Emma and George’s wedding at Woodhall Manor was the perfect blend of romance, warmth, and winter magic. Serving together in the armed forces, their time apart in the lead-up to the big day only made the celebration even more special. With just four and a half months from engagement to “I do,” their cosy twilight wedding came together beautifully – full of rich reds, greens, and twinkling fairy lights that reflected the charm of the season. Surrounded by close family and friends, the couple made the most of Woodhall Manor’s intimate spaces, extending the celebrations late into the night and into the next morning.
Serving in the armed forces, both Emma and George faced a particularly emotional lead-up to the big day, as George was deployed for two months before the wedding. “We were both just excited to be together and celebrate,” Emma explains. “Although it did make it a bit more challenging to plan! We had a quick wedding really – from engagement to wedding it was just 4.5 months! But having it at Christmas leave and New Year was just lovely – the perfect start and end to the year. It meant we didn’t have to stress about plans being cancelled or friends not being able to come.” Despite the short timeframe, their day came together beautifully, radiating warmth, love, and togetherness.
When it came to styling, Emma and George chose a look that was relaxed and timeless. “We didn’t have a theme,” Emma says, “but it was kind of a cosy winter theme with reds, greens, and fairy lights, and as we had a twilight wedding, it all just worked.” The soft glow of the lights and the rich, festive tones created an inviting atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of the season.
For the ceremony, the couple chose the manor’s Cherry Blossom ceremony room – intimate, warm, and filled with personal touches. “It was cosy,” Emma recalls simply, reflecting the understated elegance that defined their entire day. One of her favourite memories came shortly after. “Being introduced as the new Mr and Mrs Henderson to all our family and friends cheering and crying” remains a moment they’ll never forget.
Food played a big part in creating the relaxed atmosphere the couple envisioned. “We had buffet-style food which was good for us as we had a twilight wedding, and it felt a lot more relaxed,” says Emma. “Everyone said how good and how much food they had!” Guests enjoyed the casual dining setup, allowing conversation and celebration to flow naturally throughout the evening.
For photographs, the couple couldn’t resist the beauty of the manor itself. “Outside the stunning manor” became their favourite spot – the historic façade and wintry gardens creating a breathtaking backdrop for their portraits. “I loved the little quiet bar and the beautiful landscaped gardens when they were frost-covered the morning of,” Emma adds. “We carried on the party with some drinks and talking about the day with all our closest friends and family who stayed in the manor.” It was the perfect setting to wind down and reflect on such a magical occasion.
The evening reception carried on in true style. “We used the Garden lounge and the same room we got married in for a casino/blackjack table,” Emma explains. The playful setup was a huge hit with guests, giving the evening an element of fun and surprise that perfectly suited their personalities.
Emma also spent the night before the wedding onsite in the cottage with her bridesmaids and mum. “It was lovely to stay and get excited,” she recalls – a calm and special moment before the whirlwind of the wedding day began.
Reflecting on the details that made their day so special, Emma recommends her florist with glowing praise. “I used Southwold Flower Company and had dried flowers which were handpicked for me and prepped long before the wedding, which was perfect – and now we get to keep them forever.” The unique blackjack table, discovered during a Woodhall Manor open day, was another highlight. “It was a great hit with our guests!”
Our photographer was Allen from Creative pixel photos – [email protected]
Emma and George’s winter wedding at Woodhall Manor was a celebration of love, family, and the beauty of togetherness. From the frosted gardens to the flicker of fairy lights, every detail reflected their story – heartfelt, joyful, and completely their own.
