With axe-throwing, archery and rainbows, and not one but two beautiful Alice Rose Brides, this is wedding full of acceptance and joy and empowerment that is not to be missed! Beth and Charlotte met when LARPing: Beth was a blue demon, Charlotte was a wood elf, and the rest was history! Well, nearly – it took nearly two years for Beth to pluck up the courage to ask Charlotte out, but when she drove the eight-hour round trip to see Charlotte whilst in Wales performing in a panto, she knew it was worth it, and it wasn’t long after that they started talking marriage. By their first anniversary, it was a matter of who was going to get there first(!), and after Covid got in the way of Charlotte’s first attempt, it was Beth who got down on one knee at the end of the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour. Yes, it was next to the model of Hogwarts, yes, it involved the ring tied around a wand and yes, Charlotte thought it was magical and perfect! Charlotte still wanted to propose too, so proposed on Christmas Day with a handmade memory box full of different compartments that she’s painstakingly created. They officially got married in a private ceremony at a registry office, but had Beth’s best friend Craig (who introduced Charlotte to Beth) perform the ceremony at their wedding venue, which was on the site where they first realised that they liked each other, and that their feelings were reciprocated. The couple made pretty much everything, from their bouquets to the lawn games, and we think they definitely achieved their aim to have a summer fete feel that was relaxed and oozing with fun!

Charlotte: “I went to Alice Rose first: I’d walked past the shop as a schoolkid and knew it was where I wanted to go when I got married. I saw a particular dress online that I liked, and even though it was more than two years before we got married I emailed Donna to ask how frequently stocks changed. Donna said it was worth coming now, so I did! I tried on the dress that I’d seen but it didn’t actually feel right. I tried on the second one and knew “this was it”. I tried on others just to check, but this was the dress that felt like me. It was such a great time and experience. Leah and Donna were so helpful and made me feel so relaxed, comfortable and confident. I’d been put off from dress shopping ever since I went shopping for my prom dress and it was just horrible – but this was such a different experience and I’m so grateful.”

Beth: “I’ve never been a dress person, and I was convinced that if I got married it was going to be in trousers. However, when it came to it, I realised that my head was telling me that I wanted to wear a dress. I’ve had such awkward experiences trying on dresses but when Charlotte came back having had such a lovely experience at Alice Rose, I figured I’d give it a go. Right at the start of my appointment, Leah asked what my worries were and spent time putting my mind at ease. What I loved was that the dresses on the racks were a variety of sizes. Leah made sure the first one that I tried on was the right size for me. It had a much fuller skirt than I was intending to have, but I loved the bodice and most importantly it made me confident enough to try the other dresses on, even though I knew that not all of them would fit me. This is why I ended up staying with Alice Rose as it was so confidence building, and you guys are amazing.”

Charlotte: “What did it for me was the final fitting, where I said that the ultimate test was being able to do the Time Warp in my dress! Donna immediately put the Time Warp on and we all danced it right there in the middle of the boutique!”

Beth: “I said I needed to be able to beat Charlotte in archery in it! My dress didn’t have a back, so Cherilyn made a back with beautiful buttons, making sure the appliques blended in so it looked like it was meant to be. This made me feel so much more confident. But also Cherilyn made sure I had enough freedom of movement to throw an axe, making sure the arm holes were big enough! We both felt so understood and considered. We didn’t want to see each other’s dresses as we wanted to keep it a surprise, so Donna made sure that Charlotte’s dress had been taken off the rack when I came in for my appointment, and we were given different seamstresses so even they didn’t know what the other dress looked like.”

Charlotte: “When it comes to why I chose my dress, Paris by Eddy K, it was all about the feeling. I felt beautiful. I’ve often struggled with my physical self, but having such an incredible dress it was the most beautiful I’ve ever felt. I never wanted to take it off – it was like putting on a second skin. It was also like putting on armour and made me feel confident and strong. I loved every tiny detail, the way it flowed rather than being a cut-off bodice and skirt, for instance, and all the sequins – I love a bit of sparkle! I struggled to wear some of the dresses because I’m very sensory and get distracted by material brushing against my arms, for instance, but the mesh cutaways under the arms made the dress softer and easy to wear.”

Beth: “For me, it was the opposite! It was the least practical thing I’ve ever worn and I loved it! I’m part Scottish and loved how it had a Celtic/ medieval edge; the sleeves were just drama! It was very foresty, with ferns, leaves and flowers and it made me feeling muscly and strong, like an elven queen. It wasn’t too sequinny or shiny and it didn’t feel at all heavy or like it was going to get in the way.”

Charlotte: “My advice for your wedding day is have a code word for the bridal party in case you become socially drained or anxious! I didn’t need it in the end, but knowing that I had that safety made me worry less.”

Beth: “I’d say designate somebody to look after your phone on the day. That way you can have it when you want it, to take photos for instance, without having to worry about finding somewhere to put it. And if you are at all worried about wearing a wedding dress, talk to the wedding boutique. They are so knowledgeable so just talk to them and I guarantee they’ll help you to relax.”

Beth’s captivating JW20310 by Romantica of Devon and Charlotte’s beautiful Paris by Eddy K are both from our fabulous boutique. Book an appointment HERE or ring 01530 587210 to make your dream dress appointment. 

Credits:

All Photography by Kit Wilson and Craig Morgan: flickr.com/photos/kitwilsonprintschler

Beth’s Hair by Gemma and Wicked Hair: wicked-hair.com

Charlotte’s Hair and Make Up by her sister, Hannah!

Cake by Cakes by Karen: cakesbykaren.co.uk

Venue Kinver Scout Camp: scoutshw.org/kinver-scout-camp