A Fanciful, Bohemian Marquee Wedding at Huntington Castle

For me, the wonder of this wedding began at being chosen by our bride Shaina. I can’t help but admit that I was quite struck by how cool she was - effortlessly stylish, with this gorgeously successful Californian bridal brand Tara Lauren, which I had admired long before our connection - and immediately, I felt the honour of her trust in me. I could see that Shaina was certain of her aesthetic ideals and yet so open to collaboration & advice - we clicked, stylistically; and that’s very exciting for an event decor enthusiast, such as I.

Shaina’s dream was clear. The ceremony, come rain or shine, had to be in this dreamy ruin at Huntington Castle and the reception, again whatever the weather, would be in its lush historical gardens. I was always on board, but part of my role as the Irish weather-pessimist, working for a Californian weather-optimist is that there must always be a rain plan. For ceremonies, depending on the couple’s feelings, I can get on board with a looser rain plan - in this case it was clear brollies, which we kept next to the ruin, because it was one of those days… though, in the end, they remained in their baskets.

For dinner & dancing, however, it would take an awful lot to convince me to go without an al fresco backup plan; much too risky. So keen to keep this event airy and entwined in the garden’s greenness, Shaina found it difficult to get on board with the idea of a marquee, but convince her I did, with my favourite traditional canvas pole tent, which - with its open sides & grassy floor - is the perfect inside outside vibe… and boy were we glad we had it when the heavens opened at the very moments we rang the dinner bell.