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Dreaming of a Downton Abbey wedding? Here are 10 ideas for an elegant, classic, and romantic wedding with English charm
Love Downton Abbey? Me too. When the series was running, my mom, sister, and I would come together once a week, light the fire, make some tea, and cozy in for a night with the Crawleys. So, naturally, I was overjoyed to learn my favorite aristocratic family would be reuniting on the big screen. And now that the global love for Downton Abbey has been reignited and I’ve been re-immersed in the world of all things 1920s England, it has sparked lots of inspiration.
I’ve teamed up with Alexis of Willow & Oak Events to share ten timeless, elegant, and romantic wedding ideas inspired by Downton Abbey. Whether you’re having a destination wedding in England or you want an England-inspired Stateside wedding, these ideas will bring a little bit of Downton to your wedding day.
Planning a wedding in England and looking for a fine art photographer? Get in touch today to reserve your date!
10 Ideas for a Downton Abbey Wedding
01. Have your ceremony in an English garden
What’s more English than a garden wedding? Consider choosing a venue with beautiful gardens in which you can hold your ceremony. If you’re having a destination wedding in England, Thorpe Manor in Oxfordshire and The Lost Orangery at Euridge Manor in the Cotswolds are two venues with stunning gardens ideal for a wedding ceremony.
02. Include antiques and family heirlooms in the décor
Include a hint of vintage charm by incorporating antique items or family heirlooms such as old photographs, frames, candlesticks, or other decorative items. I carried my grandmother’s vintage clutch on my wedding day! You can also consider splurging on details from curated shops such as Heirloom Bindery.
03. Serve 1920s-themed cocktails
Include classic 1920s cocktails on the drinks menu such as an Old Fashioned (a personal favorite), a French 75, or a White Lady. And don’t forget a whisky and cigar station for the gentlemen!
04. Hire live musicians
There’s nothing quite like the sound of live music. Consider hiring musicians to play live classical music during the ceremony, or hire a jazz band for cocktail hour or dinner.
05. Rent a vintage car
Pull up to your wedding in style by renting a classic vintage car. Hire a driver—or even ask a friend—to act as your chauffeur for the day. Request that your florist add a garland or wreath to the front of the car for an extra touch of classic elegance.
06. Choose a dress designer with an embellished approach
True Downton Abbey fans will never forget Lady Mary’s stunning ensemble the day she married Matthew Crawley. (We miss you, Matthew!) Create your own vintage-inspired look by choosing a dress designer with an embellished approach, such as Anna Campbell or Lee Petra Grebenau.
07. Request that guests dress in black or white tie
Dinner is a formal event at Downton, and the whole family dresses in their finest attire to sit down for the evening meal. To create a similar formal, dignified vibe, when you send out the invitation, add a note requesting guests either dress in black or white tie.
08. Organize an afternoon of classic countryside activities
On the day before or after the wedding, plan a luncheon or afternoon tea for the ladies while the gentlemen participate in a clay pigeon shoot. These traditional British activities are how the Crawleys would certainly have spent a long afternoon.
09. Include illustrations of your venue on your invitation and paper goods
The abbey itself is its own character in the show and is instantly recognizable. Give your own wedding venue similar attention and consider tying it in with the paper goods. Include a sketch or watercolor of it on your wedding invitations, or give guests a sneak peek of the estate and include a sketched map of the estate grounds.
10. Go full Downton and rent a countryside estate for the weekend
Many wedding venues in the UK can be rented for a weekend, so you and your closest friends and family members can enjoy the luxury and charm of the estate all weekend long. Some of these estates even include on-site catering, countryside activities, and come with their very own butler—your very own Carson!
So what ideas am I missing? Leave a comment below and share your ideas with me!
A huge thank you to Alexis of Willow & Oak Events for collaborating with me on this post. If you’re looking for a planner for your destination wedding in England, she’s your girl!
Explore these other planning resources for your wedding in England:
Beautiful Wedding Venues Near London
