Lincolnshire Weddings: Lady Violet Manners and Viscount William Garnock

This month we celebrate the marriage of Lady Violet Manners and Viscount William Garnock at the bride’s family home, Belvoir Castle

“I grew up at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, where my family have lived for centuries, so Belvoir has always been home,” says Lady Violet Manners, reflecting on her recent wedding to Viscount William Garnock at her family’s ancestral home.”

“William was born and raised in Fife, where his family’s estate is located.” 

“We both had our years living away — me in London, and him between Scotland and America — but it was through his sister and brother-in-law that our paths finally crossed in Fife.”

“We met in December 2023 at William’s family home in Fife. His sister Charlotte and her husband Jaime had invited me at the last minute for New Year, and when I arrived it happened to be William’s birthday. We were seated next to each other at dinner and clicked immediately. We discovered a shared love of India, America, adventure and history. That first evening I had a very quiet but strong feeling that I was going to marry him one day. By the time he dropped me at the station on New Year’s Day, we both knew it was very real!”

“William proposed in July 2024 in Colorado. He had already asked both my parents for their blessing, which meant the world to me. He took me out to the Great Plains near Jefferson with the Rockies in the distance.”

“Under that vast American sky, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was just the two of us, which made it even more special.”

“The ring is a timeless diamond set in platinum — very classic, very me — and I was completely taken by surprise when he pulled it out.”

“The venue was never in doubt. Belvoir Castle, where I grew up, was the only choice. It holds so much history for my family and me, and it felt right to gather everyone there.”

“I worked with Phillipa Lepley to design my wedding dress from scratch, taking inspiration from my great-grandmother the Duchess of Argyll’s gown from the 1920s, the ruffles I have always loved from Elizabethan styles, and the starry night when William and I first kissed.”

“The embroidery was filled with personal touches — suns, moons, myrtle leaves from the Rutland tiara, and our initials stitched in. I wore the Rutland family tiara, which hadn’t been worn in 30 years, alongside Tiffany pearl and diamond earrings and Roger Vivier shoes.”

“In the evening I changed into a 1940s satin gown from Jane Bourvis with pearl buttons from Jaipur, and later still into a second-hand Balmain dress as a nod to my mum, who has always instilled in me a love for vintage designer finds.”

“William wore his family’s Lindsay tartan kilt made by Stewart Christie in Edinburgh with a green tweed jacket for the day, then changed into a Prince Charlie velvet doublet for the evening.”

“Our photographer was David Wheeler, who captured everything so beautifully and naturally. Our wedding video has just arrived too, and watching it back was incredibly emotional.”

“Walking down the aisle in the church with my father was emotional — and actually leaving the church was too. Wearing the tiara for the first time in 30 years was surreal.”

“The speeches were a highlight, full of love and laughter, and the atmosphere of pure joy throughout the day is something I’ll always carry with me.”

“I would like to thank the Belvoir Castle team, who are like family to me — and of course my parents, who have supported me in every way.”

Local Suppliers
Wedding Reception: Belvoir Castle, 01476 871001,www.belvoircastle.com/weddings.
Photographer: David Wheeler, 07931 974123, www.davidwheelerphotography.co.uk.
Wedding Dress: Couture dress designed by Phillipa Lepley, 020 7590 9771, www.phillipalepley.com.
Floral Design: Harald Altmaier, 07950 343 698, ­www.haraldaltmaierphotography.com.
Catering: Feast and Foliage, 07961 932264.
Entertainment: Guy Preston, www.djguypreston.com.
Stationery: Sasha Compton, www.sashacompton.com.
Hair/Makeup: Bobby Collier, Larry King (larrykinghair.com), Sarah Wai O’Flynn; Alexandra Malerich; Charlotte Tilbury.