Real Bride Sabrina: A Saltmarshe Hall Wedding in Serene Felix
A lockdown love story, a Lake Como proposal and a floral lace wedding dress with a little rock-and-roll personality.
Apparently, knowing how to drive a tractor and having a phobia of feathers was all Sam needed to hear to want to meet Sabrina. Six years later, the couple were celebrating their wedding at the beautiful Saltmarshe Hall, with lilac flowers, a rock-inspired soundtrack and their favourite people.
For her wedding day, Sabrina chose Felix by Serene by Madi Lane from Elizabeth Kate Bridal. She fell for the delicate floral lace, flattering basque waist and beautiful buttoned back, before making her dress even more personal with customised sleeves and a redesigned skirt.
From a surprise proposal beside Lake Como to finding a wedding dress that made her feel completely comfortable and confident, here's Sabrina's story.
At a Glance
Bride | Sabrina |
Groom | Sam |
Wedding date | 16 August 2026 |
Venue | Saltmarshe Hall, Howden, East Yorkshire |
Style | Country manor, pretty and floral |
Colour palette | Lilac, sage green and cream |
Dress | Felix by Serene by Madi Lane |
Dress details | Basque waist, floral lace, buttoned back |
Customisations | Bandeau-style sleeves, slit removed for a full skirt |
Photographer | Rachel London Photography |
Their Love Story
How Sabrina and Sam met
"Me and my now husband Sam met through a mutual friend after Sam asked our friend if she knew anyone who was single, a couple of months before lockdown in 2020. The only things that Sam was told about me was that I can drive a tractor and I have a phobia of feathers and apparently that was enough for him to want to find out more about me. We initially text each other throughout lockdown and then once lockdown was lifted, we started going on dates."
A Lake Como proposal
"Sam had planned for us to go to Milan for my 30th birthday but little did I know that he was planning to propose! On our last full day of being on holiday we went to Lake Como and was walking around the streets and we decided to walk along the path round the Lake soaking in the views when Sam suggested that we sit on the bench nearby. We were talking for a while and then a couple of women came along and were stood near us speaking in Italian and I could tell that Sam was nervous, and he had said that he hoped the women would move soon. Then after 10 minutes the women moved and that is when we were completely on our own, Sam got down on one knee and then asked me to marry him!"
The Wedding Day at Saltmarshe Hall
The vibe: country manor with a rock twist
"We didn't have an overall theme, but we chose lilac for the bridesmaid dresses, and the flowers were lilac, sage green and creams. The vibe was country manor, pretty, florals but the music for the wedding was rock/metal songs but slowed down and played on violin and the DJ in the evening was playing rock, metal, emo and 00s music as this is what me and my husband are into."
Her favourite moment
"Obviously, the getting married part! Haha But another moment that sticks out to me is when taking the group pictures, our photographer does this thing where the married couple stand together and as quick as possible the guests have to run in and have pictures taken and there is music playing and everyone is singing and getting into it. It is my favourite moment as it produced a lot of fun and laughter and people that had never met were laughing and talking with each other."
Finding Her Dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal
For Sabrina, finding her wedding dress wasn't just about falling in love with a particular design. It was also about feeling comfortable enough to enjoy trying dresses on in the first place.
Why she chose us
"Me and my family have driven past Elizabeth Kate Bridal quite a lot over the years on our way to and from Scunthorpe and we have always admired the dresses in the shop and so when it came time for me to start looking for my dress we knew we wanted to see what dresses Elizabeth Kate Bridal had. I am so glad we did as the experience was amazing! I could try on as many dresses as I wanted, and I felt really listened to when saying what i liked and didn't like in a dress. I was initially worried about not being able to fit into any dresses or they would suit me but there was no judgement about my size or body shape and it made me feel so comfortable and that I could focus on choosing the right dress."
Falling for Felix
"My dress is the Madi Lane Serene Felix and to me she is beautiful! I fell in love with the shape as it is a Basque waist so makes me look slimmer, but what really sold it to me was the lace. The lace is so delicate but so different in that the flowers stand out on the dress and to me this was really unique and when I tried it on, I couldn't stop looking at it and I felt that no other dress would be able to compete and it fit with what I wanted as it had the lace and had the buttons going down the back of the dress."
