Emily and Mike set out to style their fairytale castle to full effect and packed it to the rafters with stunning florals Images courtesy of EP Photography & Prints Emily and Mike met at a party in 2014 and bonded over a mutual love for rugby league (albeit favouring rival teams). Emily was warned off by their eventual best man who told her not to trust Mike as he was notorious for making super-strong drinks and getting people drunk! “I like a challenge though,” Emily tells us. “So, I accepted one of this concoctions and needless to say, I don’t remember much more of that night!” The next day she awoke feeling regretful that they hadn’t exchanged numbers, but luckily the forward-thinking best-man-to-be had written Mike’s number on a piece of scrap paper and slipped it into her bag. The pair spent the following 18 months in a long-distance relationship while Mike lived in Saddleworth and Emily studied in Newcastle. Mike proposed one Christmas Day. Little did Emily know when the day began that the engagement ring was concealed in a tree bauble and had been hanging from a branch for weeks. Before they tucked into Christmas dinner, Mike called Emily into the living room telling her that their British bulldog, Winston, had a gift for her. “As I entered the room the doors shut behind me and all I could hear was Mike telling Winston: ‘Calm down! We practised this!’” she remembers. “It was at this point I realised what was happening.” The door swung open and in strolled Winston with a sign around his neck that read: “Say, ‘yes’.” He was followed by Mike who immediately went over to the tree, removed the secret bauble and got down on one knee. Emily did as Winston asked her. The couple spent a lot of time discussing venues. Mike is very much into his history and therefore dreamed of a historical location. Emily is a huge Disney and Harry Potter fan, and liked the idea of a castle. So, they both reached the same conclusion, just via different routes! They both assumed Peckforton Castle would be beyond their budget, but thought they’d take a look to get some ideas nevertheless. The minute they walked through the first archway their jaws hit the ground. “From the size and the grand structure, to the deep red and gold decorations, everything was perfect,” Emily explains. Even though they visited other venues, Peckforton Castle remained in their minds and hearts, so when they discovered that it was, in fact, within budget they didn’t hesitate in securing their date – 25th February, 2023. Here, the bride tells us more... LIFE IS GRAND 39 REAL WEDDINGS
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