My advice would be to find a tangible item you truly covet and start there. It might be a square of pretty fabric, a greetings card with a particularly desirable font or a piece of jewellery you wear every day. Whatever it is, just make sure you’re confident it’s a long-term love affair and you’re already halfway towards confirming your timeless wedding identity.
Add more favourite pieces to your initial item as you find them; build a small collection of treasures and trinkets until you can appreciate your cohesive personal style masterpiece. Trust me – it really works.
Photos by Anna Clarke from WE ARE // THE CLARKES
If you are at any point undecided on a colour palette, take a look inside your wardrobe. Your fashion choices often veer towards particular hues. If, like me, you’re staring at a rail of mainly black, grey and navy, and these hues are not necessarily a preferred option for the big day, pick up a paint chart. Or two. Or three. I promise there will be certain shades that will be immediately appealing.
Your interior décor is also excellent starting point. Do you favour feminine floral chic? Glamourous luxe? Maybe your abode has a distinctly masculine feel or you love nothing more than spending your weekends up-cycling furniture and scouring antiques fairs for eclectic accessories. Your home is more often than not the perfect representation of your unique style. Embrace it.
Left: Portia Sparkle Cami, £59 | Flora Tulle Skirt, £59 | Buttercup Maxi Dress, £169 | Rowan Pleated Dress, £99
After cancelling our original venue and believing I was the most indecisive person to ever exist, I eventually pulled together a beautiful hydrangea, a picture of Brigitte Bardot and the album cover of one of my favourite musicians.
Our wedding evolved into an event that was full of my all-time favourite flowers, live music and a bridal look that included a rather impressive beehive, black liquid eyeliner and a pinky-beige lip.
My personal style and my husband’s were very much represented throughout our wedding. As part of my day job I of course see innovative decorative details literally every single week, where I think ‘Wow! We could have done/chose/made THAT’, but we incorporated what suited us at that particular time. We had a truly wonderful day surrounded by our favourite friends and family, and that’s what really counts.
Rock My Wedding: Your Day Your Way by Charlotte O’Shea is out now (Ebury Press).
