On Kathryn Norris-Jones’ very first day of work, she didn’t expect to meet her future husband, Justin Hauge, but that’s exactly what happened, catching both of them by beautiful surprise. “From the moment our eyes met, it was as if the world shifted. I can vividly remember the way Justin walked towards me and how he smiled with only his eyes before the smile actually hit his lips,” she reminisces. “From that moment, we knew something truly extraordinary had begun.” 

Before long, Justin proposed in the historic gardens of an iconic hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, where the pair resides. “It was nothing short of enchanting… Justin had orchestrated every detail to perfection,” she describes of the moment he led her and their dog Tibby to a grand fountain as the soft strains of a violin filled the air and he got down on one knees. “I could not wait to marry my best friend!” 

Having been born in London, England, but raised predominantly in the United States, “it felt like coming home to be wed at the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral,” shares the bride of their ceremony site. “It was truly a dream-come-true ceremony, and I still cannot believe their incredible team let me shut down the churchyard gardens to transform it into A Midsummer Night’s Dream-esque cocktail party before heading to our reception space.” A massive floral arch – inspired by Princess Beatrice’s wedding and created by the same design team – decorated the elegant space. 

As the pair said “I do” where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were wed, Kate and Justin’s wedding day was royally inspired. “Rather than a theme, we planned a cohesive color scheme,” she shares of their vision. The invitation suite set the tone with a blend of white, gold, sage green, and soft peach. The nuptials began with a timeless palette, and as the day transitioned into the gardens and reception, more vibrant hues were introduced to bring the spaces to life. “It was all about creating an experience that evolved throughout the day, while still feeling a sense of cohesion true to our personalities and love story.” 

The bride was gorgeous in a square-neck gown with three-dimensional floral appliqués and a diamond crown inspired by Queen Elizabeth as she walked up the grand aisle to meet Justin at the altar – one of her most memorable moments of the day. She carried a bouquet of white roses sourced from her mother’s garden in West London, which happened to bloom perfectly in line with the wedding day, so she and her mom – donning a baby blue ensemble as the bride’s special “something blue” – could have that shared wedding-day element. 

“Looking back, the entire day feels like a beautiful dream, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”

After the ceremony and cocktail hour in the gardens, guests were whisked away on double-decker buses to a surprise location: Banqueting House, one of the last-remaining components of the Palace of Whitehall, which served as a residence for English monarchs in the 16th and 17th centuries. “Its regal history and stunning architecture made it an extraordinary space for our celebration!” says the bride, adding that the magnificent ceiling in the grand hall painted by Peter Paul Rubens helped to create the timeless, opulent atmosphere the couple desired. 

Butterflies were incorporated throughout every inch of the wedding week to honor Justin’s late mother, and wedding guests were seated atop upholstered chairs surrounding mirrored tablescapes reflecting delicate floral arrangements, crystal glassware, gilded details, and pale blush accents for the reception. Dinner incorporated elegant fare inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding menu, and for dessert, slices of the bride’s dream wedding cake – inspired by a confection she saw as a little girl – were enjoyed by all. 

Throughout the celebrations, special performers dressed in custom couture costuming helped to create a visual spectacle that made the weekend feel like a movie. Floral greeters, human statues, live painters, piano players, singers, dancers, acrobats, musicians, ballerinas, a string quartet, and electronic violinists all added to the majestic feel. “The highlight of all that, though, was the incredible flash-mob moment,” confirms Kate. Midway through the reception dinner, guests were surprised with a flawless performance of “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles. “It was magical, unexpected, and filled the room with so much joy,” she smiles. 

“Our wedding was a true reflection of who we are as a couple – elegant, yet fun, with a dash of the unexpected,” describes the bride of their perfect day, which concluded with guests being transported to the after-party by horse-drawn carriage. “Looking back, the entire day feels like a beautiful dream, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it,” she muses.

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