We're so excited to share Whitney and Tim's extra special double wedding with you today! Whitney was one of our 2020 postponing brides, and it was such a joy to see her finally get married to Tim in April 2021, as well as celebrate in style with a fun and intimate barn wedding 6 months later.

Whitney found her incredible Sottero and Midgley Nisha dress in our sample sale, offering the perfect example of how you can find your dream dress at one of these events. Nisha is an exquisite v-neck gown covered in delicate lace and embroidery. Whitney styled her bridal look with a dramatic full length veil in soft English tulle, and a beautiful floral crown which looked stunning against her red hair. Scottish elements featured throughout the day in honour of the bride's Father's heritage, with reds and greens inspired by the family tartan, and a traditional piper accompanying the bride and groom out of the church.

Read on to find out more about Whitney and Tim's wedding celebrations, in Whitney's own words...

Sottero & Midgley Nisha wedding dress

I really had no idea as to what I wanted in a wedding dress, but the unusual lace and romantic nature really spoke to me, it made me feel like a princess and the voluminous skirt meant I wouldn't have to worry if I overindulged on our delicious wedding breakfast.

I saw the dress when I came to the Miss Bush sample sale in June 2019 with one of my bridesmaids, Katie. We immediately fell in love with it on the hanger and when I tried it on. It was cemented as the dress for me when I bought my parents to Miss Bush a few weeks later and they also loved it.

Dress Shopping

The Chapel is beautiful and it was amazing how intimate a sample sale could be. I was made to feel very special and I remember Emma telling me that my dress was made for me.

Obviously the pandemic was a massive hurdle in our wedding planning journey. Miss Bush were incredible from the beginning, the communication was second to none and Emma did her best to try to quell all of her covid-19 postponed brides anxieties with regular updates and even lockdown quizzes.

Styling

As soon as I picked my dress, I knew I had to have an equally dramatic veil. While I never knew what dress I wanted, I had always had the dream of wearing a two tier veil - in fact I ended up going for a wide drop veil with a royal length train. The lace on my dress is very detailed so I went for soft English tulle in a soft white colour with no embellishments. I used my something blue for my shoes (both pairs - formal and dancing). I wanted to keep my accessories to a minimum as I don't wear a lot of jewellery so I wore some beautiful pearl drop earrings that my parents had given me as a Christmas present in 2019. It was then all about the flowers. My bouquet, the bridesmaids and buttonholes were bound by my family tartan, and it was important to me to bring in elements of my Scottish heritage on my father's side.

A two part wedding celebration

We originally were getting married in June 2020, but postponed twice. 17 April 2021 was our third date and when the third lockdown seemed to be coming to an end we knew we just had to go for it. We were only allowed 15 people at the wedding, so we restricted numbers to immediate family, bridemaids and best men. Our June 2020 wedding was planned for 180 people and in a barn in the old stable yard at Tim's parents so we we had to rethink the whole thing.

Our original plan was to get married in the local village church, where guests would be able to walk back to reception. We did just that just on a smaller scale. Tim's uncle is a priest so he married us along with a family friend who is a retired Church of England vicar. Both of us were able to walk to the church albeit separately. I picked my way across a field with the help of my parents and bridemaids, with passing cars and neighbours shouting their well wishes. Both of us were then welcomed into the churchyard by friends and family who had popped along which made us so special. Our ceremony was streamed live to all of our original guest list so that they could all be a part of our day. It meant a lot to know my grandmothers were able to watch.  After leaving the church we were transported to our small reception in a trailer decorated by Tim's dad and pulled by his tractor, while our small number of guests were led back by a Scottish bagpiper. The intimacy of the whole day was absolutely wonderful and we loved every minute of it.

While we had the perfect wedding day, both of us wanted to plan a party so we could celebrate with our extended family and friends. The party evolved into a wedding redo celebration which took place in October 2021.  The day incorporated most of our original plans for our wedding reception. We had to clear and clean the barn, but when it was finally decorated, all the hard work was so worth it. The lights and swaged fabric framed the the history and beauty on the barn to perfection.

We had a blessing on the lawn officiated by Tim's uncle followed by drinks and canapes, and then we moved into the Big Black Barn for the wedding breakfast and party. I can honestly say that the joy, excitement and love in the room was palpable for us both and I am so happy we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate twice. Amazing family, friends, food, drinks, music and dancing -  it was all we could have hoped for and more.  We had a sign placed near the bar which said "Nobody gets out sober" and I don't think anyone did.

The Best Bits

I'm not sure its possible to have just one favourite moment. After all the stress and anxiety that we experienced up until that point, everything was absolutely magical, but being able to walk up the aisle (twice) to see Tim's smiling face was definitely icing on the cake for me.

Whitney's Advice

It is worthwhile knowing that most people end up with a dress that they never expected to purchase. Don't be wedded to an image you have in your head, trust your gut and those who are there to help you.  Try lots of different styles and at the end you will find your dream dress.

One thing I have learned these past two years is that the wedding industry is amazing, suppliers go above and beyond for their clients and I cannot thank them enough!

Suppliers

Photographers: Hello Pictures
Florist: Lucy Jane Flowers
Caterer: Peter Harrison
Cake: Hamish Johnson (cheese)
Veil: Blossom and Bluebird
Shoes: Maxine
Groom attire: Groom’s (@tim_themindfulbaker) own morning suit but with Bride’s family tartan trews
Make up/Hair artist:  April - Zena McQuiston & October - DionneandRachel (MUA) and Chelsea Wray (Hair.)
Jeweller: Antique
Band: R!ot Party Band
Others: The Great Events Company