Inside Michelle Dockery and husband Jasper Waller-Bridge’s wedding venue: Downton actress married in a contemporary art gallery in Twickenham overlooking the Thames
Michelle Dockery was the perfect bride in every way when she married her new husband Jasper Waller-Bridge in an intimate ceremony this weekend.
And Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham provided the ideal backdrop for the service, as the couple tied the knot in the Grade II listed Octagon Room.
The beautiful, recently restored room can accommodate up to 60 guests in the contemporary art gallery, set in gardens overlooking the River Thames.
The Octagon Room is described by the venue’s website as the ‘heart’ of the gallery where guests can enjoy drinks after the ceremony.
Since the newlyweds were blessed with nice weather, they could have also entertained their guests on the lawns of the gallery.
Wedding Bells: Michelle Dockery was the perfect bride in every way when she married her new husband Jasper Waller-Bridge in an intimate ceremony this weekend
Venue: And Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham, provided the ideal backdrop for the service, as the couple tied the knot in the Grade II listed Octagon Room (pictured)
Beautiful: The beautiful, recently restored room can accommodate up to 60 guests in the contemporary art gallery, set in gardens overlooking the River Thames
Wedding photos were taken against the picturesque backdrop of the river and surrounding forests of the area.
The Baroque venue was originally built in 1721 with the hopes of entertaining the new Georgian royal family and is also available to rent for blessings, parties and tastings.
The original building was built ten years earlier by architect John James, who was commissioned by James Johnston, Joint Secretary of State for Scotland, to create a ‘simple yet substantial house’.
Historically the building is considered one of the first important villas along this stretch of the Thames.
Among the star-studded friends who made the small guest list were her Downton co-stars Elizabeth McGovern, Lily James, Hugh Bonneville and Jim Carter, famous as unflappable head butler Carson.
During the day, however, Michelle risked being overshadowed by her new sister-in-law. Phoebe was dressed in a stunning pink Etro double breasted suit worth £1,945 and a matching deep neck waistcoat priced at £440.
And the Hollywood look was completed with a giant diamond ring on her engagement finger, a wide-brimmed woven hat, a black tie and sunglasses.
It was a poignant day for Michelle, almost eight years after her fiancé, Irish publicist John Dineen, died aged 34 after a 15-month battle with a rare form of cancer.
Wow: The Octagon Room is described by the venue’s website as the ‘heart’ of the gallery where guests can enjoy drinks after the ceremony (pictured)
Stunning: The Baroque venue was originally built in 1721 with the hope of entertaining the new Georgian royal family and is also available to rent for blessings, parties and tastings
Restored: The original building was built 10 years earlier by architect John James, who was commissioned by James Johnston, Joint Secretary of State for Scotland, to create a ‘simple yet substantial house’
Guests: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the groom’s sister (right), known from the BBC series Fleabag, attended in a beautiful bright pink three-piece suit
The couple met in 2013 and although they never made it down the aisle, Michelle told an interviewer, “I consider myself a widow.”
Four years after his death, The Mail on Sunday revealed for the first time that Michelle had found love again and met Jasper – a former talent agent for the likes of Holly Willoughby and Ant and Dec – through mutual friends in 2019. They spent time together soon after at the Rome Film Festival.
On Saturday they left St Nicholas’ Church in Chiswick, west London, as husband and wife.
The bride wore a simple but elegant – and £100,000 expensive – custom-made dress by Emilia Wickstead, and a £995 Aspinal of London bag with pear-shaped handles, while the groom, who is in his mid-30s, sat in a dress . traditional three-piece navy suit.
Before the ceremony, Phoebe, 38, who attended with her partner, 53-year-old playwright Martin McDonagh, and older sister Isobel, led guests from the nearby George and Devonshire pub, where they had gathered for drinks, to the church.
The event served as a reunion for the Downtown cast, who were last together last year when they filmed the second big-screen performance.
There was also Joanne Froggatt, who played Anna Bates, Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Imelda Staunton (Maud Bagshaw), Allen Leech (Tom Branson) and Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore). The show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, 74, was also there with his wife Emma Joy Kitchener, a former maid of honor.
Co-stars: The event served as a reunion for the Downtown cast, who were last together when they filmed the second big-screen outing last year
Present: Downton Abbey stars Hugh Bonneville and Jim Carter also attended the ceremony
Husband and wife! It is believed Michelle was introduced to Jasper, 35, in Los Angeles in 2019 through his sister Phoebe, 38, who wrote Killing Eve
Stunning: Dashing bride Michelle Dockery looked overjoyed as her guests threw confetti today
Other acting luminaries during the 45-minute ceremony included Phantom Thread star Lesley Manville and Happy Valley and McMafia star James Norton.
The Crawley clan would have been proud of their fashion choices.
Lily James was dressed in a smart Galvan Boyfriend coat costing £1,495 and an Erdem Evelyn floral print dress with ruffles costing £2,995. Ms Froggatt wore a more modestly priced £149 Ghost dress and a £120 Topshop blazer, but blew the budget on a £1,140 Manolo Blahnik polka dot clutch.
Leslie wore a £646 Diane Von Furstenberg Stassie coat and matching £455 trousers.