charlotte Tilbury, with a focus on glowing, lit-from-within skin,” she explains.
“We went heavy on the bronzer and blush for that just-back-from-holiday feel, leaving the eyes clean and minimal.” Meanwhile, ’00s Victoria Secret brides and ’90s Brooke Shields were on her hairstylist’s moodboard, “We created rich, luscious blonde locks full of volume,” says Emily. “Weight was key, with the addition of hairpieces for extra volume at the ends, rather than the roots, giving the hair that wonderful swish and bounce.
” Aaron’s suit was designed by his friends Giancarlo and Alex at Suitsupply, drawing inspiration from ’70s-inspired tuxedos, classic Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent. “They went for the widest lapels they could manage without veering into costume territory, and the cut was relaxed but full of character,” says Emily. “He’s already excited to wear it again at Christmas!” The couple were married on 11 September, in front of just 25 family and friends at Fulham Palace.
“We live locally and have spent many mornings walking around the grounds,” shares Emily. “It’s where we first fell in love during our morning lockdown walks. It’s incredible to have a venue that feels so classic and countryside-esque right in the heart of London and the team executed a ceremony with all the tradition and character that we felt was missing from a usual London civil ceremony.
After the service, we had a Champagne ceremony in the palace courtyard before hopping into a vintage Rolls-Royce, which whisked us away to lunch in the conservatory at Daphne’s.” The room was scented by Diptyque to smell like a lemon grove, while Ett Hem created floral arrangements with a food theme. “The room was filled with tomatoes, lemons and apricots – they were absolutely gorgeous,” remembers Emily.
“Our guests were handed glasses of Billecart Champagne poured from generous magnums before we made our entrance. Walking into the room together and seeing all our friends was one of the happiest moments of our lives.” Emily chose the photographer Tatiana Huber to take the pictures.
As a nutritionist, the food was obviously important to Emily, and she designed a custom menu with Daphne’s. “We sat down to full bread baskets with fluffy focaccia and peppery olive oil before diving into salmon crudo with Amalfi lemon and chilli, burrata with Datterini tomatoes, courgette fritti and melon with Parma ham,” she says. “We had a primi pasta course, nodding to our favourite city, Florence — meaty veal rigatoni washed down with a glass of Bordeaux.
For the mains, guests could choose between herb-roasted chicken; pea, broad bean and artichoke panzanella; or cod with grilled courgettes, tomatoes and olives. Big bowls of rosemary potatoes and pots of salsa verde accompanied the meal. Dessert was a classic tiramisu, and by the end, everyone was well-fed, well-watered and ready to party!” After a quick change of outfit at Claridge’s, the day wrapped up with cocktails at Three Sheets in Soho, one of the couple’s favourite bars.
“When we arrived, we were greeted with our five-tiered tarte tropézienne, made by Vincent at Birley Bakery,” says Emily. “It’s our favourite cake in the world – soft pillow-like brioche soaked in orange blossom and filled with crème diplomat. It’s light, floral, and like eating a sweet cloud.
” After the couple’s first dance (Michael Jacksons’s “Rock With You”) guests drank dirty martinis, mezcal sunsets, pickled mango iced teas and, of course, more Champagne. “Finally, no night would be complete without a burger drop, mainly supplied by our favourite burger joint, Bleecker,” laughs Emily..
