Jessica Brown Findlay has shared details about her nuptials for the first time, saying her ‘micro-wedding’ last year was ‘wonderful’.
The Downton Abbey star, 31, announced she’d tied the knot with actor Ziggy Heath in September after meeting on the set of Hulu drama, Harlots, in 2017.
And despite only having 30 people attending because of restrictions on gatherings during the pandemic, Jessica said she ‘wouldn’t change anything about it’.
Gushing: Jessica Brown Findlay has said her ‘micro-wedding’ to Ziggy Heath amid pandemic restrictions last year was ‘wonderful’
Speaking to The Times’s Saturday Review, she said: ‘It was wonderful – low-key and micro. After a lockdown 30 people felt huge. I wouldn’t change anything about it.’
After saying their vows at a local church, the couple and their guests went back to their home for a low-key reception.
Jessica reminisced: ‘We got rid of all the furniture so everyone could be spread out, and we did speeches on the stairs.’
However, the former actress, who played Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey, confessed to a misunderstanding of the rules which led to some ‘awkward’ disinvitations.
‘Wouldn’t change anything’: The actress, 31, said they had 30 people for the big day and ‘got rid of all the furniture’ at their home for a small reception (pictured with Ziggy in January 2020)
She said that they hadn’t realised the number of people allowed included the couple themselves, the priest overseeing the ceremony and the church organist.
And the couple’s plans for a honeymoon were also quashed when further lockdown measures were imposed, but Jessica insisted they didn’t mind.
Not bothered about missing out on a post-wedding trip, she said: ‘Perfect! We didn’t want to go anywhere and we couldn’t.’
The Banishing actress also revealed she’s looking forward to being able to dance in a nightclub when lockdown finally ends.
Happy: She announced her marriage last September sharing a selection of stunning snaps to Instagram
She said: ‘I just want to dance all night, because there really is a limit to how loud you can play music at home. It’s not quite the same turning on and off the oven lights.’
Jessica became a household name playing Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey but quit after three series in 2012, which she’d always planned to do.
She explained: ‘I don’t respond well to other people planning where I will go. I’m forever grateful for it, but I was worried about what comfort would do to my drive.’
But she admitted she often doubted her decision, saying she sometimes has passing moments where she asks herself: ‘Was that really silly?’
Big role: Jessica shot to fame as Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey, with her character dying in childbirth in series three (pictured with Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in the drama)
Jessica is best known for her character, Lady Sybil Crawley, in Downton Abbey from series one to three, who died in childbirth at the age of 24 in emotional scenes.
Jessica announced she’d gotten married last September, posting a picture with Ziggy as they embracing in a church in front of empty pews to her Instagram Story.
Jessica penned: ‘We did it,’ followed by the date of their wedding ‘12.09.20’.
Sharing a selection of snaps, she penned: ‘♥️wins every time . A weekend of dreams. Small celebrations felt HUGE. And now what a birthday! X I love you. ♥️.’
Other details during the ceremony included two three-tier cakes from Lily Vanilli decorated in soft pastel green and pink icing and a red London bus.
Love at first sight: The actress and new husband Ziggy met on the set of Hulu drama, Harlots, in 2017 where Jessica played Charlotte Wells and Ziggy played Sam Holland (pictured)
The actress and new husband Ziggy met on the set of Hulu drama, Harlots, in 2017 where Jessica played Charlotte Wells and Ziggy played Sam Holland.
The couple’s wedding in September had a limited number of guests due to Covid guidelines which stated ceremonies can only have 30 attendees and they must stand a metre apart with measures put in place.
At the time it was stated that guests should wear face masks, but the bride and groom could forego them.
Currently, weddings can only take place in exceptional circumstances and with only up to six people. Plans have been announced to ease restrictions, with up to six people being allowed from March 29 and then up to 15 hopefully from April 12.
This is thought to rise to 30 people from May 17 and the government hopes to remove all restrictions on wedding numbers by June 21.
Choices: Jessica also admitted she sometimes doubts her decision to leave Downton, saying she has passing moments where she asks herself: ‘Was that really silly?’ (pictured in 2020)