Hello! We’re off to West Sussex this morning for Fiona and Stuart’s beautiful countryside barn wedding. They were married in August last year Upwaltham Barns in Petworth, with a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere to their day!
The Dress
Fiona’s dress choice was Suzanne Neville Phoenix, a really unique and super stylish ivory crepe gown with sheer back and sleeves, soft fluid column skirt and beautiful embroidered detail around the back and neckline. Although she had originally had a completely different style of dress in mind, after discovering Suzanne Neville and researching the range of different dresses available, a sample of Phoenix was brought in especially for Fiona to try on!
Fiona says;
“In terms of reactions it was a little unorthodox. I had very honest opinions in my party with different tastes and styles. However as soon as I had stopped trying on all the floaty dresses I liked and followed Emma’s advice and put on a more structured dress they went from ‘nice’ to ‘wow’ and if I am honest that was the biggest deciding factor for me. When I finally found the Phoenix and tried that on it was still a decider between that and another Suzanne Neville dress so even though I was getting ooohs and ahhhs, I never had that typical tear jerking ‘yes’ moment. There were wonderful comments and the odd tear at different moments but in the end everyone was happy with my decision. I think that what was so great about Miss Bush, they were so patient and understanding with my long process of finding the right one.”
Fiona kept her look very simple, with her hair in a pretty braided chignon finished with a simple Gypsophila crown for a touch of whimsical, rustic charm.
“I wanted it all to be soft and about the dress. I did not have any jewellery accept the Diamond earrings Stuart gave me on the morning of the Wedding and my Grandmother’s Engagement Ring as my something Old and Borrowed.”
“I wore very simple Nude & White strappy sandals from Reiss for the Ceremony & Reception and Navy Blue Calf Skin Pumps, from Jigsaw for the Dancing. I think there can be a tendency to want to be bold and go all out on the only day you really can. But again through styling at Miss Bush, I was advised to keep it natural and to think about my features and skin tone and I hope I did exactly that.”
“Finding Miss Bush and Suzanne Neville was actually the most amazing and important part of the dress shopping experience! I was the typical bride that didn’t get what she expected or originally wanted despite the significant research and hundreds of ‘pins’. I did love the whole experience but getting my head into a different head space was a little stressful. However it was only because I realised that Emma wanted to put me in what would make me look my best and I then just had to combine that with the style I liked and what I would feel comfortable in. I loved the attention and the comments as it is the only time I have ever felt like that, I just had to learn to be more open minded and then very aptly I found my Phoenix.”
About the Day
It was really important to Fiona and Stuart for their day to be a reflection of their relationship, so the day was inspired by them; casual, British and Fun.
“We knew we wanted a relaxed country setting and to work with people that were able to give us flexibility and allow us to make every part of the day about us. Which is exactly what we got. I wanted to keep everything quite simple and clean, so though I kept saying I did not have or want a ‘colour theme’, everything was white, so I guess I did. Most of the decorations were made or arranged by us or people close to us and therefore everything had meaning and that what was most important.”
“It is so hard to pick my favourite part of the day. The important bit, the ceremony, was very special of course and the speeches were very lovely. There were so many fun parts, dancing with my friends, smushing the cake in Stuart’s face and watching my drunken Father-in-Law try and MC. But I think spending time with Stu, whether it was walking around, taking it all in or having our first dance together, as mushy as it sounds just being with him and observing everything around us was pretty magical.”
Final Words
Some final words of advice and wisdom from our bride;
“When looking for ‘THE’ dress, all I can say is just to be careful that you don’t focus on what you have always dreamed of, what is ‘IN’. I was so fixated on a certain type that I got stressed when I realised that style did not suit me. Be open minded, try on lots, but when it comes to it make sure it is ‘YOU’.”
“I did really enjoy planning the Wedding, it was so nice to have extra shopping trips and spend time making things with friends and family- so if you can, enjoy it and don’t stress, it will all get done! The best advice I can give is for the day; go with the flow. I had a ‘wedding bible’ where every detail was planned, timings, duties, orders etc. and when it came to it, it all went out the window….and it did not matter one bit! Just take a step back, be together and enjoy, no-one else will notice the little things that you would, so why worry?!”
Suppliers
Photographer: Emma Samuel Photography
Venue: Upwaltham Barns
Catering: Nibbles to Nosh
Bridal Dress: Suzanne Neville Phoenix at Miss Bush
Bridesmaids Dresses: Reformation
Cake: The Wildblackberry Wedding Cakes
Flowers: Claire de Lis
Hair & Make-Up: Lucianne Beauty
Band: Frankie & Louie
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Thank you so much for Fiona and Stuart for sharing their wonderful images and wedding day experience with us!
Leah x
Digital Media Manager at Miss Bush
Miss Bush is Surrey’s leading designer bridal shop
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