See how other couples celebrated their big day with wedding stories and ideas from County Wedding Magazines' Real Weddings features.
Amy and Lewis first met at a christening in 2011 and immediately hit it off. The pair were both in attendance as godparents and, despite knowing both parents for several years, they'd never crossed paths before – the rest is history! Lewis popped the question on December 12th 2017, which led the couple to exchange vows precisely four years later surrounded by loved ones.
Paris and Elijah met at her sister's wedding in 2018. "We haven't gone a day without speaking since," Paris tells us. Elijah proposed on his 21st birthday. "After he asked me to marry him, we headed to his home to surprise our families with the news and celebrate - it was a big surprise for everybody!"
Kimberley and Phillip met online after Kim relocated for a job from Yorkshire to Essex as a single parent. "We have been together eight-and-a-half years and share a love of music and travelling; we've been to Canada, America, Europe and love new adventures!" shares Kim.
Phil proposed in New York on 31st May, 2019, with a bespoke engagement ring he'd had made. That wasn't there only news at the time, "We had just found out we were pregnant, too!" adds Kim. The big date was set, 23rd July 2022, with Willow Grange Farm, Norfolk, setting the scene.
Caroline and Rob first met six years ago on an online dating app and their first date was in London where they met up for a drink and enjoyed a walk by Tower Bridge. "Rob proposed to me on the 17th of October 2020 on top of Mam Tor, one of the highest points in the Peak District," Caroline tells us. "We have been to the Peak District many times together before including our first time away together six years ago, so it's a very special place to us. After a three-hour hike, Rob asked me to take a picture of myself looking into the distance and as I turned backaround, he was on one knee which was such a surprise! He was so nervous that I had to remind him to put the ring on my finger!"
Abi and Tom met online and talked for a few months before taking the plunge and meeting up for a first date. They soon discovered much common ground such as playing sport, their taste in music and a love for travel. Abi says, "I was attracted to Tom's great sense of humour, his positive outlook on life and his outgoing personality." Meanwhile, Tom tells us, "Abi immediately caught my eye with her warm smile and deep green eyes. I fell in love with her sense of adventure, kind and caring nature and passion for the outdoors. We complement each other in so many ways and she makes me a better person every day."
Holly and Matt met over a decade ago. "Matt saw me dancing the night away in Cardiff while he was studying at university, and the rest is history," says Holly. "Matt popped the question during a holiday to Sri Lanka to visit his family. On the second day, Matt and I went for a walk on the beach, and while I was busy taking photos of the sea, Matt got down on one knee! I was so shocked, I just kept asking: 'are you serious?'. I obviously agreed and he put the most beautiful ring on my finger.
Jemma and Jack met on Tinder. As Jemma recalls, "We wish we could give a more romantic story, but a modern-day Tinder romance it is. I was actually sat with one of my close friends having a coffee and she was looking through the app on my phone and found Jack – Jack is actually her cousin! So, she swiped right, it was a match. The rest is history." Jemma and Jack married on 17th June, 2022 at Wharfedale Grange. Here, Jemma tells us more about their day...
Simone met Jade while out walking their dogs. "Jade had two foxhounds, Marley and Cruiser, and I have two jackhuahuas, Rupert and Hugo," says the bride. "We often stopped to talk to each other, but it was a few years before we found ourselves single at the same time, arranging to take a walk along the beach for our first date.
Rebecca and David met in a local bar on Christmas Eve, so a seasonal wedding was always on the cards for them. "Linking our day to that time of the year was very special to us," Rebecca says. "David was like no man I'd met before. We took the time to get to know each other and found that we were both attracted to what we wanted from life and how we were going to get there, and we share the same sense of humour, which helps!" she says.
Chloe and Jamie were 16 and 17 respectively when they met, having been introduced by a mutual friend. Chloe found Jamie funny despite his shyness and the fact he only managed to give her one-word answers during the entirety of their first conversation. However, by their second meeting he'd come out of his shell and that's when they really hit it off. "Even to this day, almost nine years later, no one makes me laugh like he does," Chloe shares.
Sean and Kirstie's adventure began more than 10 years ago after their friendship blossomed into something beautiful. The pair became inseparable and created many amazing memories together over the years, which led Sean to ask a very important question. Back in 2019, Sean originally planned to take Kirstie for a picnic in Burley at sunset but the motorway was closed. Kirstie says, "He had told me we were going out and to get ready but didn't say where. I was getting ready when he said we must go now as the motorway had opened much earlier than expected.
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