Hannah and George were married a week before Christmas, at a cosy, romantic wedding with lots of personal touches and warm, festive details. The ceremony took place at the gorgeous Wimborne Minster, Dorset, followed by a beautifully styled reception at the bride's family home.
Hannah wore a classic, iconic look from Jesus Peiro. Style 200 is unmistakably Jesus Peiro; a sharp, crisp silhouette with a striking high neck, above a full, elegant ballgown skirt with pockets. The dress is pulled in at the waist with a wide belt, and a low open back for a dramatic finish. Hannah styled her look with one of Jesus Peiro's fabulous capes, which was ideal for the early evening church ceremony. For her hair, Hannah chose a gorgeous bow to adorn her half up hair do.
Read on to find out more about Hannah and George's wedding day, and her beautiful bridal outfit.
Jesus Peiro 200 wedding dress and 260 cape
My dress was the Jesus Peiro 200 and I teamed it with the 260 cape in the church. Finding that dress was a bit of a fluke. I can't remember why now, but I was trying the 200 on purely to see if its double pleat skirt might work with the top of another style. I think I had ruled it out as a full look because I never thought I would go for a sleeveless dress; given we were getting married in the dead of winter, I just assumed I'd keep my arms covered (and I didn't want to stress about toning them). As soon as I tried it on, though, it was love. The belt, the pockets, the v-neck, the architecture! It was everything - a bit fashiony, maybe even a bit Dior, but classic. I felt not only completely confident in it, by completely myself. I was wearing it - it wasn't wearing me. The cape was mum's idea: she saw it hung up and just suggested I try it on. We loved the drama it added - perfect for a big church - and the deal was done.
I took Mum bridal shopping with me; I knew she'd be honest (whether I liked it or not) and I knew we'd cherish the memories of doing it forever. The word she used when I came out of the dressing room in the 200 was "sass." She thought I looked like me in the dress. She also shed a little happy tear - no other dress had done that.
Dress Shopping
I looked forward to dress shopping tremedously. I am a fashion journalist and stylist by trade, so I had quite clear ideas about what I wanted: nothing sparkly, no lace, nothing I would be under pressure to starve myself for. I think having all that in mind made it eaasier and I couldn't wait to try on meringue frocks and make a bridal look my own. When else do you get to play dress up like that?
I loved the care and attention to detail that the Miss Bush team made. Every time I had a fitting was an absolute joy and I felt completely at peace knowing that they were taking care of what I considered
Styling
I got my shoes from Camilla Elphick - they were white leather kitten heel slingbacks with a gold cap toe inspired by a similar pair I had seen by Chanel (and I changed into a white pair of Jimmy Choo trainers for the party). My necklace was my mother's and my earrings were a wedding gift from my husband: rubies and diamonds to match my engagement ring. It was my headwear that was the real hit, though: a tulle bow with 2m long tails that I wore instead of a veil. I found it on Etsy (link here if useful) and it gave the whole look a modern touch. I also snipped the tails shorter post cerenomy so that they wouldn't be trailing around the marquee.
A cosy winter wedding in Dorset
We got married on the last Saturday before Christmas, so our brief to our suppliers was: festive, but not naff. In the church we had carols, a choir, brass band and sparklers. Our marquee was lined with gold star printed white fabric. Our florist made the tent into a winter wonderland - think bare twigs, fairylights, amazing forestry up our marquee poles and on the hoop above the bar - and my bouquet was tied in red and green velvet ribbon. We had really celebratory food: big sharing boards of smoked salmon and blinis to start; roast poussin with all the trimmings; then mini mince pies, brownies and espresso martinis. We had bare wooden tables decorated with white candles of varying heights and pinecones (foraged by my mother in law) as place names tied with ribbon. There were lots of personal touches, too: my now late grandmother had made the wedding cake and the christmas biscuits my other late grandmother always used to make at that time of year had been reproduced by my mum for each guest. It was very special (though I'm sure every bride thinks that!)
The best bits
I absolutely loved the service: even with all our guests behind us, it felt so intimate. George and I had a lot of fun at the top of the aisle, which I hadn't expected. I thought it would be so serious! During the reception, hearing the speeches was amazing - we had five in total, with myself, George, my dad, the best man and made of honour all taking up the mic. More than anything it was just amazing having everyone that we loved in one room. We felt so lucky.
Hannah's Advice
On the dress, I would say just find something you feel confident in. I came to think of mine as armour for the day: in it, I felt invincible, which is what you need when you are walking into a packed room on an emotionally charged occasion!
On the event planning: try not to get too stressed. On the day you won't care about all the small things you stayed up all night worrying about and everyone around you will be on best behaviour (or they better be, at least!). Naturally, planning these events is all-consuming; even the most chilled out brides can't escape all the decisions that have to be made and the pressure - of the event, and of trying to keep everyone happy!
Most importantly, keep comms open with your partner in the run up, make sure you are taking time for the two of you in the weeks before, and then just enjoy it. It's the most special experience - and it goes by in a flash.
Suppliers
Photographer: Nico Wills
Marquee: DP Marquees
Catering: Janey & Co
Cocktails: Floral Shaker
Florist: Martha & The Meadow
DJ: Beats in Abundance
Hair: Harry Payne at George Northwood
Bridesmaids: Reformation dresses, Mint Velvet shoes
Gift List: The Wedding Present Company