Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 82)

50 longer,” Sarah reveals. LOOKING THE PART Exactly a week after getting engaged, Sarah booked an appointment to go dress shopping at Anna Bridal Couture in Ringwood with just her mum and dad. She explains, “I had a rough idea in mind but wasn’t really sure where to start, thank goodness Anna and her girls were there to help! Literally the second dress I tried on, mum cried, then I cried and we knew it was the one . I think dad was just pleased he didn’t have to do any more shopping! The girls were so lovely and welcoming, it was just the most perfect experience ever.” She chose a Justin Alexander dress (style no. 88124) and in the lead-up to the wedding kept in touch with Anna during lockdown via Zoom calls. “We discussed options for getting my dress ready in time, which was really reassuring. The alterations normally take eight to 10 weeks but her amazing seamstress Kim got it ready in just two weeks and I collected it three days before the wedding,” says Sarah. Freddy wore a three-piece Cavani suit which he bought from Cavendish Menswear in Romsey about a week before once the shops started reopening. They weren’t able to get the ushers matching suits at such short notice. However they did get them all blush pink ties to complement the bridesmaids’ dresses. “As my dress had lots of lace and beading I wanted the girls to have something simple with a V-neck to match mine,” adds Sarah. THE ‘I DOS’ “There were several compromises we had to make on our dream wedding in order to meet the government guidelines including, no hymns in the church, we only had 20 guests, three to a pew and the rings had to be sanitised. Although this was an odd element to our special day, these are strange times and keeping our friends and family safe was just as important as our vows. Walking down the aisle to the classic bridal march was an amazing, surreal moment and seeing Freddy waiting for me, with tears in his eyes, made all the stress and uncertainty worthwhile,” recalls Sarah. TIME TO CELEBRATE They had to adapt to the restrictions but the hardest part was not being able to have all their loved ones with them. “About half of our day guests were due to fly in from all around the world, including the best man who lives in Australia. Also my nan, who I’m very close to, is in a care home so obviously she wasn’t allowed to attend,” Sarah explains. With huge help from friends and family they were able to celebrate with an afternoon tea party in Sarah’s parents’ garden, coincidentally almost exactly 23 years after they had their wedding reception there. Not everyone was able to join them, some just came for the ceremony and the reception they’d planned at Beaulieu has been postponed until June next year. “Thankfully we have the same venue and all the same suppliers we’d originally booked, who have all been so patient and helpful. Despite wishing and planning for ‘the big white wedding’ we absolutely loved having such