We're so pleased to share Harriet and Nick's quintessentially English wedding with you today, which took place in the beautiful Essex countryside in late May. The day began with a traditional church ceremony at St Mary’s in Saffron Walden, followed by a relaxed but elegant marquee reception at Bridge End Walled Gardens.

Harriet wore a custom Jesus Peiro wedding dress, combining elements she loved from two different styles. The look began with the strapless 2518 as the base, adding the straight detachable collar from 2403, finished with a chic front split.

Read on for more details about the day and Harriet's dress, in her own words. With stunning images by The Falkenburgs.

A custom Jesus Peiro wedding dress

I ended up creating my dream dress by combining the Jesus Peiro 2518 and 2403 designs, then adding a front slit for just the right amount of leg. I completely fell in love with the statement collar, but wanted a more understated skirt, so this combination felt absolutely perfect for me.

I brought my mum and one of my closest friends to, who also lived nearby, to my appointments. It was the very first dress I tried on, and the three of us instantly knew it was the one.

Dress Shopping at Miss Bush

The converted chapel is such a beautiful setting for a bridal boutique, making the whole experience feel even more special. The team were also incredibly friendly and supportive throughout every appointment.

Styling

I chose the Amina Muaddi Holli 70 Leather Slingbacks, and they were the perfect shoes for an outdoor wedding. The signature pyramid-shaped heel meant they didn't sink into the grass, and they were incredibly comfortable.

A Quintessentially British Wedding in the Essex countryside

With a background in events and a naturally decisive personality, planning our wedding in under a year felt surprisingly manageable. We had a clear vision from the start: a quintessentially English celebration with a traditional church ceremony, canapés and free-flowing fizz, a three-course wedding breakfast, and an evening of live music and dancing.

Having recently moved back to my hometown of Saffron Walden, there was never really anywhere else we wanted to celebrate. It felt incredibly special to bring all our friends and family together in a place that means so much to us. We married at St Mary's Church before heading to the nearby walled gardens for our marquee reception.

I'd previously visited Miss Bush as a bridesmaid for my best friend, so it was the obvious place to begin my own dress search. After browsing their Instagram, one gown immediately caught my eye, a strapless silk design with a statement folded collar and split skirt. It was the very first dress I tried on and the one I chose.

The styling was inspired by Pinterest, with thoughtful details throughout the marquee, from personalised coasters and bud vases to tall taper candles and tambourines for the dancefloor. We also had beautifully personalised napkins from The Go-To, which added a lovely pop of colour and elevated each place setting.

St Mary's is such a beautiful church that it didn't need much decoration. We kept the flowers understated with gypsophila pew ends and two milk churn arrangements at the front, which were later moved to the marquee for the reception.

As lifelong Elton John fans, we named each table after one of his songs, and our first dance was to Your Song. Later that evening, our cats made a surprise appearance as giant cut-outs on the dance floor, adding a personal touch. Another favourite detail was our stationery and signage, designed by my cousin (GRETEL MARLENA DESIGN STUDIO), who hand-illustrated St Mary's Church alongside botanical details inspired by the walled gardens, creating something that felt completely unique to us.

The best bits

The day feels like a dream, and nothing can prepare you for how quickly it goes, despite everyone telling you it will go in a flash. One of our favourite moments was the church service itself, with the choir and setting making it especially memorable.

Harriet's Advice

Go with your gut. I saw my dress on Instagram before my appointment and immediately knew it was the one for me.

Suppliers

Venues: St Mary’s Saffron Walden, Bridge End Gardens
Photography: The Falkenburgs
Videography: Edward Tricker, New Tricks Films
Hair: Claire Parke Hair
Makeup: Makeup By Kelly Frances
Groom fashion: Suit Supply
Catering: Milsom Catering
Wine Suppliers: Nyetimber, Whispering Angel
Marquees: Cambridge Events Company
Stationery & Signage: Gretel Marlena Design Studio
Florals: Juniper Flowers Sudbury
Entertainment: Truly Medley Deeply