Lucie & Paul

The moment we walked through the doors, it just felt right. The Montagu Arms has this beautiful blend of elegance and warmth; you can sense the history and charm everywhere, but it never feels stuffy. It felt intimate and welcoming, like the kind of place where memories are made. We knew instantly it was the perfect setting for such an important weekend, as we wanted to really treat our guests to an experience. Everyone was so happy with their bedrooms, and our bridal suite was perfectly lit for beauty prep with a calm atmosphere.

We still can’t stop talking about it, and neither can our guests. We enjoyed our menu tasting and were made to feel right at home. Every course was absolutely delicious and presented so beautifully! It wasn’t just dinner, it was an experience to remember as we talked and cried happy tears - and it made the whole celebration feel that much more special.

We kept things soft, romantic, and like an ‘English country garden' thanks to Jo Hicks flowers, beautiful natural light flooding in through the windows (we were so lucky with a 30 degree day!) and little details that tied everything together. The venue itself is so stunning that we really wanted our décor to complement its beauty rather than overshadow it. Walking into the rooms, with the flowers filling the air with fragrance and everything glowing in the midsummer hues honestly took our breath away.

It’s hard to choose, but one moment that stands out was walking into dinner and looking around the room. Seeing all of our friends and family smiling, glasses clinking, surrounded by the most magical setting - it was one of those rare moments that will stay with us forever.

Trust the team! Clara’s planning and Virginia’s on-the-day co-ordination can’t be faulted, they are absolute stars. They thought of things before we even realised we needed them, which meant we could just relax and soak up every moment. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to pause a few times during the day, take a breath, and really look around. We were lucky to venture out into Beaulieu as the sun was setting, for a moment just the two of us. The day goes so quickly, and it’s such a gift to be able to hold onto those little snapshots in your mind.