Hannah

Hannah is one of our many pandemic brides, who finally, after three date changes, got married at Penshurst Place earlier this year. We are so lucky to have access to all of the amazing photos from the day and Hannah has written a bit about her experience finding her dress...enjoy and feel inspired!!

James popped the question at the top of Mount Etna when we were on holiday in Sicily in July 2019. As soon as we touched down back down on UK soil, I was in full wedding planning mode! We looked at a couple of historic venues and decided on the beautiful Penshurst Place in Kent, close to where my parents live. The Tudor style venue looked incredible with candles, and we envisioned an autumnal wedding. As James is a teacher, we set the date for the Saturday in October half term in 2020.

With a year to go I made my first dress appointments with some boutiques in Surrey and Kent. I knew I wanted long sleeves for my wedding dress and I remember searching high and low for this style which turned out to be quite tricky at the time. The Farnham Bridal Boutique was only the second shop that I visited, but immediately I got a great vibe. On a chilly October day, the boutique felt warm and cosy – like I was getting ready in a glamourous bedroom rather than a shop! The team were so lovely and showed me some dresses with sleeves. My mum and sister sat there and sipped a cup of tea (while I had Prosecco of course), as I came out in a beautiful fitted lace ivory dress with long sleeves, a low back and a slight mermaid fit. Mum started crying and I knew we had found ‘the one’! It was so chic and classic, yet modern with the backless design and satin bow - best of all it was comfortable as the lace was so soft.

By spring 2020, the dreaded Coronavirus had spread globally and the UK was in lockdown. Throughout the lockdowns and shops reopening, the team at The Farnham Bridal Boutique were brilliant at communicating with me and rebooking my fittings for when it would be possible. Mum and I eventually got to see my beautiful dress in September 2020. Nearly 11 months later I was still in love with my dress. I had to have a few alterations to the body and the sleeves, I felt so comfortable knowing the seamstress would have my dress fitting perfectly.

As we started 2021, in a third lockdown, we also knew that this would mean our third wedding date change. James and I then went through the task of postponing our wedding for the second time and changing everything to July 24th 2021. We thought a few extra months might help with the planning and most of our guests would be vaccinated by then. This however did mean that we would be a having a summer wedding! I still loved my wedding dress, I knew I could make it work. I decided to wear my hair in an up-do and show off the low back with the scallop lace detail, this would also help to keep me cool!

A few fittings later in May and June 2021 and my dress fitted like a glove! Tia managed to get a backless dress with long sleeves to stay in place whilst ensuring the bodice at the front fitted where it should. I was overjoyed on my last fitting and walking out of the boutique with my wedding dress in the bag made it all feel real… our wedding was finally happening!

July 24th 2021 finally came and after a week-long heatwave, the temperature cooled down a little for our special day. My mum and my two bridesmaids helped to get me into my dress which I styled with an long ivory cathedral veil, simple pearl drop earrings and my sparkly Jimmy Choos! I walked downstairs and saw my dad’s proud face, then we set off to the venue.

I couldn’t wait for my future Husband to see my dress, as soon as I got to the front of the aisle, he told me how beautiful I looked and that he loved the dress -especially the bow! My full lace dress really complimented his black-tie suit and together we felt like royalty wandering the grounds of Penshurst Place, which was once owned by Tudor Royalty!