It is so wonderful to share these images from Nadine and Matt's gorgeous September wedding, which took place at St Peter & Holy Cross church in Wherwell, Hampshire followed by a fun and intimate drinks Reception at Black Chalk Vineyard in Cottonworth.
With the pandemic putting their original wedding plans on hold, Nadine had decided not to go ahead with wearing her Jesus Peiro 121 wedding dress for their Covid-19 adapted wedding day. Right at the last minute, Nadine changed her mind and decided to wear it after all, and we're so glad she did! We think you'll agree she looked stunning, and the dress was perfect for their relaxed, happy celebration.
Read on for more images of the day, and some words about the planning process in Nadine's own words.
Jesus Peiro 121 wedding dress
I found the dress in London and the minute I put it on I knew...I wanted something classic but with a bit of a twist and an interesting back. It was business on top and party on the bottom and I loved that about it. I also HATE bridal shoes, white kitten heels aren't for me and wanted a colour pop on my feet and what better dress to show some colour and fun. It was easy to move in which meant...easy to dance in (next year). I felt really prettty in it, showing off what I love...my waist and disguising what I hate...my hips.
My dilema was I had right dress wrong shop...everything about my first experience didn't feel right...my appointment was very rushed, my assistant didn't seem to know a lot about the dresses and they didn't do alterations in house...everything was telling me to walk away empty handed but find the right place to make the experience...MISS BUSH TO THE RESCUE...Perfect from start to finish.
I had 2x big show and tell moments...
1. Mum & mother in law. My mother in law has two sons and always wanted a girl and she had the most magical day. There were no tears (we aren't that kind of family) but lots of fizz and smiles. My mother in law still describes it as a "magical day"
2. Maid of honour. She had seen the dress in part 1 try on (in london) but came with me to my styling session.
I feel like everyone's reaction was very natural because after all, it was my dress...it felt like a no-brainer and everyone just enjoyed sipping fizz and being in the gorgeous chapel.
Dress Shopping
My favourite part of the dress shopping experience was being in the chapel with the fabulous Miss Bush team. They have a magical way that makes you feel at ease but still making the experience special. I especially loved the styling session... it just helps you tie everything together where you aren't umming and ahhing about the dress but putting the finishing touches together.
The whole global pandemic thing was a bit wild! For me, I haven't dreamt of my wedding or had a picture perfect expectation of what I wanted my wedding to be but it is a real bummer when you put all this energy into planning a day (and I hated the planning) so to then have to unplan and plan again was not my dream. I say to people...the only thing worse than planning a wedding, is planning a wedding twice!
Miss Bush went from being a bridal boutique to - a therapist, your sympathetic friend, a news anchor (Emma's Facebook live posts) and everything in between. I was pretty chilled about my original wedding plans but a bit of a crazy lady about my new one (understandable when you have savings hanging in the balance)
The BEST thing Miss Bush did was I had confirmed I wasn't going to wear my dress...I didn't see the point, it wasn't a small wedding dress and it wasn't the moment I chose it for but I did a huge U turn the day before the wedding and Miss Bush had everything ready for me including a last minute belt purchase and did alterations within 30 mins (thank god I didn't get lock-down fat!)
Styling
I had a Cathedral Length Veil from Miss Bush. The shoes were oldies but goodies from Dune that have served me well over the years. I finished the look with some special jewellery from my granny.
An intimate vineyard wedding in Hampshire
My day went from being a 130 person party extravaganza to a 30 person church and drinks reception. I was so underwhelmed in the lead-up, I honestly thought it was going to be very functional...nice but unremarkable and in actual fact it ended up being the most perfect day. It reminded me of watching 'Don't tell the bride' when the guy plans the most hideouts wedding and in the end she says 'it was perfect.' The main thing is you get married!
We had a small group witness THE best day of my life, it reminded you of what it's all about and it was made all the more special by having it low-key, we got to properly talk to everyone and spend lots of time with each other and everyone was just happy to be part of it. People actually don't care about all the bells and whistles...they just want to be there for you and as cringe as it sounds...you feel the love.
The best bits
The ceremony, it is honestly what it's all about and being forced to have a small wedding after all the madness of this year, it really reminds you of what's important. I thought I would love getting ready but I was crazy nervous...at least if we do the big wedding next year I will be able to enjoy all the build up more!
Nadine's Advice
Focus on the things that matter - you and your husband to be. The rest really doesn't matter. Also don't worry about you being the best your've ever looked on your day...it's inevitable as the bride that you will look amazing so don't worry about the diets etc just enjoy the build up.
I also found making a short list of suppliers (5 max) then stopping was the best way to plan otherwise the choice is endless and overwhelming. Also talk to your venue about recommendations, best to have someone who knows the space...we were going to have a completely DIY wedding so the more self sufficient people can be the better.
I never thought I would have been happy with a small wedding, I have a big family and lots of amazing friends and couldn't imagine a world where they wouldn't be there to see me get married. I didn't choose the wedding I had but had the best day. After everything this year threw at us...the one thing I did know is I wanted to get married...whatever that looked like because who knows what else we have in store.
The thing this year has taught me is that expect the unexpected, try to roll with it, cry if you want to and wear your dress twice (it is the most expensive dress you've bought yourself so why the hell not!)
It may not be wha you think is your perfect wedding but it mind just end up being that. AND you can do it twice if you want to. So really you don't need to think of it as a X OR X...it could be a X AND X. There is no way I am not dancing in that dress at some point!
Suppliers
Photographey: Friends and family
Venue: Black Chalk Wine
HMUA: Stacey Lacey
Florist: Catkin & Pussywillow, Winchester
Bridesmaid Dress: Seren London
Drinks reception jumpsuit: Reiss