Alison + Nick by Emily Rose Hamilton

The vision was to blend bold, joyful colour with an intimate, atmospheric mood.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Alison’s a Glasgow girl who made her way to London via uni and a few extra years in Manchester. She’s now a fashion stylist and art director who loves bringing stories to life through clothes and imagery. Nick grew up just outside Leeds and these days runs It’s Not Big Dough, the much-loved pizza spot in Walthamstow.

We live with Stevie, our beautiful golden Cocker Spaniel, who’s the love of our lives and the boss of the household. When we get a rare day off together, this usually means a trip to the coast, good coffee and long walks with Stevie.

We’re both big on travel (we can’t WAIT for the next trip overseas) and are massive foodies, with a big sway towards trying every new exciting pizza place. We have both recently got into long-distance running and are training for the Berlin marathon this year.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met on Tinder and had our first date in December 2017 at one of our favourite bars in Dalston, just around the corner from where we both lived. At the time, we’d each only recently come out of relationships, so neither of us were really looking for anything serious… but the chemistry was undeniable.

Alison – When we first met I definitely thought this guy is too good to be true. And as I said in my vows:

‘He is down to earth, he’s interesting, well travelled, respectful, he’s funny and he’s laughing at all my jokes?! He’s ridiculously good looking, dressed impeccably and he even likes the same books, films and has the same taste in music as me. Something must be up hey? I waited for a red flag, but none ever showed.‘

Nick – My first impression of Alison were wow…she is stunning. As the date went on it was clear she had the personality to match. She listens and is educated, she was funny and conversation was easy but we also had so much in common from sport to music to fashion I thought I must have a second date at all costs.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Colour has always been at the heart of my style – whether in my wardrobe, our home, or my work – so I wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of that. I’ve always been drawn to pinks and reds, and in Majorca, where the native flowers are gorgeous shades of pink, the palette felt really at home.

Set against the warm stone of the beautiful Finca, the colours felt vibrant yet romantic, and as I love a colour pop, we went with a fun blue glassware to contrast. I’m also obsessed with lighting, so as day turned to night, the garden was filled with flickering candlelight, creating a soft, golden glow. The vision was to blend bold, joyful colour with an intimate, atmospheric mood and it was so beautiful to celebrate with all our loved ones in this incredible setting.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

Our venue truly spoke for itself; the architecture of the Mallorcan Finca was so breathtaking that it became the perfect backdrop for everything else. Because of this, we didn’t need an abundance of florals; instead, we chose a few thoughtfully placed arrangements that complemented the space. The warm stone walls, rustic textures, and open-air setting created a naturally stunning canvas, with a lovely view stretching out over the vineyards.

One of my favourite styling touches was our hanging printed cotton seating chart and welcome signs – they added a soft, personal feel and moved gently in the breeze, tying in beautifully with the relaxed yet elegant mood of the day.

From the very beginning, my one non-negotiable was that my bridal party should feel like the most confident, radiant versions of themselves. They’re some of the most fabulous, stylish women I know, so I gave them complete freedom to choose their own looks, a decision that couldn’t have gone better as they all worked so well together.

I kept the dress code open yet intentional – in terms of fashion, I wanted everyone to feel amazing – so I set it as FABULOUS. Everyone understood the assignment. The place was filled with colour, sequins, feathers, and fringe… my idea of heaven!

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

For me, the most enjoyable part of the planning process was bringing all the visual elements together, from colour palette and flowers to signage and lighting, and seeing how each detail would help create the mood of the day. It felt like a very personal creative project, one that reflected both of us. I also loved the moments (and trips to Majorca!) when we visited our venue and could start to imagine it all coming to life.

My biggest tip for couples starting their planning journey is to focus on what genuinely matters to you, rather than what you think you should include. Prioritise the elements that will make you happiest on the day, and don’t be afraid to keep things simple if that feels right. That said, and this may be terrible advice, in certain cases I’d say do sweat the small stuff, if you have your heart set on something specific, and you know it will bug you if it’s not right (even if no guest would notice), don’t settle for less. If you want the candles, get the candles!

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Emily, our photographer, was nothing short of magic. I’m naturally a little awkward in front of a camera and usually try to avoid being photographed altogether, but from the moment she arrived, she made us feel at ease. When my nerves bubbled up, she was this calm, grounding presence. She has such an incredible gift for capturing candid moments and she does it with an editorial eye with a real fashion feel, and the most beautiful, timeless grading. We were absolutely blown away when we received our wedding pictures, and looking back at her photos feels like reliving the day every time. She was recommended to me by a photographer friend, and I will recommend her to anyone, always.

