A modern monochrome wedding

A modern monochrome wedding for Sophie & Jac

11th of June, 2023
Iscoyd Park
Photography by Graceland Studios

The perfect setting for the perfect celebrations! Sophie and Jac (and their beloved dog) spent the day with their fabulous friends and family, and there were two dresses for the gorgeous bride Sophie!

There was a modern, monochrome wedding theme, with a splash of Champagne… A classic combination for this fun-loving pair!

Let’s read their story…

How did you meet, and when?

We met on the cobbled streets of Liverpool seven years ago. As my friend said in her speech, Jac had asked her who is attending her birthday and she showed him a picture of me, to which he said: “She’s well fit!” and the rest is history!

What was your budget? Did you stick to it?

At first we had no clue on budget, then we said £30,000. However, we didn’t stick to this very well!

How many dresses did you try on before you found the one?

My dress was the first one I tried on – I immediately fell in love! I then went to other stores, and none matched my ‘one.’

What made your one your ONE?

I felt like she was me in a dress. I felt comfortable, confident and timeless.

Did you have a hen night?

Yes – Barcelona! The best weekend, it almost topped the wedding (sorry Jac!). 18 of us went to Barcelona – we had a fun, immersive dinner and danced at Velissima, A surprise party bus turned up to take us to GO Beach Club, and we had a surprise guest come on (wink!). We partied all weekend, enjoyed a Jazz sunset boat cruise and didn’t stop laughing from start to finish!

Was there a theme or colour scheme for your wedding?

We wanted a wisteria – classic with a hint of party. I always wanted a very black and white with Champagne colour scheme, and as an ex-dancer and a lover of all things disco ball we incorporated these in which fit perfectly.

How did you decorate your venue?

Katie @ Unique Your Wedding got my ideas spot on. I had a vision of something beautiful with white and greenery but cooler and more stylish with black accents. I thought she’d think I was silly incorporating disco balls, but she was perfect from start to finish and made it everything I had dreamed of. I’ve always wanted white roses and baby’s breath/gypsophila as I think it’s just timeless.

How did you feel walking down the aisle?

Omg, the most nervous I’ve ever felt in my life! I am usually so confident, but I was shaking like a dog! It was so hot too!

What were your best decisions for the wedding?

Not getting too drunk, we remember every moment and made up for it at the after-party! Also to have a videographer – this was a last minute decision which luckily our photographers could do, but we’ve lost count of how many times we’ve watched the wedding video.

Did you make any cost savings, and how?

I did quite a few bits myself, for example, our shot favours. I also used Say Ido for invitations, which was cost-effective and so handy for organisation in terms of table plans because it was all online.

What were your favourite moments?

Gosh so many, when my step-dad walked in and got emotional, walking back up the aisle as man and wife, the speeches were incredible. It was the most relaxed, happy and exciting day I’ve ever had.

Any funny things happen? Embarrassing moments?

Jac’s best man mentioned Jac’s dad in his speech and called him by his brother’s name – so funny!

Did you follow all the traditions?

Pretty much, which I didn’t think I would do. But I couldn’t have imagined the day as special as it was without those moments of cutting the cake and the father/daughter dance that I was going to cut out.

What were the challenges of planning and organising the wedding?

I absolutely loved it! When I was younger, I would get my mum to buy me wedding magazines (not cheap!) and cut them up (much to her happiness) and put them in folders. I used to pretend I was a wedding planner and have a file for centre pieces, dresses, flowers, etc. So I just had the most fun planning it!

Any regrets? Anything you would have done differently, or included with hindsight?

Not stress so much about making sure I invite everyone. I had the people there that mean the most to me and Jac and that’s all that matters.

What advice do you have for other brides?

It’s your wedding so cancel out the noise. If you don’t want children there, don’t have children there. If you don’t want to invite partners, don’t!

What are your honeymoon plans?

Jac surprised me with a minimoon to Paris straight after our wedding, which was amazing! We went to Moulin Rouge VIP, which was a bucket list ticked moment. Our official honeymoon is in November – we’re going to Dubai and Maldives for two weeks and we’re so excited!

The Details

Photographer: Graceland Studios
Wedding venue: Iscoyd Park
Wedding dress designer: Sophie wore Enzoani from All About Eve for the daytime, changing into a custom-made dress that the bride’s friend designed for her – a simple, white strapless dress with a bow on the back
Flowers: @uniqueyourwedding
Stationery: We used The Friendly Paper Co. for the seating chart and a couple of other bits, but the couple did some of it by themselves
Shoes: Sophie: “Dune. I always said I wanted a pair of Jimmy Choos, but many people warned me against them and said they hurt. I lasted all night in my gorgeous pair of Dune heels!”
Accessories: Sophie: “I had Lily and Roo pearl drop earrings and a matching necklace, which is fab as you can detach the pearls and use them as daily small hoop earrings.
My Veil was the most stunning floaty, cathedral length from Along Came Eve, it was perfect because you could really see the detail in the back of my dress through it and it really tied in with the wisteria feel.
My stepdad also gifted me a gorgeous bracelet with a small sapphire stone for my ‘something blue’ which was so perfect!”
Hair: “Layered Collective @layeredcollective__ Charlotte at Layered Collective @charlotte_layered_collective is my best friend and was my Maid of Honour, so I asked her to do my hair so we could have that special time together, it was so nice just to have a quiet time in the morning just us two before the madness. Also, Laura at La Vie En Rose @lavieenrose_hairstylist”
Makeup: @GemmaBaxmua
Cake: @littlebeecakecompany
Bridesmaids: “I had seven bridesmaids so I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to find something that I liked and suited everyone (bearing in mind my cousin was eight months pregnant!). I chose Pretty Lavish Bridal, a stunning champagne silk; everyone really suited them!”
Menswear: “Moss Bros – I’ve always wanted the men in Black Tie –there’s nothing better or smarter.”
Mother of the Bride: Veni Infantino from Sean Rayment
Entertainment: “Callum J Wright – the most beautiful voice – everyone loved him and Wedding Sounds DJ.”
Videographer: Graceland Studios
Other thanks to: “We had Birdie Photobooth campervan for a bit of fun, which tied in perfectly with Iscoyd Park’s Pizza Van.”

We loved reading your story, Olivia – thank you so much for sharing it with us! May you forever be surrounded by men in black tie, your girls and Champagne! Congratulations to the cutest of couples!

Share your real wedding with us hello@thebridalbuzz.co.uk
Read more amazing real wedding stories here