*** FDB REAL BRIDE *** The new Mrs Lowe *** The Pixie Princess ***

Back in April on a crisp spring day, we started our whirlwind journey to boho bridal gorgeousness with Miss Rachel Webster. We were set with the brief that she was on a wedding planning mission and that the big day was the 2nd July... This year! Safe in the knowledge that we work with the most flexible and supportive bridal brands we accepted this challenge.

Every time Rachel stepped foot into the Frances Day boutique, she had this unknown power to put a smile on everyone's faces with her 'no nonsense' yet girly personality. Rachel - if you are reading this I hope you are not too horrified that I have used the word 'girly' to describe you - but you did have probably the most admiration for every bridal gown in the shop that I have ever seen! Girly in the non traditional sense. 

Rachel finally set her heart on the epically beautiful bohemian 'Elise' by Augusta Jones. And to give her bridal look the rock chic edge she chose 'Sarah' by I Am Florence as her bridal shoe. 

Now pop the kettle on, put your feet up and have a read of how Rachel did things her way on the day she married Sam at Hazel Gap Barn. This is a very special one folks - Enjoy! 

Julia x

Name: Rachel Webster

Wedding Date: 2nd July 2017

Venue: Tell us a little about your venue and why you chose it? 

We wanted a magical woodland theme wedding but the UK doesn’t have many of those venues to offer. Hazel Gap was brand new, hadn’t been finished and we were looking for something available within 3 months of starting our search as it was a short engagement. It wasn’t finished but it was rustic and old and had real natural charm (and lots of fairy lights) so we took a small chance. The reviews for all their other venues were amazing and we liked that everything was under one roof so we could have ceremony, drinks and reception without any fuss. It also backs onto woodland so it was as close as possible to what we wanted and close to my family in the area.

Special details and memories from your wedding day? Any surprises? 

I couldn’t believe how excited yet calm I was when it came to the ceremony and the aisle! I had been worrying for weeks about it but on the day I couldn’t wait to get down it and see the room and the people and my man! I am probably a rare breed of bride that said hi to people on my walk down… it really was the happiest day of my life so far. The ceremony room looked amazing thanks to my florist and it was more magical than we had even imagined!

Your shopping experience – did you go for a dress style that you had always lusted over or was your choice a complete surprise even to yourself? 

I was quite open-minded about the dress, I love clothes, always struggle to make decisions and just wanted something that suited the woodland theme and suited me. Julia was amazing and I tried on quite a few that were lovely but it was the gorgeous, layered, silk chiffon skirt of my Augusta Jones Elise that sealed the deal. I could wear that skirt every day and feel pretty!

Bridal party style; Tell us who wore what in your bride tribe (& groom’s gang for that matter!) 

As it was a Summer wedding I wanted my girls in something light and pretty and a little woodlandy if possible however wanted them to be able to maybe wear again. I went for Coast dresses in pale pink with lace applique top, chiffon skirt and hidden , comfy waist. The men were all squeezed into 3 piece Navy suits. 

Wedding Party Vibe: What inspired your wedding celebration? Did you have a common theme running throughout the day? 

Relaxed and woodland. Sam (hubby) always calls me his pixie princess (haha) and we both love the outdoors and anything made from natural materials, especially wood. We wanted an informal, chilled and welcoming vibe for the day and this was what we focused on when we tried to keep things simple. All our decorations were ivy, eucalyptus, roses, wood and candles. Food at Hazel Gap is BBQ style meat (we had Sirloins that you carve at the table) so it means guests interact and get involved and if you like it enough there is more than enough for a second helping. 

Any special suppliers that you used who stood out for you? ie. Photographer / caterer / florist? 

All of our suppliers were absolutely incredible!! We planned our wedding in less than 3 months and we were so lucky the people we wanted were available to do this and were so flexible in order to create what we wanted on the day and on the run up as well. I will list all of them as it was their flexibility and passion that made everything come together so perfectly in the end.

However - Debbie Yates – Flower Consultant – Debbie went above and beyond and created the most magical, beautiful environment for us. Her vision and creativity took our breath away on the day and we cannot thank you enough as we didn’t have a huge flower budget but we couldn’t have asked for more! Thank you.

Key suppliers; 

Photography - Samantha Hook – did a post-wedding shoot in the woods and really listened to create the photos we wanted.

Flowers & Flower crown - Debbie Yates the Floral Consultant - 07960786899

Videographer - Jennie – Unique Visuals Videography

Make Up -  Amy Wilkinson – Make up

Hair - Gemma Stevenson – Gems Hair Design

Cake - The Sweet Stuff - Natasha was so excited for us, the cake still tastes amazing!

Am I allowed to mention Julia at Frances Day for probably being more excited than me about my wedding and my dress? You were fab, thank you!!

Woodland Boudoir Shoot

Well firstly, hello blog readers! Welcome to the first ever FDB blog post. It’s been a long time coming as we have been so busy with lovely brides - a nice problem to have! Teresa has very kindly taken the helm of penning this post all about a Boudoir shoot that we did back in April with some fabulously talented local wedding industry experts. So pop the kettle on, put your feet up for 5 and enjoy! Over to you Teresa…

The 'Agua' gown by Raimon Bundo. A stunning crepe 2 piece dress with embroidered belt. 

