Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - March/April 2023 (Issue 68)

What sold me on the Phoenix gown was the fact that it could be customised in house, so I chose to add lots more lace to the sleeves and create a lace back (it was originally key hole). I didn’t want a veil, so I accessorised with simple silver and pearl jewellery with a large sparkly hair clip. The groom wore the same as his groomsmen – a navy suit with white waistcoat, red cravat tie and red pocket square, all matching the flower colours. We had one bridesmaid, so we were able to show her a lot of styles and let her choose. We really struggled to find anything suitable in the shops, but as soon as we found UK Flower Girl Boutique online, we had hope. She wore a bohemian-style, long-sleeved dress in sage green. It was floaty at the bottom, and she loved it. Our wedding breakfast was a three-course wintery menu provided by the gallery’s in-house catering team. All the guests raved for ages afterwards about the amazing soup! The day was non-stop torrential rain so something warming was much needed. My dress was designed by Phoenix Gowns, but it wasn’t the one I’d originally gone in to try on as I had my heart set on a Ronald Joyce dress. I was looking for something to fit the venue. With the church’s beautiful stained-glass window and grand aisle, I needed something to make a statement. Ballgown it was! The florist’s arrangements matched the Art Deco feel, with low displays in glass goblets on each table – they smelled amazing. “Being the first couple to hold a wedding reception at Lady Lever felt really special and we were honoured to have been allowed.” 47 REAL WEDDINGS

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