Diana in Jesus Peiro 961 for a garden wedding in Ayrshire, Scotland

Diana's Jesus Peiro 961 wedding dress

it was just absolutely perfect. I knew I wanted something with lace. My grandfather used to own a lace factory in Ayrshire (Scotland), I'm not entirely sure on the details, but I think he used to travel to London and sold his goods to the likes of Liberty, however, I would need to fact check! But it certainly was a family business, and lace was an important element!

I was between the Jesus and one of the Anna Kara dresses, but decided I preferred the skirt (and pockets!) of the 961. It felt like the perfect dress for the occasion, and it really was. Corinne just made the whole experience very easy and fun.

My mum lives in Scotland and I had my first fitting at Miss Bush the Friday before everything shut down in December. Mum wasn't able to come, but she joined on facetime, and I came with a good friend Jennie, who was brilliant as no niceties.. just honest yes and no... I think mum, I and Jennie were all like that, so I was in and out of dresses quite quickly! When we decided on the 961, we were all quite sure about it, and excited!! It was starting to feel quite real!

Mum didn't get to see the dress in person until the week before the wedding, thanks to you know what. But it was really incredibly special when she did finally see it.

Dress Shopping

The whole Miss Bush experience was brilliant. I thought the style questionnaire and picking out some ideas was a really good idea. I went to a couple of shops before Miss Bush who were lovely, however, it was very much a case of have a look and let them know what I wanted to try. Corinne was able to pick out dresses with me having to do minimal selecting/work, which was so helpful, it's difficult to get a sense of what they look like from the hanger... Emma kindly took a couple of photos I was able to share with my mum as well. I know photos are not usually recommended as you never get the same sense as you do with trying on, but it was so helpful and brilliant to be able to share with my bridesmaids as well who were unable to come with me either.

Even though mum wasn't there in person, it was wonderful to have her (and my dad fleetingly - shopping isn't his thing, but being nosey is!) on facetime.

Our wedding planning journey has been relatively smooth compared to a lot of couples. We chose our date and decided to stick to it, 10 people or 100 people. I was incredibly lucky to get my appointment with Miss Bush just before the 3-4 month shut down. I work frontline NHS so that posed enough of a challenge, wedding planning was a welcome break - with a few uncertainties re: numbers, but we had a 15, 30, 60 and no limitations list (I like planning for all eventualities!)

The only disappointment we had were travel restrictions: my husbands mum, dad and one of his sisters, as well a one of his best men (he had 2), live in New Zealand, so were unable to come. My brother and his fiance live in Argentina, and again were unable to travel, as well as a couple of other friends and family members from Europe. They joined on Zoom, but it was such a shame.

Styling

I had a Couture veil (Chloe long stitched) which I didn't take off all day, I loved wearing it.

I had a headpiece I got from BHLDN a number of years ago, thinking it might come in handy one day, and it did! Silvana - no social media - did my hair, she's my mum's hairdressers and doesn't really do weddings anymore, however, thankfully said yes to us! She was able to style exactly what we all wanted, and she was an absolute pleasure to have!

I did my own make up, with a little bridesmaid help. I did a make up trial and didn't look a thing like me, so I decided to go it alone, and was really glad I did. I have a new make up collection, and felt comfortable knowing exactly what I'd look like!

My shoes were really quite special. I have never, and probably never will, spend quite so much on a pair of shoes, but they were a lockdown treat... Christian Louboutin - Clare Nodo - blue and white striped (this counted as my blue) heels with a bow. I'll wear them again, and they brought me a lot of joy! (and a lot of comments!)

My friend Jennie used to work for a jewellery brand, and as such, has some lovely pieces which I was able to borrow for the wedding, it was a struggle giving them back!

The only downside is I want to wear my dress again, and actually had to put it away in the dress carrier as it was upsetting me! As my husbands family were not able to come we may do a take 2, in which case there will be no doubt in what I wear!!

Diana & Andy's garden wedding in Ayrshire, Scotland

We got married at my local church, Dirleton Kirk, which is about 5mins away from the house - I was christened in the church many moons ago, we're not regular church goers, but our minister was excellent, and it was really special to have it there. We had our reception in my mum and dads garden, followed by dinner in a marquee in the back garden.

Photos were taken at the church, the garden (mum and dad did all the prep themselves, it looked stunning) and then we took an after dinner trip down to the beach (via the golf course) to get some pictures.
We actually got engaged on the same beach 🙂

On 26th June, you'd think glorious sunshine. The days leading up to it had been lovely, the morning of, pouring with rain!! Thankfully it dried up, and everything did look very green!

There wasn't a specific theme, we just wanted it to be elegant, classy, not too fussy, and full of (most of) our favourite people, great food and drinks.

The marquee had a transparent end and we were able to fully appreciate mum and dads garden. We assembled a bar out of two old whisky barrels, I can send an additional pic if of interest, and Andy spent many hours working our the bar and cocktail menu (sadly I was unable to take full advantage, however, felt fresh the next day - unlike many!) Food and drink are important to us so we carefully crafted our menus, and I'm happy to say they were very well received - our chef and head of house were incredible!

We had a wonderful local florist, Victoria, who had brilliant ideas and know exactly what would look good in our marquee, and the bouquets and button holes were beautiful. The groom and bestman had no idea where their button holes went.. but equally, they had no idea on how to put kilts on, so at least they managed to get that right!

Victoria also decorated the cake with flowers - I made it (3 different flavour sponges, 4 different icings... a challenge, but worth it, and it all got eaten!) She covered up any messy bits!!

One of my good friends mum is a florist - however, not anywhere local, and we had already found Victoria who was fab, but they do stationary as a side venture and they provided beautiful invites, order of services and menu's. I did place names and table plans as like being a bit creative as well.

Diana's Advice

I've already advised my cousin who's getting married next August to look at Miss Bush! To anyone else I'd say book an appointment and enjoy! Try not to be nervous, and just enjoy trying lots of gorgeous dresses on, even though they're not all going to be your style, have fun!

Roll with the hiccups. We weren't allowed a band / live music, but just relaxed all our timings. We didn't finish dinner til nearly 10pm, and I don't think anyone minded too much there was no ceilidh/disco. We would have loved it, but we made it work and enjoyed every minute of it!

If you're buying your own drinks, look out for the supermarket 25% off that happens a few times a year, very handy! And Aldi does a fantastic champagne!

Give yourself enough time to get ready... We left 45mins... not quite enough (probably due to the below!)

Finalise your table plan at least the night before... My dad decided to get involved on the morning of the wedding, and it ended up with me running around / resetting tables and rewriting the mirror table plan at the 11th hour... All worked out smoothly though.

And consider your numbers, we probably would have had 100-120 - but ended up with 65, which was absolutely perfect. I feel I got to speak to everyone, and we wanted everyone to be there, there were no 'obligatory invites'. If I did it again, I'd have the same number.