Poppy and Tom's wedding has brought us so much joy! Taking place in Fife, Scotland, the couple were married at Newburgh Church and went on to celebrate at their family home, the incredible Lindores Abbey Distillery. The day was filled with so many beautiful personal details, including a romantic handfasting ceremony, personalised poetry and tables perfectly decorated by the Mother of the Bride. Poppy summed up their day as "genteel Scottish autumnal debauchery" which sounds just fabulous!
Despite initially thinking she would end up wearing trouser or a jumpsuit, Poppy surprised herself by falling in love with Jesus Peiro's 200 wedding dress. A signature style for the brand, this gown features a regal high neckline, wide belted waistband and full ballgown skirt. Poppy styled her dress with tons of creative touches, including a sparkly cape made in-house at Miss Bush, an epic statement crown, lobster embellished Kurt Keiger mules and contemporary orange earrings from Wolf and Moon.
Read on for more fabulous images and to find out more about this gorgeous wedding!
A Jesus Peiro wedding dress
I chose the Jesus Peiro 200 with a bespoke sparkly cape made by the wonderful Ben. I adored the neckline, which felt modern and classic at the same time - it did end up slightly covered in make up by the end of the day, but dresses are for wearing! I adored the huge skirt with the Antoineta petticoat underneath for the full effect. I hadn’t ever worn anything like it before, and it made for excellent swishing around dramatically. The 50s style belt across the waist nipped everything in such a chic way, and just balanced everything perfectly. I felt like, as cliched as it is, a princess or some sort of grand duchess at a society ball while wearing it. It was comfortable and dramatic and elegant and every time I look back at pictures of it, I smile.
Dress Shopping
I came alone as, and had my mum on a zoom call for the first appointment. My mum instantly agreed that the 200 was “the one.” I personally preferred being alone for the appointments, as it allowed me to focus on how I felt in each outfit rather than pinning too much on other people’s expressions and comments. I never take friends or family shopping with me normally, so I didn’t think I’d break the habit of a lifetime! I think there’s a lot of pressure on brides to bring about a thousand best pals along to try on dresses, but if that isn’t your vibe, then don’t feel you have to buy in to it.
I loved my final appointment when I got to see the entire dress and cape combo together for the first time. Ben had very kindly made it for me with about two weeks notice when I decided that I wanted something sparkly over my shoulders. I’d only seen a swatch of the fabric, but the moment I walked in and saw the finished article hanging up, I couldn’t believe how perfect it was. It was like something the Snow Queen would wear to the Met Gala.
I changed my mind at the very last minute about wanting a cape to cover my arms and add some sparkle, and the team were so accommodating. They instantly found a solution and send out swatches, and it couldn’t have been easier for me. They never made me feel like I was being a nuisance for changing my mind. I did also have a slight fainting moment during one appointment when I wasn’t feeling well, but again it was handled with aplomb (and some appletizer to take the edge off!)
Styling
Along with my magical cape, I had a tiara which I bought from a lovely Czech artist on Etsy. It had coral and pearls woven in to it, and made me feel like Mary Queen of Scots. I love that it isn’t too obviously bridal, so I can wear it again and again. It was the very first thing I bought for my wedding, and I’m going to treasure it forever.
My sHoes were a very fun addition - they were Kurt Geiger and had the jazziest multicoloured bejewelled lobsters on them. I saw them while shopping with Tom and thought he would think they were a bit silly, but he encouraged me to go for them! I am very tall, so I knew I wanted a flat shoe as I walk like a baby giraffe in heels. I confess that the Air Maxes came out for the evening dancing though, daintily hidden by my lovely dress.
My orange earrings are by a great London jeweller called Wolf and Moon, and my something borrowed was a beautiful ring from my husband’s late mother, Diana. It was really important to me that I had something of hers on the day.
About the Day
Where to begin! It was a very relaxed day, and I woke up to the most glorious, rolling mists across the autumnal Scottish countryside. I love autumnal colours (Tom and I adore Halloween in general) so I wanted to incorporate those jewel tones in to the decor and my outfit as much as possible. My family runs a whisky distillery in Fife which is where we had the reception, and the beautiful copper of the whisky stills was a major inspiration for the decor and photos too.
