Lovely Sophie | A Halfpenny London Bride
Beautiful bride Sophie Allen married Alaistair Fowler last October in a modern, autumnal celebration. The couple reflected their theme elegantly with muted florals in cream, beige and peach with dusty pink, red and brown accents, and the bridal party wore forest green, or navy.
“We wanted to keep it as ‘homemade’ as possible,” Sophie said. “We gathered sloe berries from the farm that we live on and made sloe gin favours. We made all of the signage and the drinks station ourselves out of pallet wood. My mother-in-law grew a lot of the greenery and flowers and the rose bowls, vases and candle sticks were all antique crystal and cut glass that we collected from flea markets and antique shops. My mother-in-law made the bouquets and all of the floral arrangements. The dahlias and some of the other flowers were grown on her allotment and lots of the greenery was foraged from around where we live. She supplemented that with beautiful, striking roses that she bought and mixed in dried flowers, some of which she had also grown herself, with grasses, ferns and preserved autumnal foliage.”
When the time came to try on wedding dresses, Sophie had a plan!
“Halfpenny was my dream wedding dress designer. The London boutique was the first appointment that I made when I started to look for dresses and the outfit that I bought was the first thing that I tried on (it was also the look that I had in mind before I went!). I visited one other store afterwards that sold a variety of designers and I only really went to that appointment because my mum didn’t think I should just buy the first thing I found – even though I knew it was the one!”
I always say, when you know, you know! Having loved the George top and skirt from the beginning, it’s clear Sophie’s instinct was right.
“I tried a variety of things, dresses and separates. I wanted something simple, I’m not into lace or sparkles and I wanted a classic look. I tried some of the plain slip dresses with sheer layers on top, but I am just not a dress girl, so I chose the George top and skirt. I loved the fitted, streamlined look. There were no petticoats because the Mikado silk is just stiff enough to hold its shape without needing any. It was light and comfortable, and flexible because it was two pieces. I knew it was an outfit that I would be able to have fun in.
I knew it was the one because I just felt like myself in it. My day-to-day style isn’t ‘girly’, I’m a fairly active and outdoorsy person, I dress casually and practically and I didn’t want to feel like I was in fancy dress or be self-conscious in my wedding outfit. The fact that it was separates took away a bit of that anxiety somehow, but it still looked like a dress and it felt cool and fun. A lot of people said to me afterwards that they hadn’t been able to predict what my dress would be like, but when they saw it, they thought it was perfect.”
I’m thrilled Sophie truly felt like herself in her wedding outfit. Everyone is so different and I love working with so many incredible women. It’s the best feeling being able to provide that perfect look. Sophie looked radiant and I’m so pleased she came to visit our beautiful boutique.
Huge congratulations to Sophie and Alaistair! Loads of love for all your future adventures.
Love,
Kate & the Halfpennys xxx
CREDITS
Images by The Chamberlins / @wearethechamberlins
Hair & makeup: Margot & Lace (@margotandlace)
Groom and Best Man suits: Suit Supply (@suitsupply)
Florist: Hilary Fowler (@malvernhils)
Day catering & bar: Caviar & Chips (@caviarandchips)
Evening catering: Wild Pizza Co (@wildpizzauk)
DJ: The Best Men (@thebestmendjs)
Stationary: Pirrip Press (@pirrip_press)
Coordinator: Louise Pritchard (@thecotswoldeventplanner)
Reception venue: Bredon Manor (@bredonmanor)
Cars: Azure (@azureweddingcars) and Morgan Motor Company (@morganmotor)
Rings: S.P Green & Co (@spgreenjewellers)