Truly timeless

Pabudu and Adam styled their day classically using a palette of ivory, cream and blush

Pabs and Adam met online, deciding to go on a date shortly afterwards. They talked for hours over cocktails and, Pabs says, "There was an instant connection between us. We both felt like we'd known each other for a long time."

Pabs hadn't been home to Sri Lanka for five years, so the couple planned a trip so she could introduce Adam to her parents. "I was really excited for him to meet them and to show him my country... I never expected him to propose!" she tells us. They booked a hotel in Kandy, Pabs' home city, overlooking the mountains. Then after her birthday dinner he popped the question. It was incredibly special to Pabs that he'd chosen the city she grew up in as the setting for such an important moment.

The pair considered tying the knot in Sri Lanka, but with Covid they decided it wouldn’t be viable. So, if they were going to say “I do” in the UK, they wanted it to be somewhere traditionally English. Pabs remembers, “When we visited Knowsley Hall, we were mesmerised by the grounds as well as how elegant and beautiful the interiors were. When I saw the ceremony room, I could instantly imagine myself walking down the aisle there.” Join us, as Pabs tells us more about their elegant and timeless big day – 30th April, 2022...

Setting the scene SETTING THE SCENE - Pabs had a timeless, classic styling vision for the day. "I designed everything based on the idea that when we look back on our pictures in 20 or 30 years time, the theme and decorations will still look relevant," she explains. Pabs was careful to strike a balance and avoid overdecorating, since Knowsley Hall is already so grand, and selected a palette of light pink, ivory and cream. With the help of venue stylist Thornton Events, the aisle was lined with white blossom trees and candles. Centrepieces for some of the eight tables were tall glass vases filled with pink, white and cream blooms, while others were adorned with blossom trees hung with baubles containing pink flowers. The same colours and blooms featured in the bride's bouquet of roses and peonies. The wedding invitations displayed a gorgeous image of Knowsley Hall along with a white pearl button and golden ribbons. The same design was carried throughout the onthe-day stationery from the table plan to the guest book. The icing of the three-tier cake echoed the lace pattern from the bride's wedding dress, as well as sugar-flower replicas of the blooms from her bouquet. Cake maker Suzie also created handmade heart-shaped cookies with the couples initials on, which served as wedding favours. Plus, there were even more treats on offer for the lucky guests in the shape of a sweet cart. The couple hired a white 1930s classic tourer car to get them from A to B. Pab remembers, "It was perfectly aligned with our theme and looks great in the pictures on Knowsley Hall's long drive against the grand front gates." Everyone was well and truly entertained in the evening with a DJ and selfie mirror booth.

LOOKING THE PART - Pabs wore a made-to-measure Suzanne Neville gown, Rowana, with sleeves added to give it a more classic look. The veil was the same length as the dress' train and boasted a delicate shimmer. The bride's Jimmy Choos were chosen to echo this touch of sparkle. In the evening, the bride changed into a traditional Sri Lankan Kandyan saree to pay homage to her heritage. "It was special to wear that and take pictures with my family," she recalls.

Adam wore a navy Hugo Boss suit with a grey waistcoat. His groomsmen were also dressed in navy, including the waistcoasts, which allowed the groom to stand out.

Bridesmaids The bridesmaids' dresses were blush pink to match the flowers in Pabs' bouquet.

Bride and parents MEMORABLE MOMENTS - Pabs' parents live in Sri Lanka and had made the journey across land and sea especially for the big day – it was actually their first visit to the UK. "My mum couldn't come with me when I went to try on the dress, so the day of the wedding was the first time she and my father had seen me in it. It was a truly special moment with tears of joy," the bride shares. Pabs tells us about another of the day's highlights: "I'll never forget the way Adam looked at me as I walked down the aisle. I felt truly happy to see him at the end waiting for me."

When the registrar met the couple before the ceremony, she spent a lot of time carefully making sure she knew how to pronounce Pabs' full Sri Lankan name. However, when the time came it wasn't Pabudu's name that caused the problem, but Adam's! "She accidentally called him by his middle name. Once the mistake had been made it stuck in her head and got repeated a number of times. The guests all thought it was hilarious and Adam's friends now have a new nickname for him," the bride laughs.

The newlyweds have nothing but great things to say about their wedding suppliers: "I feel everyone did such an amazing job. They were all equally brilliant! They worked together very well and made our lives easy. The Knowsley team were exceptional. The whole day ran smoothly and they went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed the day. Everything was perfect for our guests too. Our photographer Matthew captured all of those special moments so beautifully, and we'll cherish the photos forever."

Interior "Picking suppliers who've worked with the venue before is a huge advantage. Everyone I used knew the people and processes at Knowsley Hall so it made things so much easier."