Charlotte wearing Suzanne Neville for a relaxed, outdoorsy Surrey wedding

Charlotte and Bobby are the most adorable couple! Married in September this year, their nature inspired outdoorsy Surrey wedding was a fun, relaxed and elegant day, with Charlotte looking incredible in her beautiful lace ‘Cezanne’ wedding dress by Suzanne Neville.

THE DRESS

Cezanne by Suzanne Neville is a classic, elegant wedding dress, with a delicate lace bodice, pretty scalloped neckline and delightful capped sleeves. The nipped in waist is finished with a satin ribbon, flaring out into a full and romantic swishy tulle skirt.

Charlotte tells us all about finding her dress;

“When it came to trying on dresses I knew exactly what I didn’t want and was very nervous about not finding ‘The One.’ All that pressure to find a dress for the greatest day of your life, which you’ll only get to wear once! Luckily the Miss Bush team are very experienced and have many options for the indecisive bride. When I first put the dress on it actually fit me perfectly (apart from needing to be taken up slightly) and was so comfortable. In my Mother’s words it was very ‘me’ and when made available to us as a sample (on our 2nd visit) it was just meant to be and The Dress was purchased.”

 
“I made the deliberate decision to wedding dress shop with only my Mother, mainly because I wanted to spend some quality time alone with her during this special search, but also I’m not great at shopping and one (very) honest opinion was enough for me! When I first started trying on dresses, Mother was overcome by emotion on multiple occasions, even if the dress was horrible! This proved a little tricky in deciphering initial impressions. However, by the time we arrived at Miss Bush she’d exhausted the tear ducts and the very first dress I tried on she decided was perfect, which luckily ended up be ‘The One’.”

“My favourite part of the dress shopping experience was spending time with my Mummy and trying on dresses in Miss Bush! We drank fizz (essential) and I tried on some absolutely beautiful gowns, all in the most fabulous, charming location of the Chapel. Corinne and Rosie, who assisted me with finding my perfect dress and during all the fittings, were super professional and friendly and were very patient with me. Thank you very much Miss Bush, I highly recommend all brides pay you a visit!”

“It wouldn’t have been ‘me’ to over-accessorise, so I kept it very simple. As my dress had a lace detail bodice and such an elegant organza skirt, I didn’t want to take too much away from it. I wore super comfortable LK Bennett heels (comfortable shoes essential for dancing all night and traversing steps in Church!), pearl earrings and flowers in my hair under my long plain veil also purchased from Miss Bush.”

ABOUT THE DAY

Charlotte and Bobby’s day was relaxed and elegant, with subtle styling inspired by Charlotte’s love of nature and the great outdoors. Charlotte tells us all about it, and looks back on some of the most special parts of their day;

“I myself am particularly outdoors-y and spend a lot of time in fields, forests with the horses or dog. I wanted the feel of the day to be personal, relaxed and elegant, not over the top, but inspired by the countryside. As we love to holiday in Italy this idea transpired into an Italian Forest theme, giving a nod to our favourite European country and my natural habitat!”

“Our Bridesmaids Dresses from Maids to Measure were Forest Green in colour and we procured matching ties for the groom and his ushers from Swagger & Swoon.

Our florist Chloe from The Oak and the Owl took my foliage heavy vision and created the most beautiful arrangements including Italian ruscus garlands and chandeliers to decorate the marquee accompanied by sweet smelling white flowers amongst the foliage centre pieces. We even picked our own foliage and created ivy bunting along with potting green and white plants in old Wine boxes and placing on log stumps and tree trunk rounds.”

“The food and wine provided the Italian element. Chef Maxwell Mackenzie from Salted Events created absolutely delicious canapes and wedding breakfast, which were accompanied by Aperol Spritz’, Prosecco and superb Italian red and white wines. We also kept our guests going later in the evening with Pizza served out of a Defender courtesy of The Mobile Pizzeria, YUM.”

“The personal touches aside for being set in back garden of my family home included entertaining baby photos of my husband and I hung up along a vine, as well as home-made sloe gin wedding favours my Mother made and my sister and our friends singing during the signing of the registers.”

“I enjoyed absolutely every moment of the wedding organisation and preparation leading up to the big day and on the day itself my favourite part was the wedding ceremony as well as being able to feel like a Princess for the day in my beautiful dress from Miss Bush. I was surprisingly not nervous at all, despite having stairs to walk down on entrance (which by the way I aced)! I had a perma-grin throughout the service, had my hero of a Father to walk me down the aisle, sung some fabulous hymns and got to marry my best friend surrounded by all the people I love.”

FINAL WORDS

Charlotte gives us her top tips for dress shopping, and wedding planning in general;

“My words of wisdom when bridal shopping:

Choose and dress which you are most comfortable in, which makes you feel special. Also it doesn’t matter if you don’t instantly feel like it’s ‘The one’… I only got that feeling on the Wedding Day itself.”

“General advice for prospective Brides:

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO PREPARED! DO delegate to Bridesmaids and family members and write lists capturing everything you envisage down and an itinerary for the day and days prior so that when you’re too busy being a Bride your team can step in to help. Send your Itinerary and requirements to the relevant suppliers too.

DO ensure you have a sit down meeting with all the most important suppliers at least once, but preferably many times until you feel comfortable. Essentials being Caterer, Florist and Photographer (and in our case marquee provider). Don’t leave it till the Big Day as there’s nothing you can do if the supplier has missed something or you just haven’t been vocal enough to ensure it was sorted beforehand.”

“DO get a videographer, probably our best use of money as they capture everything and everyone and the resulting videos make for the most fabulous memories.

DO decide what you’d like to definitely ‘achieve’ on your Wedding Day beforehand and tell your Bridesmaids so that they enforce this on the Day. For example: If you want to make sure you taste the Wedding cake, have that dance with Granny, ensure your makeup is topped up later in the evening or to just take 5 minutes alone with your new Husband… you don’t want to miss moments like these or have any regrets as you won’t get that day back again.

Finally DON’T Worry, you’ll feel Amazing and have a wonderful Day. After all it is YOUR Wedding Day and all for you and your Husband-to-be, everyone’s rooting for you.”

SUPPLIERS

The list of brilliant suppliers that contributed to Charlotte and Bobby’s day;

Dress & Veil: Miss Bush
Photographer: L C World Photography
Wedding Invitations: Papier
Table Names, Place Names & Cake Topper: Dot Laser
Groom and Groomsmen Ties: Swagger & Swoon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Maids to Measure
Horse Box Photobooth: Horsebox Photobooth
Catering: Salted Events
Videographer: MB Films
Marquee: Perfect Pitch Marquees
Wedding Cake: Andi Freeman Cakes
Floristry: The Oak and the Owl
Hair & Makeup: LALO Hair and Makeup
Bar & Whiskey Barrel hire: The Vintage Bar Company
Bar staff & beverages: The Vine King
Wood-fired Pizza Defender: The Mobile Pizzeria

Thank you so much to Charlotte and Bobby for sharing their day with us, and to Charlotte for taking the time to tell us all about her experience and the details that went into making their wedding so special!

Leah x