Clare’s Perfect Wedding Day
How did your partner propose?
He booked a surprise trip to Dublin for our 7th anniversary and booked a room in the Westin hotel which I had always wanted to stay in. When we arrived in the room, he got down on one knee. Dublin is special for us as I lived there when we met so we spent a year and a half traveling a long distance to see one another, we have many happy memories there and spent the weekend going to our favorite places to celebrate.
What’s the best piece of advice you received in the run-up to your wedding?
To try to enjoy the planning, it’s easy to get carried away with the chaos but so important to remember it’s also meant to be fun for the bride and groom.
How did you go about finding your wedding dress?
I looked for somewhere local that had last-minute appointments as we were about to go back into lockdown. Fross looked so nice so I booked in there and went by myself. The girls were really helpful.
How many dresses did you try on before you found ‘the one?
About 6-7.
Do you know the name of your dress designer?
Aire Barcelona Illart
What made you fall in love with the dress that you chose?
I loved the shape and the lace, it made me feel like a real bride. Although it was so impractical for a woodland wedding I just loved it so much I didn’t care 😊
Did you wear a veil and/or any other bridal accessories?
Dried flower head crown.
Tell us a little about your wedding day – the vibe, what inspired you, etc.
We are very outdoorsy and live an ethical lifestyle. We booked the wonderful two kinds of a wood estate in Pulborough as we could get married outside among the redwood trees. We had a harpist playing as the guests arrived and through the ceremony. We had a celebrant on the day and she did hand fasting which is a traditional Celtic tradition I wanted a way to celebrate my Irish roots, we did a rose ceremony for our mothers and wrote our vows.
We had no wedding party, I walked halfway up the natural outdoor aisle and my now-husband met me halfway to walk the rest. All guests were encouraged to wear what they were comfortable in. We had a sit-down all-vegan meal and then a dessert buffet in a converted barn. We then danced the night away to a traditional Irish Ceilidh followed by a rock and roll band.
What was your favorite moment from the day itself?
All of it! If I had to pick one it was walking down the aisle toward Peter who had his back turned waiting, I was so nervous before that but when I saw him all the fears just melted away.
Is there any advice you would be happy to share with other brides?
Try not to worry about numbers. We had quite a few last-minute cancellations which started to stress me out but on the day, it did not matter at all. A few people told me this was normal, but I had no idea so just be aware it might happen and roll with it.
Are you taking a honeymoon and if so when (about your wedding, ie, immediately after, or sometime later) and what are your plans?
We went to Santorini and Athens for 10 days a few days after the wedding.
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 – Friends
Videographer – None
Planner/Stylist – None
Venue – Two kinds of wood estate Pulborough
Shoes – RoniKantorShoes (Etsy) Vegan designer
Accessories – Necklace and bracelet, personalized posh totty Brighton
Groom’s suit – King and Allen London – Vegan, bespoke suit
Bridesmaids – N/A
Flowergirls – N/A
Page Boys –N/A
Florist – N/A
Cake – Cactus kitchen gals – Worthing
Transport – N/A
Entertainment – Wraggle Taggle and Cheri Cheri
Rings – Made for one another at a workshop hosted by Mollie Paling Jewelry in Lewes
Catering – Cashew catering, Lewes
Stationery – N/A Clare made all
Hair Stylist – Artisan hair salon in Burgess Hill
Makeup Artist – N/A (Family)
Honeymoon – MOD Hotel, Santorini
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With love and thanks,