Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - November/December 2020 (Issue 83)

Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love all the colours and I’m a little obsessed with orange! My chihuahua Chester comes everywhere with me, even to work. I wanted him to be part of my bridal party, so I had a suit made for him and he had a buttonhole to match the groomsmen.  We chose the venue because we love the setting on the marina. It was a new hotel and as soon as it opened I fell in love with it. My Essence of Australia dress was on the mannequin as I walked into Anya Bridal Couture. It was the first one I tried on and I fell in love with it. We got married in The Needles room, which is my maiden name, so it felt like it was meant to be. W hen Emma and Matt tied the knot, his best man James became his brother-in-law too. “Matthew is my brother’s best friend, which is how we met. James not only gave our relationship his blessing, he instigated it in the first place,” reveals Emma. Emma was attracted to Matt because, “I fell for his eyes and the way he commands the room. He’s funny and charismatic and I feel safe when I’m with him.” Matt fell for Emma because, “Her hair was the first thing that caught my attention. She’s so bubbly and unique, but above all the most caring and understanding person I know.” Romance blossomed and Matt popped the question in July 2018 during their annual family holiday. “I had no idea but secretly hoped it would happen,” admits Emma. Matt had already bought the ring with James beforehand and asked her dad for permission. “He booked lunch at my favourite venue just outside Alicante in Spain. It’s a beautiful place in the mountains by some waterfalls and he chose it not only because I love it, but it’s where my parents renewed their vows. He even arranged for one of the staff to film it as he walked me around the grounds to the church and stopped in front of the main doorway, got down on one knee and asked for my hand in marriage. She said ‘yes’, of course! They tied the knot at the Southampton Harbour Hotel on 27 th September, 2019 and opted for an autumn theme with a striking orange and blue colour scheme. Read on for Emma’s account of their big day... 34