Internationally award-winning St Maur is an elderflower liqueur from the heart of England, handcrafted with elderflowers gathered in the ancient family-owned woodlands of its producers, the Earl and Countess of Yarmouth.
William and Kelsey Seymour first produced a celebration drink for their wedding guests at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire four years ago, before turning it into a thriving family business as St Maur.
William, who counts Henry VIII's wife Jane Seymour among his ancestors, is the eldest son of the Marquess of Hertford. He said: “We set out to create a drink with a taste and a perfume that would both work in the moment for a celebration and then in times to come once you put it on your lips it would conjure a memory of a lovely day.
“We chose elderflower because it is so evocative of the English summer, which is when we got married. We drew on old family recipes handed down on Kelsey’s side and we named it St Maur which is the surname the Seymours used in medieval times. We also gave St Maur the colour of love. It is a little drop of England’s heart.”
The couple’s love blossomed after a chance meeting sitting next to one another at a mutual friend’s wedding breakfast.
Kelsey recalls: “William was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’d ever met, and he made me laugh, until my sides were hurting. What followed wasn’t a whirlwind romance, but we knew straightaway it was special.”
“We were married at the end of June 2018 at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the sunlight streaming through the ancient stained glass. It was magical. William wanted our reception to be at Ragley Hall, his childhood home. As Earl of Yarmouth he will one day become the Marquess of Hertford, so there almost felt an obligation to put on a party at the old place.”
William added: “We have happy memories of our romance and our wedding day, and some from our time spent around the Ragley Estate when we were getting to know each other and for the short time we lived there when we were first married.”
“The grandeur of Ragley has long faded since my grandfather’s day, but nevertheless it did make a splendid location, and still does for a wedding. It was the most glorious summer’s day. So English. We have the strapline ‘love, share, enjoy’ for St Maur, and that’s what we set out to make our wedding day all about.”
Kelsey says: “St Maur can be enjoyed as a sip, on it’s own or over ice, and many people like to drink it that way. For a celebration though it really comes into its own by mixing the strong elderflower notes of St Maur with a fizz, a champagne or a dry sparkling wine. English sparkling wines are becoming real status drinks now, and replacing champagne in many instances, and are what we served at our wedding. We topped St Maur in a flute with a good English sparkling wine to make a royale cocktail, and served that as a reception drink. That’s where it all started.”
Within the first 18 months of its launch, St Maur had already won four awards, including The World Liqueur Awards ‘Best English Floral’ and Gold at the Global Spirits Awards in Las Vegas.
Pre-wedding nerves, relationship advice and the secrets to a long, happy marriage
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons in a couple's life. It is also one of the most emotionally revealing. As someone who has coached over 1,300 women into healthy, committed relationships and marriages through my Love Success Framework, I can tell you this: the way you handle wedding planning is often a preview of how you will handle marriage. Not because of the flowers. Not because of the guest list. But because of how you navigate stress, expectations, decision-making, and emotional needs together. A wedding is an event. A marriage is an energetic ecosystem.
READ ARTICLE
Thoughtful Wedding Gift Ideas for Gay Couples
The joy of a wedding is a beautiful occasion, and finding the perfect gift to celebrate a gay couple's special day is an opportunity to express your love and support. Beyond traditional registries, a wealth of unique and personal gifts can truly reflect their journey and shared future. This guide explores a range of inspiring ideas, highlighting some fantastic artisans and companies that cater to diverse tastes and celebrate love in all its forms.
READ ARTICLE
66% of engaged or married couples have uninsured rings - experts explain the risks
In the past month alone, Brits have searched for "engagement rings" more than 396,000 times, while interest in "oval" and "emerald" rings has exploded - up by 5,000%, according to Google search data. But as peak proposal season approaches, new research from MoneySuperMarket highlights a vital step many couples risk missing in the lead-up to getting engaged. The data* revealed a significant protection gap, with two-thirds (66%) of engaged or married couples failing to insure their rings under their home insurance, and more than a quarter (27%) having no insurance cover at all.
READ ARTICLE
New booking data reveals Hen Do spend is up 59%
New booking data from kate & tom's reveals Hens are leading the way on forward-planning, with only 7% of Hen Dos being booked within 3 months, compared to almost a quarter of Stags leaving it to the very last minute. The way we Hen Do and Stag Do is evolving; once a crazy night out on the town is now all about creating memories with longevity. We're seeing the rise of the 'Zen Do', multi-generational getaways, 'Sten-do' joint celebrations, and a shift towards individual celebrations tailored to personal hobbies and interests that transcend the classic one-nighter.
