How did you find out about Sophia Grace Couture?

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How would you describe your experience at Sophia Grace Couture?

I had such a lovely experience at Sophia Grace. The staff were so friendly, patient and knowledgeable. The little pictures attached to the dresses in the store made the whole experience a lot easier too just through being able to see the dress on a person. That was the only bridal shop I’d been to out of many that had the photos of the dresses on a person available to view and it was a godsend.

Tell us about your dress and why you choose your particular gown

My dress was by Enzoani called Raquel. It was the complete opposite of what I’d originally been looking for and trying on when looking for my dream dress. I’d originally wanted a fitted, backless dress with spaghetti straps however after trying multiple dresses in that style, Hannah had suggested the Raquel as a wild card. I was instantly drawn to how beautiful and sparkly the whole dress was and as soon as I tried it on, I knew it was the one and that it would gleam effortlessly in the sun and it definitely didn’t disappoint on the day!

How did you meet? Are you happy to tell us about the proposal?

I originally met James through a friend at a party. We got in touch a while after the party and James asked if I’d like to go out for a few drinks. Those few drinks turned into many and James had to put me in a taxi and send me home hahaha. In the morning after, I thought “well that will be that you’ve totally ruined it” but to my surprise James had got back in touch and asked me out again.

7 years later, we went on a holiday to Mexico. A couple of days into out holiday while getting ready for dinner, James told me to hurry up and get ready because we had somewhere to be and it was a surprise. I hate to be rushed when getting ready, and I’d actually joked to James asking if he was going to ask me to marry him and if that was the case I wouldn’t eat the bag of Cheetos because I would have orange fingers… hahaha. He just laughed. I got ready and James walked me to secluded beach to see the sunset. Unfortunately the sun was setting at the opposite side of the beach we were on so we missed it but it was a beautiful setting nonetheless! As I was moaning that the sand was getting into my sandals, I started to walk away and when I turned round James was on one knee in the sand and asked me to marry him. It was so personal and lovely and I couldn’t have asked it to happen any better.

What was your inspiration for your wedding? Did you follow a specific theme or colour palette? What made you decide upon your chosen venue?

From very young age, I’d always dreamed of getting married abroad with only a few of our closest friends and family. I loved the idea of the blue skies, the sun kissed glow, the blue sea and the extraordinary happiness that people experience when they are on holiday. We came across this venue online on our search for somewhere in Greece. Back in 2017, my mum and dad were on holiday in Rhodes and stayed at a beautiful hotel called Lindos Mare. They’re balcony looked onto a little Greek chapel and some nights they’d watch people getting married there from their balcony. They’d joked a few times that it would be a great place for James and I to get married. When we found the venue (Ktima Lindos), we showed pictures of it to my mum and dad and they could hardly contain their excitement when they’d said that that was the venue they’d been talking about years ago! The backdrop and setting of our venue was breathtaking we just knew straight away that’s where we wanted to have our dream wedding.

Greece overall is such a beautiful place with such kind locals and we would never have chosen anywhere else.

Our colour theme was black and white. I love the colour black in wedding pictures, it always looked so classy and I knew it would counteract the venue of our wedding in the pictures. We also had little splashes of gold incorporated in the décor too.

Tell us about your wedding

Our wedding day from start to finish was unbelievable and a real pinch me moment. Looking back at the pictures now I still find it hard to believe that that was our day and how spectacular it was.

On the day of our wedding, James and the groomsmen went to the venue to get ready and my bridesmaids and mum got ready with me at the hotel. We didn’t separate the night before, we arent overly traditional and paying for a hotel for James for one night wasn’t the best use of money, so that extra money went towards the free bar.

The weather that day was perfect although windy it was around 27 degrees and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

I was nervous but excited throughout the day getting ready but all my nervousness instantly disappeared as I walked down the aisle with my dad looking out at the view of the bay and seen James standing at the alter. Standing at the alter with James was the real pinch me moment and that’s exactly where I got to marry my best friend.

After the ceremony we had a cocktail reception then our meal. The food was outstanding, we had traditional Greek meze plates as starters, followed by a choice of lamb shanks, peppered fillet of beef or salmon. Later at night to help soak up the booze, we had Greek chicken and halloumi gyros too.

It was the most magnificent day from start to finish and I’m so glad I have these memories to hold onto with James and all of our special guests.

What was the most memorable moment?

The most memorable moment(s) was walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing James and some of the guests get so emotional. It was really beautiful. Also, leaving the ceremony after getting married there’s an instant feeling of joy and happiness as well as relief that nothing went wrong!

Do you have any advice for future brides visiting Sophia Grace Couture?

I’d say to definitely have pictures/screenshots of styles that you like. I personally didn’t know the names for every style of dress until I got to the bridal shops and I had to describe the styles, which was often difficult to get across. Also, go with an open mind (and nude underwear) and let the ladies give you advice and provide suggestions because they are so knowledgeable and they know what styles suit your figure and personality.