Fiona wearing Sassi Holford Florence for her stylish Goodwood wedding

We are so excited to share this wedding with you today!! Miss Bush bride Fiona’s look was seriously stylish and unique, and we just love the way she accessorised her incredible Sassi Holford ‘Florence’ gown with a creative, statement headpiece by Esther Louise.

Fiona and Tom were married at St Peter’s Church in Chailey, East Sussex, followed by a classic but relaxed dinner party inspired reception at Goodwood House in Chichester. We’re delighted to share the images by Kim Williams with you today, along with some words about the day from our bride, Fiona.

THE DRESS

Sassi Holford Florence is a beautiful silk taffeta wrap gown, with long sleeves and a full skirt – unrestricted, stylish but comfortable and perfect for fashionable brides looking for something a little different.

Fiona tells us more anout finding her wedding dress;

“I ended up choosing the Sassi Holford Florence, and then adapting it to my own style, shape and preference.”

“In the beginning I wasn’t excited about finding a dress. I live in jeans and jumpers, but I LOVE shoes – so they were always the thing I knew I would be most excited about buying. And like a lot of women I REALLY struggle with accepting and knowing how to dress my own body.

I had been to a few other shops to try to find something and it was a disaster – I left in tears thinking “well if I find anything that fits it’ll be a miracle”. Cue arriving at Miss Bush, meeting Emma and having her turn all that RIGHT around. I LOVE that fact she is a straight shooter. And from the word go I knew she knew what she was talking about. She pulled out about 6 dresses and I loved all of them! However, it still wasn’t QUITE the one.

After a quick dive into the “archive” she brought me the Florence. It didn’t look much on the hanger, but when she described it as a “jacket dress” my ears pricked up. Wrap dress – tick. Unconvential – tick. Simple but stunning – MASSIVE TICK! And it all went from there…”

“I only every brought my mother with me to dress shopping appintments – as I do believe you can have too many cooks!

I had 2 dresses that I loved, both were total opposites, and she knows I am very strong minded so couldn’t ever “tell me” what I should choose, but when I was strutting around in “Florence” and clearly having the most amazing time wearing it she said “just imagine walking into Goodwood House wearing THAT!” We both just smiled and laughed and knew that was the right choice. (We also had about 5 phone calls the following week just to say “it’s the right one, it’s the right one, it’s going to be SO fabulous”…. so the reaction continued for days after deciding!”

“If I am honest, meeting Emma was the best part of the dress shopping experience. I rarely trust anyone with guiding me with style and dressing, but she is just SO knowledgeable, and clearly understands the importance of bringing your own personality and flair to your wedding dress – and that was like gold dust.

I just SO looked forward to my visits to Miss Bush and frankly will miss seeing the team! Thank god for Instagram hey!”

ACCESSORIES

“As I went for a fairly simple, classic looking dress I knew I needed to add a bit of the “Fifi” flair. I had my eyes on the Manolo Blahnik’s for a while and was so happy that I took the plunge – I got them in the emerald green- to match my engagement ring but also my maiden name, Green. They really made me feel like I was stepping out into a Vanity Fair shoot!

I also knew I didn’t want a traditional veil – it just wasn’t me – so I found a design I loved for a headpiece and had it commissioned by a wonderful milliner called Ester Louise who was BRILLIANT. The whole look was just exactly what I had pictured, and also not like anything else I have ever seen on anyone else… like I said before, Classic with a twist :-)”

ABOUT THE DAY

Fiona tells us more about the inspiration behind her wedding day to Tom;

“Our wedding was “Ralph Lauren meets Country Chic”- well sort of! Both Tom and I are very much ‘Classic with a Twist’. He is very old school and I am an actress- were both drawn to Emerald, Navy colours; and traditional style but with a theatrical flair!

We had said from the beginning “we want the reception to feel like a very elaborate dinner party” and that is just what is was. Likewise, we wanted to go with traditional dress but with personal touches. Tom always wanted to be in Morning Suit but then had tailor made trousers in his family tartan. It was all very classic, but you could see the personal touches everywhere, which was SO key for me.”

“I had a few favourite parts of the day listening to 2 of my closest friends singing in church (they are both professionals and sang 3 of my favourite songs) it was beyond beautiful and people are still talking about them a month later!

The drive between the Church and Goodwood in the Bentley S3 with Tom- it was about an hour- which at first I worried about, but actually it gave us time together, to laugh, relax and enjoy those first moments of being married.”

“Also making my speech. Having been quite nervous I found it was one of the best things I have ever done. To say in front of all your favourite people just how much to love them, but also being able to say how an incredible man my new husband is- its nice to occasionally blow the trumpet! Plus, I kind of loved being able to have the last word! Why should only the men have the fun!”

FINAL WORDS

Some words of advice from our bride, Fiona;

“I think one of the best decisions I made was having at least 1 session trying on dresses on my own – so I could make my own mind up about what I liked, the look I perhaps wanted to go for, before then inviting others to come and see my “top choices”- it’s really easy to be swayed by the strong opinions of others- I would say, whether its with the dress, or any other part of the wedding- it is YOUR wedding, and you want to have your personality and personal style all over it!”

SUPPLIERS

Photographer & videographer: Kim Williams
The Dress: Sassi Holford at Miss Bush
Hat: Ester Louise
Hair and Makeup: Fran Carter
Cake: Frizelle Cakes
Flowers: Spriggs
Grooms Outfit: Turnbull and Asser & David Saxby, Fulham
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Wedding Car: Sovereign Cars
Reception: Goodwood Estate
Mother of the Bride’s Outfit: Caroline Charles
Bridesmaids: Ghost

Thank you so much to Fiona for sharing her stunning wedding to Tom with us – I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it and have been inspired by Fiona’s fabulous style!

Leah x