Cressida Bonas recently celebrated her fourth wedding anniversary with Harry Wentworth-Stanley, reflecting on their unique and intimate wedding day. The couple tied the knot on July 27, 2020, at Cowdray Park in Midhurst, West Sussex, in a ceremony that was anything but traditional.
Cressida, an actress known for her role in “White House Farm,” made headlines not just for her marriage but for her choice of wedding attire. In a departure from the conventional bridal gown, she opted for a midi dress from Whistles, a high-street brand. This dress was not a new purchase; instead, it was a recycled piece that Cressida had previously worn in a music video for James Arthur.
In an article for The Spectator, Cressida shared the story behind her dress. Just four days before the wedding, she found herself searching for a suitable outfit. After scouring Oxford Street and finding nothing that met her expectations, she remembered the Whistles dress tucked away in her cupboard. After a bit of ironing, the dress was ready for her big day.
The dress, known as the ‘Guinevere Wedding Dress,’ features a high neckline adorned with a feminine frill, a cut-out back with a bow, and an embroidered tiered midi skirt. Originally priced at £599, it had been reduced to £299 before selling out. Cressida’s choice of a midi dress was a bold statement, showcasing her desire to break away from traditional bridal norms.
The wedding itself was a small affair, limited to just 30 guests due to the ongoing pandemic. Cressida described the ceremony as a “socially-distanced, sanitised church service” that was organized in less than two weeks. The couple had to abandon their original wedding plans, but Cressida found solace in the intimate nature of the day. She remarked, “Not what we’d envisaged, but a more intimate and special day than we could ever have imagined. Imperfect yet perfect – a day we will never forget.”
Planning a wedding during a global pandemic posed its challenges. Cressida candidly discussed the strong opinions she encountered regarding her wedding plans. She had always envisioned a small wedding, but the reality of their families alone totaling 120 people made that difficult. Her father’s expectations of a traditional church wedding clashed with her desire for a more personal ceremony. Cressida humorously recounted how she upset her father by expressing her wish to marry under a tree, as he believed that vows exchanged in a church would be taken more seriously.
Despite the restrictions, Cressida managed to create the nature-filled wedding she desired. A memorable moment captured by her brother showed the couple riding off on horseback into the sunset, symbolizing their new life together.
Cressida and Harry’s journey to marriage was not without its own history. Before her relationship with Harry, Cressida dated Prince Harry from 2012 to 2014. Their romance was marked by a long-distance relationship, particularly during Harry’s deployment in Afghanistan. Ultimately, they parted ways, with Cressida attending Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, maintaining a friendly relationship.
Cressida’s wedding to Harry Wentworth-Stanley marked a new chapter in her life. The couple got engaged in Nantucket in August 2019, and their wedding day was a reflection of their personalities—unconventional and heartfelt.
In the aftermath of their wedding, Cressida and Harry welcomed their son, Wilbur, further solidifying their family unit. Cressida’s choice of a non-traditional wedding dress and the intimate nature of their ceremony resonated with many, showcasing a modern approach to love and commitment.
As Cressida looks back on her wedding day, she embraces the imperfections that made it special. Her story serves as a reminder that love can flourish in the most unexpected circumstances, and that sometimes, the most memorable moments come from breaking away from tradition.
Source: Various sources
