Yelke & Georgie's Mint-Themed Wedding at Friern Manor
A Lapland proposal, a mint-to-be theme, and one very deliberate DJ rule
Some couples get engaged over candlelit dinners or walking along a pristine sandy beach as the sun goes down. Not Yelke and Georgie! They did it at minus 30 degrees, under the northern lights in Lapland, because apparently regular romance wasn't chilly enough for them!
When the big day rolled around, the pair said "I do" at Friern Manor, an Essex wedding venue in Brentwood, and went all in on a theme only they could dream up: mint, in honour of the bride's brand-new surname, along with personalised "mint to be" favours and a DJ playlist with a very specific rule the couple stuck to all night (you'll have to read on for that one).
For her dress, Yelke went with Arleigh by Pen Liv, a fitted, romantic bridal with an open back and delicate floral lace, expertly tailored by our seamstress Marianna, who made a very deliberate button swap which you'll also have to read on to find out more about! So grab a cuppa and keep scrolling to discover how Yelke and Georgie put their wonderfully minty celebration together.
Yelke & Georgie's Real Wedding Q&A
Here's Yelke, in her own words, on Lapland proposals, the wedding dress of her dreams, and how Bellissima Weddings made all the difference.
1. How did you two meet?
We both lived in Spain and met at school.
2. How did you get engaged?
We got engaged on a trip to Lapland in Finland underneath the northern lights at like -30 degrees Celsius! It was absolutely freezing haha.
3. What was your favourite moment(s) from the wedding?
My favourite part of the wedding was simply having my family, friends and loved ones all in one place. My husband and I made a pact to stay together most of the day and night, and we nominated a few songs with the DJ that we had to dance to every time we heard them no matter what we were doing. It ended up being so fun and romantic and ended in us spending pretty much the whole time together. Which was great!
4. Tell us all about your wedding dress!
My wedding dress – what can I say?! From the moment I tried her on, I was absolutely obsessed.
I wore Arleigh by Pen Liv on the big day, a very fitted, heavily embellished lace wedding dress with a stunning open back and floral detail throughout. It also featured a lace underlay, a sparkly layer and a sand nude underskirt. I felt really special.
The gown was sculpted to my body by a seamstress, Marianna from the Bellissima team, who also made some minor tweaks, like changing the back buttons to pearl buttons, as that was part of my vision. Marianna also helped me with recommendations for underwear, as the low back and dress material meant I needed a specific type.
Their attention to detail was what made the Bellissima team stand out to me, as I am a perfectionist and truly cannot fault them in anything from start to finish. I just absolutely adore the dress, and Bellissima played a huge part in making my vision come to life in the lead-up to the big day.
5. What was the general decor for your big day?
We had lots of florals in soft pinks, whites and green foliage. Our theme was mint because I am now Mrs Mint! We incorporated this into our personalised wedding favours as well, with Tic Tac boxes saying "mint to be". Our wedding venue had stunning greenery and lots of brickwork, which really made the flowers pop and give that overall romantic look with lots and lots of candles and soft lighting.
6. Do you have any advice for future Bellissima brides?
My advice for future Bellissima brides is to get organised with your must-haves for the big day early! Go to wedding fairs, scout out suppliers and use recommended suppliers if you can, as good ones will take the stress out of the big day.
Advocate and push for what you really want. It is your day, so don't people please.
In-between the chaos of wedding planning and the giant to-do lists, it is important to prioritise your wellbeing and enjoy some of the fun moments of the process, such as choosing your wedding dress and the hen party (or parties), and do lots and lots of pampering. This is such a special time that truly does fly by!
Chances are something will go wrong on the day, but it will just become a part of your story. Some of the best things on our big day mapped out to be perfectly imperfect.
Last but not least, take a step back during your wedding and just people-watch a little bit, even if it is only for 2 minutes, just to let it all soak in. Do that and you'll really see how all the planning paid off, and you'll give yourself a pat on the back.
7. Do you have any local suppliers you would like to recommend?
Venue: Friern Manor
Photography: Pinky Promise Photography
Content: Captured by Gem
Florist: Cherubs Florist
Hair & Makeup: Flawless Faces Essex
Events & Hire: Dolly Dimples Weddings and Events (garden games)
8. How was your Bellissima experience?
My Bellissima experience was beyond amazing. It was hands down one of the most fun experiences leading up to the wedding day. Robyn was my stylist, and she helped me choose my dress. She was such a calming person, always listening to what I wanted and didn't want, only bringing out dresses that ticked a box or met a certain aspect of the feedback of trying on different styles, while making sure I was comfortable throughout the process.
Marianna did an incredible job on the alterations, and I did also sneak in a little last-minute appointment with Amelia to try and match some jewellery to the dress, as I was struggling to make up my mind. A nice touch was that when I returned my dress for the cleaning service (part of the platinum package), it was Robyn waiting for me, keen to catch up with me about the big day, which made it into a lovely full circle experience.
I cannot recommend Bellissima enough. They offer such a wide range and variety in high-quality wedding dresses and styles, and the whole team truly are so friendly and welcoming. It was truly a 10/10 experience, and it is so rare to come across that.
Thank you all for everything and for creating that bit of magic. I will always remember how I felt and how positive and happy every visit to the shop was.
Lots of love,
Mrs Mint
