Our Brides – Beth

2020 was not the year anyone planned. Beth was always so positive despite the ever-changing plans, guidelines, numbers… Not only did they get to have their wedding, they clearly had maximum fun along the way!

The minute Beth tried on a Jesus Peiro dress, we knew that it was the brand for her. Beth came back a month later with her mum and her sisters for a VIP appointment and some JP retries. She fell for 7019 and its clean, crisp lines and signature bow. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Congrats Beth and Christian! Can I get a custom ice hockey jersey for the winter?!

Jess x

THE LOW-DOWN

How would you sum up the style of your wedding?

Modern country styling with a nod to glamour, plus anything that we liked or was free or we could design and make where Christian could use the hashtag #fromthisdayforward2020!

Where and when did you tie the knot?

On 24th October 2020 (postponed from 2nd May), in a small church in my parents’ village: St Mary’s Church, Tyberton, Herefordshire.

And what was your wedding dress?

7019 by Jesus Peiro. The halter neck dress of dreams!

See our Jesus Peiro Dresses

THE LEAD-UP

How did you two first meet?

We bumped into each other on the dancefloor at uni in Huddersfield.

However, the romantic version is we both worked at sports stands in freshers week. Christian was in the ice hockey team and I was in the squash club… He said he noticed me first there and then later that week saw me in the club on the dancefloor… The rest is history!

What about the proposal? When, where, how?

We went back to Huddersfield – Christian planned THE BEST surprise weekend (because usually I am mega-nosey).

We drove to a beautiful walk in Yorkshire which turned out to be Castle Hill in Huddersfield. He hired a photographer and captured the whole thing! I will always remember when he was on one knee, cars driving by tooting!

We then spent the rest of the weekend in a spa away from the phone and the internet enjoying what had happened that morning and getting totally pampered! HEAVEN!

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 never really liked the whole big white wedding dress and felt very awkward in A LOT of them!

Then we met Jess and her love of dresses and all things bridal definitely rubbed off on me. She made the whole experience feel fun and easy-going – there was no pressure to feel a certain way, just enjoy trying them on!

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

It was daunting. The big white dress was never something I aspired for so finding the right dress boutique in the first place was the hardest part. Then I found Alexandre Anne!

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

The neckline, the material, the luxury of wearing something fitting so well!

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

So happy. The dress made me feel great, and the fact it was different to what i had seen made me think my fiancé would have no idea!

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

Some things are worth waiting for. Don't go for the first dress or the one that’s easiest. Go for the one that makes you feel like your best self (cheesy but true!).

THE BIG DAY

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

We went from a May wedding to October so before I left Jess gave me a bolero to go over the dress and I also customised one of my old leather jackets!

And your bridesmaids?

The bridesmaids both have amazing figures so it was easy finding something that made them look good. We found some evening dresses with an off-the shoulder neckline (to complement my halter neck) from SilkFred.

What do you remember about the morning?

I invited one of my grandmas to be part of the get-ready crew and she had the best time chatting and getting her hair done.

Who did your hair and makeup?

Hair was done by a friend and brilliant hairdresser: Amy Kaye. Makeup was done by Nicki Harrison.

Who took your wedding photos?

Kate Jackson.

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

We made up all our own traditions: from a silver sixpence in my shoe to my great grandma’s old handbag she used to go out dancing with! I felt it was down to luck if the wedding went ahead after all the Covid setbacks!

The best part of the ceremony was how the vicar included any outside spectators by asking them yes/no questions throughout the ceremony!

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

I can't even remember! As soon as I got in the church and locked eyes onto Christian, I don't think I was thinking of anything else.

THE MEMORIES

What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?

Just being able to go for it… There was no mention of Covid and it was a day of celebrating!

I will never forget my 92 year-old grandpa shotting a raspberry vodka while we all chanted his name!

What gave you the biggest laugh?

Probably once Gramps had started off doing his shot, everyone then got into the “spirit” of things. But Gramps stole the show!

What got the tears flowing?

Christian gave the best speech. There were happy tears when he joked that my parents’ trip to China was convenient timing before Covid (we had hoped to get married in a larger church, but they were insistent we could fit into the smaller, more local church... along comes Covid after their trip and we could all easily fit in!). And then sad tears when he gave a toast to my grandpa and his grandma whom we all missed being there.

If there was one piece of advice you could give to a new bride-to-be, what would it be?

Invest in a good pair of nude seamless knickers. They come in very useful when trying on wedding dresses.
Moisturise your lips one week before the wedding ALL the time!
Don’t sweat the small stuff, unless you feel strongly about something, don’t worry. Weddings are stressful enough!
After going from a 155-person wedding to 15, it really made us realise what was important. As long as you feel the love on the day and do something that you both enjoy, it doesn’t matter who’s there and how you do it!

And last but not least, where is your wedding dress now?

Currently hanging in the bath at my parents’ house! It may have been the most beautiful dress I will ever wear but it didn’t stop me from wearing it in full puffed-out glory on the farm… cow poo and all!