An Essex Wedding - September/Ocotber 2020 (Issue 94)

A CLASSIC Sweethearts Steph and Sonny planned their dream day at Gaynes Park, and filled it with personal touches Images courtesy of Julia & You romance W ho else remembers chatting to their friends on MSN Messenger? Steph and Sonny certainly do as it’s where they first got talking when they were just 15 years old. “We spent evening after evening chatting,” Steph tells us. “Being 15 years old, our first date was to the cinema and then for a pizza – and the rest is history!” Fast forward to 2017, and the pair are on a break at Center Parcs. Little did Steph know, but Sonny had already asked for her parents’ permission to pop the question. “We went for a walk by the lake,” Steph remembers. “He was acting a bit odd but I didn’t clock anything until I saw him reach into his pocket.” Sonny got down on one knee and handed Steph the most beautiful bespoke ring. Back at home, they soon got planning their big day. “As a wedding coordinator myself, I had a good idea of the type of wedding I wanted,” Steph explains. “Gaynes Park had always been my dream venue.” So they set the date for 8 th June, 2019, and chose a rose gold and blush palette with a hint of sparkle. Steph tells us more… REAL WEDDINGS 45 