Rain fell steadily over Cornwell Manor throughout the day, yet the wedding of Ara and Akay turned into something no one expected: a lively New Orleans jazz parade winding through the Cotswolds countryside. With umbrellas in hand and a brass band leading the way, the couple, their guests, and their planner Kerry Poulter embraced the weather rather than fighting it.
Ara’s roots in New Orleans shaped a defining moment as a brass band filled the rainy air with jazz, turning the walk from the marquee to the reception into a spontaneous street party. Guests, some traveling from Turkey and the United States, danced beneath umbrellas, the mix of Southern brass sounds and English manor grounds creating a scene that felt entirely their own. The rain, rather than dampening the mood, added a misty, atmospheric layer to the celebration.
The wedding brought together the couple’s varied backgrounds: Ara from New Orleans, Akay’s family from Turkey, and the groom’s own childhood near Cornwell Manor. This blend of cultures was clear throughout the weekend, from the music to the guests’ origins and the wedding details.
Ara’s bridal look balanced simplicity and drama. She wore a fitted satin gown with spaghetti straps and a cathedral-length veil, but the spotlight went to her light pink cape shawl. Flowing behind her like a train, the cape introduced color and movement, offering a fresh take on classic bridal fashion. Akay’s sharp white dinner jacket and black bow tie complemented her look perfectly, fitting the manor’s elegant setting.
Florals by Fine Stems brought a natural touch to the ceremony design. Red, pink, and green arrangements sat atop white pillars, with peonies and textured blooms spilling fruit and greenery in loose, garden-inspired clusters. The mix felt polished yet unpretentious, as if freshly picked from a garden rather than assembled in a florist studio.
Cocktail hour included a small but thoughtful detail: the couple’s signature drinks came with their monogram carefully set into the foam. It was a personal touch that echoed the care invested in the guest experience, especially meaningful for a destination wedding that gathered friends and family from multiple countries.
Inside the tented reception, the color scheme softened. Pink and white place settings created a romantic atmosphere for dinner, echoing the pink tones of Ara’s shawl and the florals. The elegant vibe shifted as the night went on. A disco ball lit up the dance floor, and espresso martinis kept the energy high well past dinnertime.
Ara changed into a mini dress for the party, but kept the drama alive with another flowing shawl, matching the light pink of her earlier look. This playful echo connected her two bridal outfits, one romantic and sweeping for the ceremony, the other lively and made for dancing.
Despite the daylong rain, the wedding never felt defined by the weather. Instead, the umbrellas, jazz parade, and misty setting added character. Ara and Akay’s celebration was a mix of New Orleans spirit and English countryside charm, with guests from Turkey and the U.S. coming together for a weekend that was anything but ordinary.
The unexpected jazz procession, the fruit-laden florals, the personalized cocktails, and the late-night espresso martinis gave the day a personality that a sunny forecast couldn’t have guaranteed. Cornwell Manor may have been soaked, but the mood was anything but dampened.
According to Wedding Chicks.
