Today we have a very special wedding from a Rock My Wedding reader, Verity. Verity told us how much she loved RMW and used it in her planning and we just had to share all the fabulous details she packed into their day that she found on these very pages – makes us feel all warm and fuzzy 
Dean and I got married on Saturday 25th September 2010. The ceremony took place at 2.30pm at our local village church St. Marys and All Saints, Whalley. This was followed by a wedding reception for 100 guests at Bashall Barn, where we also had an evening party for 130 guests.
Fancy not Fussy
My dress was by Benjamin Roberts, design 1033 from his vintage collection. Before I went dress shopping I’d looked for styles online and kept coming back to Benjamin Roberts as I just thought the design were different, without being overly fancy (I’m not big on fuss!).
I found trying on wedding dresses a very weird experience indeed! My dress sense in general is usually fairly quirky, and I had every intention of doing something different, either in colour or shape or fabric, but as soon as I started trying them on, all I could think of was “What will Dean want to see me in?” It was then that I knew it would have to be something fairly traditional (for Dean) and something stylish and unfussy (for me).
I bought the dress from Emma Hartley Bridal in Colne, Lancashire. I loved it for the stylishness, the wonderfully simple and luxurious soft taffeta, the gorgeous detailing of the crystals and pearls, and last but not least the internal corset which gave me the most amazing shape on the day!
Birdcage Beauty
Even though our wedding didn’t really have a theme, there were lots of vintage elements to the day, and Dean and I are obsessed with art deco furniture and paintings, so I wanted to have a vintage look with my hair and jewellery. Birdcage veils have always appealed to me but there are pretty hard to come by – most dress shops I visited didn’t stock them. In the end I turned to Etsy and found there were loads of lovely handmade veils to choose from. Mine was called Lolita from Velvet Owl and was an ivory net with a silk Gardenia which attached with a pin.
Jewellery-wise, again I wanted something simple and elegant. My dress had some gorgeous pearl and crystal detailing at the top, so I wanted something to match. My pearl and crystal necklace was called Opulent Heirloom by Katzi London. I also wore some pearl studs which were my ‘something borrowed’ from my Auntie Glenys.
Well, how could I resist? As soon as I saw a lovely bride on RMW wearing Ms. Westwood’s Lady Dragon Hearts, there really was no other choice for me – I simply had to have them! I tried some on in the Vivienne Westwood boutique in the Trafford Centre, but unfortunately the colour I wanted was no longer in stock. Luckily, I found a pair on ebay – never worn – I was so excited when they came, that I even showed a few of my girlfriends, despite me wanting to keep everything a secret. The oohs and aahs just confirmed what a great choice they were and everyone on the day commented on them.
The best thing about my shoes is that they are totally wearable after your wedding. They look just as stunning with a pair of jeans as they do with the most important dress of your life! Love them.
Relaxing with the Regulars
I was so lucky when it came to hair and make-up. My regular hairdresser (and good friend) Lois Pickup is also a freelance hair and makeup stylist for magazine shoots so she has an abundance of style, talent and the appropriate equipment to create the perfect look for me. It meant that everything could be done at home, so we had a lovely relaxed morning on the day of the wedding.
We had a few trials and knew the general look we wanted – soft, romantic tones for the face; dramatic eyes, and a forties up-do, but in true girly fashion, we were still making final tweaks to the hairstyle at midnight the night before the wedding!
Lois was busy from 6.30am getting us all looking stunning and then she had literally minutes to do her own hair and make-up before racing to the church to join us as our guest. I can’t thank her enough, though; the final result was truly amazing.
Bridesmaids in Blush
My bridesmaids were my very gorgeous (and oh so skinny!) cousins, Natasha and Olivia. We spent a long and tiring day shopping for their dresses, a task which if I’m honest I thought would take a lot less time than it did. It ended without joy, but then a few days later Olivia tried on a dress in Karen Millen as a potential prom outfit (yes, she is that young!). We went back en masse and the deal was done. The dresses were exquisite and the matching shoes were to die for – all my friends have been asking about them ever since the wedding.
And a Groom in Grey
So, with the bridesmaid dresses sorted, we now had a colour scheme. Our flower girl Eleanor had a dress from Debenhams which matched the bridesmaids perfectly and the boys (who didn’t much fancy anything pink) went for a complementary grey.
Dean had a few suit wobbles in the week leading up to the wedding. I think he wished he had gone for something a bit different from the ushers and best man, but he needn’t have worried. They all looked very handsome in their Lingfield morning suits from Moss Bros and Dean in particular just looked lovely. He accessorised with ultra cool black Chatterbox Brogue from Ask The Missus, Paul Smith heart cufflinks and stripy Paul Smith socks (with secret matching pants). Who said it was just girls who were shoe mad? My man has more pairs than I do!
Vintage style Floral fancies
My future sister-in-law Nicolla Moran used to be a florist and is an über-creative lady so I knew my flowers would be fabulous. She didn’t let me down. They oozed romance and the table decorations had a vintage twist as she’d used teacups and biscuit tins (that we’d all been collecting from charity shops for months) instead of vases. It had a wonderful effect.
I literally cried when she presented me with my bouquet at the wedding rehearsal the night before. It was so stunning and the colours just hit you. We’d decided on a mix of Victorian lilac tea roses and Juliet peach David Austin roses (the lovely papery peach coloured ones which I adore). This was then supplemented with lisianthus and alstroemeria.
Chic eh?
Wait until you see the DIY style in Part 2.
