As has been the case for many couples who planned to get married in 2020 or 2021, my husband and I had to scrap our original date and location. We were due to get married in Portugal last year, in Porto, near to the factory where the shoes for my eponymous brand are made. But constant rearrangements eventually led to us getting married – in secret – on my birthday in September 2020, in a sweet church at the end of my husband’s family garden. On 14 August this year, we chose to get married there again, this time surrounded by our friends and family. When we broke the news that we were actually renewing our vows, rather than saying them for the first time, it was so special.
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I had eight bridesmaids and one brides-man. We needed a huge hotel room to get ready in – I’m surprised that fellow guests didn’t complain as we were up (and loud) early in the morning! The wedding party had dresses from Rixo, in a range of colours, and the ushers wore pocket squares from Rixo in the same print. Naturally, the bridesmaids wore shoes from my own wedding collection: they chose between the Matilda, a block-heel style with a crystal buckle, and the Carina, which has a knotted detail at the front and interchangeable ankle straps. I feel like I concentrated on everyone else’s outfit more than my own!
I wore three looks across the weekend of celebrations. The first comes with quite the backstory. I had been searching for a suitable gown for two years, until I came across a beautiful Marchesa dress adorned with flowers, which was owned by a fellow bride-to-be. She changed her outfit for her ceremony earlier this summer and postponed her wedding party to next year, so had never even worn the dress. Thankfully, she was delighted that another bride would be able to enjoy it and we met to hand it over. It fit perfectly. I added some straps, paired it with a headband, veil, diamond bow earrings and Daphne pumps from my bridal range. In the evening, I swapped out my Marchesa for a wonderful Matthew Williamson sequined party dress with a frou frou feather trim that I rented from My Wardrobe HQ, plus my Carina heels (rounded toes are easier to dance in). Finally, I slipped into a Galvan dress that I already owned.
As for the day itself, the same reverend who married us in September held the ceremony once again, and I added playful touches to make sure the day wasn’t too stuffy. Afterwards, we walked through an archway – got showered in confetti – and made our way to the marquee, which was decorated with flowers and plants that were gifted to guests at the end of the night. I hired a local zero-waste food company called Bubble & Squeak that provided a delicious, no-fuss Italian feasting menu, and instead of a wedding cake, we opted for a giant pavlova. We danced into the night, then enjoyed a recovery gathering the next day at a lovely pub called The Potting Shed, for which I wore yet another rented outfit – a Zimmermann mini dress with huge bows on the shoulders.
As for the bride-to-be that I bought my dress from? We remain good friends and text regularly. I plan to resell my dress, in the hope that another bride will feel just as much joy as I did – and, perhaps, gain another friendship.
