In Her Own Style Part 2: Tythe Bride Lucinda in Clover London

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Lucinda Turner, 32 married Ethan Wroth, 31, on 27th August 2022. She wore the Juniper dress from Clover London.

This is part 2 in a series of 6 articles that ask brides who married at this beautiful Oxfordshire wedding venue to reflect on their wedding day fashion choices – with insights that will benefit all readers on the hunt for their wedding dress or wedding day attire. You’ll find the other brides here.

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Having seen every style of wedding dress as a fashion editor at Brides magazine, finding the one was quick

I only visited three boutiques over the same number of months. First, I went to Halfpenny London and had so much fun trying on their beautiful gowns.

The brand’s iconic Charlotte dress was almost a winner as it brought my mum and bridesmaid to tears, but on reflection the structure and style felt slightly formal for the day I had in mind. The fact I can still remember its name tells you how much I loved it.

www.thetythebarn.co.uk
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It’s tricky when you’re not used to wearing full-on gowns


I went to a small bridal boutique close to my hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and tried on the most princess-y of princess gowns.

They weren’t what I was envisaging for the day, but I felt I had to take the opportunity to go into a more traditional bridal boutique just to experience it.

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It might have been the champagne, but by the end of that appointment I’d almost had my head turned by a full tulle embroidered ballgown from Justin Alexander.

It’s quite hard not to feel wonderful in so many layers of tulle and a cinched waist, but when I looked back at the photos of myself, I really felt like I was in fancy dress.

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No one would have been able to get near me on the day with such a big skirt!

Finally, I came across a brand called Clover on Instagram, founded by the wonderful Ally during lockdown as a result of her own wedding dress search nightmares.

Back then Clover only had seven or eight styles of gown, all modern, minimal, 100% pure silk and made in the UK.

www.thetythebarn.co.uk

The understated aesthetic was exactly what I was looking for

I went along to my first appointment with my mum and bridesmaid at Ally’s flat in Putney (that’s how small the business was then; she’s now got a beautiful studio in Fulham with an ever-expanding collection).

I tried on three dresses and fell in love with the Juniper gown. It was so light and effortless, and it was the first time I actually felt like myself. I put the order in as soon as I got home that day, I knew I didn’t need to search anymore.

www.thetythebarn.co.uk
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I loved that this dress had a twist

It has a really simple skirt in a pale ivory, a square neck and puffy sleeves. It’s a shape that I have a lot of in my wardrobe, so I knew it would suit me and I’d feel comfortable all day.

Rather than Clover’s original Willow gown, the Juniper has sheer organza sleeves, which I felt gave me that slight bridal moment. The rural location of Tythe nudged me towards a slightly more romantic style. I think I would have gone even more paired back had we had a city wedding.

If there was a moment of doubt it came with my evening dress. I searched online for months, ordered at least fifteen different dresses and in the end, I loved wearing my dress from Clover so much I forget to get changed!  

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I must have emailed every single barn venue in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire

We both wanted a barn wedding but with extra wow. What really sold us Tythe were all the extra bits – the courtyard, all the hidden nooks where people can sit, the giant lawn at the front, all those different spaces for guests to enjoy.

It’s so private but also very accessible. We stayed in the farmhouse because I loved the idea that the bride and groom have different areas to get ready in but that he’s not so far away – I could send my bridesmaid over to see if the boys were actually getting ready!

www.thetythebarn.co.uk
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Bridesmaid group chats are always incredibly tricky places for opinions as everyone’s own style is different

I also think photos from an appointment will never do a dress justice, you’re much better to trust the opinion of those who are there on the day. I was pretty resolute, but it’s always hard if people are saying you look amazing in a dress that you don’t feel amazing in.

I knew I’d made the right choice when I had my second fitting with my mum, my mother-in-law and bridesmaids, you could see it on their faces. It was absolutely the right dress and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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If you’ve always wanted a big ballgown moment, then go for it

But if you’re a little unsure I’d say look to elements from your own personal style to help guide the shape.

Also go for something that you feel comfortable in, the dress is the last thing you want to be thinking about on the day and one little niggle will end up being front of mind, rather than you actually enjoying your day.

I knew I’d made the right choice when…

I saw this picture, taken after we’d exchanged vows. I’m grinning from ear-to-ear, and without a second thought about my dress falling down or me tripping over it!

I had it specially dry-cleaned after the wedding and one of the sleeves mended (I was having a little bit too much fun dancing and accidentally ended up with a small tear). I had always intended to shorten it to wear again as a summer dress, but it’s just such a beautiful dress with such lovely memories I’m not sure I can.’

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The Tythe Barn

Oxfordshire Wedding Venue

The Tythe Barn is an award-winning wedding venue in Oxfordshire, comprising a cluster of beautifully restored barns alongside a 17th century boutique Farmhouse. Tythe is one of the most impressive wedding barns in the country: elegantly rural, undeniably fun, this exclusive estate is set on the working farm of the Deeley family in rural Bicester.

Relaxed and informal, yet well-known for its incredible attention to detail. This charming venue brings together the beautifully restored thatched Tythe Barn (dating back to 1370), adjoining Cowshed with its old terracotta roof, luxury dressing room (fondly referred to as The Nook), the stunning interior-designed Manor Farmhouse offering seven double en-suite bedrooms and the cosy Shepherd’s Hut which sleeps an additional two.

Tythe can be hired exclusively for two nights and offers everything on site: licensed for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies with the flexibility to adapt to both small or larger wedding parties, dedicated rooms for the groom and the bride to get ready in and accommodation for 16 guests – including tea and cake and a farmhouse supper for residents as well as breakfast on both mornings.

@tythebarnlaunton
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The Tythe Barn

Love My Dress Wedding Directory Members

The below suppliers and venues featured in this article are part of the Love My Dress Wedding Directory.

Wedding Llamas at Tythe Barn wedding venue Bicester Oxfordshire

Tythe

Additional Credits

The below suppliers and venues are featured in this article, but are not part of the Love My Dress Wedding Directory.

Annabel

Annabel View all Annabel's articles

Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.

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