22 November 2025 – Chepstow, South Wales
Late November weddings carry a unique sense of atmosphere. The soft winter light, glowing interiors and rich seasonal styling combine to create a warm, elegant setting that feels especially intimate. Sophie and Lawrence’s wedding at St Tewdrics House embraced all of this beautifully. Their day was filled with thoughtful details, a refined colour palette, and a wonderfully relaxed flow — and it was an absolute pleasure for JAM Duo to be part of it.
St Tewdrics House — A Venue with Grandeur and Heart
Situated on Mathern Road just outside Chepstow, St Tewdrics House is one of the region’s most striking wedding venues. This 19th-century Italianate villa blends historic character with contemporary styling, creating a space that feels both impressive and welcoming. Even in winter, the approach to the house offers sweeping views across the Monmouthshire countryside, and on a rainy day — as it happened to be for Sophie and Lawrence — the grounds still feel undeniably romantic.
Inside, the venue is bright and beautifully designed. Clean architectural lines, natural stone, warm lighting and large windows give every room a calm, polished feel. For this wedding, the ceremony space was decorated in burgundy and gold, reflecting Sophie’s chosen colour theme. The bridesmaids’ gowns in deep burgundy looked striking against the neutral backdrop, and the groomsmen mirrored this with grey suits and burgundy accents. The whole setting felt richly seasonal—warm, stylish and perfectly suited to a late-November celebration.
Ceremony Music — Seamless, Elegant and Completely Personal
Sophie and Lawrence asked JAM Duo to provide music for both the ceremony and drinks reception. The ceremony itself was full of thoughtful details, especially when it came to the music. Sophie in particular had strong preferences for certain songs, and we always enjoy working with couples to bring their ideas to life.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests arrived and settled, Jules and Anne-Marie performed a handpicked selection of pieces from Bridgerton and Disney — a combination that created a lovely atmosphere. The Bridgerton arrangements add a fresh, classical-pop crossover sound that fits beautifully into elegant venues like St Tewdrics, while the Disney favourites bring an unmistakable warmth and nostalgia.
Bridal Party Entrance
The bridal party processed in stages, with:
- Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride together
- Bridesmaid
- Bridesmaid
- Maid of Honour
For this, JAM Duo performed “I Love You” (Bridgerton) — the perfect balance of modern sentiment and classical refinement. Played on piano and cello, it set the tone beautifully for Sophie’s entrance.
The Bride’s Entrance — A Musical Moment Worth Highlighting
Sophie had one very special request: she wanted to walk in to “Go The Distance” – Michael Bolton, but in the exact recorded version that held meaning for her and Lawrence. The team at St Tewdrics were asked to play the track over the speakers, while JAM Duo would complete the bridal party entrance.
This kind of transition requires precision, and we pride ourselves on doing it properly. Jules worked closely with the venue in advance to plan exactly how the final note of JAM Duo’s arrangement would lead seamlessly into the recorded version of Sophie’s chosen track — ensuring there was no awkward gap or break in atmosphere.
As it turned out, the venue accidentally began playing the wrong song. However, with the steady professionalism that only live musicians can provide, Jules improvised on piano to cover the moment gracefully. Once the correct song was cued, he blended his playing straight into the start of the track, allowing Sophie’s entrance to remain uninterrupted, elegant and entirely focused on the bride. These are the moments where experience truly counts, and it was our pleasure to ensure everything felt perfect for her walk down the aisle.
Signing of the Register
During the signing, the couple chose a trio of gentle, romantic pieces from Disney’s finest:
- I See the Light — Tangled
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight — The Lion King
- Kiss the Girl — The Little Mermaid (if needed)
These cinematic themes work beautifully on cello and piano, and the arrangements added charm and sentiment to the quieter part of the ceremony.
Couple’s Exit
To contrast the softer ceremony music, Sophie and Lawrence selected something full of fun and energy:
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” — The Proclaimers
A brilliant choice for lifting the atmosphere and sending guests into celebrations with a smile.
Drinks Reception — Contemporary, Relaxed and Perfectly Balanced
Once the ceremony concluded, guests made their way through to the main house where JAM Duo continued with music for the drinks reception. The rain may have been persistent outside, but indoors the atmosphere was warm, lively and social.
We performed a varied programme — a blend of contemporary pop, modern acoustic pieces, and a few light jazz standards. This ensures all ages and tastes are catered for, and St Tewdrics House provides such a lovely acoustic environment for this style of music.
As we packed away at the end of the drinks reception, we witnessed the photographer whisking Sophie and Lawrence outside beneath an umbrella to capture some atmospheric winter shots. Even in less-than-ideal weather, those brief moments in the rain often produce some of the most memorable images of the day.
Our Thoughts on the Day
This was our first visit to St Tewdrics House, and we were genuinely impressed. The venue is beautifully run, the spaces are elegant and practical, and the staff were wonderfully kind and attentive throughout the entire day — something we truly appreciate.
Being based in the Cotswolds, Chepstow is only a short journey for us, and we are delighted to have now added this venue to the growing list of places JAM Duo has performed.
A huge thank you to Sophie and Lawrence for choosing us to provide the music for such an important occasion. It was a joy to be part of your day, and we wish you every happiness in your married life together.
