Emily’s Perfect Wedding With Stella York
How did your partner propose?
He took me for a long weekend in the New Forest, our favourite place to go exploring. We both love cycling so we went out on a long bike ride with a picnic lunch. Lee knows that I hate nothing more than public proposals, so he found a little track which went off the main path and set up for lunch there. When we’d finished eating, we packed everything away and Lee asked me to get his phone out of his bag. When I opened it, there wasn’t a phone in there, so I duly told him “there’s just a small box” to which he responded “well can you pass me that instead then please?”
I handed him the box and he got down on one knee and asked me to become his wife. Obviously after a bit of spluttering and being unable to get my words out, the answer was a resounding yes!
What’s the best piece of advice you received in the run up to your wedding?
On your actual wedding day, take time just for the two of you. Go for a walk, spend some time alone. The day goes so fast and there are so many people to speak to, but remember the day is about the love you share!
How did you go about finding your wedding dress?
I actually found it by mistake! My dad and I met Fross at a wedding show and we both loved her personality, so the next weekend I came down with my mother in law just to have a look. I had never even thought about what I might like in a dress so had zero expectation of finding “the one” so quickly.
As it turns out, the first dress I tried on (picked out by my mother in law!) kept calling me back to it as I was trying others on and before I knew it, I’d said yes to the dress!
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How many dresses did you try on before you found ‘the one’?
5 including my dress
Do you know the name of your dress designer?
Yes, Stella York
What made you fall in love with the dress that you chose?
As odd as it sounds, it was the back. The back is absolutely stunning, and I know people spend a lot of time looking at your back during weddings! I fell in love with the simple elegance, the shape made me feel amazing and I think the reaction of my mother in law also had a big impact!
Did you wear a veil and/or any other bridal accessories?
I wore a veil and added a belt to the dress. I wore a pair of my late mother’s sapphire and diamond earrings and a matching necklace, a pearl and Swarovski bracelet from Jersey Pearl which my dad bought me a few years ago, and a beautiful Swarovski bracelet which was a wedding gift from my dad’s godson and his girlfriend
Tell us a little about your wedding day – the vibe, what inspired you, etc.
We wanted it to be as relaxed as possible so it was fairly fluid. There weren’t any strict timings (other than the ceremony of course!) so we didn’t feel we had to rush people around.
The whole wedding was at the stunning Bartholomew Barn and we were blessed with glorious sunshine. We basically ran it like a big party – tables were mixed groups rather than people only sitting with those they already knew and it seemed to work really well. We served a buffet which our caterer blew people’s minds with, everything was delicious and I wish I could have eaten more but I was stuffed!
I was inspired mainly by Lee and the fact that he’s my best friend, so friendship was a common theme throughout. Our caterer has been a lifelong friend, the lead singer of our band a good friend of mine from school, our photographer a close friend from work, my makeup artist a very close friend and our cake was made by the incredibly talented Lucy, a friend I spent many Sunday’s with watching her now husband play cricket! We wanted to use suppliers that meant something to us, and I am so glad that we did. Each of them played their part in giving us the perfect day.
What was your favourite moment from the day itself?
Walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing Lee with tears in his eyes! We lost my mum unexpectedly 4 years ago, so being able to share that moment with my dad was really special to me. And seeing Lee standing there, looking absolutely stunned, was the best feeling I’ve ever had!
Is there any advice you would be happy to share with other brides?
Do what you want, don’t let anyone’s opinion sway you! It’s your (and your husband’s!) day, not anyone else’s! Obviously don’t be rude when declining things, but politely explain that what they are suggesting doesn’t match what you have in mind for the day.
Oh, and don’t leave your fiancé’s wedding shoes to him to arrange… leaving it to 6 days before the wedding causes unnecessary stress!
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 are going on a mini moon for a week straight after to Cromer in Norfolk, where two of my amazing godparents have a flat. We plan to go for walks along the coast and just enjoy being together.
Next year we will look to do a full honeymoon – we haven’t decided where yet but I’m leaning towards Vietnam and Cambodia – we’re quite an active couple and love culture so a beach honeymoon isn’t really our style!
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 – @davidsladekphotographer
Videographer – @thefilmingco
Venue – @bartholomewbarn
Shoes – £4 from primark 😂
Accessories – not sure who the veil was by – bought from Fross 😁
Groom’s suit – @dobellclothing
Bridesmaids – @jjshouseofficial
Florist – @budding_sensations
Cake – Lucy Kington
Transport – imperial wedding cars
Entertainment – @therhythmstars
Rings – @wakefieldsjewellers
Catering – Mary Lyne Catering
Stationery – @kardeliciousuk
Hair Stylist – Horsham Hair and Beauty
Makeup Artist – @melmiller_mua
Honeymoon – not yet booked
And finally, if you were happy with the service we provided, we would be beyond grateful if you could kindly leave a glowing Google review. Google reviews play an enormous role in generating new enquiries for us and so your words really matter very much.
With love and thanks,
Fross and the Team x