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Hitched Win a Dream Wedding Winners: Emily & Charles’ Stunning Autumn Celebration at Pelham House

Emily and Charles tied the knot at Pelham House in Lewes after a chance meeting in Greece, 11 years of love, and a £25,000 Hitched Win a Dream Wedding prize

Hitched Staff

25 February, 2026

Hitched Featured Suppliers:

Wedding Venue: Pelham House
Wedding Flowers: Chirpee Flower
Wedding Styling: To Have and To Hire
Wedding Cakes: The Incredible Cake Company
Wedding Hair & Makeup: Petal Blush Hair & Makeup
Wedding Dress: Couture and Tiaras
Wedding Photographer & Videographer: Bexhill Film Company
Wedding DJ & Singer: Luminix

When Emily and Charles won Hitched’s Win a Wedding competition, it felt like the final, magical chapter in a love story that had already spanned almost 11 years, several countries and countless adventures. On Saturday 15th November 2025, the couple celebrated their win by tying the knot at the stunning Pelham House in Lewes, surrounded by loved ones who had travelled from across the world to be there.

With around 70 guests during the day and 80 in the evening, their wedding weekend was warm, personal and full of meaning — a true celebration of their journey together and the opportunity Hitched helped make possible.

From a Missed Ferry to “What If?”

Emily and Charles first met in 2011 while both travelling solo around the Greek Islands. A chance conversation on the beach turned into a full day together, and what should have been the end of their meeting became something much more thanks to a simple mistake.

Emily missed her ferry the following day, called Charles, and ended up joining him instead. After spending a week together, they went their separate ways to continue studying and travelling, staying in touch from afar. Years later, a Christmas invitation to Paris finally answered the “what if” they’d both been holding onto.

By Christmas 2014, they were officially together and their story was only just getting started.

A Proposal Designed Just for Her

Charles proposed in March 2021 during lockdown, turning Emily’s birthday into an unforgettable moment. Knowing her love of puzzles, he presented her with a locked box covered in clues.

“It took me over half an hour to figure it out while Charles refused to help and just giggled. When I finally opened it and saw the ring, he got down on one knee.”

The ring itself was designed by Charles’ cousin, a jeweller, and secretly redesigned after Emily unknowingly sent Charles a photo of a ring she loved. Sentimental, bespoke and completely Emily, it was the perfect start to their engagement.

A Long Engagement and a Winning Moment

Emily and Charles always planned for a longer engagement and used that time to prioritise life together. They bought their first flat in Brighton, took a year-long career break to travel around South East Asia, and only returned to wedding planning in 2025.

That’s when Emily spotted Hitched’s Win a £25,000 Dream Wedding competition.

Winning the competition changed everything.

What had been a long-held plan suddenly became a real, exciting possibility, allowing them to create the wedding they had imagined without compromising on what mattered most.

By the time they married, they had been engaged for four and a half years and together for nearly 11.

A Weekend Wedding at Pelham House

The couple chose Pelham House for its elegance, privacy and all-in-one layout. With beautiful ceremony rooms, reception spaces and 29 bedrooms on site, it allowed them to turn their wedding into a full weekend celebration.

Many guests travelled from France, Spain, Germany, Canada and the US, so being able to stay together from Friday to Sunday was especially important.

“Spending that extra time together was everything. The day itself went so fast, so having the whole weekend with our guests made it really special.”

Emily walked down the aisle to Seaside by The Kooks, accompanied by her brother.

“As soon as I turned the corner, it was just a huge wave of emotion. I feel like I blocked out the whole room and only saw Charles.”

The civil ceremony included personal vows, Charles walking down the aisle with his mum, and a thoughtful moment where the officiant spoke French to the couple's niece and nephew, making the ceremony feel even more personal.

Wedding Style With a Modern Twist

Emily wore a strapless satin A-line gown by Morilee, bought from Couture & Tiaras in Burgess Hill. Classic and elegant with a sweetheart neckline and long buttoned train, the dress also featured a modern leg slit.

It was the very first dress she tried on.

Charles wore a custom-made three-piece suit from Handson, a boutique in Paris, choosing the fabric, lining and design himself. His navy jacket and beige waistcoat tied beautifully into the couple’s autumnal colour palette, finished with an engraved watch gifted by Emily on the morning of the wedding.

Autumn Colours, Thoughtful Florals and Relaxed Styling

The couple styled their day around warm autumn tones of browns, champagnes, burnt orange and deep reds. Chirpee Flowers created a mix of dried and fresh florals, including Emily’s large dried bouquet and statement centrepieces.

To maximise impact while keeping things practical, faux floral décor from To Have and To Hire was used throughout the ceremony and bar spaces.

Dinner featured generous canapés, a sit-down meal of beef fillet or veggie Wellington, and chocolate brownie for dessert, followed by pizza and salads in the evening.

A Cake With All the Flavours

The wedding cake came from The Incredible Cake Company, discovered completely by chance during a walk in Eastbourne. After a tasting session where every flavour impressed, Emily and Charles decided not to choose at all, opting instead for a two-tier cake and 40 cupcakes so guests could try everything.

Music, Dancing and One Big Party

Entertainment was provided by Luminix, with live singing throughout dinner before the evening reception began. Their first dance to Dance With You Tonight by Olly Murs was sung live and featured a self-choreographed routine that had everyone smiling.

“We laughed so much during our first dance. It was just fun and very us.”

Choosing to stay together the night before the wedding turned out to be one of Emily’s favourite decisions.

“We woke up around 5am and just lay in the dark chatting. The day was such a whirlwind, so having that quiet moment together meant a lot.”

What Comes Next

Emily and Charles have their honeymoon planned for April 2026, combining a week of scuba diving on a liveaboard boat in the Red Sea with a relaxing beachfront stay in Egypt.

They’re also planning post-wedding photoshoots in Brighton, Greece and Paris — the places that have shaped their relationship.

Emily’s Advice to Other Couples

“Don’t stress over the little details and trust the professionals. Giving our florist a colour scheme and budget and letting them run with it meant we were completely blown away on the day.”

Looking back, winning Hitched’s Win a Dream Wedding competition gave Emily and Charles the freedom to fully enjoy their wedding without compromise and create a celebration they’d happily relive all over again.

Emily & Charles’s Featured Suppliers:

Wedding Venue: Pelham House
Wedding Flowers: Chirpee Flower
Wedding Styling: To Have and To Hire
Wedding Cakes: The Incredible Cake Company
Wedding Hair & Makeup: Petal Blush Hair & Makeup
Wedding Dress: Couture and Tiaras
Wedding Photographer & Videographer: Bexhill Film Company
Wedding DJ & Singer: Luminix

Inspired by Emily and Charles’s Win a Dream Wedding celebration? Explore more real weddings, and discover ideas and tips to help plan your perfect day…