A Fairytale Butley Priory Wedding: Emily’s Dream Day 

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Emily, you were the most dreamy bride and truly deserved the most fairytale Butley Priory wedding a girl could ask for and it certainly delivered!

 

The Wedding Morning at Butley Priory

It’s Saturday, 31st May 2025. The sun is shining, skies are blue, and Emily is smiling from ear to ear lovingly followed not by James (tradition kept them apart), but by Ralph, her gorgeous Hungarian Vizsla. He’s full of unconditional love and has eyes only for Emily.

How the Bride Found Her Makeup Artist

Emily reached out to me just a few weeks before the wedding after a communication breakdown with another artist. I was recommended by my lovely friend and “work wife,” Lynnette Chasmer, hairstylist extraordinaire.

At her bridal makeup trial, I could sense a few nerves. Emily had been made to feel uncomfortable about her skin, so my first job was reassurance. Her skin was (nothing like she’d been told) beautiful, healthy, and easy to work with.

We all have blemishes, pigmentation, and pores no one is flawless. Emily’s skincare routine had clearly paid off, and she needed very little foundation to glow.

When she looked in the mirror and cried happy tears of relief, I knew the fear had lifted. She could now head toward her wedding day feeling confident and radiant exactly how every bride should feel.

 

The Bridal Prep at Butley Priory

From the very first message, I knew this wedding would be full of fun. Emily is pure sunshine, her voice notes had me laughing out loud, and I truly miss them!

Arriving at Butley Priory always feels magical. The venue is steeped in history, it’s where King Henry VIII’s sister, Mary Tudor, once spent her honeymoon. Thankfully, there was no royal scandal this time around, just laughter, love, and a few happy tears!

I was thrilled to meet Ralph, who had a starring role in the celebrations, and Spud, Emily’s beloved horse, who joined for photos later in the day. (I definitely stole a few Ralph cuddles between makeups!)

Wedding Makeup at Butley Priory

I created makeup looks for Emily, her three bridesmaids, and the Mother of the Groom. Each look reflected their individual style natural, timeless, and elegant.

Emily’s Bridal Makeup Look

We kept Emily’s makeup soft and understated. She doesn’t usually wear much day to day (apparently Spud doesn’t mind if she’s not in full glam for a ride out!), so I wanted her to feel enhanced, not overwhelmed.

Products and techniques used:

  • Base: NARS Tinted Moisturiser for a natural, radiant finish
  • Contour: Gentle definition on cheeks and nose
  • Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Powder to keep shine at bay
  • Blush: Cream peach tones from MAC and Illamasqua
  • Eyes: Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette to contour the eye, with Victoria Beckham glitter for a soft sparkle
  • Brows: Set with Brow Code and filled with NYX Brow Pencil
  • Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Dancefloor Princess with Iconic London lip mask for shine

The result? A light, fresh, youthful glow that looked beautiful in person and on camera.

The Bride’s Look & Wedding Style

Emily was breathtaking in her Susanne Neville gown simply elegant with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her bridesmaids wore shades of green, each choosing a style that suited them.

The florals, by Jennie Marie Fleurs, combined white blooms, soft greenery, and pheasant feathers for a refined country-luxe look.

Emily finished her look with pearls, a headband, and a beautifully styled bridal ponytail with soft face-framing pieces by the talented Lynnette Chasmer. (We’re both honoured to be recommended suppliers at Butley Priory!)

James looked equally dashing in a forest green suit, tying the whole bridal party aesthetic together perfectly.

The Ceremony & Celebration

Libby from Butley kept the day running seamlessly, ensuring everything flowed beautifully. Emily walked down the aisle with her brother who looked incredible in full scarlet military uniform  to live music from the Gainsborough Quartet.

Every detail was captured perfectly on film by Lewis and in photos by Andrew from AXL Photo Ltd.

And of course, no Butley wedding is complete without a cherished tradition after the ceremony, the couple passed through the gate and had the bell rung in their honour, officially signalling the start of the celebrations!

A Wedding to Remember

This will forever be one of my favourite weddings to be part of. I’m so grateful to Emily for trusting me with such a special role as her wedding makeup artist at Butley Priory.

Bride’s Testimonial

“Victoria is a lifesaver! After a well-known local makeup artist made me feel self-conscious and unworthy of makeup at 40 because I wasn’t into Botox or filler, Victoria stepped in last minute and completely transformed my bridal party’s look. Her experience, training, and skills are truly exceptional.

What sets Victoria apart is her genuine passion for making real women feel amazing in their own skin. She’s not about unrealistic beauty standards, she’s about enhancing natural beauty and helping you feel confident and radiant.

As someone who doesn’t wear makeup often, I was blown away by how she understood and enhanced my natural features. She didn’t try to change me; she made me look like the best version of myself.

In a world obsessed with perfection, Victoria’s approach is refreshingly real. She’s talented, wise, and caring,  if you want to feel truly amazing, look no further than