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Intimate Real Bride: Jess
Our real bride Jess gave us a little insight to her thoughts on her wedding. Check out what she has to say about the lovely Elsa and Margot slip as well as some pre-wedding tips!
Love your classy, boho style – how did you research your bridal look? Did you find any amazing bridal suppliers?
I stumbled across the Elsa and Margot Slip by Sabina Motasem quite by chance when my sister booked an appointment for me at Hearts Aflutter. It was perfect for the classy, relaxed and slightly boho look I wanted. From there, everything else fell into place. My make up artist Kaitlin Chapman Make-up was recommended to me, I found my shoes online from a New Zealand designer, Kathryn Wilson and my jewellery from another New Zealand designer, Zoe & Morgan.
I enjoyed meeting you at one of our designer days and remember how amazing the Elsa and Margot dress looked on you. How many other dresses did you try on before you knew that the Elsa and Margot that made you feel that this was the one?
The designer day at Heartsaflutter was the first bridal appointment I had and it was quite special to be able to meet the designer in person. The Elsa and Margot slip was the first dress I tried on and I knew it was the one as no other dress felt quite the same. I loved the way it hung so effortlessly, without the need for any boning or structure and the way it moved when I walked around the store. I also loved the modern, champagne colour against the more traditional, ivory lace.
What was the most influential thing you were inspired by when you started planning your wedding?
My husband and I wanted a relaxed wedding with plenty of time to catch up with friends and family we hadn't seen for quite some time since we are living overseas. We were most inspired to create an intimate, family feeling with plenty of time for chatting, lawn games and two long tables during dinner service. I was inspired by photos on instragram, pinterest and wedding blogs such as the Together Journal and Hello May.
Planning a wedding abroad am sure has its own challenges. If you could go back to and re-do it all over again, what would you do differently? Any fab money and eco saving tips that you’d love to share?
It was difficult planning a wedding in New Zealand (where I am originally from) while living and working in the Cayman Islands. For one, there are no wedding dress shops on island so I knew I would have to travel to find a dress, which brought its own logistical challenges! I ended up buying the Elsa and Margot by emailing a bridal store in London and having it shipped directly to New Zealand for a fitting.
We ended up working with a party planner and stylist, Two Foxes, to help in the lead up to the wedding. They were invaluable in helping us to plan a 'long distance' wedding and we couldn't have been happier with how everything came together on the day - they were fantastic. If I were to do all over again I would have them on board from day one!
In terms of money saving tips, I would recommend prioritising what is really important to you as a couple and what you can do without on the day. For us, it was most important that we had delicious food, an open bar and a fun band to keep everyone dancing all night. We also wanted a great photographer to really capture the day for us. Some of the optional extras we cut down on were hiring fancy wedding transport (we used my Dad's and sister's cars), ditching the tradition of wedding favours and not having a videographer. Every little cost adds up so it is important to know what your priorities are.
Three words to describe what your husband thought or said when he saw you in your dress?
He didn't say much, I think he was speechless!
Photography: ChaseWild
Planner/Stylist: TwoFoxes
