As soon as Nikki walked into the boutique, asking for a second dress to match her mustard Prada shoes, we knew we were going to get along!  Her obsession with shoes and Sex and the City, not to mention her fabulous vintage style and gorgeous smile, filled us with joy, and her wedding to Matt, complete with two ceremonies, two dresses, lots of designer shoes and some adorable alpacas thrown into the mix (!) was just as uplifting.

Nikki and Matt met on an online dating app, and it turns out both had gone on the date secretly having decided that this would be their last: they were going to give up as both were getting fed up with the dating world. Nikki says she was ruthless, as she felt she had nothing to lose, and decided to lay all her cards on the table. And to their surprise, everything fell into place: they hit it off so well that by their third date they were already planning for the future and secretly knowing they’d get married. In turns out that these two love to stretch every celebration out and their engagement was no exception. Celebrating Christmas on their own on Christmas Eve, Matt’s very last present to Nikki was a photo album with something he loved about Nikki on each page. The last page said, “Will you marry me?” and when a teary Nikki looked up there was Matt on one knee with a ring. They then spent the next five days celebrating with family and going away for a few days.

“I’d bought my first dress less than a month after we’d got engaged – I’d tried a dress on not expecting to buy and all of a sudden I had my dress! Then lockdown happened and we had to postpone, and even six months before the rescheduled wedding we weren’t 100% sure we’d be able to invite too many guests. It was at this point we therefore decided to get married at the registry office two days before so that we could limit the guests to just four of us, with a slightly larger celebration two days later, and I immediately decided this also meant I could get another dress! I knew I wanted a tea-length dress as it goes more with my normal style and Matt’s Mum lives in Ashby so Alice Rose was the perfect choice. We hit it off right from when I rang to book my appointment and loved every minute of the experience! Maisie was the first dress I tried on as I’d seen her online and it had been love at first sight! I still tried on other dresses and had the experience I’d missed out on the first time, but I know what I want and the fitting was just like when I first met Matt – I knew straight away.”

“I wanted my second dress for the day we got married at the registry office and then for the evening reception as for both I would have felt uncomfortable in a floor-length dress. I knew I wanted House of Mooshki as I loved the style and fit, and when I tried Maisie on, I felt so comfortable. Then I tried on a gorgeous birdcage veil which just topped it off! I got everything in one go as then we picked out a fur shawl to complete the look – it all just fell into place!”

“We feel very rebellious with our wedding choices – like we cheated the system and won! Having the wedding over, let’s face it, three days – we spent the day in between getting the venue ready and catching up with family and friends – meant that we took the pressure off having to plan every moment in intricate detail. Everything just flowed and we got to do everything at our own pace – an intimate ceremony with just us and Matt’s parents and a ceremony in front of everyone where the celebrant had time to tell our love story, tell a few jokes and make it special. If we did it all again, we wouldn’t do anything differently. My top tip for future brides? I just want everyone to know that Jimmy Choo make flats! Mine were covered in glitter and meant I could dance the night away!” Didn’t we tell you Nikki was obsessed with shoes?!

Nikki’s iconic Maisie by House of Mooshki, veil and fur shawl are all from our fabulous boutique. Book an appointment HERE or ring 01530 587210 to make your dream dress appointment. 

Credits:

All Photography by Helen Howard: https: www.helenhowardphotography.co.uk

Flowers by Sorella Florist and Event Stylist: sorelladecor.co.uk

Make Up and Hair by the bride herself!

Ceremony Venue Burton Registration Office: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Burton-Registration-Office

Reception The Crow’s Nest: www.waterfrontbarton.co.uk/weddings