Charlotte & George | Kalm Kitchen

To begin, could you please tell us a little bit about yourselves? What do you like to do for fun?

Well, hello. Charlotte and George here, husband and wife, with George also being my working assistant.

We both absolutely love stately homes and have a real passion for interiors, so day trips to historic houses leave our minds bursting with inspiration, both for our own home and the weddings we help to create.

Honestly, you’ll often find us happiest at a garden centre on a Sunday, followed by a good roast dinner in a homely country pub and, if not that, then get us on a plane to Italy so we can dive deep into pasta.

I’ve been obsessed with weddings my whole life, so naturally, planning our own was a dream come true. Now, getting to do that for others is a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Before this I worked as a hairdresser, starting at just 13 while still at school, and George is an estate agent/full-time PA to me 😉

How did you two meet? We’d love to hear your story!

We’ve been together for almost 10 years now, which feels incredibly special. Honestly, I walked past George’s office one day and he liked what he saw. Me being (perhaps a little too) confident at the time told him to take me out for a drink and the rest is history…

What was your vision for your wedding day? What kind of atmosphere did you want to create?

We really wanted our wedding to feel ‘timeless’. I know not everyone loves that word, but to us, it meant a day that felt traditional yet classic, something that wouldn’t date. I wore a beautiful silk gown that weighed nearly a stone in weight (yes, very heavy), and George wore a traditional black tuxedo. We got married at the breathtaking Somerley House and filled our day with meaningful, personal touches.

We named our tables after loved ones who couldn’t be with us and part of my dress was made into a pocket square for George.

I had “Nan” sewn into my dress in blue thread, so she was by my heart all day.

George’s Mum made our wedding cake, topped with delicate silver shoes that were on my Godparents wedding cake over 50 years ago.

Being a wedding planner yourself – hello, The Dorset Wedding Planner! How did that come into play when you were preparing for your big day? Did it make it easier, or were there any surprises?

Hello there! Being a wedding planner really is a dream. I got engaged in February 2022 and knew right then it was time to turn my lifelong passion into a reality. I started researching everything left, right and centre. It completely took over my life but in the best way. I genuinely feel I pulled together an incredible team for our day.

My Instagram actually started out as a mood board for myself. I felt I couldn’t truly step into wedding planning until I had experienced the full journey myself as both a Bride and a Planner. I’ve always had a keen eye for detail so I was extremely organised when it came to liaising with suppliers and coordinating everything. I’ve learned so much since then and continue to grow every day but I now have a whole new level of appreciation for the time, care and dedication that goes into weddings, not just from planners but from every single supplier.

We might be biased, but food is such a big part of any celebration! What were your must-haves when choosing your wedding menu?

We knew we wanted exceptional food paired with outstanding service and hands down choosing Kalm Kitchen was one of our best decisions.

We had our hearts set on a starter of creamy garlic and white wine mushrooms on sourdough and you absolutely delivered.

A few guests admitted they weren’t fans of mushrooms, but one told me it was the best starter she’d ever had and she was one of the mushroom skeptics but raves about those mushrooms even today. So hey, she’s officially converted.

We were so sorry that you weren’t feeling well on your wedding morning, Charlotte. It was really special that you came to Kalm Kitchen HQ to enjoy your wedding meal recently. How did that experience compare to what you imagined for the big day?

I mean being in hospital at 6 am on our wedding morning was definitely not part of the plan, but we are both so thankful to the NHS for doing everything they could to make sure the day went ahead as I was determined I was getting married that day no matter what, nothing was going to stop me. After 3 drips, 2 injections and several medications, I actually felt great. My skin, hair and eyes were glowing (every cloud has a silver lining, right?). Although I didn’t have much of an appetite on the day, I wouldn’t change a thing. It made me appreciate every single moment. I was filled with love and the day felt even more magical because of it. So to any Bride & Groom I can 99% promise you, your day will be amazing no matter what.

Coming back to Kalm Kitchen to re-live our wedding meal was amazing. Your team is genuinely wonderful, professional, friendly and always going above and beyond.

Looking back, what were some of the most memorable moments from your wedding day?

Walking down the aisle and hearing George sob, not just seeing him cry, but hearing it, was completely heart warming, I’ve genuinely never seen George look more proud. Our whole day was overflowing with love and if I could bottle that feeling up forever, in a little jar, I would.

Our first dance to Céline Dion – Because You Loved Me was incredibly special. That song perfectly sums up everything George has ever done for me. He’s amazing.

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Dancing with my Dad was another unforgettable moment. We chose Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings. It’s a bit unusual for a Father & Daughter dance, but it was played at my Grandad’s funeral and always moves us to tears. Including that song was a way to honour him and bring new meaning to a very emotional memory. It was tough but truly wonderful.

George here: For me, it was seeing Charlotte walk down the aisle, completely unforgettable.

I also loved the quiet moments we shared throughout the day, just pausing to soak it all in. Watching all of Charlotte’s planning and hard work come to life was incredible.

How did you find the experience of working with our team?

Honestly? An absolute dream. Every single person we dealt with was amazing and we genuinely mean that from the bottom of our hearts.

Were there any dishes that your guests couldn’t stop talking about?

THE CANAPÉS! Especially the braised beef short rib with truffle cauliflower purée and parmesan, honestly, bring me back in my second life as that canapé and I’ll be more than happy.

What’s your best piece of advice for other couples who are planning their wedding?

My top advice would be stick together as much as possible throughout the day and keep pausing to take everything in. Pretend you’re photographing moments in your mind, especially when you’re sat at the top table looking out at all your loved ones. It’s so rare to have everyone you care about in one place like that.

And most importantly, do exactly what YOU want to do as a couple. Stay true to yourselves.

What are you most excited about for your future together as a married couple?

Since the wedding we’ve felt nothing but contentment. It truly was the best day of our lives and everything from here just feels like a bonus. We’re so excited to help future couples create their dream weddings too. Genuinely, seeing our couples smile beam from ear to ear is the most rewarding feeling.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding day or your experience?

We honestly couldn’t thank our team enough. Jatta at Somerley was an absolute dream. You guys at Kalm, phenomenal. Our photographer Emma Ryan, was the ultimate hype girl. Alicia from Blush & Bloom created floral magic, Barbara our violinist, DJ Charlie, Jason with the fireworks… We could go on. Every single person was incredible.

Finally, make the most of your wedding day. I truly cannot stress this enough, no matter what happens, it will be a day you will cherish forever.