Real Bride Fern | Elegant Summer Wedding at The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel Wearing Serene by Madi Lane
- elizabethkatebridal
- Aug 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 3
Some wedding days stay with you long after the last dance, and Fern's beautiful summer wedding is definitely one of them.
From meeting as young teenagers at their local youth club, to becoming childhood sweethearts and finally husband and wife, Fern and Dex's story is one of friendship, growing together and finding something truly special.
On 25th June 2026, they celebrated their wedding at the beautiful The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel in Southwell, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the English countryside. With an elegant colour palette of soft whites, sunny yellows and fresh greens, their day was full of personal touches, heartfelt moments and plenty of love.
Fern visited Elizabeth Kate Bridal after months of researching and creating her wedding vision, searching for a dress that felt modern, elegant and completely her. She found everything she was looking for in her stunning Cassidy wedding dress, completed with a bespoke veil handmade by us at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
The Bridal Look
Bride: Fern
Wedding Date: 25th June 2026
Venue: The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel, Southwell
Wedding Style: Intimate English countryside celebration
Colour Palette: Whites, yellows and greens
Wedding Dress: Cassidy by Serene by Madi Lane
Veil: Bespoke veil handmade by Elizabeth Kate Bridal
We were so honoured to be part of Fern's journey and this is her beautiful story.
How did you and your partner meet?
We met as two young pre-teens at our local youth club!
So, we were friends first for a good few years until one night outside a party when we were 17.
I appreciate a lot can be said positive and negative about marrying your ‘childhood sweetheart’, but fortunately for me it’s all been positive, if you can grow together and as individuals at the same time, it is truly magic.
Tell us about the proposal!
We were staying in a cottage for an autumnal getaway for our dog’s 10th birthday (silly I know), and during one walk he popped the question!
A beautiful summer wedding at The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel
When and where did you get married?
25th June 2026 at The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel in Southwell.
It was 35°C and I was 20 minutes late as I had my legs in an icy bath, I even did my registrars meeting in said bath! There’s no such thing as a perfect bride, do what you need to do.
Fern's advice for brides is something we absolutely love:
“There’s no such thing as a perfect bride, do what you need to do.”
And honestly, we couldn't agree more.
Whether that means taking a moment to breathe, changing your plans slightly or even sitting with your legs in an icy bath before your ceremony, your wedding day is yours, and you should do whatever helps you feel your best.
What was your wedding vibe/theme?
Very intimate, quintessential English countryside, lots of whites, yellows, and greens!
Finding her dream wedding dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal
What made you choose Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
I’d done my research and vision boarding on what I wanted for months prior. At the time, the basque waist trend had only just begun, and I felt Elizabeth Kate were really ahead of the curve on this and had a good few options to choose from. It was my first and only bridal shop!
Tell us about your dress, what did you fall in love with?
It just felt like me. It was timeless, elegant with clean crisp energy. Yet at the same time I loved the drama that the long train brought.
Falling in love with Cassidy by Serene by Madi Lane
For Fern, finding her dress wasn't about following a trend, it was about finding something that felt completely like her.
She fell for Cassidy by Serene by Madi Lane, a stunning satin ballgown with a soft draped cowl neckline, ruched off-shoulder straps and a beautifully structured basque bodice. The full skirt and dramatic train gave Fern the sense of occasion she loved, creating the perfect balance between timeless elegance and a little bridal drama. And yes... it even has pockets!
What was your favourite moment of the day?
The ceremony hands down, I had been a nervous wreck all morning (all week actually) but as soon as I walked down that aisle and held my husband’s hand everything melted away.
I felt like no one else was there but us, it was so special and I wish I could relive that feeling again.
Cloud nine.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides currently dress shopping?
At some point, maybe whilst you wait for it to arrive, maybe the first time you try it on, you might have a wobble. I regret being so cruel to myself the first time I tried my dress on, I was worried I wasn’t ‘enough’ or ‘wow’. I have never seen a bride and not been blown away, and I should have treated myself with that same grace. When the final fittings rolled around, I was head over heels and couldn’t believe I had doubted myself. If you are like me, please be kind to yourself. Thankfully, you’ll be in brilliant hands with Elizabeth Kate Bridal & I can’t thank them enough for the warmth they treated me with.
A little piece of advice from Fern
One of our favourite parts of sharing Real Bride Stories is hearing the honest advice our brides have for those beginning their own wedding journey.
“I have never seen a bride and not been blown away, and I should have treated myself with that same grace.”
Her words are such a beautiful reminder that every bride deserves the same kindness and confidence she gives to others.
A wedding dress is not just about how you look, it is about how you feel when you step into one of the biggest moments of your life.
What would you say to someone considering visiting us?
Soak it all in, and get ready to meet your fairy godmothers!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides about the planning/day/anything you think!?
Before you even start booking anything, you need to build a brilliant vision board (I recommend Pinterest). This will save you so much time when looking for suppliers and styling your day, as you can be really selective about who fits the right vibe. That and get it done early! We were fully sorted a year in advance, and it really took the weight off.
Any standout suppliers you’d love to recommend?
Honestly, every single supplier I booked was amazing. I was able to form relationships with all of them prior to the wedding day, so it felt like spending time with friends!
Fern's wonderful wedding team included:
✨ Dress - Elizabeth Kate Bridal
✨ Photography - Abi Buck Photography
✨ Videography - Brad Rollason Films
✨ Content Creation - The Soft Edit Content Creation
✨ Florals - The Belljar Flowers
✨ Venue - The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel (With a special mention to Chelsea and Maia)
✨ Makeup Artist - Jodie Leigh Hide MUA
✨ Hair Stylist - Manishea Kaur
A Final Thank You From Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Fern, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful wedding story with us.
From meeting as childhood sweethearts to walking down the aisle together, your wedding day was filled with so many personal touches, heartfelt moments and the kind of love that makes every detail even more special.
We loved helping you find your dream dress and creating your bespoke veil to complete your bridal look.
Seeing you step into Cassidy and feeling completely yourself was exactly what every bridal appointment should be about.
Thank you for reminding brides everywhere that every dress-shopping wobble is normal, and that confidence has a way of finding you when you least expect it.
We wish you and your husband a lifetime of happiness together.
Looking for your own dream wedding dress?
Fern’s timeless wedding day style shows that elegant doesn't have to mean simple.
Her Cassidy wedding dress perfectly combined clean, modern lines with beautiful bridal drama, finished with a bespoke veil created especially for her at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
If Fern's dress has inspired you, we would love to welcome you to Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
Our relaxed, private bridal appointments are designed to help you enjoy every moment of finding your dress, with expert guidance, a warm welcome and a little bit of fairy godmother magic along the way.
Whether you’re dreaming of timeless elegance, modern silhouettes or something completely unique, we’d love to help you find the dress that feels like you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Fern get married?
Fern married at The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel in Southwell on 25th June 2026.
Which wedding dress did Fern wear?
Fern wore Cassidy by Serene by Madi Lane, an elegant wedding dress featuring a timeless silhouette and dramatic train.
Why did Fern choose Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
Fern chose Elizabeth Kate Bridal after researching her dream style and finding that the boutique offered beautiful basque waist wedding dress options that matched her vision.
What advice does Fern have for brides worried about their wedding dress choice?
Fern encourages brides to be kind to themselves and remember that doubts are normal. She believes every bride deserves the same grace and confidence they give to others.
Continue Your Bridal Journey
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