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Lucy Jane Clayton, a devoted stay-at-home mum, and Darren Steven Leung, founder of Paradine Ltd and a British GT race car driver, met on a spontaneous night out in Leeds, England, and quickly formed a deep connection. With Darren fully embracing Lucy’s son along with the joyous birth of their daughter, they formed a perfect little family—making their wedding a true celebration of love and unity. The couple were married in Zermatt,
Switzerland
Are you dreaming of a perfect destination wedding in Switzerland? Look no further than this...
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, with a breathtaking mountaintop ceremony at Iglu-Dorf, set against the iconic Matterhorn, followed by a vibrant reception at Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.
Scroll down for all the magic, and read the magazine feature HERE.
ADVENTUROUS ARRIVALS
The groom and groomsmen, including Lucy’s son George, took a skilift to the mountaintop and skied down to the ceremony, while guests arrived on the Gornergrat train from Zermatt station. “The path to the ceremony site was challenging for our guests, with a few slips and falls along the way, which added a layer of adventure to the event,” shares Lucy.
Lucy wore a gown by Caroline Castigliano.
From the outset, Lucy and Darren envisioned an adventure-filled wedding in
Switzerland
Are you dreaming of a perfect destination wedding in Switzerland? Look no further than this...
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that reflected their exciting yet complex journey as a couple. They knew such an extraordinary celebration, planned in just eight weeks, would require a trusted team of experts. Jinesh Solankee, founder of THE HUSH GROUP and a close friend of Darren’s, represented the couple throughout the process and introduced them to TEHIYA NARVEL EVENTS, renowned specialists in Swiss luxury weddings. Tehiya and her team took the lead on every detail—curating the concept, securing elite venues, navigating logistics in traffic-free Zermatt, and flawlessly bringing the couple’s vision to life.With Lucy balancing life as a new mum to a six-month-old and their busy schedules, The Hush Group ensured the couple could focus on their family while Tehiya’s team worked tirelessly to execute their dream celebration.
Performers and musicians from GABRIELE RIZZI LAB dressed in extraordinary snow-themed couture enhanced the ceremony landscape.
The ceremony, held outdoors at IGLU DORF, a mountaintop ice hotel at the base of Switzerland’s famed Matterhorn, reflected the couple’s vision of marriage as an adventure filled with wonder and resilience. The snow-covered peak symbolized the beauty and challenges of their journey together. Executing a wedding nearly 2,800 meters above sea level presented logistical challenges, made even more complex by sub-zero temperatures. Zermatt’s car-free restrictions required over 40 tons of materials and 55,000 delicate flowers to be transported via helicopters and electric vehicles. When storms destroyed a significant portion of the inventory three days before the wedding, Tehiya’s team acted swiftly, sourcing new supplies and salvaging the event.Through freezing conditions, with team members working 18- to 20-hour shifts and battling numbing cold, their resilience, and ingenuity ensured every setback was met with a solution. Tehiya and her team’s leadership, dedication, and quick thinking transformed the couple’s ambitious vision into an extraordinary reality.
REFLECTIONS ON ICE
The ethereal ceremony design featured a mirrored aisle that appeared to float above the snow, lined with cascading floral arrangements in glacier-inspired hues of blue and white. Floral design direction was provided by I AM FLOWER CO with execution by Switzerland-based florists, LUUNIQ.
SUNNY SURPRISE
The most unexpected part of the wedding day was the sun and warmth at the mountaintop ceremony. With IGLU DORF ZERMATT built entirely from snow and ice, the couple was fully prepared for freezing temperatures and ensured their guests would be, too. Guests arrived in snow boots and dressed for the cold, with fireballs carefully placed around the site to generate warmth. However, instead of bitter cold, the day turned out to be beautifully sunny, leaving many guests with unexpected tans!
WINGED WONDER
Immediately after the ceremony, a winged aerialist from GABRIELE RIZZI LAB delivered a mesmerizing three-minute performance. Against the snowy backdrop, the graceful movements added an ethereal, dreamlike quality, leaving guests in awe and creating an unforgettable moment.
