Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - Apr/May 2019 (Issue 70)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  LOOKING THE PART The bride wore two dresses: a stunning fit-and-flare style by American designer Calla Blanche for the day and a sparkly beaded dress with a slit added to the knee for an evening-party feel. “I would research the designers I liked and then find a stockist for it in the UK,” the newlywed tells us. “I always took my mum and sister to every appointment to get their reactions.” Nick looked handsome in a tailored black dinner suit. “He normally struggles with suits because of how tall he is, but this fitted him perfectly,” Hayley says. “The groomsmen matched in outfits hired from Moss Bros.” The bridesmaids wowed in mink dresses. “Finding gowns was hard because my six best girls are all different shapes, but I was so happy with the style we opted for,” the bride says. “It wrapped slightly at the front and showed off their rose gold shoes.” Each of them had a different hairstyle to suit them but with matching flowers pinned in for consistency. TIME TO CELEBRATE Music is very important to the bride. Through her work, she knows how crucial it is to set the tone and keep everyone on a high. “I’d seen Creation multiple times at events, and every time they got guests on their feet before they’d even finished dinner – we knew they were perfect for us,” Hayley explains. The six-piece band featured a saxophonist, who also played during the drinks reception, and a vocalist, who performed during the meal. They also had an open photo booth with a sequin backdrop so their loved ones could snap some mementoes. MEMORABLE MOMENTS With the weather being very hit-and-miss in the morning, Hayley was feeling the pressure. “I was very anxious in the build-up to the big day, but as soon as I walked down the aisle, all those feelings melted away, and the rest of the day was full of laughter and happiness,” she says. Nick felt the nerves during the ceremony, as Hayley recalls: “He confused his vows by repeating everything the registrar said, even when she said ‘well done’ to him! We couldn’t stop laughing.” There were so many moments that stood out for the newlyweds, from the emotional walk down the aisle to the wonderful speeches. “We still laugh about Nick’s six-year- old sister, who wasn’t content with just being flowergirl, so she appointed herself the seventh member of the band and performed with them all night,” Hayley smiles. A HELPING HAND The couple did it all with help from a team of talented suppliers. “Our videographer went above and beyond to capture all the special moments,” the bride says. “One of our friends is a choreographer who helped us with our first dance; it was only a few twirls and dips, but it worked perfectly and had everyone crying again when we watched the video!” In the evening, an incredible sunset made a brilliant backdrop. “Our wonderful photographer, Albert Palmer Photography, took us out to get some photographs. It was such a lovely moment,” Hayley says.