Our Brides – Sarah

Sarah and Mike smile as they walk hand in hand through the grounds of their venue.

As with many of our brides due to marry in 2020, Sarah and Mike married instead in 2021. Sarah was super positive about the whole thing, and a silver lining was more time to play around with those all-important accessories and finishing touches!

The dotty Lyra skirt by Charlie Brear was a no brainer from the first try, and paired with Payton it was a relaxed, cool look - just like Sarah herself!

Sarah, we're so glad you had the wedding you'd hoped for, even if it was a year later than planned. You looked sensational.

Jess x

THE LOW-DOWN

How would you sum up the style of your wedding?

I suppose in many ways the styling of our wedding was traditional. Our venue, Hazel Gap Barn, was so beautiful that we kept our own styling to a minimum and chose rustic touches to match the general vibe of the building.

And what was your wedding dress?

Payton & Lyra Skirt by Charlie Brear.

See our Charlie Brear dresses

THE LEAD-UP

How did you two first meet?

Mike and I have known each other since school although we only became close friends after leaving. We always laugh because we had a psychology class together in the sixth form, but I can’t remember Mike being in it for the life of me.

We were technically in different school years, and it was a really small group, but I just don’t remember him. That’s awful, isn’t it? I like to think he spent the lessons lusting after me but in reality I think he just thought I was a bit of a teachers pet who didn’t shut up. It would be a fairly accurate opinion though if I’m honest!

What about the proposal? When, where, how?

In a prison. Need I say more?

In 2018, Mike and I went on a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We’d been together for just over five years and teasing Mike about when he might finally pop the question had become a favourite pastime in our family. As time went on, I think he started to view it as a bit of a challenge and I knew that he didn’t want to do anything ‘obvious’. This led us down a path where he began joking about getting down on one knee in a wedding themed aisle in a shop or doing a Father Ted themed proposal which involved him riding in on a ‘lovely, lovely horse’ before popping the question. It started to become an utter mystery to me and all I knew was to expect the unexpected.

A few days into our trip around the states we did an evening tour of Alcatraz. It was a rather slow visit because we were incredibly jetlagged, and I spent most of the evening getting lost following the audio tour and then moaning about being lost. Luckily for Mike I think this worked in his favour as it meant I was none the wiser to why he was scuttling around sussing out a suitable spot. Towards the end of the visit, he ushered me outside to the beautiful prison gardens and as the sun set over the city, he sentenced me to life in prison. It was so weird and so wonderful that I couldn’t stop laughing.

We spent the next hour bumbling around the prison cells and island gift shop feeling like naughty school kids with a secret. The whole evening was pure magic.

Sarah jumps in the air with her flowers held high. 4 bridesmaids (2 to each side) are about to jump in the air with Sarah.

THE DRESS

Did you have an idea of what you wanted when you first started looking for your wedding dress? And did you stick to it?

I had two ideas in mind when I initially started looking for dresses. I had always envisaged getting married in a strapless, quite simple number but when it came to looking for dresses I found myself leaning towards sightlier lacy, boho style dresses. I knew for sure that I wanted something comfortable and classic and I think that’s absolutely what I ended up with.

How did you find the whole experience of searching for the right dress?

I spent hours and hours researching dresses before deciding where to book appointments and in the end Alexandra Anne was the first and only appointment I made. I’m quite sentimental and, for me, the experience of buying my dress, was something I really wanted to cherish. I knew from the moment I met Jess that I had chosen the right place. She was warm, welcoming and insanely knowledgeable. I felt in such safe hands and it was just a magical experience.

What was it about your dress that made it ‘the one’?

I felt instantly comfortable and like the best version of myself. I tried on two or three other dresses that were absolutely beautiful but I felt a bit like I was playing ‘bride’. Charlie Brear designed a dress that just felt like a second skin and I adored it.

How did you feel once you’d made the big decision?

Elated! The memory of walking out in my dress to all of my friends and family (sobbing, might I add!) is one that I will cherish forever!

Do you have any top tips for other brides out there shopping for their bridal gown?

Do your research and don’t feel like you need to follow a trend. Remember that this should be one of the most enjoyable parts of getting married so make it count.

THE BIG DAY

Tell us more about your outfit on the day. How did you complete your look?

I fell in love with some chunky gold earrings from Maison Sabben and once I found those I realised I needed to plan the rest of my accessories around them. I wore a pair of gold platform heels from ASOS, a rainbow club veil, and had a bespoke hair vine made by Love2Sparkle that matched my earrings. I cannot say enough things about how much I adore Carol who made my headpiece. She was absolutely incredible and I would recommend her to everyone! I kept the rest of my jewellery to a minimum and wore a Tiffany bracelet that was a gift from my Aunt.

And your bridesmaids?

The girls wore grey dresses with metallic heels. The lovely Sarah from Rock n Roller did their hair and they all looked incredible!

What do you remember about the morning?

The morning of my wedding day was so special. I sadly lost my mum to cancer ten years ago when I was 21 and before she passed she wrote a letter to be opened on my wedding day. I kept the letter safe until this year when I decided to open it on the morning of my wedding as planned. I woke up at about 4.30am and decided I would read it quietly while in bed. It was one of the most emotional parts of the day but it meant so much.

Who did your hair and makeup?

I had a dream team of people who made me look amazing on the day. Josephine Way was my MUA and she nailed the natural make up look and Sarah from Rock n Roller did my hair and created the wavy, braided style of my dreams.

Who took your wedding photos?

Andrew from A Big Neon Glitter.

Did you follow any traditions? Or was there anything unusual about the ceremony?

I think we had a fairly traditional day! Before dinner we created a game in which we gave our friends and family one minute to draw a self portrait. We then displayed these on a pegboard and it was so much fun! We might make a tea towel out of them like you used to get when you were at primary school!

How did your dress feel when you were walking down the aisle?

It was perfect. I loved that I felt completely comfortable in it and didn’t have to worry about feeling restricted. I have never felt more beautiful in all my life!

THE MEMORIES

What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?

There are far too many to count. Watching my beautiful niece and nephew walk down the aisle like a mini bride and groom, the moment I couldn’t get Mike’s ring on during the ceremony, the moment I tried to kiss him before I was supposed to, the moment of silence when we went into the back room immediately after being married, the speeches, the first dance, the moment Mike and his best man took over from the band, the moment we chanted on the bus home, the moment we realised we had done it! All of it.

What gave you the biggest laugh?

Mike’s speech was like a night at the Apollo. I think he might be in the wrong job!

What got the tears flowing?

My Dad’s incredible speech. He wrote a telegram from my Mum and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. We even managed to get our photographer!