Granddaughter of 1960s Hylands bride and groom weds at same estate 62 years later

Rebecca and Rob chose the spectacular Hylands Estate for their beautiful fairytale wedding for many special reasons. The venue is elegant and timeless, and it’s where Rob romantically proposed to Rebecca in the grounds of the estate during the summer of 2021. But it also has a poignant family history to it because Rebecca’s grandparents, Ann and Peter Elwell, had their wedding reception at Hylands House back in 1961.

Rebecca and Rob first met during their university years. After six years of dating, Rob proposed during a picnic at Hylands Estate to celebrate Rebecca’s birthday.

Rebecca says the pair quickly decided to get married at Hylands due to the family connections and the beauty of the venue:

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“I’ve always grown up thinking Hylands would be a lovely place to get married. And with the family ties as well it’s quite fitting that we decided to get married there”.

A lovely day, 10 August 2023

Rebecca Elwell and Rob Magee married at Hylands Estate on 10 August 2023. It was a perfect, sunny day as Rebecca arrived for her wedding, admiring the lush green estate where her grandparents had started their own married life 62 years earlier:

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“My wedding morning started with my dad driving me to Hylands House, the sun was out, there was not a cloud in the sky, and we listened to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. Pulling up the driveway to Hylands is always so breathtaking as the venue is incredible and I really did have to pinch myself as I couldn’t believe I was actually getting married there.”

Their wedding ceremony took place in Hylands’ Banqueting Room, which was filled with classic white flowers including roses and gypsophila by Elisha’s Floral Design. A violinist played “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri as Rebecca walked down the aisle in a soft and dreamy Sincerity A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline, lace and beading from Bird’s Bridal in Chelmsford.

Rebecca in her wedding dress; the Banqueting Room dressed in white flowers; the violinist played Rebecca down the aisle. Images provided by Rebecca and Rob Magee. Credit Matthew Lawrence Photography.

It was incredibly special for Rebecca to marry in the same room where her grandparents had celebrated their wedding:

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“It was breathtaking saying our vows in the Banqueting Room, where grandad had enjoyed food and chatted with his guests on his own wedding day. It was very special for me to be getting married at Hylands.”

As the newlyweds exited the ceremony room, the violinist played Bruno Mars’ “Marry You”. The couple then made the most of the sunny weather with drinks and canapes on the terrace outside the house, alongside their 75 guests.

Following this, they moved over to Hylands’ contemporary Grand Pavilion, dressed in a luxurious white scheme, for a delicious sit-down wedding breakfast. Caterers Plenty of Thyme delivered a mouth-watering menu of roasted tomato and red pepper soup with focaccia; lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, English carrots, shallots and redcurrant jus; and a trio of desserts: deconstructed vanilla cheesecake, dark chocolate brownie and Eton mess.

Later in the afternoon, nervous for their first dance, Rebecca and Rob made it fun and relaxed by choosing an upbeat number – “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. With Hylands’ exclusive hire package, the wedding partying continued late into the evening, ensuring Rebecca and Rob experienced the very best day of their lives:

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“I felt like a real-life Disney princess all day and it really was the best day of my life! The Hylands team were incredible with the running of the day and a special shout out to Grace who made me feel relaxed all day and I knew I was in good hands with. I think at the end of the night my jaw was aching as I had been smiling all day!”

The groom and his party in front of Hylands House; a bridesmaid walks down the aisle; Rebecca and Rob Magee on their wedding day. Images provided by Rebecca and Rob Magee. Credit Matthew Lawrence Photography.

Ann and Peter, 24 June 1961

Sixty-two years prior to Rebecca and Rob’s perfect day, Ann and Peter’s wedding reception also took place at Hylands House. This was before the estate became a dedicated wedding and events venue, when it was still owned by Mrs Christine Hanbury.

The Hanbury family had owned Hylands since 1922, when Christine’s husband, John, had purchased it. But John suddenly died in 1923, leaving the estate to Christine and their son Jock. Christine was then left to manage the estate alone when Jock tragically also died in a flying accident during World War Two.