Yours Truly,
Rebecca
xoxo
I want to eat that bouquet.
And I’m loving the fantastic write-up, it’s bringing the whole day to life so beautifully. And you’re all utterly gorgeous, that goes without saying!
X
Yup, totally swooning!
Holy fudge balls! How gorgeously teeny is that Verity’s waist? What a sexy little wedding party!
I am having slight dress wobbles now! I want a figure like that!
What is it at the moment with beautiful bridesmaids dresses that I WANT?!
I’m with hearnea…swooooooooooooon…..
Gorgeous bride, very stylish bridesmaids dresses and loving the flowers – especially the peachy roses!
x
Oh my…love it all! Verity you look stunning in your dress and I want the bridesmaid dresses too
x
I love the bridesmaid dresses. I hope she wore it to her prom afterwards!
And yes, your waist is teeeny teeeeeeeny tiny.
Look forward to part two.
P.S. Do we know who did the pics?
what a figure??!! amazing.
I literally cannot wait for part two of this, am loving the write up so far…
big ‘in love with that vintage style make-up’ love
r.now x x x
Beautiful- the bride has the tiniest waist ever!!
Loving the DONT TOUCH THE HAIR signage too! hilarious
Julia x
Er, is it wrong that I want to be the Entire bridal party?
And I’m not usually a flowers girl but to echo Aisling, I want to stick my face in that bouquet.
AND the bride writes well. And has more style than you could shake a Lady Dragon at. Excuse me whilst I die in a mire of jealousy and admiration over here.
Congratulations Verity and Dean!
Hey Rebecca
All the photo’s were done by my great friend *Adam Foster*. We were blown away by what he produced. There should be some more crackers in P2, tomorrow. Check him out:
http://adamfoster.me.uk/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paperpariah/
Those flowers are some of the most lovely i have seen! Especially those boutonnieres which look so great with the mens suits. Gorgeous bride and bridesmaid too – Loving the whole colour palate!
Rachie xo
Gorgeous and more gorgeous – verity how small is your waist, dita-esque proportions! I love how you and Dean are holding the photos from (I’m guessing) your parents’ weddings? Such a sweet reminder of their days! xxx
PS. more please
Am just going to echo the awe at the teeny weeny Real Bride waist. And ask Father Christmas for a waist that small!
Part 2 please. xoxo
This is utterly gorgeous! Serious BM dress envy and also love how the bride makes the birdcage veil look so chic. Wow, wow wow!! Roll on part 2….. x
Wow! Thanks so much for the lovely comments ladies. I heart this blog! It was a truly unbelievable day – just seeing this is bringing all the emotions back. I wana do it all again!
I happen to know that the best bits are yet to come in part 2 so stay tuned!
Verity x
What a gorgeous wedding! I want your waist Verity! You have also just confirmed that we made the right decision with the suits – we confirmed the Moss Bros Lingfield yesterday and they look gorgeous here. We are also going for grey ties in Hawkstone – is that the same colour as you had?
Love the whole thing and looking forward to part two! x
Must must see Part II. Loving it all, especially the hairdo piccies; is that your Nan, Verity? So sweet!
Loving the BM dresses, I had very similiar style but same colour for my sister, one shoulder ruffle Karen Millen number that looks soooo glam. This is such a very beautiful bridal party, blessed with good looks and figures to squeal over *hides Quality Street tin* xxx
Great to see you on Rock My Wedding Verity!
Stunning day and LOVED the fun touches.
Great fun!
x
Verity you are a truly stunning bride! This is a great write up, bridesmaids are gorgeous and I’m loving the colours too.
Congratulations to you both! Can’t wait for part 2 x
I love this wedding, i WANT this wedding!
Cannot wait for part 2!! x
Livy we had that – Lingfield Suits with Hawkstone ties and it looked lovely if I do say so myself…
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease put part 2 up soon, I have nothing interesting to do today and have resorted to checking RMW every five minutes for the promised third post.
r.now x x
I’m with you r.now. Been checking like a big dirty stalker. Must perv Verity some more!
Sorry Verity… but your just so damn beautiful, as is everything about your wedding so far.
Thanks Clare. We had a most fun day with seven fussy men and two equally fussy tweenagers all getting fitted together…. x
I was so excited when I saw this was Verity’s wedding! Love seeing other RMW reader’s weddings.
What I’m loving from Part I…
Beautiful bride (dress, veil, jewellery, make up and hair, everything!)
Gorgeous peach David Austin roses (my absolute fav)
Verity’s write up
Pictures of Verity and Dean holding pictures of their parent’s wedding (this is genius and has gone straight on my spreadsheet!)
Stunning bridesmaids and awesome ‘Don’t touch the hair’ sign
Lovely grey groomsmen suits
That’s pretty much everything. On to Part II now!
I just had a massive perv over this wedding, I don’t get time to come on as much as I used to (roll on maternity leave I say!) but I thoroughly enjoyed this! I wish I could do it all over again
Jenny xx
Love love love the bridesmaids dresses!! Can’t wait to see part 2!!
I know Nicolla! Her flowers are amazing
Beautiful wedding. Am also in awe of the waist! x
Like LizzieMc said, love that picture with Verity’s nan (I guess that’s who she is?). Love it all xxx
And I keep umming and ahhhing about those Viv Westwood shoes…(I’ve noticed the Trafford Centre never have any good colours in too!). They look fab Verity!
If you are interested in seeing more images from our wedding, they are now up on our photographer’s website – http://adamfoster.me.uk/photography/vintage-wedding/