Rachel’s Perfect Wedding Day
How did your partner propose?
Shane took me on a trip to Loch Lomond for the weekend, it was a beautiful sunny day so we went on a hike up one of the trails. His intention was to propose at the top but being such a lucky day for the weather for November in Scotland it was pretty busy, we are quite private people so he made a plan B to propose around the Loch at sunset. Turns out this was also very busy so we went back to our accommodation and he ended up proposing in the hot tub under the stars with a bottle of fizz!
What’s the best piece of advice you received in the run up to your wedding?
That weddings are as stressful as you make them, don’t sweat the small stuff and remember what parts are most important to you.
How did you go about finding your wedding dress?
I knew I wanted to get married the following year so booked to go to Fross just after Christmas, I had made another booking for Feb at another boutique which I ended up cancelling as I found my dress on the first visit to Fross! My dress was off the rail, size 14 which Helen the miracle seamstress took down to a 6-8.
How many dresses did you try on before you found ‘the one’?
I tried on around 5-7 dresses, one of which ended up being my dress.
Do you know the name of your dress designer?
Justin Alexandra.
What made you fall in love with the dress that you chose?
My dress wasn’t what I envisioned myself wearing for my wedding. I wanted something simple and classic. We picked up this dress as it embodied those aspects, although I thought I would go for some more structured and ‘sexy’. The reaction of all my friends and family when I came out in it really left an impression on me and I loved that the dress wasn’t what people would have expected me to wear. The dress was so simple, yet beautiful! It was also really important to me to not spend a huge amount on the dress so the opportunity to get my dress for less than £800 was also a dream.
Did you wear a veil and/or any other bridal accessories?
Yes I wore a veil and hair pins both from Eden B in Tunbridge Wells.
Tell us a little about your wedding day – the vibe, what inspired you, etc.
The wedding day was ay Highley Manor, again I wanted it to be simple, classy and have a vintage / old Hollywood style glam to it. The flowers were all white and green foliage with simple décor and hand made favours. The guys wore tuxes and I gave my guest a neutral, earthy colour pallet so everything synced. We had a small party, 36 guests to keep the day intimate and fun! It was so important to me that we didn’t spend our day small talking and only had people there who we really wanted to be a part of our day. The main thing I focused on was it being fun and relaxed. We had a vintage photo booth (booth19) and a live band (Go Commando) and just the best food and drinks!
I wanted a venue with accommodation so we could hang out with the gang staying the night and extend the wedding as much as possible. In fact, we stayed up until 2am in front of the fire, went out and did sparklers I the car park then woke up in the morning to breakfast and a vineyard tour. It was perfect.
What was your favourite moment from the day itself?
Getting ready with my girls in the morning and dancing the night away with everyone!
Is there any advice you would be happy to share with other brides?
Weddings are as stressful as you make them, it is easy to get wrapped up in the fine details and spend money on things you think or are told you need. Make notes early on of the key aspects that are important to you both and that you prefer to put the larger sums of money to (for me, this was photographer, venue with accommodation, live music and a classic/vintage vibe), there is then a lot of aspects you can either do yourself or source on a budget – all the other stuff falls into place.
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 away straight away for a mini-moon to Mallorca (Soller) and stayed in a rural adults only retreat. Walked around small Mallorcan towns drinking Sangria and eating Tapas!
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 – OliveJoy Photography (Becky)
Videographer – NA
Planner/Stylist – NA
Venue – Highley Manor (Balcombe)
Shoes – Rainbow Club
Accessories – Eden B (Veil and hair pins), Milly Maunder & Monica Vinader (Jewellery)
Groom’s suit – Kin / John Lewis
Bridesmaids – Annie and Laura – Asos
Flower girls – NA
Page Boys – NA
Florist – Maybugs Flowers (Hailsham)
Cake – Icing on the Cake (Nicole Richardson – friend)
Transport – NA
Entertainment – Go Commando (band) Booth19 (retro photo booth)
Rings – Brufords Eastbourne
Catering – Highley Manor (inc)
Stationery – Triball Designs (invites), Ollie Stone (sign writing)
Hair Stylist – Karen Amelia Hair
Makeup Artist – Natasha Valarie
Honeymoon – Soller, Mallorca, Spain
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