Simone met Jade while out walking their dogs. “Jade had two foxhounds, Marley and Cruiser, and I have two jackhuahuas, Rupert and Hugo,” says the bride. “We often stopped to talk to each other, but it was a few years before we found ourselves single at the same time, arranging to take a walk along the beach for our first date. We’d only been seeing each other for a couple of months when lockdown hit, which resulted in me being furloughed from my job. Jade continued to work full-time, so I agreed to stay at his to look after the dogs as his usual walker couldn’t visit. It’s fair to say lockdown speeded up our relationship!” The couple didn’t intend on getting married at first, as they’d both been hurt in previous relationships. “One day I mentioned to Jade that I’d seen a stunning pre-loved 18 carat yellow gold emerald and diamond ring at the company I work for,” continues Simone. “It was quite close to Christmas, so Jade asked me if I’d like it as a present. I said no, as it was an engagement ring – so Jade replied with, ‘well, let’s get married then!’ All of our friends and family were over the moon, as they could see how in love we were and felt we should have always been together.” The couple set the date for the 9th July, 2022, choosing Great Ayton’s Howard Court for their big day. Here, Simone tells us more about their amazing wedding… OUR DAY, OUR WAY When it came to choosing a venue, it was important for Simone and Jade that their guests didn’t travel far. “In the end we only looked at Howard Court, as we knew straight away that it was right for us,” says Simone. “It was a very new venue and didn’t even have bathrooms installed at the time, but the owners had big plans for it – and we could see their vision. By the time our big day arrived it had been transformed into a stunning venue! We were also able to have the entire space to ourselves from Friday lunchtime until Sunday afternoon, with our families staying in the on-site cottage and two shepherds’ huts.” With Howard Court being a blank canvas venue, the couple were able to choose their own suppliers and decorate as they wanted. “I loved this side of the planning and painted our ‘Welcome’ canvas myself,” says Simone. “I also decorated the venue the day before with a beach theme in mind. I used lots of white muslin runners, pearl cluster string lights, glass tea lights and scented candles on the tables, along with glass cylinder vases filled with roses and sea thistle, as well as white pillar candles and seashells. Outside, we used lots of storm lanterns, along with glasses filled with pink and white roses, baby’s breath and greenery.” RING AND RING AND ROSES Simone left choosing their wedding florist in her fiancé’s hands. “We used The Flower Box in Guisborough as that’s where Jade regularly buys me flowers from,” continues the bride. “I didn’t carry a bouquet, choosing a white orchid wrist corsage instead. My mum, Jade’s mam and my bridesmaids had wrist corsages of white roses, while the men wore white rose buttonholes. We also made our own rose petal confetti, collected and dried by my wonderful mum and dad from their garden. My neighbour’s daughter held the basket and made sure all of our guests had a handful ready to throw.” When it came to weddings bands, Simone didn’t have far to look. “I work for Middlesbrough jewellery and finance company, Ramsdens, so was lucky enough to get our rings designed and made,” she says. “I opted for an 18 carat yellow gold band with half hoop diamonds, while Jade and I designed his ring together, incorporating our love of the beach – and his love of surfing. His platinum band features a sand effect on one half; etched in the centre with a wave; with the other half smooth like the sea.” 33 REAL WEDDINGS
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