At Stockton House we work with some amazing suppliers who help provide everything a couple needs for their big day – from flowers to photos, the cake to the outfits…
Today we speak to Lesley Stokes at White Fern Weddings, an award winning bespoke wedding styling and signage company.
What do you do?
I work as a bespoke wedding stylist, specialising in creating beautifully cohesive, design-led weddings that feel personal and perfectly reflect each couple.
My role blends creative design, practical planning and hands-on styling to transform a couple’s vision into a fully realised experience.
I handle everything from colour palettes, tablescapes (the art of landscaping tables to create a visually appealing and decorative effect!), signage, ceremony styling, décor sourcing and layout planning.
My goal is to take the stress away from couples, allowing them to enjoy their day knowing every detail has been thoughtfully planned and professionally styled.
What got you into this?
I have always been a creative person, I worked as a visual merchandise manager for 14 years but knew I had the drive and the work ethic to work for myself one day.
I was always the one to help people with ideas and friends with their weddings, this wasn’t actually a job when I got married so I did it all myself and really enjoyed it.
Just after I had the business idea, my mum showed my wedding photos to someone at her work and I got my first customer there and then – during covid I built my brand and marketing ideas and went full time in 2021.
What do you enjoy most about running a wedding style and signage business?
I’m a people person, I love talking to couples and when we have our first consultation I get my Mary Poppins bag out full of ideas and props. I like to get into people’s heads and pull out all the ideas that are in there.
Of course, I love nailing those ideas and seeing how happy people are both with the bespoke style guide, which helps clear their wedding fog, and also with the end result.
I also love seeing their expectations and surpassing it- we are known for going above and beyond but I love to work with a couple and meet their needs, this process usually takes 18 months but I recently turned a wedding around in 14 days!
What trends do you think will be important in future years?
We are moving towards sustainable weddings – couples don’t want the waste and the cost so they enjoy the fact they can hire from us and not damage the environment.
Also, fun! The fun elements that make a wedding feel immersive like mystery games, quizzes, personalised poems for guests, or a ‘guess the first dance’ sweepstake.
And we include these fun elements but still stick to my mantra that everything has to be considered – it is not a case of styling everywhere and doing everything, it is moments to pause and take in an area, meaningful not on mass, often less is more.
What does it take to do your job?
This job takes a mix of creativity, organisation and calm confidence. You need a good eye for design, the ability to pull lots of ideas into one cohesive vision and the practical skills to bring it all to life. It also takes great communication, understanding what couples really want, even when they’re not sure how to describe it.
There’s a lot of problem-solving, hands-on work and thinking on your feet, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, it’s about caring deeply about the details so couples can relax and enjoy a day that feels beautifully ‘them’.
What is it you love about working at Stockton House?
I absolutely love working there because it genuinely feels like being part of one big family. Amy and the team are so friendly and welcoming, the kind of people who always have the kettle on. Even though it is a stunning historic house, you also feel like you can kick off your shoes and are instantly at home. It has an infectious energy and it’s such a supportive, relaxed environment and that makes all the difference on busy wedding days.
I also love how every single wedding feels unique at Stockton. Couples have so many beautiful choices, staying over the night before and seeing us set up, saying their vows in the church, celebrating in the Secret Garden Room or getting married out on the stunning lawns… Each has its own atmosphere, so no two weddings ever feel the same. It keeps the job exciting, creative, and really special.
