“Everyone should feel like a princess on her day”
We were over the moon when Jess agreed to share her wedding day with us. She had quite a journey in her planning as she also had to deal with a global pandemic. She chose to wear Claudia from the amazing design team at Mark Lesley, and here she tells us all about her adventure. We hope it inspires you to also have an incredible day!
A little back story, Brad and I met in January 2014. We started talking through the plenty of fish dating app, hit it off pretty quick and met up for our first date soon after!
We bought a house together in June 2016 and finally with all my hints and tips of how he could propose (haha), the day came. In March 2018 we went on a family dog walk to Virginia Waters, it was absolutely tipping it down and no one (we have 4 kids between us) was enjoying themselves! But Brad was very insistent we got to a particular spot! When we reached there he asked me to face the other way and set the kids up each holding a word and set himself up at the end of the line on one knee. It was truly perfect and everything I ever wanted!
The proposal
Then started the fun! We viewed around 8 different wedding venues and the one we actually chose I went to by accident with my sister! But fell in love with it straight away and got Brad over asap, he felt the same… when you know you know. The venue was missing just one thing, the ability get legally married outside which had always been a dream of mine! However we loved everything so put out deposit down and booked our date for 19th June 2020!
Jess wears Claudia by Mark Lesley
Next on the agenda was wedding dress shopping, I tried two shops before BOO…. And I felt so deflated. Like I almost wasn’t supposed to get married. Then I went to BOO with my mum and my bridesmaids, Emma is THE most welcoming, calming, excited, beautiful person! She made me feel at ease as soon as I stepped in through the door. My ‘entourage’ and I picked out a few dresses and I started trying them on, with the help of Emma of course!
Whilst trying them on we were all talking and then when Emma was getting me in a dress she suddenly asked me to hold on. She said she has a dress in mind from what we had all been saying! She went and got it and as soon as she put it on the coat hanger in front of me I knew it was mine!
We got me in to the dress and I just knew, I felt amazing, everyone was crying… it had to be mine! So, deposit down, measurements taken it was a deal.
Next came the rigmarole of suppliers and actually figuring out what we wanted/needed! There was lots of googling and asking friends for advice and we contacted who/what we needed and got everything we wanted booked in. Even got all the invites made (by me! Hard and a long task but definitely worth it!) then March 2020 arrived. We were told by our venue that we had to postpone… tough hear, but… worse things were happening. We postponed to September 2020 but in June I postponed again as things were still so uncertain, to August 2021 (we were so lucky with that date!)
I had to collect my dress from Emma/BOO which I found sad as it would be sitting in my mums wardrobe for over a year! But Emma again, made me feel so comfortable and at ease when doing so!
We manage to contact all our suppliers and they were all available for our new date! Woohoo!
As we neared our wedding day the day of my dress fitting approached, amazing experience to say the least! Emma had done an amazing job with everything. During the fitting I received some devastating family news (sorry for crying in your boutique!) but again, Emma was amazing and so attentive.
The day before my wedding I asked Emma if I could pop over to have the ‘dress collection’ photo as I couldn’t do this when I took it home after the final fitting! Emma was of course accommodating and more than happy for this!
The day of our wedding went perfectly, got into my dress and felt like the princess, as you should on your special day. The fit was perfect and everyone commented on how beautiful it was, I had it on right up until my new husband and I went to bed!
A couple of tips I have for upcoming brides… 100% get a videographer. The detail they get is insane and they capture every detail that you may (probably will) miss! Also… get a detailed list of all photos your would like to get you photographer to take!
One other thing, go around all your guests tables when everyone is sat down for your wedding breakfast, invaluable photos will be captured!
My most memorable part of our day was definitely our first dance, it was so magical! But also… as we were walking out down the confetti line Brad stepped on my dress! Which inadvertently jolted me back! All caught on video of course! Haha
Another tip/suggestion would be to get someone you can trust to ensure everything runs smoothly for the day! My sister was invaluable for this! She is a project manager and really made sure everything went without a hitch! I owe her a lot!
Lastly, enjoy every second and really try to capture as much as you can.
P.S Don’t believe it when everyone says you won’t be able to get drunk… tried and tested it is not true!
I owe so much to Emma and her fabulous team! Thank you xxx
Ready to begin their Happily Ever After!
Thank you so much Jess, for sharing your special day with us, and your tips are going to be so useful. We hope you have a lifetime of happiness ahead and enjoy making all those new memories as a complete family. So much love from The Boo Team xxx
