Athena & Zak's Winter Wedding at Ashridge House, Hertfordshire

Written by GBI Mitchell Ltd

If you've ever wondered what happens when you mix a Grade I listed country house, a Chinese tea ceremony, Nigerian party outfits and a cocktail bar that should probably be illegal, meet Athena and Zak.

They married at Ashridge House in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire on Saturday 7th November 2026, and from first look to final song, it was one of those weddings where everyone in the room just got it. Here's how it all came together.

The wedding at a glance

  • Venue: Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

  • Date: Saturday 7th November 2026

  • Guests: 96, plus a sneaky one (we’ll come onto that)

  • Colour palette: Burgundy and deep reds

  • Vibe: Old money, vintage, and a proper party

  • Traditions: A Chinese tea ceremony, a Chinese toast, and Nigerian outfits and hats

Getting ready at Ashridge House

Athena got ready in the Windsor Room with her bridesmaids, and honestly? She was the most organised bride in the building. Everything was on track, everything was where it should be.

Down the corridor, the boys were having a slightly different morning. Zak and his groomsmen definitely needed a bit of corralling (and some help with getting dressed), but it came with a very cute moment: while one groomsman helped Zak get ready, another was playing romantic songs in the background. Hype man energy, but make it soppy.

Instead of traditional buttonholes, the groomsmen wore brooches gifted by Zak. Such a clever swap: they look smart, they don't wilt, and they make a lovely keepsake.

A first look in the Loggia

Athena and Zak chose to see each other before the ceremony, with a private first look in the Loggia, Ashridge's gorgeous orangery-style space. They read their vows to each other there, just the two of them, which was very sweet.

Athena also had mini first looks with her bridesmaids and her parents earlier on, so the emotional moments were spread across the morning rather than all landing in one go.

A Chinese tea ceremony

Athena has Chinese roots, so after family photos the couple held a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in the Loggia. The couple served tea to their families as a sign of respect and thanks, with the maid of honour and a bridesmaid in charge of the tray, teapot and cups.

If you're planning a tea ceremony at your own wedding, our top tip is to give it a proper slot in the timeline and put two named people in charge of the tea set. It keeps it calm and lets the couple be fully present.

Saying "I do" on the Grand Staircase

At 3.30pm, Athena and Zak got married on Ashridge House's Grand Staircase, one of the most showstopping ceremony spots we've worked in. Athena made her entrance down the stairs with both of her parents, to a string version of The Moon Represents My Heart, chosen as a surprise for her dad.

A close friend of the couple led the ceremony (always extra special), a friend gave a reading of Passenger Seat, the page boy looked after the rings, and Zak wore a traditional Nigerian hat as a nod to his Nigerian roots. They left as newlyweds to Bittersweet Symphony, which is an elite exit song choice.

Because it was November, the confetti moment happened indoors, with guests lining the back of the Main Hall. Winter couples, take note: you don't have to give up your confetti shot just because it's cold outside.

Drinks, magic and a lychee rose martini

The drinks reception was in the Old Library, with the strings playing on, a roaming magician wowing the guests, and canapés doing the rounds.

The cocktails came from Bearded Man Cocktails and they were seriously good. Georgie's personal favourite was the lychee rose martini, which we would happily drink at every wedding forever.

Because the couple had done their first look and most of their photos earlier in the day, they actually got to be at their drinks reception, chatting to guests rather than disappearing for an hour of portraits.

The styling: old money with a party twist

The wedding breakfast was in the Lady Marian Alford room, and the styling was incredible. Athena had a really clear eye for how everything should look, and stylist Hannah Baskett brought it to life alongside florals from Augusta Florals.

The palette was burgundies and reds, with lush florals, candlelight and fruit on the tables. A few details we loved:

  • Grape picture place cards for every guest

  • Matchbox favours, which gave the whole room an old money, vintage feel

  • Anti-hangover tablets at each place setting (genius, and very much appreciated the next morning)

  • A table plan displayed on draped plinths in the Old Library

  • A personalised gold freestanding mirror at the entrance to the evening room

  • Fabric bar signs and printed bar menus

The cake

The cake mattered a lot to Athena, and it showed. Made by Anna Lewis Cake Design, the style was incredible, a real showstopper set up on plinths, and it tasted as good as it looked. Georgie snuck a taste, and we can confirm: properly delicious. Athena and Zak cut it with their own personalised cake knife set, then it was served up with the evening food.

Speeches and a toast to remember

The couple were announced into the room to Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer (with full hype from the guests and napkins in the air) and the speeches kicked off before the food.

Then came one of our favourite moments of the day: a traditional Chinese toast, led by the bride's sister. Everyone holds the cheer for as long as they can, and the longer you hold it, the longer the couple are wished to stay together. Cue a room full of guests going very red in the face, all in the name of love.

The maid of honour, Athena's sister, also said something in her speech that had Georgie in tears. She said she'd always felt like she'd been living in her sister's shadow, because everything she did, Athena had done first or done better. But it turned out it was actually her shade, and Athena had been looking after her all along. We're not crying, you're crying.

Behind the scenes: the surprise guest

Every wedding has a moment the couple never hear about, and here's this one.

During the day, Georgie saw Zak greet a relative who, it turned out, wasn't on the table plan. A quick look from Zak said it all. Georgie quietly found out who he was with, added an extra seat, checked with the caterers, sorted dietary requirements, and slotted him in.

Just as guests sat down, the master of ceremonies hurried over and said, "We have a problem." Georgie's reply: never start a sentence with "we have a problem." The "problem" was the missing seat, which was already sorted. The couple carried on with their evening, none the wiser.

That's really what a coordinator is for: catching the small stuff before it becomes a big thing.

The party: first dance, outfit changes and Nigerian traditions

At 8.30pm, guests moved straight from dinner into the Wyatt to surround the dancefloor, and Athena and Zak had their first dance to a live version of Dancing in the Moonlight by Uptown Showdown. A little bit of first dance, then everyone piled on.

Then it was time for the outfit change. Athena and Zak changed into Nigerian outfits, the bridesmaids came out with big fans, the groomsmen put their Nigerian hats back on, and the dancefloor went up a level. Later, Athena switched into a sparkly number she could properly dance in.

Add in glow sticks, a photobooth, a live illustrator, a temporary tattoo machine and a pizza van at 10pm, and you've got a night nobody wanted to end.

The best bit, though? Athena and Zak clearly really like each other. They kept sneaking off for little moments together all day, and it showed.

Georgie's tip: why a first look works so well for winter weddings

If you're getting married in winter and you've got lots you want to fit in as a couple (photos, traditions, a tea ceremony), a first look is your best friend.

Winter light disappears early. Doing your first look and portraits before the ceremony means you can make the most of the daylight, then actually enjoy your drinks reception with your guests instead of spending it outside in the cold.

Athena & Zak's wedding day timeline

12pm -

Dress on

12.30pm -

First looks with the bridesmaids and parents

1pm -

Bride and groom first look in the Loggia

1.30pm -

Family photos and Chinese tea ceremony

2pm -

Couple photos with the bridal party

3.30pm -

Ceremony on the Grand Staircase

4pm -

Indoor confetti in the Main Hall

4.15pm -

Drinks reception and canapés in the Old Library

5.30pm -

Room reveal

6pm -

Couple announced into the wedding breakfast

6.05pm -

Speeches

6.30pm -

Wedding breakfast

8.45pm -

First dance

9.25pm -

Outfit change

10pm -

Pizza and cake

1am - Carriages

GBI Mitchell Ltd
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