Your East Anglian Wedding - Page number 33 - June/July 2021 (Issue 49)

S I MP LY Julie and Craig’s wedding was a happy mix of close family and friends, great food and special touches Images courtesy of Ben Chapman Photography stylish J ulie and Craig didn’t let distance get in the way of romance even though, when they first met online, they were living a three-hour drive away from each other. He was based in London and she was in Nottingham and after getting to know each other over the phone they spent the next two years alternating between their homes every weekend before finally settling down together in Grantham. “Craig has the most amazing blue eyes and he looked so kind and gentle in his profile picture,” reveals Julie. “Apparently he was attracted by my eyes too! We shared several messages but before we actually got to speak my mum had a heart attack, so everything went on hold for a while. When things settled down, I was relieved to find he was still interested.” After their first phone call they spoke every day for hours after work until finally meeting in person and embarking on their long-distance relationship. Craig popped the question in September, 2017 while they were on holiday in New York. Julie had already pre-warned him, that if he ever did decide to propose, not to do it in public as she hated fuss. So true to her wishes, he got down on one knee in the hotel bedroom as she came out of the shower. “I had absolutely no idea what was going on, it was a complete surprise and I just stood there in shock,” recalls Julie. “Once I’d calmed down and said, ‘yes’ of course, all I could think about was calling my parents back home before they went to bed!” They tied the knot on 28 th September, 2019, at All Saints Church in High Kelling, Norfolk followed by a reception at the nearby Pheasant Hotel. Read on for Julie’s account of their big day... 33  REAL WEDDINGS