A Destination Wedding

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON

London bus outside Natural History Museum

REAL WEDDING: A DESTINATION WEDDING AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON

When American couple, Hallie and Nullah, got engaged, they dreamed of an unforgettable destination wedding that would reflect their personalities and love story. Initially, they explored Tuscany’s vineyards, but ultimately, they found their perfect match in London. Upon stepping into the iconic Natural History Museum, they were instantly captivated by its grandeur and historical charm.

Following the Museum’s recommendation for a London wedding planner, Hallie and Nullah discovered Caroline Sian Weddings & Events. After an online consultation, they confidently booked us to bring their vision to life.

A VISION OF QUIRKY ELEGANCE

From the outset, Hallie and Nullah were clear: this wedding was to be more than a traditional celebration – it was to be an immersive experience. Drawing inspiration from the movie A Night at the Museum, they envisioned an evening filled with entertainment, surprises, and playful touches, ensuring it would delight guests of all ages. Their goal was inclusivity, offering options for dancing enthusiasts, quiet spaces for some high-profile guests, and entertainment for non-dancers.

CRAFTING AN UNFORGETTABEL EXPERIENCE

Every detail of the wedding was designed to bring their vision to life. Guests were welcomed to the museum by a striking living statue of a young Darwin – a nod to the museum’s celebrated Hintze Hall centerpiece. Unexpectedly, as drinks flowed, the statue came to life, charming and surprising guests with its playful interactions.

Throughout the evening, entertainment abounded. For example, a silhouette artist captured stunning, timeless profiles during dinner, while an immersive photo experience allowed guests to step into their very own Night at the Museum. As the night progressed, the energy soared with performances by dazzling LED-winged dancers who lit up the dance floor alongside a showstopping live band.

DECOR TO DELIGHT

The museum’s awe-inspiring architecture provided a breathtaking backdrop, but it was the thoughtful décor that transformed the space into a celebration of Hallie and Nullah’s style. The ceremony featured floral meadows that lined the aisle, leading to towering floral columns that framed the couple as they exchanged vows.

For the reception, the vast space was filled with a blend of round and long tables, designed to strike a balance between grandeur and intimacy. Sleek, contemporary touches – such as cutlery inspired by the couple’s favorite restaurant – added a personal flair, while a whimsical paper floral installation above the circular bar brought an element of playfulness.

THOUGHTFUL DETAILS

Hallie and Nullah’s love for quirky, personal touches shone through in every element, including their stationery. Custom-designed by Caroline, their suite featured a delicate line drawing of the museum, tying the paper goods to the venue’s iconic architecture. Menus were a conversation piece in themselves, detailing each guest’s meal selection alongside fascinating facts about the museum and its treasures – a well-designed and thoughtful nod to the couple’s love for curiosity and discovery.

Adding a personal, handmade element, a friend of the bride crafted exquisite agate slice place cards, a subtle nod to the museum’s fossil collection. These delicate keepsakes were a hit among guests, seamlessly blending elegance with the couple’s playful theme.

A FEAST OF VALUES

As a couple deeply committed to their vegan principles, Hallie and Nullah prioritised sustainability and ethical dining. To meet this challenge, Caper & Berry designed a bespoke vegan menu that included an indulgent dessert bar. Anna Lewis created a breathtaking vegan wedding cake that was as visually stunning as it was delicious. 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Every moment of Hallie and Nullah’s wedding reflected their love, creativity, and shared values. From the awe-inspiring setting to the thoughtfully curated details, their celebration transformed the Natural History Museum into a playground of wonder, joy, and connection.

While we await the full photography gallery, enjoy this glimpse into a wedding that was truly a night to remember.

Here’s what Hallie had to say about working with Caroline Sian Weddings & Events:

“There are truly not enough wonderful things that my new husband and I can say about Caroline. Out of all of the decisions that we made for our wedding, asking her to be our wedding planner was the best choice we ever could have made!! More than anything, she has become a friend and is truly just someone that we LOVE! But she is also just the best there is out there, and most professional person I’ve ever worked with. If you want a beautiful, luxe wedding where the day just goes so calmly and smoothly (for you as the bride! I know she had a million things happening day of, but I never felt stressed and am so grateful!) and where the process is enjoyable and custom then she is the only person to go with!

She was incredibly on top of everything to an extent that I could never be, and could foresee every possible problem that could arise. Caroline got ahead of everything, so that it felt seamless day of. Whereas I saw each component of the wedding as an individual area (flowers, food, etc.) she saw the event as a whole, bringing it to life in a beautifully cohesive way, and making suggestions that made the event more fun and larger than life than we could have thought of alone.

She helped us make choices that aligned exactly with who we are as a couple, and what we wanted to present to our guests.

She is outrageously professional, and it was clear that she has great relationships with all of the top vendors, who clearly respect her. She led the whole process with grace, poise, discipline, and FUN! She made the planning process, which I had only heard could be stressful and overwhelming, an incredibly joyous experience, even though there were of course twists and turns along the way. She helped us never lose sight of the actual reason we were getting married.

Caroline is somehow left brained and right brained – she is extremely creative and has luxe and upscale taste, with a refined eye, while also being able to look at a budget as a whole and make sure that everything we were choosing made financial and logical sense. It was a perfect pairing for us, and we felt that the collaboration led to the best day of our lives, with no surprises regarding payment or with our vendors. She is flexible, thoughtful, and an open and honest person, and we were consistently blown away by her.

Everyone that came to the wedding said it was the classiest, most fairytale-like wedding they’ve been to, and I owe these compliments to Caroline. She is brilliant top to bottom, and more than anything, she is a GOOD person!!! You will just love her as a human being. I am so sad the experience is over for us, but know that she will be a friend forever, and our wonderful memories of the day are a thanks to her.

Wedding planner & designer: Caroline Sian Weddings & Events | Venue: Natural History Museum  | Catering: Caper & Berry  |  Production: Light Motif  | Florist: Lavender Green  |  Photographer: Helen Warner  |  Videographer: Juno Wedding Films  |  Hair and makeup: Chloe GH Bridal  |  String trio: Niche London String Quartet  |  Evening band: Supatight  |  Living statue: The Living Statue Company  |  Photobooth: Beatrice & Bertrum  |  Silhouette artist: Alison Russell  |  LED winged dancers: Glam Slam Ltd  |  Cake: Anna Lewis  |  Stationery: Caroline Sian Weddings & Events  |  Bus: The London Bus Co 

Ceremony Venue

The Natural History Museum, London

Reception Venue

The Natural History Museum, London

Photographer

Helen Warner

Date

October 2024

 

Hi I'm

CAROLINE

I’m an award-winning London and Hampshire-based wedding and event planner with more than 20 years of events experience to my name. With a passion for luxurious, stylish weddings and events, I love dreaming up exciting ways to bring ideas to life - from city chic London weddings and idyllic country house venues, to large scale celebrations bringing together guests from around the world. When the out of office is on, you’ll usually find me off on an adventure to a far flung destination or recharging with friends over cake and bubbly.