Sarah and Mikey’s intimate micro wedding was a heartwarming celebration of their love, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. On October 10th, 2020, they exchanged vows at Witney Registry Office in Oxfordshire, surrounded by just eight guests. But what made this day truly unforgettable was the surprise confetti arch that greeted them as they left the registry office – a sweet and spontaneous gesture from their loved ones. The newlyweds then headed to their favorite restaurant for a cozy dinner celebration, where they kept things simple and understated with their decorations. I must say, Sarah and Mikey looked absolutely stunning on their special day! Sarah’s crochet mini wedding dress was a showstopper, paired with a veil, yellow heels, and a vibrant rainbow bag that perfectly captured her whimsical personality. Mikey, meanwhile, rocked a suit jacket, jeans, and a crisp white shirt – a stylish and handsome choice. What truly resonates about this wedding, though, is the couple’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing their love above all else. Emily Collett Photography, thank you for sharing these precious moments with us.
Bride In a Mini Wedding Dress
The Proposal
For those who know us well, it’s no secret that we’re not typically fond of grand gestures or seeking to be the focal point of attention. Despite this, a memorable Christmas celebration with loved ones brought an unexpected yet heartfelt moment – Mikey proposed to me privately as the night drew to a close.
The Vision
As we counted down to our special day, my partner and I were no strangers to the emotional rollercoaster that is wedding planning, especially during the pandemic era. Initially, we had envisioned a springtime celebration, filled with the joy of good times with friends – think festivals, live music, and late-night dancing. Our original plan included an intimate registry office ceremony, followed by a vintage VW campervan ride to our reception venue, where we’d host a casual blessing ceremony amidst wild bluebells and candlelit lanterns. The festivities would continue long into the night with a silent disco and bell tent glamping for our closest friends. However, just weeks before our big day, Covid-19 emerged, sending our plans into disarray. We quickly rescheduled the reception to May 2021, but ultimately, we prioritized getting married over preserving every detail of our original vision. With that in mind, we rebooked the registry office ceremony for October and opted for a low-key, stress-free celebration.
The Venue
Our intimate wedding ceremony at Witney Registry Office in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds was a heartfelt celebration with only 8 guests present. While we couldn’t accommodate our photographer due to room constraints, it was a sacrifice worth making to have our closest family members share this special moment with us.The day unfolded with a surprise socially distanced walkway organized by Sarah’s mom in our local park, where friends and family gathered to cheer us on beneath the vibrant autumn trees. The brief respite from the rain added to the joy of the occasion.From there, we headed to Fat Lil’s, our beloved family-run restaurant in Witney, which felt like a natural extension of our celebration. With just 15 of us, including our immediate families, gathered in the rustic bar and grill, the atmosphere was cozy and intimate. The staff had thoughtfully decorated the space with colorful paper decorations and twinkling fairy lights that cast a warm glow over the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Your Outfits
The COVID-19 pandemic had an unexpected impact on people’s wardrobes, particularly for Sarah who struggled to find a dress that met her expectations. Her original choice couldn’t be finished and delivered in time, leading to a flurry of parcel deliveries as she searched high and low for the perfect garment. In the end, she settled for a stunning white crochet-style dress with statement puff sleeves from Coast, which she paired with mustard yellow block heels from River Island, delicate jewelry, a vibrant clutch bag, and a simple fingertip veil. As the day drew to a close, Sarah made a last-minute purchase of a faux fur coat from Sainsbury’s to combat the chill.Meanwhile, Mikey had his suit ready, but it felt too formal for their casual outing. He opted to wear just the jacket with a crisp white shirt and black slim jeans, which worked surprisingly well. The charcoal grey suit with subtle pink and yellow checks from Moss Bros was a great choice, and he looked sharp.
The Ceremony & Music
Our intimate ceremony was a thoughtful blend of personal touches and practical considerations. Given the Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time, we relied on Mikey’s brother – and his impressive tech skills – to curate the music via Bluetooth. He expertly set the tone for our special day by selecting ‘Golden Hour’ by Kacey Musgraves as the soundtrack for our entrance and exit. As we took a moment to sign the register, the smooth sounds of ‘Firestone’ by Kygo filled the air. This beautiful tune also held a special place in our hearts, serving as the soundtrack for our first dance as a married couple.
The Styling and Décor
We chose to keep our wedding decor surprisingly understated, mirroring the relaxed atmosphere of the day. In place of lavish arrangements, we opted for simple buttonholes and corsages, with handwritten name cards serving as the only table centerpieces. To add a touch of whimsy, we scattered a few playful touches throughout the space, including pink paper fans dangling from the ceiling and strings of twinkling fairy lights in the windows, all of which contributed to an effortlessly elegant ambiance.
Your Photographer
We initially vacillated about re-hiring a photographer for our rescheduled wedding, not wanting to feel like posing for photos was an obligation or an encumbrance on our special day. However, Emily Collett Photography remained our top choice due to her unique editing style that accentuates the most stunning colours in her photographs. With years of acquaintance with Emily, we knew she would bring a sense of ease and friendliness to the experience, making it feel more like a natural part of the celebration than an imposition. She seamlessly integrated herself into the day’s events, expertly managing our photo shoot without requiring much thought or effort from us. Moreover, her prompt turnaround time allowed us to relive our wedding day through her photographs, which perfectly captured the essence and beauty of that special moment.
The Honeymoon
Our travel plans have been put on hold indefinitely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We had originally planned a two-week getaway to Bali for June 2020, coinciding with my partner’s milestone 30th birthday celebration following our wedding. Unfortunately, since then, the UK has experienced multiple lockdowns, leaving us without the opportunity to take even a quick mini-moon. As we wait for the world to reopen and travel restrictions to ease, our honeymoon plans remain on hold.
Memorable Moments
We were in for a wonderful surprise when friends and family from our ‘covid bubbles’ gathered at Leys to catch glimpses of our special day with us. The chilly and rainy weather didn’t deter them from braving the elements to show their support, which warmed our hearts and lifted our spirits. Despite feeling a bit down about the circumstances, seeing so many smiling faces and knowing that we had such a strong network behind us made all the difference.
Advice for other couples
The essence of a wedding lies not in its minor details, but in the celebration of two people’s love and commitment to each other. The rest is simply icing on the cake! As Sarah and Mikey so beautifully demonstrated with their intimate micro-wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and joy of the occasion. A special thank you to Emily Collett Photography for capturing the magic, as well as all the talented vendors who helped bring their special day together: Witney Registry Office for the ceremony, Fat Lils Bar & Grill as the venue, Classic Flowers Witney for the beautiful buttonholes and corsages, Vintage Wedding Day Oxfordshire for transportation, Hair by Harley Beth for styling Sarah’s locks, Georgina Scott Bridal for the stunning veil, Coast for her exquisite dress, River Island for the perfect shoes, Moss Bros for the dashing suits, H. Samuel & Lance James for the thoughtful rings, Junk Jewels & Bari Lynn for the unique accessories. We hope they get to relax and enjoy their honeymoon soon!