Ann and Peter were fortunate to hold their wedding celebration at Hylands. The house, which now holds an average of 100 weddings every year, was a family home in 1961 and rarely hosted weddings. Their wedding reception took place at Hylands at the invitation of Christine Hanbury thanks to her close relationship with Ann’s mother, Peggy Cash.

Peggy was secretary to Christine for over twenty years. The pair met through the Red Cross during World War Two. They got along well, and Peggy went on to work for Christine in a private capacity after the war. After losing her husband and son, Christine relied on Peggy as a companion and friend, as well as her secretary.

Left: Christine Hanbury. Right: Peggy Cash with her son Peter Cash, provided by the Elwell Family.

Mrs Hanbury’s approval of Ann and Peter’s match

Ann and Peter met in 1955 during a coach trip to see the lights at Southend-on-Sea as part of Chelmsford Cathedral’s Young People’s League. They were just 18 years old and, ever the gentleman, Peter walked Ann home on their return to Chelmsford.

The pair courted for several years, before Peter decided to propose. Shortly before their engagement, Peter was invited to meet Christine Hanbury for the first time at an afternoon tea at Hylands House. As Peter puts it, “I think it was a meeting to determine ‘would Mrs Hanbury approve of me?’”

Their initial meeting went well, as Peter recalls Mrs Hanbury agreeing that he’d “make a good husband for Ann”. Describing Christine Hanbury as a “woman of great influence” with the “aura of Queen Mary”, Peter says she was also friendly and approachable, and cared deeply for her closest staff and companions – particularly her good friend Peggy Cash.

A midsummer wedding, 24 June 1961

Ann Cash and Peter Elwell married on midsummers day – 24 June – 1961 at Chelmsford Cathedral, before heading to Hylands House for their reception. Peter says it was “a wonderful day” and “a privilege” to have held their wedding at Hylands.

Newlyweds Ann and Peter Elwell on their wedding day in Chelmsford. Images provided by the Elwell Family.

The reception took place in the Banqueting Room, with space also allocated on the terrace for guests to mingle. Ann and Peter greeted their 50 guests at the door, with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends attending from across the country for the important family event.

Peter has especially fond memories of Christine Hanbury’s long-serving butler, George:

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“I can remember George the butler. He made me feel like a Lord for the day. He was absolutely wonderful.”

George had worked for Mrs Hanbury for most of his life, making his way from Boot Boy up to Butler, and often travelled with her across the Atlantic and around the world on ocean liners RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth. 

The reception was quite formal, with none of the dancing Rebecca and Rob enjoyed in 2023! But there was some music via a record player, a small buffet, and a three-tier wedding cake cut by the couple. There were even special little cakes in small packets to send to those who couldn’t attend the day itself.

Peter also recalls the traditional wedding speeches: 

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“My school friend Jack Marchant was the best man. And obviously he gave a toast to the bridesmaids and that sort of thing. Stan Cash gave a speech praising his daughter, of course, and wishing us bon voyage!”

Though she could not attend the cathedral wedding due to her advanced years, the regal Christine Hanbury did attend Ann and Peter’s reception for a short time, mingling with guests on the terrace. Though it was her house, she gave the couple full control and allowed them to plan their special day without interference, as Peter says: 

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“[Mrs Hanbury] was very good. She knew even though it was her house that it was Ann’s day, and she didn't interfere in any way whatsoever.”

The generous Mrs Hanbury did however personally pay for the wedding champagne and loaned her car and chauffeur to the couple:

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“We had champagne, provided by Mrs Hanbury. And she also provided a car for us to drive away to the Cumberland Hotel in London, before we went to Cattolica, in Italy, for our honeymoon.”

