Real Bride: Barefoot In The Irish Hills

Meet our super chic bride Clare who wore Foster by Laure de Sagazan and a sentimental veil on her wedding day. She was married to handsome hubby, Charlie, in her childhood church and danced the night away with loved ones in a marquee at her parents home. Read up on the couple’s inspirations, favourite moments of the day and marvel at their romantic wedding photos, twirling barefoot in the rolling Irish hills!

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Clare and I live with my lovely husband, Charlie, in Bristol. We are both doctors in the NHS. When we aren’t at work I love spending time outdoors hiking, swimming and travelling when we can. And mostly spending time with friends and family.

How did you meet your groom?

We met romantically in the wonderful world of bumble over 5 years ago, Charlie was my first and only online date! We moved to Sydney for a year after only knowing each other for 3 months. It was a wonderful whirlwind. The rest is history!

What’s your engagement story?

Coming out of one of the many lockdowns during the pandemic, when we were allowed to travel a little bit from home, Charlie and I decided to go for a long walk outside of Bristol in the Mendips. Charlie asked us to stop and have a few photos and a picnic. I turned around and Charlie was on one knee. Amongst the tears I just remember blurting out yes please.

How did you come across The Mews?

I had been searching for French designers, as I enjoy soft, romantic and delicate but also boho, simple style dresses. Laure de Sagazan encapsulated all of those. Then I was so excited to see that The Mews in Clifton stocked the dress I had fallen in love with!

What styles were you channelling whilst dress shopping?

I wanted something that I would feel comfortable in, that I could dance in and be myself. I knew I wanted simple, pretty, romantic, delicate. But also bohemian as I was getting married back home in my parents garden so wanted something relaxed for a garden party. The silk and intricate laces are what drew me to Laure de Sagazan.

Tell us about finding your perfect wedding dress

My mum flew over from Ireland to Bristol for 24 hours in between night shifts. I had lined up 4 dress shops. The Mews was the first stop, and the first dress I tried on was the one I bought, Foster. It was perfect and no dress thereafter matched up. Bobby and the whole team at Clifton, The Mews, made it perfect for us both. Even during covid times with masks, we were still able to enjoy a glass of fizz. It was perfect, memories my mum and I will have forever.

Where did your wedding day take place?

Our wedding took place in Armagh, Northern Ireland, where I grew up. In the local church, followed by a marquee reception in my parents garden. It was perfect.

Tell us about your aesthetic for the day – were there any themes or inspiration behind this?

I love clean, minimalist, elegant, romantic neutrals. I wanted our wedding day to embody all the beauty of nature with natural flower arrangements, greens, whites and natural colours. The views of green fields behind my parents home were the perfect backdrop, and it felt like a beautiful festival with all our loved ones in one place. It was magic.

What did your groom wear?

Charlie wore a beautiful navy and grey custom suit by Clifton Suits. He had our wedding date sewn into the jacket. It was beautiful.

What was your favourite detail of the day?

I think having every person that we love in one place was truly special, seeing them all smiling and enjoying the love of the day was everything. Also wearing my mothers handmade veil that she wore on her wedding day over 35 years ago was truly special.

What advice would you give to a bride about finding the perfect dress?

Enjoy the process and remember to go with your gut. There are so many beautiful dresses and it’s hard not to get carried away. Know your own style and stay true to yourself and what makes you feel like you!

Words of wedded wisdom?

Don’t sweat the small stuff as nobody will even notice on the wedding day. Just enjoy every precious second and take a moment to yourself as husband and wife. We had a 10 minute car drive with a glass of champagne and it’s still one of my favourite memories to date to soak it all in! It goes by in the blink of an eye.

For marriage I’d say – continue to be spontaneous, adventure together, always make time for each other at the end of every day and never go to sleep on an argument.