When fashion stylist Billie-Jo Skelton got married, she knew she had to carry Lulu for her special day
When Billie-Jo Skelton was planning her wedding, she was sure about two things: there had to be color, and she and the bridesmaids would carry Lulu Guinness.
Billie-Jo is a freelance fashion stylist based in London. Working across numerous brands and campaigns, she lives and breathes fashion and is bold in her personal style. “I absolutely love bright colors and clashing prints and patterns,” she says.
Billie-Jo met her now-husband Kurt back in 2017. Kurt is a fashion photographer, and their worlds collided on set while working together on photoshoots.
THE HEN PARTY
The first event to style was the hen party. Billie-Jo chose Paris for her hen party. “Paris has always been my favorite city for as long as I can remember, and since the proposal took place there, it has even more of a place in my heart.”
Together with her closest friends, Billie-Jo headed to Paris. “I had an amazing long weekend in Paris for my hen do. We packed so much into three days, and each activity was perfectly matched to me. From a croissant-making class to lunch at Pink Mamma, a wine tasting afternoon, a picnic by the Eiffel Tower, and karaoke until the early hours, the fun never ended!”
As for the outfits, Lulu’s Pearl Lips Clutch took center stage. “My favorite outfit was a satin mini bubble hem dress, paired with the Pearl Lips Clutch, white Mary Jane shoes, and, of course, a veil. It felt like the cutest Parisian hen look!”
THE WEDDING DAY
When it came to thinking about what she would wear for her big day, and what her bridesmaids would wear, she knew she wouldn’t take a traditional route. “I’ve been a huge fan of Lulu for years and have a few bags in my collection already,” says Billie-Jo. “I knew I wanted something a bit quirky but still on-trend to match my bridesmaids' dresses, so Lulu Guinness just made sense.”
For the big day at Rockbeare Manor in Devon, the bride wore a custom Emma Beaumont gown, and the bridesmaids wore an array of hot pink dresses. To colour match the hot pink dresses, Billie-Jo and her bridesmaids selected the Hot Pink Moire Bow Clutch.
The theme of the wedding was a romantic, French-inspired summer soirée. The ceremony took place outdoors with the façade of the manor house providing the perfect backdrop for the couple to exchange vows. Billie-Jo walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing Pachelbel's Canon. The long banquet dining tables were set against a backdrop of vintage-inspired chandeliers and adorned with a mix of fresh roses, peonies, and gypsophila.
Looking back on the day, Billie-Jo remembers the speeches as a highlight. “Having all of my favourite people in the world together in one place was truly so special, and the speeches contained so many beautiful words that I will never forget.”
Now that she’s a married woman and has had her perfect wedding, what advice would she give to soon-to-be brides? “Be in the moment, speak to everyone you love, and have fun! And also, pick a photographer/videographer whose style you absolutely love, so you’ll be able to look back at those memories forever.” (Photographer Jessica Lily Photography)
Billie-Jo is also keen to add: “I know it sounds cliché, but soak in every moment because it all goes so fast. And remember, there is no such thing as too much when you are the bride. Be as extra as you like!” Spoken like a true stylist!
SHOP BRIDAL
