Emma and Zac
OUR STORY
Couple’s Names:
Emma and Zac
Wedding date:
20th April 2024
Our love story:
Zac and I met in the Alps; Zac was working in a hotel in Meribel and I was on holiday with some of our mutual friends. We went to the same university but only crossed paths two years after we had graduated, and it didn't take long for us to click (I actually said 'I love you' on the third day of the holiday). We spent most of our twenties living in London, initially with friends and then eventually together.
Our engagement story:
I'd always and adamantly expressed no interest in marriage and after several years, Zac had come to accept this. I decided to surprise Zac one day by swapping out a cricket ball whilst playing fetch with our dog; the replacement having 'Will you marry me?' painted on it. Zac being a cricketer and me a painter, the proposal was perfectly personal and paved the way for an engagement and wedding of a similar vein.
After our engagement, we decided to put a dream into action and packed up our lives in London to go and work abroad in the Alps, with our dog by our side. By chance, we ended up living in the same ski area that we met in, 8 years earlier; and even more fittingly, decided to have our wedding celebrations in the same hotel that Zac was working in when we met. We love adventure, the outdoors and most of all, skiing. It's how we met and is such an important part of our story so we thought a ski wedding would be the perfect nod to this.
The Bride Wore:
Falling in love with my Catherine Deane outfit:
I had my Mum, my now Mum-In-Law and my best friend with me. It was the day of my 30th birthday party and I didn't feel a lot of pressure at the appointment, possibly for this reason. I had an idea of what I liked and had looked online, but actually the top that I ended up with was completely different to the lace/boho look I thought I would go for. The Mum's cried when I came out in the full assemble, after a few different combinations - and I felt amazing in the whole set.
I never thought I'd be a bride, and my journey to discovering a surpressed joy has only been aided by Catherine Deane. There were elements of getting married that I felt were steeped in tradition and expectation but realising that you can absolutely make your own choices in the wedding and the fashion, starting with my bridal appointment in Wapping, was a real eye opener. I managed to create a look and an event that were so unique to me, and I feel so grateful to have found Catherine Deane to make that possible.
Did you go to the CD boutique or purchase your gown online?
I went to the Wapping Boutique, as it's not far from where I'm from and where I was living at the time. I was nervous that there'd be a lot of pressure but the whole environment was the opposite of that; warm, welcoming and not in the least bit 'sales'y; it was perfect for a no-frills bride.
Bridesmaids dresses:
I let my whole crew pick their dresses based on a colour scheme, so they could wear them again.
Tell us about your Wedding Venue:
Hotel le Mottaret is a lovely spot in Meribel, and we had 120 of our friends and family all staying in the same hotel, some for the whole week and others just for the weekend. It's the same hotel that Zac was working in when we met, and we've spent ski holidays there with both of our families, together; so it has a lot of meaning to us.
Wedding style:
Alpine, rustic, with a huge focus on fun. I wanted the whole event to challenge the norms and for it to feel super personal, which it definitely did.
Our Honeymoon:
Our Honeymoon:
Cinque Terre and then Annecy
Our most memorable moment:
Skiing on the day! Followed down the slopes with 20-30 of our best friends and family, all in their dresses and suits. Zac and I got to have champagne in a ski lift on our own on the way up the mountain and it was the perfect 5-10 minute break where we just got to share our excitement alone, before then having the most fun and exhilarating ski ever!
Our funniest moment:
The speeches had people in stitches. Our family and friends are all very well acquainted, which meant for an easy crowd with everyone really feeling like a big part of our day. Zac's brothers were the MC's and really leant into the role with accents, skits and instruments.
VENDOR LOVING
Wedding Outfit: Sia Bodice, Misty Skirt, and Rosalind Topper
Grooms Suit: Moss Bros
Photographer: Art Prism
Videographer: Jonty Whiter
Florist: Mylene Juillard (freelance local)
Wedding Venue and Caterer: Hotel le Mottaret
Wedding Rings: Star Jewellers - designed by Emma