Charlotte’s Perfect Wedding Day

How did your partner propose?
Rich proposed on a long hike we took from Eastbourne back across the Seven Sisters Cliffs. It was spring so all the flowers were coming out, the sun was mostly shining and the wild ponies were out and about. We stopped at ‘Reg and Nancy’s bench’ overlooking the Costguard Cottages (which is where we stopped on our first date 7 years prior). Here he got down on one knee and popped the question before bringing out the champagne he’d hidden and carried the full 15 miles without me knowing! It’s a special place for us as it’s close to home and we plan many lovely dog walks there together.

What’s the best piece of advice you received in the run up to your wedding?
Try not to sweat the small details about the day too much, as long as it’s a special day that matters to the two of you, it will be perfect, and if you’re having the best time you’re guests will see that and go with the flow.

How did you go about finding your wedding dress?
I saw my dress posted on FROSS’ instagram page and instantly knew it was going to be the dress for me. I was desperate to try it on and had an appointment at FROSS coming up so I got in touch with FROSS and asked if there was any chance the dress would be arriving into the boutique soon as I was desperate to try it on! The dress came into the store the evening before my appointment the next morning and I was first to try it on in store… it felt meant to be!

How many dresses did you try on before you found ‘the one’? My dress was probably the 5th or 6th I tried on.

What made you fall in love with the dress that you chose? I loved how soft and elegant the A-Line cut was with all the tulle, sparkles and appliques. It was more ‘girly’ than I thought i’d go for but I always knew I would go for lace and I loved that my dress offered the choice to have sleeves that were removable for two different looks. I wore the sleeves for our ceremony and some photos and then removed them for a more relaxed evening look later. Plus the sandy blush tone on my olive skin suited me better than ivory… all in all it just ticked all the boxes and I felt great in it! Having my mum and sister there also to confirm it was the dress also helped me love it that much more.

Did you wear a veil and/or any other bridal accessories? I wore a viel from Lave and Favor and a hair piece from Ivory & Co. Jewlery was from Lily & Roo and Astrid & Miyu

Tell us a little about your wedding day – the vibe, what inspired you, etc. We wanted it to be a beautfiul and sentimental day out in the countryside. Because of that we had a fairly intimate wedding with our nearest and dearest and wrote our own readings and vows for the ceremony that certainly made it emotional! It was a family affair with all the littlies included, (special metion to our little flower girl who rocked her dress and white flashing crocs down the aisle)! We had a String Quartet playing modern songs in a Bridgerton style and the sun was shining so we got married outside and all ate and drank out on the lawn while watching the kids run about and do what they do while everyone had a good old natter and drink. Our theme was sage green and we had white flowers everywhere. My sister who is a florist did our fresh floral arrangements in an English Cottage Garden Style and then my bro and sister surpirsed us later with a Safety Demo inspired speech in honour of my cabin crew job.

What was your favourite moment from the day itself? Walking back down the aisle with confetti everywhere and realising we were now husband and wife. Also dancing together on the dance floor just so happy.

Is there any advice you would be happy to share with other brides? Try and schedule in if you can little slots in your wedding day where you can just be with and catch up with your partner. The day passes by in a blur and it’s easy to get swept up and away from each other amongst all the guests and milestones in the day. We had a photographer and a wedding coordinator who gave us different oppurtunities to sneak off for a few minutes after the ceremony just to take it all in and have a sip of champagne together and that was excactly what we needed!

Are you taking a honeymoon and if so when (in relation to your wedding, ie, immediately after, or sometime later) and what are your plans? We went on Honeymoon to Italy the day after our wedding. We went to Italy for two weeks, on an interail adventure through Venice, Como, Florence, Rome and finished in Sorrento.

Would you mind sharing details of any other suppliers you used? Ideally by their Instagram handle but if not, just a business name will do!

Photographer – Simon Stewart Photography

Videographer – Nice at BLOC Pictures/BLOC Weddings

Planner/Stylist – Mulberry Events for Decor Hire

Venue – The Ravenswood

Shoes – Deichmann

Accessories – Ivory & Co, LILY & ROO, Astrid & Miyu

Bridesmaids – Kate’s Dresses

Flower girls – Angel & Rocket

Page Boys – Dickies Suit Hire

Florist – My sister Liz – Elizabeth’ s Litlington

Cake – Soveriegn Cakes

Entertainment – JCP Events

Rings – Antique from independent dealer

Catering – The Ravenswood

Stationery – I made and sent my own on Paperless Post

Hair Stylist – The Beauty Ninjas

Makeup Artist – The Beauty Ninjas

Honeymoon – ITALY