Image of Maizie Jane Farkas
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Maizie Jane Farkas

Dress Stephanie

Caterer: Doggart & Squash
Planner: Clare Doggart 
Photographer: Chloe Winstanely
Videographer: Clemmie Cusack
Band & DJ: House of Ellington & Joe Vetch at Ldn Entertainment
Marquee: Tents n Events
Bar: Drunken Jockeys
Florist: Sage & Co
Make-Up: Melissa Clare Make up
Hair: Rural Fringe
Bridesmaids: Maids to Measure
Groom: Favourbrook
Stationery: Embellishing the Ordinary
Gift Registry: Wedding Present Co.

Maizie and Jack’s wedding day vision was to create an intimate country house wedding brimming with personalised details that truly represented them as a couple. The year-long wedding planning adventure was filled with joy but while they faced some challenges along the way, like the search for the perfect wedding dress, everything came together perfectly in the end!

Chloe Winstanley

Real bride Maizie Sassi Holford Stephanie gown in wedding marquee filled with greenery

Tell us a little about the inspiration for your wedding day

Jack and I had always dreamt of hosting our wedding weekend at my family’s home in Hampshire, a place of great sentimental value to both of us. The wedding was inspired by the beautiful setting in the English countryside, and we wanted the weekend to feel like an intimate summer getaway at a country house.

We wanted the ceremony and drinks reception to feel traditional and formal, set amidst elegant gardens. However, we envisioned a fairy-tale transformation as guests journeyed into the marquee – here we wanted the atmosphere to feel more whimsical and playful. I remember describing our marquee vision to our amazing wedding planner, Clare Doggart – “we want it to feel sort of like Petersham Nurseries, meets The Pig hotels, like an allotment with tons of overgrown wild foliage completely all over the place and terracotta herb pots, with a few disco balls and tambourines as well…” – miraculously she somehow understood what we meant and made our dreams a reality.

I wanted a dress that would complement the formal & romantic country-house garden setting, while also reflecting a youthful and modern style. Sassi’s Stephanie gown was the perfect choice, minimalist with a touch of drama, crafted from silk brocade that was just perfect for the theme and setting.

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Strapless wedding dress and green bridesmaid dresses

What were your wedding day non-negotiables?

Firstly, we needed an exceptional wedding planner, given that we hosted our wedding at my family home, we didn’t have an experienced venue team on-site! Clare Doggart from Doggart & Squash was amazing, making planning enjoyable and ensuring a seamless day. Doggart & Squash, also our caterers, elevated our experience with amazing food and incredible styling.

Secondly, we needed an exceptional florist, Vanessa from Sage and Co, to bring our wild kitchen-garden theme to life. She exceeded our expectations and totally blew us away with her vision!

Lastly, an amazing band and DJ were non-negotiable for us. They set the party atmosphere from the moment guests entered the marquee!

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Stephanie strapless wedding dress with groom in confetti

Did you always know what you wanted your wedding dress to look like?

No, I didn’t always have a clear vision of what I wanted for my wedding dress. Prior to getting engaged, the idea of my future wedding dress hadn’t ever really crossed my mind, making the search for the perfect gown one of the most exciting but also challenging aspects of my wedding preparations!

The very first dress I tried on was Sassi Holford’s beautiful Stephanie dress, and I instantly fell in love! I adored the silhouette, the dramatic train, and, of course, the silk brocade fabric. Sassi’s design really captured my heart from the moment I saw it. However, as it was the first dress I tried on, I naively felt it necessary to explore more styles before making my final decision… This led me to multiple appointments at Sassi Holford’s flagship store in London and visits to various other designers and bridal boutiques, in pursuit of the perfect dress…

After nearly a year of searching, I made a deliberate decision to revisit my first love, the Stephanie dress! I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was the one. I went to Boo Bridal, an incredible Sassi Holford stockist close to my family home in Hampshire who took great care of me and my dress. My advice to other brides is to trust your instincts, go with your gut, and if you find a dress that you love, don’t hesitate!

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Real bride cuts cake with groom in Sassi Holford Stephanie dress

If you could go back and relive one part of your wedding again, what would it be?

It’s so hard to pick a single moment, as I cherished every part of our wedding weekend from start to finish! However, if I could relive one part again, it would be our evening meal. We chose long tables and the evening felt like a dreamy intimate dinner party. We had the most amazing view of all our beautifully candlelit tables under the canopy of wild foliage and twinkling fairy lights. Watching our closest friends and family sharing laughter and joy in that setting was genuinely magical.

A close second would be the dancefloor – the electric atmosphere and the music made it an absolute highlight, as we danced the night away with our loved ones.

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