In 2015, these lovebirds crossed paths. Both had been through lengthy relationships before – Corinne for 27 years and David for 16 years – and each had children from those past unions. They wanted a true-life partner rather than just a fleeting romance. Interestingly, they met on Tinder, an app often linked with casual encounters. They both swiped right, and soon after, David reached out to Corinne while watching Spectre in a nearly empty cinema on the Isle of Wight. Coincidentally, Corinne was also at the cinema, attending a black-tie charity event and watching the same film simultaneously. Their conversation flowed easily, covering topics like their recent breakups, their kids, their passions, and what they wanted in a partner. For their first date, after a couple of weeks of chatting, they decided to meet up. They headed to a charming country pub called The White Horse Otterbourne, where their conversation flowed smoothly throughout the evening – the rest is history! Much to Corinne’s dismay, David took his time to propose. They frequently discussed marriage and drew inspiration from their favourite film, About Time, which beautifully portrays love between a couple as well as between a father and son. They had even browsed engagement rings together on several occasions. David had intended to surprise her at her 50th birthday party in January 2020, but their house move was postponed, and then the celebration was ultimately cancelled due to Covid. So then, David simply waited for the perfect moment. He understood how much Corinne cherished the beach and how it brought her joy and relaxation. One day, they visited their favourite spot, Petani Beach in Kefalonia. The sun shone, the water was stunning, and the beach was pleasantly uncrowded. David tapped her shoulder as Corinne stood in the water, marvelling at how perfect everything felt. When she turned around, he was on one knee, holding a ring and looking up at her. In disbelief, she asked if this was really happening. They both burst into tears, embracing and kissing joyfully. He slipped the most exquisite ring onto her finger and asked her to marry him. SETTING THE SCENE The main goal was to become husband and wife surrounded by friends and family, turning the occasion into a big celebration that brought everyone together. They briefly considered marrying abroad in Greece but quickly scrapped that idea since it would limit who could attend. They wanted a place that could offer weddings both inside and outside, with the ceremony on-site, accommodation and a function room that wasn’t overly formal or dated. Exclusivity was also important to them. Corinne visited the Clock Barn alone first. Driving up the long private lane with the countryside on both sides and spotting wildlife excited her about the potential. She met Cordelia, one of the planners, who showed her around. She was friendly and informative, and they shared a good laugh. As soon as Corinne walked into the barn, having already seen the outside, she knew it was the perfect venue. It was stunning with bunting, fairylights, tall ceilings, and a rustic feel. Corinne couldn’t wait to tell David about the setting and was buzzing with excitement for him to see it. On the day of his visit, she felt like a schoolchild, eager for him to love it too, and he absolutely did. At first, Corinne leaned towards using trestle tables but ultimately decided that round tables would be more conducive to conversation among guests, ensuring no one felt isolated at the end. The most challenging part was figuring out who to sit at the top table since they wanted to keep couples together, avoiding a situation where best men or bridesmaids would be separated from their partners. With Corinne’s mum being the only parent they had left, they opted for a sweetheart table, which turned out to be just right. It allowed them to enjoy some quality time together during the meal. While the bride had some experience with flower arranging, she didn’t want the stress of handling the centrepieces herself, so they enlisted The Blooming Workshop for their floral needs. Their main idea revolved around a vibrant wildflower garden theme with loose arrangements. This concept extended to Corinne’s bouquet, with the bridesmaids carrying smaller versions. The loose, trailing wildflower theme was also incorporated into the larger displays that held the drapes in place and adorned the main archway. Additionally, Corinne had several spare urns and decorated jam jars filled with flowers to enhance the venue and line the aisle. She wanted to be part of the decoration process without 33 REAL WEDDINGS
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