song Sophie walked down the aisle to. Their welcome sign was a mirror, and a friend helped Sophie create all the signage, including an order of the day. They also displayed a board filled with pictures of Sophie and Ed throughout the years, capturing their journey together and adding a nostalgic touch. Sophie and her dad travelled in a Campervan, which had always been Sophie’s number one choice for transportation on her big day. While her mum and bridesmaids were supposed to take a taxi, that plan went away when the driver never arrived. Fortunately, the Campervan driver came to the rescue by flagging down a kind lady driving past their house in a seven-seater. This thoughtful woman helped by taking the bridal party to the venue. As for the catering, the couple chose the same caterer for the entire day, and they truly exceeded expectations, making everything run smoothly. Guests enjoyed canapés during the drinks reception, a barbecue for the wedding breakfast, and a hog roast in the evening. Being vegetarian herself, Sophie prioritised working with caterers who offered various vegetarian options, understanding that sometimes those choices can be an afterthought. Thankfully, the food was nothing short of amazing. Sophie, a big fan of crisps, made sure they had a stand available for guests to help themselves in the evening. They also set up a cosy fire pit, which meant roasting marshmallows under the stars. To add a personal touch, all the wine and prosecco came from France, thanks to her dad, who brought it back on his trips to England. It was a day filled with thoughtful details and connections, making it all the more special. LOOKING THE PART Sophie bought her wedding dress from Velvet Queen in Cosham, Portsmouth. It was a stunning piece from Wilderly Bride called Marlowe. Interestingly, it was the second shop she visited to try on dresses, and right from the start, she fell head over heels for it. It was the first dress she tried that felt like her—fitting her shape beautifully. Although she originally envisioned an A-line gown, she ultimately chose a fit-and-flare style that made her feel confident and comfortable. To add sparkle, Sophie decided to accessorise with a belt that complemented the dress perfectly. She opted for a short veil, wanting to keep the exquisite back of the dress visible. Initially, she wasn’t planning on wearing a veil, but as she thought about it, she realised that such an opportunity might not come again. Plus, wearing it made her feel undeniably bridal. Silver and pearls became her signature accessories: the belt featured silver with pearls, and her shoes, earrings, necklace and bracelet followed suit. The bride comments, “I felt beautiful but still like myself, which was important. When trying on dresses, I often felt like I was dressing up, as if they didn’t represent who I was. But when I found my dress, I loved it. I’ve never struggled with body image, but on my wedding day, I truly felt beautiful and confident. I worried about my tummy and arms, yet in that gown, I just felt lovely. My dad even commented that the dress had an Art Deco vibe, which I hadn’t noticed until he pointed it out.” Ed wanted to stand out from his groomsmen and chose a dark green suit jacket with black trousers and a waistcoat. To tie the look together (no pun intended), he wore a matching tie with his groomsmen. He looked incredibly handsome, making a stylish statement on their special day. The groomsmen donned matching suits from Next, featuring a stylish brown check with deep red accents and rust-coloured satin ties. The ties harmonised beautifully with one of the bridesmaids, who wore a stunning silk rust dress. The bride had five bridesmaids, each choosing a dress that spoke to their style. Two bridesmaids wore the same dress but in different colours, while the others showcased a delightful gradient, transitioning from a rich dark red to a shimmering goldy bronze. The colours complemented each other perfectly, echoing the hues found in the floral arrangements. Meanwhile, the flowergirls and Ed’s nephews wore outfits in warm burnt orange, adding an extra charm to the celebration. TIME TO CELEBRATE The couple had arranged for a singer to perform before the ceremony and during the drinks reception, setting a lovely atmosphere. Later in the evening, they had an incredible band that really rocked the night. Instead of the usual wedding songs, the band played a mix of rocky and alternative tunes, which turned out to be a hit with everyone. They filled the dancefloor with pop-punk anthems that the couple had loved back in school. A memorable moment was when the band playfully changed the lyrics of Stacey’s Mom to Sophie’s Mom, bringing a fun twist to the night. The couple even sang that version to the bride’s mom at the hen do, reminiscing about the times when friends used to sing Sophie’s Mom to the bride at school when it first came out. 32
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