On a crisp autumn day in November 2023, surrounded by loved ones at the charming Fulham Palace, Isabella and Adrian said “I do” in a ceremony filled with love, laughter, and genuine joy. Their wedding was a testament to their love story, a beautiful blend of elegance and personal touches that reflected their unique personalities and cherished moments.
Isabella entrusted Izabella Bordignon to create a hairstyle that would reflect her unique personality and enhance her natural elegance. The result? A stunning half-up, half-down style, inspired by red carpet looks and infused with a touch of romance.
Throughout the planning process, Isabella showed unwavering trust and positive energy, collaborating closely with the team, sharing her inspiration and expressing her desires with clarity and confidence.
Adrian and Isabella’s wedding story is a beautiful reminder that true love is a journey best shared with those closest to you. Their meticulously crafted celebration, filled with personal touches and heartfelt moments, served as a testament to their unwavering devotion and the joy they find in each other’s company.
We would like to express our gratitude to Isabella for sharing her story, where she offers valuable insights and cherished memories providing invaluable advice for future brides embarking on their own unique journeys and to the photographer who skilfully captured each enchanting moment.
How was your experience with us?
I had a fantastic experience from start to finish working with Izabella. The team helped make sure we could fit in my trial etc. despite quite a last-minute booking. During my trial I really felt Izabella thoroughly listened to what I wanted, and helped me to work out the right look for my hair by giving me advice on the bits I wasn’t sure of – especially as I’m not used to having my hair professionally styled and didn’t always know what to ask for or how to explain what I wanted.
Izabella has such a positive and encouraging energy, which I really appreciated, as this close to the wedding I was feeling a bit stressed and overwhelmed. We built up the style really slowly to make sure I was completely happy. Izabella gave me advice to take to my hairdresser for when I got my cut and colour done before the day, to make sure the style would look its best. On the day, Izabella made me feel completely relaxed and at ease through the whole process of creating my hair style and I was so, so happy with the results – which lasted really well through the day.
Why did you choose us?
I chose Izabella because I could tell from the portfolio that Izabella and team would be able to achieve the kind of hairstyle I was looking for, which I wanted to look natural and still like me whilst being special for a wedding.
What was your inspiration and style for your wedding ceremony?
I often wear my hair half-up, half-down so I felt that this style would look lovely for my wedding whilst still feeling like me. I was wearing quite a simple, minimalist dress for a London wedding so wanted to achieve something smart and sophisticated – this inspired the chignon style twist for the up part of the hair. I was keen that I looked sleek and elegant but still natural and like myself, and I think we achieved the balance really well.
How did you both meet?
Adrian and I met at work three years ago.
How did he propose to you?
After 6 months of carrying a ring in his pocket on various holidays abroad, Adrian eventually proposed on a dark, snowy dog walk in the woods of Wimbledon Common (near where we live) after heavy snow had fallen. It was completely magical!
Did you DIY anything for your wedding reception?
Our reception venue was a pub rather than a wedding venue so although they were incredibly professional and had experience of big events and some weddings, we were able to completely design the flow of the day through our ceremony and reception – so it all felt really unique to us.
What did you do to prepare for your wedding day?
After months of wedding admin and careful preparation and attention to detail to make sure we knew the day would flow well, (and juggling this with looking after our baby, which was quite full on!), we prioritised relaxing and spending time together in the week before the wedding so that we were our best selves on the day. All of this meant that on the day we relaxed and enjoyed every single minute.
What was your inspiration for your bridal hair & makeup?
My brief was always that I wanted to look like myself, just elevated. So I didn’t want to do a hair style or make up style that would be really different to what I would ordinarily do, yet I wanted it to of course look and feel special. I found some Pinterest photos that inspired the style – these were actually not wedding hairstyles but from the red carpet. I also knew what I did not want and showed pictures of this to Izabella as well so she could really understand what I was looking for.
What was a memorable moment for you?
Our ceremony was so memorable as we laughed and cried throughout, and it felt like such a loving atmosphere in the room with our closest friends and family there to support us. The speeches were also a real highlight for me.
The funniest moment on the day?
We kissed three times in the ceremony, instead of once, because Adrian kept thinking it was time to do it and the Registrar kept (jokingly) telling us off!
Where was your honeymoon?
We took a mini moon to Chewton Glen in the New Forest just after the wedding, and have rented a cottage in Pembrokeshire with our dog and baby for later this month. We plan to do a holiday further afield next year when our baby is a bit older.
Were there any other details?
We planned an autumn wedding because it is our favourite time of year. We were prepared for rain all day, which was the forecast, but were surprised with some beautiful weather in the afternoon allowing us to do drinks outside and some beautiful autumnal photos!
One or two piece of advice for future IB Brides
Absolutely make the most of your trial and consult Izabella before the day, you don’t want to be making any last-minute decisions. Feel confident to say what you do and don’t like, Izabella is so understanding, so try to be specific of what you do and don’t like from your inspiration photos. On the day, no matter how stressful preparations have been – let it all go in the morning and just let the day happen, enjoy every single minute!
Any last advice or words of wisdom that you can share?
Don’t expect perfection – the more you let go of everything needing to be perfect, the more you will enjoy the day and look back on it fondly. Although we put so much work into the day, I told myself to expect that some things will go wrong as you can’t control everything – it is inevitable – but it doesn’t take away from the magic. Because i’d mentally prepared for this, it didn’t worry me in the slightest that some things didn’t go exactly to plan.
Wedding Vendors
- Bridal Hair & Makeup: Team @izabellabordignon.brides
- Photography: @kirstylouisephoto www.kirstylouisephoto.com
- Videography: @chloerosefilms
- Shoes: @bellabelleshoes
- Accessories: @gillianmillion
- Dress: @gillianmillion / sandavalentinabrides
- Venue: @fulhampalace @dukesheadputney
- Planner: @lucymeehanevents
- Flowers: @winchandwillow
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kirsty for the exceptional photography skills and for beautifully capturing the unforgettable moments from Isabella & Adrian’s wedding day.
Fulham Palace London
Fulham Palace, located in London, is a historic site that served as the residence of the Bishops of London for over 1,300 years. This remarkable property is a blend of Tudor and Georgian architecture, featuring a stunning mixture of styles that reflect its long and storied history. The palace is set within 13 acres of beautiful gardens, including a walled garden and extensive botanical collections, making it a picturesque and serene location.
Today, Fulham Palace operates as a museum, gallery, and event space, hosting weddings, exhibitions, and various public events. The venue’s historical significance, combined with its lush gardens and grand interiors, makes it a highly sought-after location for weddings and private events. Visitors can explore the palace’s rich history, enjoy the beautifully restored rooms, and wander through the expansive gardens, making it a unique cultural and historical experience in the heart of London.