Our wedding planner Andrea was our anchor and our cheerleader rolled into one. She’s a radiant bundle of energy and joy, and from the very start we knew we could trust her completely. I never once worried about the logistics because she had everything under control. She understood my vision and managed to bring it to life, translating it to each of our suppliers so seamlessly. Every detail was a reflection us, and that’s down to her incredible care and dedication.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Nick had always envisioned wearing a white single-breasted blazer with a bow tie for the wedding, and he looked so sharp in the one he chose from the Italian heritage brand Canali after trying a few others. He had his heart set on a Tom Ford bow tie and also wanted a special pair of shoes that he could keep and re-wear for years to come. Earlier in the year, we were in Rome and wandered into a men’s vintage store, and there they were: a pair of Church’s oxford shoes in perfect condition, in his exact size, for a fraction of the retail price. We walked out grinning from ear to ear, knowing they were the perfect finishing touch.

After trying on a variety of beautiful gowns, I honed in on something really specific I wanted – plissé organza fabric. It is ethereal and dreamy yet structured, so when I tried the Salomé gown by Saint Bridal on at Lovely Bride, it felt right. A corset isn’t something I’d usually gravitate towards (since I dress like a teenage boy 99% of the time), but once it was on, I felt surprisingly confident, it sucked me in and felt really supportive, whilst the train gave the fluidity and movement to balance out the top of the dress. I knew I wanted some drama, so the fabric and silhouette did all the work.

I absolutely refused to pay an extortionate price for a neck scarf, so I made my own from a piece of fabric I sourced at Walthamstow Market for £12, a little DIY touch that made it feel more personal. I had the onour to wear the most incredible vintage jewels from my favourite archive designer rental, 4element London – an amazing business which I have been lucky to work with on editorials and talent dressings over the years – vintage Dior chunky pearls around my neck and vintage Dior earrings that finished the look perfectly. Alongside this I wore a simple tennis bracelet from D.Louise, which I also gifted to each of my beautiful bridesmaids while we were getting ready together.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

I’d always imagined choosing my own vintage engagement ring, but when Nick proposed with his great-grandma’s ring as a placeholder, it was the greatest honour a beautiful connection to his family history. In the end, I did eventually design my own ring with jewellery designer Laura Vann, who specialises in emerald jewellery and Art Deco design, creating a piece that feels truly mine whilst having those vintage elements and working well with the original.

When it came to my wedding band, I was unsure what I wanted, and after some hesitation, my mum surprised me with a precious gift: three gold bands she’d inherited from the women in our family. One of the rings fitted like it was made for me; my granny’s gold wedding band, which stacked perfectly with my other rings and even more special, it bears the inscription from my grandparents’ wedding day in 1955. It’s a treasure I’ll cherish forever.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Photography was, without a doubt, our top priority. We wanted every moment captured in a way that felt natural yet considered, the kind of images you can feel as much as see. Those photographs are the keepsakes we’ll treasure for a lifetime, and hopefully show our children or grandchildren one day, so investing in a photographer whose eye and style we adored was an easy decision.

Food and drink came a close second. We wanted our guests to feel completely indulged, to enjoy incredible food, chat over cocktails, and make the most of an open bar that kept the celebrations flowing late into the night. It has been the greatest joy to have people continue to tell us how much they loved all the food. Amongst our friends the catering from FOSH will go down in history I’m sure!

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of the moments I’ll treasure forever was having our dear friend Ben officiate our wedding. He made the ceremony so personal, with just the right mix of warmth and humour – self-deprecating, relatable, and utterly fabulous. He had the whole crowd laughing from start to finish, and it set such a joyful tone for the day.

Another unforgettable highlight was during our cocktail hour, when my beautiful friend Georgia performed. She’s an extraordinary singer, songwriter and musician, hugely respected in the jazz and soul world, and the ultimate performer. She’s both my bridesmaid, one of my oldest friends and my styling client, and hearing her sing – accompanied by the amazing guitarist Aleph – felt like the biggest treat for all our guests. Her voice is unlike anyone else’s, she had everyone captivated from beginning to end and got everyone in the best party mood!