Georgie Le Roux, the founder of bridal and gifting boutique Gigi & Olive, and Hugo Gateley, the menswear buyer for Mytheresa, met by chance in an après-ski bar at the bottom of the slopes in France. “He caught my eye, and I went straight over to him,” Georgie recalls. “I’m very glad I did.”
After five years together, Hugo intimately proposed in the morning, as they woke up in Aix-en-Provence while on a holiday. The couple started the discussion about wedding planning straight away.
“Our vibe was ‘English Summer Countryside Chic.’ We knew we wanted that wedding destination feel, but we wanted to get married in the U.K.,” Georgie explains. When the pair visited Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, they were totally blown away and booked it for their August nuptials. The bride-to-be took on the planning reins and was aided by her caterers, Doggart & Squash, who also provide planning services.
On the morning-of, Georgie got ready in head-to-toe Gigi & Olive with makeup artist and hairstylist Ausra Ruksene. She wore a white slip and the Gaylene ruffle robe from Hombodii with the Marriage Material slippers. And the bride gifted her sister an A Letter to My Sister notecard and Happy Tears handkerchief—her parents received similar thoughtful tokens as well.
When Georgie started searching for her dream dress, she knew she wanted something romantic, timeless, and classic. After boutiques didn’t have what she wanted exactly, the bride turned to the custom route. The bride-to-be found British designer Emma Beaumont, who made the entire dress-making process relaxing and enjoyable. The silk organza floral gown with delicate embroidery took more than 120 hours to complete.
The skirt featured five layers of organza, and closer to the wedding date, the two decided to add sleeves that were covered in floral detailing and had buttons up the wrists. “Emma cleverly made them with hidden poppers, so I was able to take them off, which I did after the drinks reception,” the bride shares. “It was so hot and also gave me more freedom to move, and I loved changing the look slightly for dinner.” The matching veil completed the ceremony look perfectly, along with Manolo Blahniks, a diamond necklace from Otiumberg, and earrings from Gigi & Olive.
Georgie’s sister, maid of honor, and fellow OTM Bride, Olivia von Christierson complemented Georgie well in a Johanna Ortiz dress, while the man of honor, Jamie Laing, rocked a look from Prada. The smallest wedding party members wore navy and white La Coqueta outfits. And finally, Hugo looked handsome in a navy wool Thom Sweeney made-to-measure suit, tie, and white shirt paired with black Gianvito Rossi shoes.
On August 13, 2022, guests gathered in a stunning woodland area for the ceremony, officiated by Father Christopher from Georgie’s local church. “I felt incredibly nervous just before we started walking into the woods, but then I heard the beautiful song being sung by Krya from ALR Music,” the bride remembers. “I had chosen an acoustic cover of ‘Bloom’ by The Paper Kites. It was quite a long walk from the bottom of the woodland to the top, but it was a truly magical feeling seeing everyone you love in the world beaming at you; I think I was just grinning back whilst gripping onto my wonderful father.”
After being pronounced as a married couple, the two walked back down the aisle to a live rendition of “Everlasting Love” and hopped into a white mini moke. The newlyweds really prioritized being present with their guests, so after 15 minutes of portraits with the amazing photographer Benjamin Wheeler, they rejoined their party for the cocktail hour. Cuban band The Legends got everyone in the mood and set the scene for a perfect summer afternoon.
For the reception, everyone headed under the marquee from Sail & Peg, situated by the stream at Chapel Barn. Each guest found an embroidered napkin, linen ribbons, matches, and fans from Gigi & Olive at their seat. The illustrations from the invitation suite by Rosie Harbottle were repurposed on the menus, name cards, escort cards, and programs. And flowers by Fig & Co. filled tables with blooms in “end of summer” shades, per the bride’s request.
The happy couple made their grand entrance to “Rock DJ” by Robbie Williams—Hugo’s excellent suggestion. “It was so fun; it completely made the mood at the beginning of the dinner,” Georgie shares. “Everyone was up, swinging their napkins around their heads as we walked in.”
After dinner, the bride changed into her second dress, also made by Emma Beaumont. The sparkly, halter-neck, corseted minidress was perfect for dancing the night away in. She completed her ensemble with an embroidered bow from Gigi & Olive that read “Happily Ever After.”
The newlyweds had their first dance to “It’s a Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, but DJ Charles of ALR Music perfectly remixed it, so when the beat dropped, it got everyone on their feet. Later on in the night, the party moved indoors, where margaritas were served and BEAT made sure no one left the dance floor.
At midnight, ham and cheese toasties were welcomed and people headed downstairs for the after-party, decorated with silver and white balloons from Bubblegum Balloons. Joy Anonymous deejayed a set until the wee hours of the morning. “We both felt so loved, so special, and so happy,” George gushes. “It was a day we will never forget.”
