REAL WEDDING: SI & EMMA
When did you get married? Saturday 19th September 2020.
Was this your original wedding date? No, the original wedding was planned for Saturday 27th June 2020.
Where did you get married? West Green House Gardens, Hampshire.
How did it differ to what you initially had planned? We invited 100 less people which was the biggest change. With fewer guests we wanted the whole day to feel more relaxed and intimate. We also shifted the timings around so that everyone arrived and left earlier. This meant a bigger focus on reception drinks outside in the garden with our incredible acoustic band, rather than partying into the early hours.
When did you make the decision to go ahead with a smaller wedding? Three weeks before! After the original wedding date was postponed, our "second" plan was to have a Christmas party with the same number of guests. However, when we soon realised that wouldn't be possible, our vicar gave us the option of a September date and we went with it.
How did you inform some of your guests that they would no longer be invited, and how did they react? We kept as many people as possible informed during the replanning process, and all our family and friends were incredibly kind and understanding. The situation was so far beyond our control so I think everyone was just happy we could go ahead, even if they weren't there to celebrate with us in person.
How was it dealing with all of your suppliers given the uncertainty of the situation? My husband and I both work in the events industry, so, naturally, we chose to work with people we have great relationships with – which helped. Given the uncertainty and constant changes, all our suppliers were so flexible and amenable. We never felt their stress even though it must have been a horrible time for them too.
What did you wear? I wore a Galvan dress (which was fitted by Charlotte Sweet-Williams at Sewn Right), Valentino shoes and handbag, and a Rosantica headpiece. My Maid of Honour leant me a diamond necklace by Roxanne First (who coincidentally designed my engagement ring) and I kept in my everyday Maria Tash hoops.
Was it the wedding dress you had always planned on wearing? Yes.
Did you have an outfit change? Yes: I changed into a Retrofête sequin mini dress - a mini disco ball!
Do you have any tips to stay calm when planning a wedding during a global pandemic? It is incredibly difficult to plan for such a momentous day when the rules and regulations around weddings are changing so regularly - keeping calm can be hard at times! Keep in close contact with your suppliers so you fully understand how you can adapt your plans and what the financial or logistical implications will be. Be confident that your friends and family will completely understand any changes and keep in contact with them when possible. Readjust your expectations of the day: even if it isn't the wedding you had originally planned, it will be the most special day that you never forget.
Do you have any advice for people planning to do the same? Go with the flow, forget about what your wedding "should" have been like, and be ready to make last minute changes!
What was the best part of your day? We kept the service to immediate family, which I was worried would feel empty in our church, but was actually magical – there were a lot of tears! Having a few people in the church meant that when we walked into the reception we were greeted by all our friends which was an incredible feeling. My bridesmaids’ and husband Si's speech was also something I will never forget… I want to do it all over again!
Will you do a bigger celebration once this is all over? No, it felt like the perfect day.
Caterer: Social Pantry
Flowers: Millie Richardson Flowers
Photographers: Nic Ford
Dresses: Galvan London & Retrofête
Groom’s Suit: Made by Tim Everest at Grey Flannel
Headpiece: Rosantica
Shoes: Valentino
Hair: Emma Kim Hair
AV & Lighting: Prestige Sound & Light
