A Ghanaian-English Fusion: Planning a Colourful Marquee Wedding at a Private Home in Uckfield, East Sussex

1. A sun-drenched ceremony in the garden

The heart of the day began on the lawn, where the summer sun provided a natural spotlight for the celebrant-led ceremony. Choosing a celebrant allowed Ben and Paula the freedom to craft a service that felt like them—balancing English tradition with the rhythmic, joyful energy of their Ghanaian roots. They included ring warming, readings and ring exchange. They also incorporated a separate libation (a ritual where liquids are poured on the ground as an offering to honour ancestors) in a nod to Paula’s Ghanaian roots.

Despite the two rain downspours that occurred in the morning of the wedding, meaning that my team and I had to manage the unexpected weather change, and remove the chairs so that they didn’t get wet. We did have a wet weather plan, howevevr as Ben and Paula's vision was to be wed outside, we waited until the rain passed, and it was a good call as after that the sun shone. 

Ben and Paula exchanged vows outside without a drop of rain in sight. My team ensured the garden was perfectly staged, creating an intimate pocket of calm within the expansive grounds. There were personal touches too, with a wedding arch created by groom Ben and his brother.

2. Translating the sunset: The design concept

Their wedding design was rooted in the beauty of a June Summer. I presented a mood board that moved away from the expected, focusing instead on a ‘sunset vibe’ that felt energetic and joyful.

In the marquee, we brought this wedding vision to life through

• The colour palette: A bold collision of fuchsia pink and orange, punctuated by silver accents.
• Texture & light: Coloured water glasses and glass candlesticks with tapered candles added height and interest to the tablescapes. Colourful napkins also added a pop of colour.
• The florals: Vivid floral centrepieces acted as the anchor, mirroring the warmth of a solstice evening.
• The edge: Instead of traditional drapes, we used clusters of disco balls to provide an unusual, impactful backdrop that transformed from a chic day-time feature into a shimmering party essential as the night began.

3. Orchestrating the "Blank Canvas" in Uckfield

Planning a wedding at a private home is a significant undertaking that requires a delicate balance of empathy and logistics. Because I specialise in blank-canvas venues, we handled the fundamental orchestration long before the first guest arrived. I was able to source excellent suppliers to deliver to Ben and Paula’s needs.

Managing a marquee built on a private estate involves overseeing everything from power distribution, lighting to the precise placement of luxury loos, all while respecting the sanctity of a family home. We had 6 months to plan this wedding. The majority of the work happened behind the scenes in the months leading up to the day, from sourcing the right suppliers, dealing with challenges that arose, providing ideas on the design, complex logistics and flow of their day and supporting Ben and Paula throughout.

I was also on-site the day before to manage all this. By serving as the single point of contact for every supplier, I provided a professional safety net that allowed the couple’s family to enjoy the transformation of their property without the weight of the "behind-the-scenes" complexity and on the wedding day get ready without worrying about things.

4. A fusion of heritage and style

The beauty of a Ghanaian-English wedding lies in the details. Throughout the day, we ensured that both cultures were woven seamlessly into the fabric of the event. Whether it was the transition from the structured ceremony to the vibrant, high-energy reception or the way the table linen featured a playful mixture of pink and orange napkins, or a sample of kente cloth used on the cake table. Every choice was a deliberate nod to the couple's shared journey and what was important to them.

5. Present in the moment

As the evening drew in and the disco balls began to scatter light across the dance floor, the true success of the day was visible in Ben and Paula themselves. My unique background in counselling allows me to navigate the complex family dynamics that often arise in multicultural celebrations, ensuring that the atmosphere remains harmonious.

The result was a day defined by laughter and movement. Because my team and I managed the intricate logistics and the supplier timelines, Ben and Paula were able to be exactly where they needed to be, happy, present, and dancing the night away under the stars.

 A lovely review

Here is a snippet of the Google review that Ben and Paula left me:

"Natasha and her team were fantastic, my partner and I could not have been happier with her support, design sense, hard work and excellent organisation - that made our wedding incredible and unforgettable.

Natasha often went beyond the call of duty to make sure everything went to plan, so many of our guests have been saying how amazing the day was. We are so grateful for everything Natasha and Pearline Events have done to make our wedding day an amazing day.We highly recommend her services."

Planning an intricate home or dry hire wedding? Let’s discuss how we can bring creative ideas and logistical precision to your vision?

Natasha