Here’s a little bit of background about Frances Day Bridal – just in case you aren’t aware. Our very own Julia, a former buyer for a leading high street retailer who was used to travelling the world sourcing everything from leather to lace, decided to put down roots in Southwell and embark on the trip of her lifetime. 

The then ‘Miss’ Price took her first tentative steps across the threshold of  ‘The White Room’ in August 2016, a well-established bridal business, based in the heart of the historic market town of Southwell.  She had often dreamt of owning her own boutique and when this opportunity arose, she grabbed it with both hands. 

The process of bridal shopping had armed her with the knowledge of what a bride really wants from the experience of finding ‘The dress’. Her mantra is that every bride and her entourage be treated to the best possible time, able to try on beautiful and quality gowns in gorgeous surroundings, by friendly and knowledgeable consultants.  And of course – that all important glass of fizz!

Ross Elliott and Amy Wilkinson working on Kayleigh's hair and make up. 

Julia became a very happy ‘Mrs’ in October 2016, only a few months after taking over The White Room. Lots of nitty gritty and late nights ensued in the months that followed before the re-brand and re-furbish over the Christmas period. The hands on (and very messy at times) mass re-fit took place in a mere few weeks that transformed the boutique into a luxurious light space. 

Anyway, enough of all the history, let’s get back to blogging business. Back in April the FBD Team embarked on our first bridal shoot in the newly re-modelled Frances Day Bridal Boutique. It was a warm and sunny April morning. The nights were getting lighter and longer, and spring was literally in the air. 

Kayleigh perusing over our I Am Florence collection of bridal shoes. 

Our florist Debbie Yates was tasked with the theme of ‘Woodland Chic’ and set about dramatically transforming the boutique into just that whilst Ross Elliott & Amy Wilkinson took care of our model Kayleigh’s hair and make-up in Ross’ salon just a few doors down on King Street in Southwell.

Fresh water pearls to hand sculptured porcelain flowers by Miss Clemmie Bridal Accessories.

We are a little biased but think of our boutique is rather special and wanted to give you lovely brides-to-be a sneaky peak of our beautiful gowns and accessories beholden. 

'Rene' by Suzanne Neville is a guipure lace bodiced dress with a full tulle skirt. Rene also comes with a matching lace jacket. 

The most beautiful cake by The Southwell Cakery.

The creative team behind the shoot were tasked with telling the story of the boudoir dressing room. The oh-so-gorgeous model Kayleigh made for an easy and very enjoyable morning selecting Suzanne Neville, Augusta Jones and Raimon Bundo gowns to try on. We are in awe of how Daniel (photographer) and Amy (creative director) captured shots which reflect not just the FDB image but also character so well. We also wanted to show off how our beautiful Southwell is packed full of wedding industry A-listers including the ever-talented Ruth from the Southwell Cakery who created a cake which had our mouths watering all day! 

Kayleigh wearing our dramatic lace fit and flare gown called 'Marsha' by Augusta Jones which has been accessorised with the Joyce Jackson 'California' belt & Lottie Loves Vintage garter. 

Now, she will probably kill me when she reads this blog, as big headed she definitely is not, however Julia has worked very hard to make the boutique so beautiful and deserves praise. Julia is such an amazing, fun and friendly person whose energy knows no bounds, she is genuinely interested in her clients and their entourage and goes out of her way to make sure they have the best of time at Frances Day. 

{INTERJECTION FROM JULIA: It has pained me to not edit this out!}

The perfectly studded silk satin 'Sarah' shoe by I Am Florence.

Instead of me going on about what a lovely boutique we have here in the ethereal surroundings of Southwell with its gorgeous, independent (and thriving!) high street, the grand historic Minster and its many other attractions - which alone are reason enough to seduce you over here - why not come and have a look yourselves? We operate by appointment only to ensure each of our brides are given the space, time and privacy to discover their bridal style. By all means, if you are passing and see that there are currently no brides in the boutique, please come in - we would love to see you, have a chat and pop the kettle on. (After all, you don’t need to be engaged to have a cup of tea!)

And finally the ever asked question ‘Who is Frances Day? Julia is proud to have named her business with a combination of her own middle name and cherished family ancestral surname. 

Thanks for reading my first ever blog post (I’m sure that you can tell!) 

Kindest regards,

Teresa 

email: hello@francesday.co.uk

telephone: 01636 813967

address: Frances Day Bridal, 85a King Street, Southwell, NG25 0EH

Photography - Daniel Hughes - www.dan-hughes.co.uk

Hair - Ross Elliot Hairdressers - 01636 813 910

Make-up artist & Creative Direction -Amy Wilkinson - www.amylwilkinson.com

Cake - The Southwell Cakery - www.southwellcakery.wixsite.com/southwellcakery

Floristry - Debbie Yates - 07960 786899

Model - Kayleigh McGowen 

Dresses - Suzanne Neville, Augusta Jones, Raimon Bundo. 

Accessories - Miss Clemmie Bridal Accessories - www.missclemmie.co.uk

Shoes - I Am Florence - www.iamflorence.co.uk