#43 Fabulous in Feathers

August 13, 2022 Jessica Seaman

Our Brides – Sophie

When you’re after a fun-filled, party wedding with cartwheeling and dancing, you just can’t beat a feather outfit followed by a trouser suit. One for instant drama, picture perfect head-standing and the other for throwing some shapes one the dance floor!

Sophie was the epitome of fun and we can safely say we had THE best time helping her find the perfect outfits. These were kept on the down low until the big day ready to wow everyone with the look.

It was through Sophie’s hockey team friends that we came recommended - thank you! We love it when we get to know groups of brides who all send each other our way. It’s like welcoming pals back into the shop.

Sophie, we miss your visits to come see us and play around with the coolest of outfits. But, in the meantime, we will happily swoon over your amazing wedding gallery for some time to come!

Huge congratulations to you and Pete!

Jess x

THE LOW-DOWN

How would you sum up the style of your wedding?

Bright, fun, party vibes! We just wanted to have one big wild post COVID-19 party!

Where and when did you tie the knot?

On the 29th August 2021 at St Matthew’s Church, Darley Abbey, Derby.

And what was your wedding dress?

Day – Jesus Peiro top and Charlie Brear Piora feather skirt

Evening – Jesus Peiro two piece trouser suit 154.

THE LEAD UP

How did you two first meet?

We met at Keele University where we were both studying. We are both keen hockey players and would always be out together after team socials. It was only at the last AU ball that we decided to ‘try each other out’ and we are very glad we did!

What about the proposal? When, where, how?

Continuing with our love for hockey, we had just woken up from our end of season hockey do and it was Sophie’s 30th birthday party that evening. We were both extremely worse for wear, but Pete managed to bring Sophie breakfast in bed. On the breakfast tray, was a bag, with a box, in a box, in a box with an engagement ring that Pete had designed himself! Obviously I said Yes – but had to be careful to manage my hangover with waves of both excitement and nausea!

THE DRESS

Did you have an idea of what you wanted when you first started looking for your wedding dress? And did you stick to it?

I had lots of different dress ideas saved on my wedding Pinterest board – I was initially thinking quite a sexy, cheeky look with a fair bit of skin on show ; ) however, I kept coming back to the Charlie Brear Piora skirt, but thinking, I couldn’t pull that off!

As soon as I saw the Charlie Brear Piora skirt in real life – I knew I wanted it – it was unreal, the movement, the textures, I loved it! From then on, that was my wedding dress (bottom half at least) sorted!

How did you find the whole experience of searching for the right dress?

LOVED IT! Who doesn’t enjoy being dressed up in ridiculously gorgeous dresses? I embraced the nakedness in the changing rooms and enjoyed every minute of it. I did most of my shopping on my own, which I would recommend, you really build a good relationship with the experts and no one was there to influence my decision.

My search wasn’t a long one – once I knew the Charlie Brear Piora skirt was the one – the mission was to find a top I loved just as much!

What was it about your dress that made it ‘the one’?

When I tried the Jesus Peiro top with the Piora skirt – I felt like a bride. It was the perfect mix of elegance and fun and I felt like I had found me in a dress!

How did you feel once you’d made the big decision?

AMAZING! I wanted to just carry on walking round the bridal studio in the dress. I’ve never been that obsessed with looking at myself in a mirror! I wanted to show everyone (but keep it a secret at the same time!) I was just so giddy and wanted to get married there and then!

Do you have any top tips for other brides out there shopping for their bridal gown?

Trust the experts. Jess at Alexandra Anne clocked onto my style almost immediately and was so helpful. Try the dresses the experts recommend even if you don’t love it initially. I would have never gone for a strapless top without trying something Jess has recommended me to try.

I really enjoyed dress shopping alone – I knew I had made the right choice for me!

THE BIG DAY

Tell us more about your outfit on the day. How did you complete your look?

I completed the outfit with a simple pear drop necklace that Pete gave me as my wedding day present. He designed it to match my engagement ring, perfectly made by Kate Dawson Jewellery.

Further to this I completed the outfit with a SECOND OUTFIT, of course!

So during my search for the perfect top to accompany my feather skirt, I tried a Jesus Peiro beaded halter neck top which I had seen on a shoot that Alexandra Anne had done. The top was part of a trouser suit. I had to try the entire outfit on for fun – little did I know that I would absolutely love it. It was the most perfect fit and I knew I’d be able to party hard with this two piece on! I couldn’t say no!

And your bridesmaids?

My best friends were wearing hot pink wrap dresses from Dancing Leopard – they looked mega!

What do you remember about the morning?

I was surprisingly calm and absolutely over the moon that I slept for 5 whole hours! There was a lot of excitement, but I was in my little calm bubble – I was obviously conserving my energy for the epic day ahead.

I won’t forget the moment my friend had her make up finished – she was so surprised at how great she looked, she said “If I look like this great, how amazing are you going to look?!” Haha. Ali Gunn was incredible!

Who did your hair and makeup?

Hair – Tasha Boinczak – she’s been my hairdresser for years.

Make-up – Ali Gunn.

Who took your wedding photos?

Magda K Photography

Did you follow any traditions? Or was there anything unusual about the ceremony?

In memory of my Dad, I wanted my 1969 Morris Minor car and my Dad’s motorbikes to be a big part of our day. So… I drove myself to my wedding – wedding dress and heels included! And it was one of my favourite memories of the day. I papped the horn the entire way from home to the church! After the ceremony, two of my Dad’s motorbikes led the precession over Darley Abbey Bridge followed by Pete and I in the car – I was smiling ear to ear!

I was so excited to show off my evening outfit – I cartwheeled onto the dance floor!

How did your dress feel when you were walking down the aisle?

Incredibly nervous but also incredibly excited for everyone, especially Pete, to see me and THE dress that I had kept a secret from everyone! I felt a million dollars (huge thanks to all my suppliers) and after the first hymn I had relaxed and really enjoyed the service.

THE MEMORIES

What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?

All of it.. but some in particular:

Driving myself to the wedding with my brother.
Driving over Darley Abbey bridge through our entourage of guests with a motorbike precession.
Eating Pie and Mac & Cheese.
Darley Abbey concert was on the same evening as our wedding – which meant we had a free firework display which we all enjoyed!
The dance floor was electric – everyone embraced the Ibiza 90s music and the saxophonist was incredible!
Cartwheeling onto the dancefloor after my outfit change!

What gave you the biggest laugh?

Our photographer took the bridal party outside before our wedding breakfast pudding and we had sooo much fun with bubble guns, dance offs – we were all peak level tipsy!

Impressing everyone with my hand stand skills in my wedding dress!

Dance off vibes throughout the entire day was great – I can confirm no one at our wedding can do the worm – including my husband!

What got the tears flowing?

Obviously everyone seeing me in my dress for the first time!! Haha.

I was overwhelmed when I met Pete at the altar which got the tears flowing but a squeeze from Pete and a good old hymn sorted me out!

My Dad is no longer with us but my brother and Mum stepped up to the plate to do a joint speech and they absolutely smashed it – it was amazing!

ADVICE FOR BRIDES-TO-BE

If there was one piece of advice you could give to a new bride-to-be, what would it be?

Just go for it, do what you want and don’t overthink it! Enjoy!

And last but not least, where is your wedding dress now?

All clean and ready to be collected from Alexandra Anne! Alexandra Anne offer a cleaning service and I wasn’t sure of anyone else I’d have trusted to clean an Ostrich feather skirt other than Alexandra Anne.

Wedding dress for Christmas day this year I think!