My journey into weddings began earlier than most. By the age of ten, I’d already been a flower girl four times, had a dressing-up box full of princess gowns, and an obsession with puff sleeves. As a teenager, I poured my free time into designing wedding dresses and costumes, even creating a wedding gown with a gothic twist as my final piece for GCSE textiles at the BRIT School.

Life took me in a different direction, leading me to the London College of Fashion with a camera in my hand. After the loss of a family member, I launched my own photography company, and before long, I realised my true calling was in weddings.

Over the next 12 years, I photographed weddings across the UK, the US, and Europe, everywhere from registry offices and cosy pubs to Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. To say I’ve seen it all would be an understatement.

The turning point came when I learned that a beloved local venue was due to be turned into apartments. I pitched the idea of taking it over to a friend and entrepreneur, and with that bold step, the Gilchrist Collection was born.

Since 2017, what began as a single venue has grown into a family of 12 across the UK and the USA: in Sussex, Somerset, North Wales, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria, as well as in Florida, Texas, and St. Louis. Each venue has its own story, whether through restoration, renovation, or transformation, but together they form the heart of our collection.

Today, we host more than 2,500 weddings a year. Behind the scenes, our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure every detail, from marketing to operations, keeps the business moving forward. The journey has been exciting, challenging, and deeply humbling, and I remain grateful to every couple, colleague, and partner who has played a part in it.

At The Gilchrist Collection, we’re more than venues. We’re caretakers of memories, curators of experiences, and passionate believers in the magic of weddings.