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Steeped in rustic tradition and inextricably tied up with Jane Austen-style happy endings in the national consciousness, the English country wedding is the ideal way to “tie the knot” for many couples. But how to pull it off with style?

Tradition is the keynote. A significant part of the magic of the English country wedding is the nostalgic confidence of following a tried and tested footpath that countless others have trodden happily before down the centuries.

The country wedding theme - Part 1: Setting the scene

What makes an English country wedding?

That very English journalist, Simon Hoggart, outlines the ingredients that put ticks in boxes for country wedding heaven in his diary in The Guardian:-

“We went to a country wedding last weekend. The sun was bright and hot but there was a crisp breeze to cut through it. The village - all thatch and stone cottages and pretty terraces - curled round the hillside, so there was a different view round every corner. The church was packed. Nearly all the men were in morning dress, which I hadn’t worn for 25 years, and had to borrow.

Nowadays chaps seem to brighten up the traditional rig with fancy ties and waistcoats - “very East Enders” someone sniffed to me. The bride was gorgeous in cream silk with a lace top, the music divine and the marriage sermon by the Catholic priest perfectly judged - “I have never been married, of course, but often a spectator can see rather more of the game than some of the players.”

Then we trooped, like refugees from a bomb scare at Ascot, through the village to the lawns of the house where we drank champagne and ate nibbles, heard funny speeches, then went into the marquee for dinner. They had the fine idea of appointing each table with a carver and a whole roast leg of lamb.

Afterwards we danced to Glen Miller tunes, and I thought there must have been weddings in this village many decades ago and the music and the clothes and the hairdos would have been very similar. There are a few things we still get right in this country.” Read more of Simon Hoggart’s Sketch in The Guardian.

Keep it simple and traditional

The wedding described above is a peculiarly English mix of formal and informal. The dress-code is old-fashioned English smart. Everyone (including the bride) gets a chance to dress up! The back-drop is the country village itself, with the minimal addition of a marquee on the lawn to accommodate the guests.

A church service followed by an informal walk through the village to the wedding reception venue; drinks and canapes on the lawn; a straight-forward English roast and a swing jazz band to round it all off. It sounds relaxed, informal and delightful. What a joyful way to celebrate a wedding.

Find a swing jazz band for your country wedding

Fancy kicking up your heels to the sound of swing jazz to complete your perfect day? Have a look at Hop Till You Drop wedding music shop: List of swing jazz bands. There are plenty of excellent bands throughout the UK for you to choose from.

The essence of the English country wedding is simplicity. Put your gladrags on, certainly, but keep the trimmings to a minimum. Forget the cars and walk, if possible. Keep the food and decorations simple, traditional and low-key. Let the scenery, setting and sense of tradition do the rest.