A London meeting, a shared vision, and a beautiful multi-cultural celebration at Hylands Estate
Karishma and Ian celebrated their wedding at Hylands Estate, bringing together a blend of traditions, thoughtful planning, and a day filled with energy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
How it all began
Their story began in central London — though not without a slight delay.
“We physically first met at 18:45 (actually more like 18:50 as we struggled to find each other) on 29th August 2023 outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square,” they shared. Having met on Match.com, this first meeting marked the beginning of their journey together.
Choosing the date
The couple chose a September wedding for both practical and aesthetic reasons.
“We didn’t want to risk our guests feeling too hot or too cold,” they explained. “We thought September would still have relatively good weather, with the bonus of autumnal colours.”
Planning across the summer months also added to the experience, making the lead-up to the day just as enjoyable.
Falling for Hylands
Hylands Estate stood out for a number of reasons.
“We absolutely loved the building and its surroundings,” they said. “It is both beautiful and elegant, as well as disability accessible, and it seemed very well equipped to cater for both an Indian and a Western wedding.”
Its location also proved ideal, sitting conveniently between their families, while the interiors themselves made a lasting impression: “We found them to be breathtaking and perfect for hosting our dream wedding.”
A day full of standout moments
With multiple elements woven into the day, there was no shortage of memorable moments.
For Ian, one stood out above all: “My favourite part of the day was during the Hindu ceremony when the cloth was lowered and I saw Karishma for the first time.”
Karishma’s highlight came later in the celebrations: “When Ian did a surprise dance with my friends and sisters.”
Laughter, energy, and the dancefloor
The reception brought a different kind of energy, with moments that guests won’t forget anytime soon.
“The funniest and most memorable parts of the day were during the reception, particularly the dances,” Ian shared. One moment in particular stood out; a group of uncles and aunties recreating a dance from a family wedding 30 years earlier, complete with original footage playing behind them.
Planning the day
The couple found the Hylands Wedding Showcase especially helpful during the planning process.
“It gave us the opportunity to meet many of the suppliers we booked and enabled us to gain an idea of how the spaces looked,” they said. “We were also able to envision how the day would look and feel while touring the estate.”
When it came to styling, they worked closely with their décor suppliers while also exploring ideas of their own: “We looked at examples of what other people had done as well as coming up with our own ideas which catered to our taste.”
Advice for future couples
Their advice is simple but practical: “Plan as early as possible before the wedding and take a moment to enjoy it on the day, even if it’s hectic.”
And one final recommendation? “We would also strongly advise they should get married at Hylands Estate!”
A few favourites
When reflecting on the day, three things stood out most:
- The energy from their guests
- Having all their favourite people together and the love they received from them throughout the day
- Having a really special experience for both myself and Karishma to share together
A heartfelt thank you
Following the wedding, Karishma’s father shared a message with the Hylands team, praising the venue and the support provided throughout the planning process and on the day itself.
Guests were “unanimous in their praise of the beautiful venue,” and the family highlighted how meaningful it was to have all elements of the celebration brought together in one place. The care, organisation, and attention to detail from the team helped ensure the day ran smoothly, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the occasion.
Thinking about your own Hylands wedding?
Our next Wedding Showcase takes place on Sunday 19 April.
Come and explore the estate, meet our trusted suppliers, and start bringing your plans to life.
The beautiful moments from Karishma and Ian’s day were captured by Raj Passy Photography. Visit their website to see more stunning wedding photography at Hylands Estate.