Inés & Michael’s wedding was a truly beautiful and elegant day. Beginning with an emotional ceremony at their local Catholic church, the couple celebrated their union amidst the stunning Victorian architecture at the Grade I listed Chertsey & Royal Holloway University. Inés’ beautiful Suzanne Neville wedding dress and Spanish hair comb looked the picture of bridal elegance; perfect for her romantic and opulent French inspired wedding to Michael.
Inés tells us about meeting Michael, and his sweet surprise proposal in Spain;
“We met on a night out in Windsor 8 years ago, but it wasn’t love at first sight! We stayed in contact for a whole year and would message each other now and again. The foundations were built on laughter and friendship and then after a meet up it was clear we were both very well matched.
The engagement was completely unexpected and still to this day I’m not sure how I didn’t pick up on something! We were off on a two-week holiday to Spain (to my dad’s home town in Burriana which is close to Valencia). It’s somewhere that means a lot to me and is really a second home. It’s a real taste of Spain and you can go and completely escape the touristy spots. We had only just got there and already after a few hours Michael wasn’t his usual relaxed self. He kept suggesting, “let’s go for a walk” or “let’s go for a stroll along the beachfront”. I told him we’ve got two whole weeks to do that, maybe tomorrow! Sure enough the next morning he was up early eager to get to the beach but also said he felt quite queasy and his stomach was unsettled and he needed ‘fresh air’. I had to apply suncream – military style – and took a while to feel ‘beach ready’. Eventually we made the short walk from apartment to beach, decided on a spot to lay our towels, upon which Michael exclaimed “eurgh… my stomach is really hurting” and subsequently fell to his knees- which is very unusual for him to be so ill! In my naivety I thought he was genuinely unwell and did panic that we weren’t within running distance of any toilet facilities, but he sort of styled it out into a big smiling face, had my hand in his and delivered his lovely speech – I cried which is standard. I’d said yes before he’d even got the ring out to which he replied, “well hang on you don’t know what it looks like- could be a Hula Hoop”. (there are other hooped crisps available)!”
THE DRESS
Inés wore Aria by Suzanne Neville; a stylish off-the-shoulder wedding gown with a figure-hugging silhouette, elegant off the shoulder v-neckline and a gently flared trumpet skirt, which she paired with a full-length lace-edged Jesus Peiro veil.
Inés tells us more;
“I visited Miss Bush as my fourth bridal shop visit, after having had some really mixed bridal shop experiences elsewhere! Including one assistant saying, “well I guess if you just hold the dress up to your body you can get a feel for it, as none of these sizes are big enough for you”!!!
I was after something mermaid/fishtail lace everywhere because of the Spanish on my dad’s side, and instead Corinne and the other members of the Miss Bush team steered me towards lots of different options.”
“My mum originally pointed out the dress and Corinne thought it was a great idea – there were some even though I might have liked, she kept pushing me gently towards looking at other options. I came with my mum, sister and a bridesmaid, Clare. None of us were exactly emotional when I found ‘The One’ but we were all equally in love with it and knew it was the one for me. The veil was just as much an important item for me as the dress and I’m happy that I got to combine the two designers! We all couldn’t stop smiling!
My favourite part of the dress shopping experience was the designer day with Suzanne Neville, which was brilliant. To get to meet the designer of your most special dress and have her sketch it is really a special experience and a lovely keepsake. Ultimately, I think Miss Bush set the bar high when it comes to any kind of shopping experience. I am genuinely so impressed still.”
“I accessorised my look with my Manolo Blahnik lookalike heels on (by Dune), that were my something blue which I loved and of course my beautiful Jesus Peiro veil with my something borrowed; a mother of pearl Mantilla comb from my sister’s wedding. Then I wore my grandmothers Spanish Peseta coin bracelet as my something old.”
ABOUT THE DAY
Inés and Michael’s day celebrated Inés’ love of romantic Rococo/Baroque French style, and Inés tells us more about the inspiration behind it;
“I love cherubs and that kind of Marie Antoinette style look! (Minus the hairstyle). I love drawing and sketching and I generally come from a very artistic family, so I got creative and sketched the invites myself of the three cherubs. Then I enlisted the help of my friend and talented Graphic Designer, Jess Kelly, to add in the fonts and size them up for me to make them look extra pretty.”
“Then it just snowballed from there with the opulent/gold and pastels colours. I wanted white to very pale pink flowers and my brilliant mum did all the flowers for me so I knew she would understand exactly what I wanted, whilst also being clever with budget as the Rococo theme was proving quite pricey.
I knew I wanted Orchids from day 1! We had a Macaron tower that also tied in with the French Patisserie feel complete with white chocolate cherubs!”
“I knew I wanted to wear my sisters Mantilla comb as my something borrowed. These are typically worn by flamenco dancers and in other Spanish traditional costume.
There were so many amazing parts to the day…. but I think my favourite moment was holding Michael’s hand, surrounded by nearest and dearest, whilst we were both shaking in the church- worrying slightly that all 6ft 4 of him would keel over at any point – he was more nervous than me!”
FINAL WORDS
Inés shares some dress shopping tips and her advice for new brides starting to plan their weddings;
“Do not insist you only want to try one style on. I am someone who doesn’t want to go for the same thing everything else is doing just because it’s all over instagram. Also try on dresses you think you won’t like as you might surprise yourself. Don’t go too whacky- unless that’s the look you’re going for of course, but at the end of the day you want to look like yourself at your most fabulous and what might look nice on a Pinterest model might not do you any favours.”
“As for wedding planning in general, it will all be alright on the night as they say. Don’t panic about menial things as ultimately very few people know what was “meant to happen” in what order- no-one will know if it doesn’t quite run smoothly or to plan. Just breathe, smile and enjoy it!”
SUPPLIERS
Photographer: Matt Lee Photographic
The Dress: Suzanne Neville at Miss Bush
Venue 1: St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Chertsey
Venue 2: Royal Holloway University, Egham
Florist: My dear mum- Janice Granell- THE LEGEND
Hair: Haley Foale- The Medicine Room
Make Up: Louise Done – LND Makeup
Accessories: Jesus Peiro at Miss Bush
Shoes: Dune
Cake: Le Papillon Patisserie
Caterer: Royal Holloway University, Egham
Band/entertainment: The Firm
Props/etc: Lavenders of London
Sound system: Precision Events Ltd
Invites & other stationery: Jessica Kelly
Pink sheep sculpture: José Granell Sculptures
Gospel group: ‘Charisma’
Caricaturist: Paul Baker
Floral supplies: the farm shop, Chertsey
lighting/events company: Innovents
Thank you so much to Inés and Michael for sharing their stunning wedding day with us! We loved the Rococo inspired styling and the personal touches that featured throughout, especially Inés’ beautiful, meaningful haircomb.
Leah x
