This week’s real bride will have you jetting off to Italy and googling “disco ball hire” immediately! Olivia and her husband hosted their nearest and dearest out on the Amalfi coast for a wedding you only see in the movies. Olivia wore the stunning Odetta dress by Rime Arodaky and the couple looked absolutely bellissimo saying their personal vows in front of a breathtaking backdrop!

How did you meet your Groom?

As all modern love stories do, on an app! We didn’t talk for very long before our first date and I think we both just knew straight away. 

What’s your engagement story?

I’d been out for a work Christmas do and when I came home James asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. It was evening and we walked to a lake near our house where they light up the clocktower at night. I turned around and he was on one knee. I don’t remember much after that because I was in shock! 

How did you come across The Mews?

I think I first heard of The Mews on Instagram and loved how different it looked to a lot of other bridal shops. 

What styles were you channeling whilst dress shopping?

I wanted something figure hugging that I wouldn’t be too hot in with us getting married abroad. I was also looking for some detail on my dress and a low back was a must. 

Tell us about finding your perfect wedding dress

I saw the Odetta dress by Rime Arodaky on Instagram before I went dress shopping and knew I loved it! I went to four shops and tried on lots of dresses but Odetta was still my favourite. I’m very decisive and know what I like so it was an easy decision! I loved the details in the back and the train and it felt perfect for an Italian wedding. 

I chose the dress at the Notting Hill shop and then when my dress arrived they were able to send it to the Bristol shop so I could do my fittings closer to home. It was obviously a very ‘me’ dress as when I asked James to guess what it would be like, he pretty much described the style perfectly!

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

A lot of it is about how you feel in the dress. I tried some beautiful ones on but they didn’t feel very ‘bridal’ to me as they are thinner material and not very structured. They felt like dresses I have worn before. Also, don’t get caught up in thinking you need something timeless that won’t date as everything dates – just go with what you love in the moment! 

Where did your wedding day take place?

In Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. We first visited the Amalfi Coast in 2019 and I fell in love and instantly knew I would love to get married there one day. When we got engaged, things in Italy were still being restricted due to the pandemic so I actually booked the venue (Villa Oliviero) without visiting it. When we went out a few months later it was a big relief to see the villa was even more beautiful from the photos! I wanted somewhere by the sea with views of Positano where our family could also stay and this ticked all the boxes. 

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

Our inspiration for the aesthetic of the day was taken from the surroundings. Our florals and table decor was mostly pastels with a hint of blue to match the view of Positano and the sea, our bridesmaids wore pale pink to match. I wanted lots of candles and lanterns too because we got married at 4pm. We sat down to dinner at 7pm so we could create a really intimate atmosphere with the lighting. For the dance floor, my only request was a disco ball! 

What did your groom wear?

He wore black tie from Hugo Boss. 

What was your favourite detail of the day?

Saying our own vows for sure. This was the one detail that James requested and in all honestly it definitely added a lot of nerves and pressure but it was so worth it. It made the ceremony feel really personal, there were a lot of tears from everyone! 

Did you plan a honeymoon straight after and where did you go?

We picked up a car after the wedding and headed down south to Puglia. It was a totally different part of Italy to what we’ve experienced before. There’s wildflowers everywhere you look, beautiful beaches and historical towns. We were there at the end of May so the temperature was perfect and it wasn’t too busy. It was lovely going away straight after the wedding whilst we were still in that bubble.

Photographer – Sarah Taylor

Hair and makeup – Alessandro Mancino

Stationary – Lucy March Design 

Venue – Villa Oliviero

Shoes – Stuart Weitzman 

Jewellery –  Pravins

Florist – Rosalinda Flowers Weddings Lab