Melissa and Joshua met via the dating app Hinge and enjoyed their first date at the Cross Keys in Chelsea, London. “Joshua had asked me out for a coffee, but I don’t drink coffee, so I told him if he wanted to see me on a Sunday, it would have to involve a Sunday roast!” Melissa tells us. “From the very beginning, it was clear we had the same thoughts on everything – morals, work ethics, family values and similar interests including skiing, wine and walks in the country.” The couple became engaged on 4th November 2020 which was their second anniversary and the eve of the November 2020 lockdown. “Joshua had planned a weekend in the Cotswolds to coincide with our mid-week anniversary - we had visited the Cotswolds to celebrate our anniversary the year previous and had decided to make it a tradition,” Melissa tells us. “When the lockdown was announced a few days in advance on a Saturday, little did I know that he went into both panic and action mode! Not knowing whether it would last for one month as planned, he wanted to ensure that we still went on the trip. He convinced me to swap my holiday days at work and for us to go away from Tuesday until Wednesday. He proposed on one knee during a walk around Blenheim Palace. We were in the middle of Bladon Bridge and it was a crisp November day with the sun shining against the blue sky. There were swans in the water on either side of the bridge and considering that Joshua had never been there before, he had to choose a spot, on impulse, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.” We drove back to London after the proposal where we had a reservation for dinner at the Cross Keys – we have continued going there every November since our first date. The atmosphere was electric, and to be back where we met the day we got engaged couldn’t have been more romantic.” SETTING THE SCENE The couple knew that they wanted to get married in Devon, despite neither of them growing up there. “At the time, my parents had a holiday home between Dartmouth and Salcombe so we stayed there for our first weekend away as a couple,” Melissa tells us. “Since then, we have made fond memories in Devon.” Due to the lockdowns, the couple drove to the region and did back-to-back viewings at venues over two days. “Shilstone was the last one that we viewed and as we approached the driveway, even in the rain we both knew instantly that it was the venue for us,” Melissa tells us. “It showcased such incredible views.” Melissa and Joshua’s table plan was produced by Unique Design By Tina. “We were very grateful to them for accommodating several cancellations the day before due to “The late arrival of the bridesmaid’s transport caused plenty of stress – I’m often known for being a little late, but I ended up being 40 minutes late! Luckily, we were legally married at the Kingsbridge Registry Office the afternoon before to enable us to have a service conducted by a celebrant who we had built a relationship with, which meant Joshua knew I wasn’t abandoning him at the alter and we were all trying to text and communicate the delay!” - Melissa 25 REAL WEDDINGS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=