FIRE & ICE
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a Swiss-inspired celebration complete with authentic cuisine (including fondue, of course!), and an atmosphere of camaraderie and hospitality amidst the icy surroundings. As the mountaintop revelry came to a close, Lucy changed into her white snow bootsand bespoke ski goggles. Following a champagne toast, guests descended back to Zermatt by train while the newlyweds skied down the mountain together. “This act was not only for the photos but symbolized the risks and exhilarating experiences our marriage will involve,” explains Lucy. “Just as skiing in such attire was a challenge, so too is the journey of marriage, filled with unexpected bumps and turns and the need for mutual support and courage.”
MAGIC HOUR
Back in Zermatt, the cocktail hour was held at the GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF, where the reception would later take place. Guests enjoyed a mix of entertainment and artistry, including an ice cocktail bar with delicate flowers frozen inside, setting the stage for a truly memorable experience. Magicians and experiential performers from GABRIELE RIZZI LAB captivated guests with their mesmerizing acts, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. “From conceptualizing performances to executing them seamlessly, there’s an extraordinary level of care and detail that brings each event to life,” Tehiya shared, praising the collaboration with Gabriele Rizzi Lab. While guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, Tehiya’s team worked tirelessly in parallel to ensure the reception space at the Zermatterhof was transformed to perfection. Reflecting on the day, Tehiya remarked, “The race against time was our greatest challenge, but when I arrived at the venue at 5 pm, with everything impeccably in place, I knew we had created something unforgettable—something that would be imprinted in memories for a long time.”
RED HOT
The formal dinner reception was held inside the iconic GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF, where deep-hued floral arrangements, ambient candlelight, and exquisite tablescapes reflected the couple’s sophisticated style. The rich interiors of the venue and deep red florals provided a beautiful contrast to the icy outdoor landscapes, offering guests a luxurious retreat to enjoy fine dining, dancing, and heartfelt toasts.
SWEET CELEBRATION
CONFISERIE SPRÜNGLI, Switzerland’s premier luxury chocolatier, created an intricate 100% chocolate replica of Darren’s pro race car. The stunning centerpiece honored his outstanding achievements as a British racing driver, including his victories in the 2023 British GT Championship (GT3 category) and the 2024 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup – Bronze Cup. This bespoke creation was a fitting celebration of Darren’s passion for racing and his remarkable success on the track.
The 8-tiered vanilla wedding cake, a masterpiece by world-renowned confectionary artist BASTIEN BLANC-TAILLEUR, was a true work of art. The base of the cake featured the names of the couple’s two children, George and Ella, beautifully hand-painted with icing.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
The evening’s experiential entertainment by GABRIELE RIZZI LAB was truly spectacular. Elegant musicians in elaborate couture ensembles serenaded guests, while a breathtaking fire and light show during the reception left everyone in awe. The entertainment elevated the celebration, blending artistry, drama, and emotion into an unforgettable experience.With the stunning Matterhorn as the backdrop for the ceremony and the iconic history of the GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF for the reception, Lucy and Darren’s wedding was the perfect mix of natural beauty, bold design, and heartfelt moments.“The next morning, I told Lucy, ‘You know this wedding is going to go viral on social media, right?’” remembers Tehiya. (And she was right!) “Hitting that sweet spot requires a combination of trusting clients, a bold vision, clever planning, and impeccable design. But above all, it requires an incredible team and partners. I told all of them before we began, ‘We’re going to be creating magic here.’ And I believe we did.”
CREDITS
Concept, Design, Planning @tehiyanarvelevents, Planning Hospitality @thehushgroup, Floral Design Direction @iamflower.co, Florists @luuniq, Entertainment @gabrielerizzi.lab, Photography @davidbastianoni, Videography @marcocaputofilms, Light & Sound @blunotteventi, Makeup @sofiamariamua, Cake @bastien_blanc_tailleur, Invitations @puneet_gupta_invitations, Ceremony Venue @igludorf, Reception Venue @zermatterhof
