We met in the famous, albeit dingy, nightclub Acapulco in Halifax when we were teenagers,” Emily tells us. She and Sam were both out with their friends who were dating, and when they disappeared to the dancefloor, Emily and Sam were left to get to know each other. “What attracted me to Sam were his cheeky-chap persona and amazing blue eyes, as well as how hilarious he is,” Emily remembers. After bumping into each other again on various other nights out, Sam finally asked Emily for her number. Love soon blossomed and a year into their relationship they both decided to follow their dreams. Sam joined the Royal Marines and was stationed in Somerset, while Emily went to the University of Birmingham. “The long distance was difficult and I think I cried every night for the first year, but it only made our love for each other stronger,” Emily shares. Fast forward five years and Sam left the Royal Marines and Emily had graduated, reunited they bought their first home together. When they’d been dating for seven years, they took the trip of a lifetime to the Maldives. On the second evening there, Sam told Emily that he’d booked for them to have a meal on the beach. When they arrived Emily didn’t think anything of the hotel photographer being there, snapping away. So when Sam got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, it was a huge surprise. “I don’t think I spoke to him for a few minutes,” Emily says. “He even had to ask me if I was going to say ‘yes’!” Read on as the bride tells us all about their wedding day, 29th April, 2022... LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Before they even got engaged, Emily and Sam always said they’d get married at Peckforton Castle, having been there for an afternoon tea once and falling in love with it. In fact, they didn’t even look at any other venues, so sure were they. “It’s such a romantic, tranquil, fairytale venue. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and the interior has so much character and charm,” Emily says. SETTING THE SCENE The couple opted for a white, gold and glamorous theme for the big day. Flowers were really important to them and Emily had a vision of white roses and hydrangeas everywhere. White blossom trees lined the aisle and white roses decorated the ceremony and top tables. The bride’s bouquet featured more white roses, hydrangeas and peonies, and the bridesmaids all had smaller versions. The men also wore white roses as their buttonholes. Centrepieces were white blossom trees. The stationery continued the white and gold theme and carried a similar design to the invitations. “We named all our tables after places that are special to us, either where we’ve lived or been to on holiday,” Emily says. Every guest also had a personalised menu and miniature white chocolate vodka-shot favours. “At every party we host, there’s always white chocolate vodka so it reminds our friends of us,” Emily explains. “ 54
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=