Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - December 2020/January 2021 (Issue 86)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  I chose a pearl belt that my seamstress attached to the dress, and a one-tier simple veil to complete my bridal look. I knew that my dress was the one for me as soon as I tried it on and it was the only one that made my bridesmaids gasp when I stepped out of the changing room. I knew I wanted a lace gown and the corset gave me a shape that I loved. It also had a romantic train and sleeves - an essential on my list for a winter wedding. We spent a few months collecting various pieces of furniture to provide a comfy chill-out area, and hired several tables and stools to complete the look, including a very cool vintage suitcase table! Decoration and centrepieces were something that I thoroughly researched. We wanted something natural, and not too expensive, so we spent a few months collecting gin and wine bottles, and cut glass vases and bowls from which we made lanterns using strings of fairylights. The best women (Pete’s sisters) wore navy dresses with matching tartan scarves. I knew that I wanted our bridesmaids in green so chose forest-green styles which they loved. Pete wore a traditional tartan kilt with a navy jacket. His groomsmen wore the same and so did my nephew, who loved trying on a kilt for the first time! “Because our wedding took place the day before advent began, Pete came up with the brilliant idea of giving everyone an advent calendar which seemed to be a real hit with the kids and grown-ups alike!” - Claire