We wanted it to be a traditional ceremony, but with fun touches. My sister re-wrote my favourite poem (Having a Coke with You, Frank O’Hara) to include bits about mine and Tom’s relationship and it was the most beautiful surprise I’ve ever had. We had rousing hymns for everyone to belt out, and we also had a handfasting with two ribbons reflecting our backgrounds - McKenzie tartan for me, Jamaican flag for Tom.
The rest of the day flew by, and we had so many wonderful friends helping us out. Our friend Miriam made the cake and included a little wax figure of Wallace our very naughty Labrador eating the edges. Our friend Jem played the organ too! There was dancing and drinking and a ceilidh which everyone got very involved with.
My mum is a genius when it comes to decoration - she has worked in hospitality for many years - so the table was utterly beautiful. Mini velvet pumpkins lined the tables, and we had tunnocks tea cakes for our favours - not one was left behind! The staff at the distilllery were just amazing too - they were unflappable in the face of quite a few…hiccups. (Brief power cuts, very delayed marquee set up!)
If I had to sum it up in a few words - genteel Scottish autumnal debauchery.
The best bits
I’ll try to limit myself to a few, otherwise I’d go on for hours.
1. Having breakfast with my sister (best maid of honour ever) in our cottage. She made a cracking fry up and we had some champagne. Then a tapir came on to the random TV show we had on in the background. I felt it was a good omen as Tapir is my pet name for Tom!
2. Going for a can of G&T with my Dad overlooking the misty Fife countryside on the way to church in the beautiful Bentley Speed Six we had as the wedding car (we weren’t driving I hasten to add!) It was something we had always had a joke about for years, and it was so special to have that moment with him.
3. When the pipes started up and I entered the church and saw Tom for the first time. It was just the most wonderful moment of “oh, there you are!” We couldn’t stop smiling at each other, and everything felt so perfectly calm. I hadn’t realised how long I’d kept him waking at the altar….!
4. The first moment we had to ourselves as a married couple. We had a cheeky snog in the vestry and it was just the happiest moment. We had made it! Our fabulous photographer managed to capture it - that man moves quickly - and it’s my favourite pic of the day I think. Just us lost in the moment of joy.
5. Dancing with my mum and sister and all of my family and friends at the ceilidh. It’s a brilliant way to make sure you see everyone who has come along, because you dance with a new person every 10 seconds while you’re reeling!
Poppy's Advice
Be prepared to be surprised! I was SO sure that I wanted a trouser suit or a Jumpsuit. I very rarely wear dresses and was convinced that I wouldn’t feel myself in something very feminine. I was so instantly proved wrong. Let the experts look at your shape and your style, and listen to their recommendations. I wouldn’t have ever thought that the 200 would have suited me, but I am forever thankful for the Miss Bush team for putting me in her. I felt like everything suddenly make sense, and I felt entirely myself. It is so flattering, and the previous styles I was set on just wouldn’t have suited my shape in the same way at all. I’m 6ft and size 16 so not exactly a sample size, and they made me feel like a supermodel.
Also, once you’ve found your dress, I would recommend unfollowing other dress accounts! It only makes you think you could have made the wrong choice, but I assure you, you won’t have done! If it makes you feel happy and joyous and swirly, then that’s the one for you.
Also, quick note on make up. I did mine myself and felt so much more comfortable than having someone do it for me. Have confidence in your own skill! If you like how you look day to day, chances are you’ll be able to make yourself look the same way on the big day.
Suppliers
Photographer: F.D.Young Photography
Florist: Bramble & Thyme Florist
Venue: Lindores Abbey Distillery
Caterer: Kitchen Toque
Booze: De-Burgh
Band: Muzo-Matic
Jewellery: Wolf & Moon
Tiara: ZTetyana
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Bridesmaid dresses: Kates Dresses
Maid of honour dress: Mary Benson