Just a year after Ann and Peter’s wedding, Christine Hanbury passed away in 1962. Following her death, Hylands House fell into disrepair and was purchased by Chelmsford Borough Council (now Chelmsford City Council) in 1966. In 1986 an extensive project began to restore the house to its former grandeur. Restoration was completed in 2007 and since then, the house has hosted many weddings over the years, including that of Rebecca and Rob in 2023.

Marking Peter and Ann’s Hylands wedding

At her own wedding 62 years later, Rebecca was keen to remember her grandparents’ special day. And so, with the help of her father, Adam, she made special arrangements to look back on the historic 1961 wedding. Ann and Peter’s wedding album was displayed at the 2023 wedding reception for guests to look through, while Adam arranged for enlarged photographs of the 1961 wedding to be shown during his Father of the Bride speech.

Ann and Peter’s wedding album displayed at Rebecca’s wedding, and Adam Elwell gives a Father of the Bride speech. Images provided by Rebecca and Rob Magee. Credit: Matthew Lawrence Photography.

In a very special tribute to her grandmother, Rebecca also recreated a stunning photograph of Ann gazing into a mirror at Hylands House. The 2023 photo shows Rebecca looking into the very same mirror on her own wedding day.

Left: Ann Elwell (nee Cash) in Hylands House, provided by Elwell Family. Right: Rebecca Magee (nee Elwell) in Hylands House, provided by Rebecca and Rob Magee. Credit Matthew Lawrence Photography.

Peter was there on the day to see his granddaughter marry at Hylands and to remember his own wedding day six decades earlier:

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“Rob and Becky’s wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was wonderful to return to Hylands to celebrate their nuptials. It felt a little different, as Hylands House was still a home when Ann and I married there, but it is still every bit as grand in 2023 as I remember it from 1961.”

Left: Peter at Rebecca and Rob’s wedding. Right: Rebecca and Rob photographed with family members, including Peter Elwell (far right). Both images Matthew Lawrence Photography.

Sadly, Ann was diagnosed with dementia more than a decade ago and was not well enough to attend Rebecca and Rob’s wedding, but Rebecca says she still felt her grandmother was part of the day:

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“Although my grandma couldn’t be there in person, she definitely felt part of the day. My dad made a wonderful speech and shared pictures of Peter and Ann on their wedding day, which were a lovely addition and they definitely made me cry!”

Though Ann now struggles to remember her wedding in 1961, the Elwell family tell us of one occasion in 2019 when they attended an Open Estate Day at Hylands. There, they saw an exhibition in the Library on historic weddings at the estate. The display featured a photograph of Ann and Peter on their wedding day in 1961. Ann’s eyes suddenly lit up and she exclaimed “That’s me!”. “It was magical”, says Peter.

Ann and Peter returned to Hylands Estate in 2019, where Ann came across a photograph of herself on her wedding day in a special weddings exhibition. Images provided by the Elwell Family.

Though she was unable to attend the 2023 wedding, the Elwell family say they’ll certainly be showing Ann photos of Rebecca and Rob’s special day.

September Wedding Showcase and special winter wedding offer

If you’re newly engaged – congratulations! – and looking for an elegant and luxurious wedding venue in Essex, why not check out Hylands Estate at their next Wedding Showcase on Sunday 22 September? The day will take you on a wonderful journey through the beautiful Hylands House and impressive Grand Pavilion to see how your perfect day could look.

At the showcase you’ll be welcomed on arrival with complimentary goodies from a range of suppliers, and atmospheric music performed by expert wedding musicians will fill the house as you explore for yourselves the stunning ceremony rooms and newly renovated Wedding Suite.

The Bridal Suite and Banqueting Room at Hylands Estate.

And if you're impressed by what you see, take a look at Hylands' current winter wedding offer. For dates in November 2024 to February 2025, you can hire the whole venue for just £6,000. Full hire, for any date! For dates in March 2025, you can do the same for just £7,000.

So if you're dreaming of a winter wedding, simply enquire with the team today to see if they have your perfect date available. 

Find out more in Hylands' latest Wedding Showcase magazine.