Bella and Mike's beautiful, traditional wedding in Kent took place last Summer, with an intimate and meaningful ceremony at the stunning Saint Mary's Church in the picturesque village of Platt.

Bella wore Sapphire by Suzanne Neville, a timeless, romantic wedding dress with an elegant portrait neckline and structured bodice for the perfect fit.

Despite having to downsize their wedding due to the pandemic restrictions, Bella and Mike still had the most wonderful day surrounded by their closest loved ones. Read on to see more from this special day, with images by Poppy Maltby Photography.

 

Suzanne Neville Sapphire wedding dress

I think I tried on around 100 dresses, and it wasn't that I didn't like them, I loved all of them! I knew exactly what I wanted, something traditional but with a tiny bit of a difference, and Sapphire gave me exactly that. It was also really the first my Mummy truly loved.

All of Suzanne Neville's corsets felt great on, makes wearing a wedding dress feel so special, it's not every day you get tied into a dress!

I brought my Mummy with me when I found the dress. We did all my dress shopping together, they all became special days out. I think it is nice to make a bit of a "thing" of it. And always went for a glass of champagne after to discuss each dress I had just tried!

Dress Shopping

There is definitely something special about Miss Bush. I loved each trip to the Chapel. The building itself is beautiful and it felt so nice getting to know the team there.

My Mummy and I went to a Sunday brunch there a few weeks after I had purchased my dress, we listened to wedding talks, I had my make up done, and Mum did some calligraphy - such a fun morning.

I know some people say they found dress shopping boring, I simply loved it! I enjoyed the fact that I really started to know what I liked and disliked in dresses on me. To then eventually find the perfect one!

After changing my date, and most suppliers dropping out, I planned my whole wedding in essentially 3 weeks! My dress was the one and only thing that didn't get changed! The team at Miss Bush were always incredibly supportive and understanding.

I also had a wobble post fitting number one, and Rosie could not have been more helpful, simply told me to forget all about that fitting and booked me in to do it all again.

Styling

I was initially having a much larger wedding, and actually when everything changed I feel like the sort of Bride I was also changed! For starters, I became so much more relaxed! All that was important was getting married so the rest would just fall into place.

I had planned to have a full up do with my hair at my hair trial, but last minute (on the day!) decided I wanted a much more casual look, half up half down - how I wear my hair nearly every day!! But it was very me, and ever though it got really rather messy in the rain, I just felt natural and comfortable.

I kept my neckline clear, as felt the neckline of the dress was quite special and didn't need anything. I borrowed some earrings from my Mother in Law that I adored!

During lockdown I ordered so many shoes, I knew exactly what I wanted but nothing really fitted the bill. Until I found some £5 second hand shoes in a charity shop! PERFECT, couldn't have been more what I was searching for, and also incredibly comfy. They got TOTALLY ruined on the day, and were B for BIN the day after!

An elegant, traditional church wedding

When my wedding shrunk in size, I did a reshuffle of where my reception was going to be. I found a marquee company that built the marquee over the walls of my parents walled garden. It meant that I could include all the flower beds into the setting, like my true little secret garden wedding. In the build up I spent many hours (tea and wine) with my lovely florist, she knew exactly what I wanted. I kept things very simple with white and green flowers, and I wanted them everywhere! I have always liked small traditional bouquets, it included lily of the valley and was perfect.

Each wine we drank had a connection to us, we hung pictures around the bottles that reflected this, either us in South Africa where Mike is from, or down in France where we had got engaged.

The best bits

Such a cliché, but getting married was both mine and Mike's favourite part to our day. After such a few months of really not knowing, and the disappointment that we couldn't have everyone with us, getting married to each other really became the most important thing.

I loved being at home, in the build up before and for a few days after to continue the celebrations. It really felt so special having all my family around the night before and the morning of. I am the youngest of three, and both my brothers are married with children. Everyone was there, and the morning was utter chaos but it felt totally normally and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I even planned an all girls walk the morning of!

Bella's Advice

Do a little research! I know everyone says you will feel different when you start trying them, but I think there is no harm in starting to look at what is out there, and maybe get a slight feel for styles you think you may like. I got a TINY bit obsessed with this and ended up knowing all names of every dress!! Think Corrine was rather shocked when I first arrived at the Chapel knowing the names of exactly what I wanted to try.

And feel "nice" when you go dress shopping, if you feel good before you try on a dress you will feel even more amazing once you get it on!

I had always dreamed of my "Big Wedding" but in the end, what we did felt right for us, and getting married to each other really did become the important part.

Find suppliers that seem to be understanding and care. Not ones that are going to just keep asking for the next instalment! It's about working with each other.
And finally don't be dishearten if things have to slightly change. It poured with rain on my wedding day and it really didn't bother me. If you worry then the day will pass you by. Getting married is so special, cherish each moment.

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