Real Weddings: Gabriella & Debo’s Celebration Of Love At Baddow Park House

Gabriella and Debo’s story starts like all great love stories – on holiday.

They were both on separate holidays in Budapest, Hungary, in 2015. While there, they met in a bar called ‘Peaches and Creams’.

When Gabriella and Debo met in a chance encounter at this bar, little did they know that they too would go together like peaches and cream!

The Proposal

In The Landmark London Hotel, Marylebone, Debo pretended to take Gabby for a birthday weekend treat! When in reality, Debo had planned a gorgeous proposal to perfection. Having booked a room and set everything up, Gabby was surprised but delighted by the big question.

And so the journey to create their ideal wedding began…

The Planning

The couple looked at many venues, but none felt right. They booked to look around Baddow Park House – it was the last one on the list. Once they arrived at the venue and heard about what was offered, they instantly knew it was the right place for them to get married. They both adored the grounds, decor, ambience and particularly the Orangery!

They talked with Baddow Park House organiser Gaynor. Speaking of the experience, Gabby said, “We sat down and spoke to Gaynor, and she really put us at ease, we could tell Baddow Park House cares about their couples and that they invest the time into making the day run smoothly and that we would get the attention we needed”.

They both felt that a venue like this was much more attentive and unique, rather than somewhere that simply churns out cookie-cutter weddings, one after the other. 

Gabriella and Debo were in awe of the house. Gabby recalls, “As we entered the house, we were captivated by the rustic charm, complete with functional fireplaces, stylish designs, and delightful aromas in every room and bedroom (especially the beautiful bridal suite!).”

After agreeing on a date – in March 2023 – the planning was well and truly in motion.

The Wedding

Gabby and Debo wanted a wedding that celebrated both their heritages, but they also wanted a wedding style that was unique to them. This was no easy task, but together they managed to plan an exquisite event that would wow their guests and combine their individual personalities.

The outfits were high on the list of things to organise since they’re arguably one of the most important aspects of the big day. 

Debo wore a dapper custom suit by Watxh, a London tailor headed by Creative Director James Okeyemi.

Gabby chose a divine white dress with a sweetheart neckline and additional detailing on the bodice. Both bride and groom had timeless style with a contemporary twist that made their wedding day outfits perfectly suited to their day.

Some of Gabby’s bridesmaids lived in the UK and some in the US, so she picked dresses from David’s Bridal, which has boutiques on both sides of the Atlantic! They found convenient little hacks like this that saved both time and stress in the planning process.

The Cake

The couple chose Natalie Sheridan from @callaliecakes_ to provide a showstopping, tiered wedding cake. They decided on three tiers, each of a different flavour, for a little extra impact.

Tier one was vanilla & passionfruit, tier two was red velvet, and tier three was rum, and it’s safe to say this luxurious combination was a hit. 

The Food

The talented team of resident caterers, provided a fantastic dining experience for the lucky guests. They worked closely with the couple to customise the menu according to their needs, incorporating unique requests without hesitation.

The Entertainment

For entertainment, the couple selected DJ Darkozy to ensure a celebratory and vibrant atmosphere throughout the evening and making sure the dance floor was full the whole night through. In addition, they included a Steel Pan Band for the cocktail hour, chosen to incorporate Gabby’s Caribbean (Bajan & Jamaican) heritage. 

African drummers accompanied the evening drinks reception with a thunderous celebration of Debo’s African (Nigerian) heritage, made especially splendid with a saxophonist. 

They wanted something that celebrated both of their families and as music is so embedded in both cultures, it seemed like the perfect way.

The First Dance

The first dance was one to go down in Baddow Park House history. A true moment of love and awe fell upon the dance floor as Superstar by Usher played. The couple danced beautifully together, but they had some help.

Gabby’s sister is a choreographer, and while they didn’t create a routine, they did visit her a few days before the wedding for a couple of tips. The result was a precious moment, without a single faltered step.

Baddow Park House

Gabby and Debo saw many ‘lovely’ wedding venues, but it was the charm and magic of Baddow Park House that made them book.

Knowing that the team was so dedicated to giving them their perfect day meant the couple could simply enjoy every second.

Gabby commented, “Baddow Park House and its exceptional team played an integral role in making our wedding day one of the most amazing days of our life. We cannot say enough positive things about our experience (we could write an essay!).”

The couple highly recommends Baddow Park House as the wedding venue for any couple seeking a wedding team that genuinely cares about them as a couple. They created a day of celebration that was perfect for them and fully captured their vision as a couple.

Looking For A Stunning Venue?

If you’d like to know more about weddings at Baddow Park House, visit our website to download our brochure or book a viewing. You deserve a day to remember, and your dream wedding starts with the dream venue…