From Warwick Castle to The Old Hall Ely: Amy's Romantic Wedding in Maggie Sottero

Some love stories look like they have been pulled straight from the pages of a classic romance novel, and Amy and Adam’s journey is exactly that. After first crossing paths through mutual friends, their next big chapter unfolded during a getaway to Warwick Castle. There, Adam pulled off a genuinely unique proposal that would give even Mr Darcy a run for his money!

When it came to the big day, the couple chose the breathtaking backdrop of The Old Hall, Ely, in Cambridgeshire. They kept the styling delightfully simple to let the historic venue shine, accenting the rooms with delicate floral displays and subtle waves of colour, creating an effortless, elegant vibe from start to finish.

Of course, a literary fairytale deserves the ultimate dream dress. Amy fully expected a long search, but her boutique experience turned out to be full of surprises. Despite keeping an open mind, it was the very first gown she stepped into at Bellissima Weddings and it took her breath away. Her gorgeous gown gave her a classic silhouette with a spectacular, flowing skirt, making her feel every bit the fairy princess as she walked down the aisle to start her forever with her now-husband Adam.

Amy's Real Wedding Q&A

A unique proposal, a fairytale venue, and the first dress that changed everything.

How did you two meet?

We first met because Adam was friends with my ex-boyfriend's older brother, so we’d always see each other at parties and gatherings.

How did you get engaged?

Adam proposed to me at Warwick Castle during a mini UK holiday. He glued the pages of a purple Pride and Prejudice book together and cut out a hole in the middle where he'd tied the ring using purple ribbon.

What was your favourite moment from the wedding?

My favourite moment during the wedding was having the opportunity to do our personal vows in a room by ourselves after the ceremony.

Tell us all about your wedding dress!

I loved everything about my wedding dress (Harlem by Maggie Sottero)! It made me feel and look like a fairy princess, giving me a tiny waist but with the drama of a big but manageable skirt that looked gorgeous whenever I moved.

What was the general decor for your big day?

The general decor was simple, as our venue, The Old Hall Ely, was absolutely stunning in itself. We opted for simple flowers paired with coloured tapered candles on the tables. We chose a mix of pale purples and greens to beautifully match my bridesmaids, who wore two shades of light purple, and Adam's groomsmen, who looked incredibly sharp in forest green suits.

Do you have any advice for future Bellissima Brides?

Enjoy the process of choosing your wedding dress and make sure you take your best, most honest and supportive group with you to help you find the perfect one. Don't be scared to try different styles from what you originally thought you'd want, as I fell in love with the opposite of what I went in thinking I'd choose.

Do you have any local suppliers you would like to recommend?

We got married in Ely, Cambridgeshire but I will always highly recommend our wedding venue, The Old Hall Ely. Our amazing florist, Gin House Flowers deserve a special mention, as does my wonderful hair and makeup artist, Kate Fletcher - Flashkate. Both suppliers and the venue were so down to earth and helpful, making us all feel at ease and confident in ourselves throughout the big day.

How was your Bellissima experience?

My Bellissima Weddings experience was better than I could ever have expected. I'm normally quite fussy with clothes so I was expecting to need to visit a few different shops before finding my wedding dress. It turned out that actually the first dress I ever tried on was perfect, and then nothing else compared to it!

All of the staff were so lovely and enthusiastic when I tried my wedding dress on again with all the accessories. I'm so glad I was convinced to video call my mum so she could see it too! I really looked forward to every appointment I had at Bellissima Weddings, as they were always so much fun.