Emma met Tom at a friend’s Christmas party in Newcastle. “I was a student in my second year of uni, whereas Tom’s from the city,” says Emma. “There was an instant attraction and we spent the whole party getting to know each other ending the evening dancing in the living room to Wham’s Last Christmas oblivious to everyone watching! We arranged to meet up after the party and Tom moved into my university house! After graduating I got offered a job in Oxford, so while Tom continued his studies at Teesside University, we had to do long distance for a number of years. You could say we got well acquainted with trains and late night farewells on a Sunday. After five years we finally settled down and lived together in Oxfordshire.” Tom proposed in December 2020 at Emma’s family villa in Spain. “Tom’s a game designer, so it only seemed right that he create a scavenger hunt-style proposal for me, hiding clues around the villa with the help of my sisters,” continues Emma. “Each clue was personal to our story, such as: ‘This next clue can be found somewhere cold and is also the name of one of our favourite movies’. Of course, he meant Frozen, so the next clue was in the freezer, and so on. The final clue led me outside, where I found flickering candles guiding me to the terrace. Our song, Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One, was playing on the loudspeakers, with Tom waiting for me under our family olive tree, with the final clue asking me to marry him. We celebrated with amazing fireworks, red velvet cake and champagne!” The couple set the date for 3 December 2022, choosing Trinity Methodist Church Harrogate for their service, and Goldsborough Hall for their reception. Here, Emma tells us more about their wedding… MEET ME AT THE ALTAR When it came to choosing where to wed, there was no doubt in the couple’s mind. “I’m Harrogate born and bred, and Tom’s from the North too, so we couldn’t picture anywhere else!” says the bride. “We knew we wanted to get married at Christmas, and also wanted a religious service. The whole church ceremony was incredible, especially hearing the poem my cousin Pippa wrote and read. Entitled A Promise Kept, it was all about our relationship, detailing how we met, and how Tom gave me a promise ring on our one year anniversary, knowing one day we’d tie the knot. It was so personal, and we now have it in pride of place at home!” Music is a huge part of Emma’s life, so she was thrilled when her childhood choir, St Robert’s, agreed to sing at their wedding. “They included our favourite carol O Holy Night, as well as O Come all Ye Faithful and Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” continues Emma. “I thoroughly enjoyed singing along to the descant with the choir, much to Tom’s amusement!” IT’S CHRISTMAS! The couple were keen to embody the spirit of Christmas for their wedding, but without being over the top. “We opted for a subtle and elegant winter wonderland theme, choosing maroon and burgundy with hints of rose gold and blush,” says Emma. “We used this scheme for our invitations – rich burgundy with rose gold foil – also weaving it into our table plans and place cards. As one of our favourite things about Christmas is the festive films, Scan to view video 27 REAL WEDDINGS
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