Making it her own
"We did customise my dress. My dress came with sleeves; however, I wanted to have more of a bandeau style and so we took the time to create the style of sleeve I was happy with. We also changed the dress from having a slit to it being a full dress as I didn't feel comfortable with my leg out."
Sabrina's Advice for Brides
On dress shopping: "Go in with an open mind as some dresses might surprise you as some dresses look better on then on the hangers!"
On visiting Elizabeth Kate Bridal: "Do it! You will be in the best hands and really well looked after."
On planning and the big day: "Accept that things might go wrong on the day or during planning but things will all work out in the end even if it doesn't feel like it and the most important thing is that you are getting married to the person that you love."
Standout supplier: "Our photographer on the wedding day, Rachel London Photography, would highly recommend."
Dress Spotlight: Felix by Serene by Madi Lane
For Sabrina, Felix had everything she was looking for, a beautiful basque waist, delicate floral lace and buttons running down the back. But it was those distinctive lace flowers that made her stop and look.
What makes Sabrina's Felix particularly special is how she personalised her gown. Working with our team, she changed the original sleeves into a bandeau style and removed the skirt slit to create a look that felt completely her own.
It's a lovely reminder that finding your dress doesn't always mean loving every detail exactly as it comes. Sometimes, a few thoughtful alterations make all the difference.
Love Sabrina's Felix? Explore Felix by Serene by Madi Lane, or discover more of our Serene by Madi Lane wedding dresses at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know what wedding dress style I want before my appointment?
Not at all! Some brides arrive knowing exactly what they're looking for, while others aren't quite sure where to start. We'll help you explore different shapes, fabrics and details to find what feels right. As Sabrina discovered, a dress can look completely different once you try her on.
What if I'm nervous about trying on wedding dresses?
It's completely normal to feel nervous, especially if you're worried about sizing or whether certain styles will suit you. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, your appointment is private and relaxed, with two hours dedicated to finding your dress. We have a wide range of sample sizes, and our focus is always on helping you feel comfortable, confident and like yourself.
Can I customise my wedding dress?
Absolutely, depending on the gown and what's achievable through alterations. From adjusting sleeves to changing certain skirt details, there may be ways to make your dress feel more personal. Sabrina customised her Felix gown with bandeau-style sleeves and a full skirt without the original slit. We'll always talk through what's possible before making any changes.
What wedding dress designers can I try at Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
We have over 250 designer wedding dresses in store, including collections from MWL, Eva Lendel, Serene by Madi Lane, Rebecca Ingram and Enzoani Love. Our gowns range from modern, minimalist designs to romantic lace, structured silhouettes and statement styles.
When should I start looking for my wedding dress?
We recommend starting around 12–18 months before your wedding. This gives you plenty of time to find your dress, allow for designer ordering times and arrange any alterations. Getting married sooner? Don't worry, we can help you explore options that work with your wedding date.
How many guests can I bring to my bridal appointment?
We recommend bringing two or three people whose opinions you really value, with a maximum of four guests. Your appointment is all about you, and keeping your group small helps make the experience relaxed, personal and enjoyable.
Where is Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
You'll find us at 128 High Street, Crowle, North Lincolnshire, DN17 4DR. We're a family-run bridal boutique within easy reach of Scunthorpe, Doncaster, Hull, Sheffield and surrounding areas, with free parking directly across the road. All bridal appointments are private and booked in advance.
Could Your Dress Be Waiting at Elizabeth Kate?
Sabrina came to us after years of admiring the dresses in our window. She left having found Felix, and a wedding dress she couldn't stop looking at.
With over 250 designer gowns, private two-hour appointments and a team who genuinely want you to feel comfortable, we'd love to help you find yours.
We're in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, within easy reach of Scunthorpe, Doncaster and surrounding areas.
Continue Your Bridal Journey
Loved Sabrina's Felix by Serene by Madi Lane?
More Real Bride Stories - see how other Elizabeth Kate brides found their dress and made it their own.
Explore Serene by Madi Lane - discover more gowns from the designer behind Sabrina's Felix.
Book Your Appointment - start your own dress journey at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
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