Olivia and Ben tied the knot on 11the June 2021, just 10 days before the UK government removed all wedding restrictions. In the end it didn’t matter, the couple just wanted a simple, fuss and stress free day to become. husband and wife.
“The pandemic really shaped our wedding – we planned six different days and finally realized after our first wedding date got cancelled in November 2020 that although it was important for us to be married we would not compromise on our close family not being in attendance.”
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“We had three failed wedding dates and six wedding plans! We started large with 120 guests but quickly dropped it to 30 last summer – then 15.”
“Thankfully, Boris cancelled our first date and, in all honesty, I think it was for the best.
“We also wanted something simple and stress free… so no bridesmaids and ushers, no cake… just simple flowers in a beautiful venue to celebrate bringing two families together.”
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The super talented Makeup Artist, Panda Makeup, and Hair Stylist Sophia Maria, were on hand to help the bride look and feel amazing.
For her wedding day scent, Olivia wore Green Orange and Coriander Perfume from Jo Loves.
“This is my everyday perfume which I adore.”
Olivia found her Willowby by Watters dress at the Dotty Bridal boutique in Holmfirth.
“My dress decision was certainly influenced by the pandemic when it came to my final decision.”
“I wanted a dress that could be adaptable to the ever-changing circumstances and wouldn’t look out of place if I ended up having to get married with just our witnesses.”
“I settled for a simple and sleek ivory gown by Willowby by Watters Design… I loved the elegance and simple design but the open back with delicate ties made it a bit sexy.”
“The first item I brought for the wedding were my shoes from Vita Grace – it was during the first lockdown and I saw them on Instagram. I adored the pearl embellishment and the small heel and purchased them straight away.”
“My mum had my beautiful drop-down earrings made for me by a local jewelker – they were perfect and a very last minute decision.”
“I had my grandpas tie pin in my bouquet. he was a very special man in my life, and I somehow wanted him to be apart of it.”
“I kept my thumb on the tie pin the whole time I walked down the aisle and during my vows.”
“My brother walked me down the aisle. It was a very special moment and a role I knew I wanted him to do from the day I got engaged.”
“As we entered the ceremony, we were accompanied by a piano cover of Firestone. We ended the ceremony to Fresh by Ikson.”
“Ben and I met on Tinder 7 years ago. Ben popped the question in early 2020 in our kitchen, it wasn’t quite the romantic country walk I had perhaps hoped for, but it was perfect.”
“I have been obsessed with Kit Kemps interior design since I stayed in one of the Firmdale Hotels for my 21st birthday.”
“I adore how Kit curates her spaces; full of colour, texture and craft work but tied up in such a sophisticated way.”
“So I knew early in the wedding planning process that I would love to have our wedding in one of the firmdale hotels.”
“Each of the wedding dates we had planned was at a different Firmdale hotel – their event team was incredible (big shout out to Hayley their Events Director) about accommodating a moving stuff around for us.”
“When we got married there were still restrictions in place, meaning we could have only 30 guests and no dancing, etc.”
“I think because it was such an intimate day with only 19 guests in all, we didn’t miss out on the big dance floor, and still managed to have a little dance in the drawing room at the end of the evening.”
“Our photographer, Carrie Lavers, was a recommendation from a childhood friend. Carrie was one of the first things we booked and all I can say is it was the best money spent.”
“Not only was Carrie a dream to work with ahead of the wedding as she was so accommodating with the ever changing dates but on the day this woman is incredible.”
“She just slips in and gets to work. Her photography is unforced and captures things naturally… they way it should be.”
“My mum was our florist. She used a combination of faux and real flowers to make our beautiful table centrepieces and whimsical arrangements that were dotted around the venue.”
“She picked cow parsley and greenery from the hedgerows back in Yorkshire and mixed them with some faux roses – they arrangements were so wild and beautiful.”
“Our wedding bands were custom made by Jessie Harris. Ben had worked with Jessie on my engagement ring, and we knew we wanted her to do our wedding bands.”
“My wedding band is in keeping with my engagement ring with diamonds and aquamarines. Ben had a hand carved gold band made.”
Once again, due to Covid restrictions, the couple were unable to have a first dance…
“However in our hotel room post wedding we danced on the bed to Fresh by Ikson again”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Pay for what you can afford, there are so many ways to have your dream day without spending money crazy sums of money.”
“Choose your non negotiables upfront with your partner before planning e.g, photographer, food etc. This really helped us.”
“Most importantly remember your day is about you and your partner.”
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“The whole day was magical, however, my two highlights were; finally saying I do as it really had felt like an obstacle race to finally make it down that aisle and secondly our hour in regent parks with Carrie taking pictures in the evening. We laughed so much, and we were able to reflect on the day before going back to our family.”
“In all honest our day was perfect. I always dreamed of having a large winter wedding and the fact we ended up having such a small summer wedding was perfect. I guess when you know you’re marrying the right person it doesn’t matter on those details.”
Annabel
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Annabel is the founder of Love My Dress. She lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, two daughters Eska and Leanora and three dogs. She is passionate about photography, supporting women in business and in life, and is in her element being surrounded by nature and the countryside.