Some weddings stay with you because of the people. Others because of the atmosphere. Harriet and Craig’s wedding is one I’ll always remember for the way every detail came together so beautifully. It was elegant, considered and effortlessly stylish from beginning to end.
The Couple’s Vision
How Harriet and Craig transformed The Citadel into their dream wedding setting.
When Harriet first visited The Citadel, she arrived with a very clear vision.
She knew exactly the atmosphere she wanted to create. Every decision had purpose, from the wider marquee and striking gold circular bar to the floating floral installations suspended above the dining tables. It was modern yet timeless, refined without ever feeling formal, and one of the most beautifully styled weddings we’ve welcomed here.
The Celebration
A spring wedding filled with sunshine, music and unforgettable moments.
What I loved most was how personal it all felt.
Although Harriet and Craig married in church before arriving at The Citadel, the celebration truly began once everyone stepped into the gardens. The sunshine arrived too, bringing blue skies and perfectly timed wisteria into bloom throughout the grounds. It became the backdrop to so many beautiful photographs.
The drinks reception unfolded across the main lawn, where guests gathered with canapés while an acoustic trio played softly in the background. Harriet and Craig had even brought comfortable outdoor furniture from home so that older family members could relax and enjoy the afternoon together. It’s those thoughtful details that make a celebration feel generous.
Why It Worked
How a bespoke marquee created a wedding that couldn’t have happened anywhere else.
One of the things couples often ask me is what makes a marquee wedding at The Citadel different.
Harriet and Craig’s wedding is probably the perfect example.
Their marquee wasn’t chosen from a standard package. It was designed around the wedding they wanted to create. The wider footprint gave the room a wonderful sense of space, allowing for elegant long dining tables dressed in crisp white linen, clear ghost chairs, a dramatic round gold bar and a classic long top table.
Above it all, cloud-like floral installations appeared to float effortlessly overhead, creating an atmosphere that felt every bit as luxurious as a permanent ballroom, yet entirely unique to them.
It’s exactly why I love marquee weddings so much.
Every couple starts with the same beautiful lawn, but no two celebrations ever look alike.
As the afternoon turned into evening, the celebrations moved effortlessly from relaxed garden drinks to a packed dance floor beneath the marquee. The black and white chequered floor quickly filled as the live band began to play, creating the sort of atmosphere that every couple hopes for—full of laughter, dancing and genuine joy.
Before the light disappeared completely, Jon Thorne (photographer) whisked Harriet and Craig away for portraits in the long grass beyond the house. Those photographs, taken against the warm spring sunset with The Citadel quietly watching over them in the background, remain some of my favourites.
Looking back, Harriet and Craig’s wedding perfectly captured everything I hope couples discover here.
- A marquee built entirely around their vision
- Beautiful gardens that become part of the celebration
- Space to slow down
- And a wedding that couldn’t have happened quite the same way anywhere else
Every wedding leaves its own mark on The Citadel. Harriet and Craig’s will always remind me just how extraordinary a marquee wedding can be when every single detail is chosen with purpose.
A Note From Alex
One of the greatest privileges of being custodian of The Citadel is watching each couple write their own story here.
No two weddings are ever the same, and that’s exactly how I believe it should be. Every marquee is different. Every celebration has its own atmosphere. Every family brings something uniquely theirs to these gardens.
Sharing these memories is my way of celebrating the wonderful couples who’ve trusted us with such an important chapter of their lives, while hopefully inspiring those who are still searching for the perfect place to say ‘I do’.
If you can picture your own wedding unfolding here, I’d love to show you around. Come and experience The Citadel for yourself by arranging a private viewing.
