See how other couples celebrated their big day with wedding stories and ideas from County Wedding Magazines' Real Weddings features.
Robin and Matt met in New Zealand during fl ight training. "It was my fi rst night in the country and I met Matt at the welcome party," recalls Robin. "The theme was silly shirts and Matt walked in dressed in a crisp white shirt which really stood out from the many Hawaiian shirts. We spoke most of the night and he persuaded me to join everyone heading into town and said, "there's a myth that a night out fi xes jet lag". He was defi nitely wrong about that, but we started dating soon after.
Jessie and Matt met jumping over fire together as part of a Spartan race! "We were in the same team together as we had a mutual friend," recalls Jessie. "Matt used to try and impress me by lifting heavy weights during our training sessions. I loved how much fun he was and how kind he could be."
This lovely couple found each other on Tinder! Justyna was drawn to Aaron's easygoing personality and willingness to embrace new ideas. Plus, she thought he had a fantastic jawline! After connecting on the app, they wasted no time arranging a coffee date. Justyna is stunning, so Aaron felt a bit starstruck when they fi rst met. As they chatted, it became clear they had so much in common and they walked away from that fi rst date, feeling something signifi cant had just begun.
Michael and Chantell were together for four wonderful years before they decided to get engaged. Their connection was instant, fueled by their similar personalities, and they were destined to be a couple. The day after celebrating Chantell's 35th birthday during a weekend getaway to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, one of her favourite places, Michael surprised Chantell by proposing. It was a moment she would never forget! Together, they planned the perfect wedding with showstopping touches.
Amy and Daniel fi rst laid eyes on each other in a nightclub in 2014. "My friend Louis introduced me to his cousin Daniel, and we got talking," says Amy. "I soon found out that Daniel was the most down-to-earth and kindest person I have ever met. He always said that from the moment we met, he loved me. We literally spent every day together from then until now."
Samara and Tom met at work. "Tom was hired to join the same team as me," says Samara. "We just instantly clicked and became friends, but it quickly developed into something more than friendship!"Tom proposed during a surprise trip to Paris for Samara's 30th birthday. "One evening we walked down to the Eiffel Tower and he got down on one knee," shares the bride. "He asked me to marry him and we were over the moon."
Amie and Elise met when Elise joined the local women's football team that Amie had set up. "We quickly hit it off and started hanging out at group outings with the team, enjoying each other's company more and more," says Amie. "As time went on, our friendship grew into something deeper, and before we knew it, our group outings turned into dates. One thing led to another, and we fell in love, beginning our beautiful journey together."
Steph and Abhi met through work, both being pharmacists working in the NHS. The two attended a medical conference in Basel, Switzerland, and after a few drinks and moves on the dancefl oor, they shared a kiss, and the rest is history! It wasn't long after this that Covid hit and the two formed their own bubble, supporting each other throughout this diffi cult time.
Catherine and Mike are both police offi cers and met through work. The fi rst team Catherine joined after training college was Mike's and there was an instant spark between them. The more they got to know each other the more they realised how similar they are. When they both had Valentine's Day off in their shift pattern, they seized the opportunity and went on their fi rst date. Shortly after, Covid hit and the couple moved in together; it made sense as being key workers, they both had to continue working throughout the pandemic. "Long walks and many games of Scrabble and Monopoly kept us sane!" Catherine remembers.
This charming couple crossed paths on the dancefl oor of a neighbourhood pub, where they instantly fell for each other's incredible dancing skills – the rest is history! Adi popped the question the instant Adele stepped indoors after her trip to Thailand, where he had been home taking care of the dog. It was such an unexpected moment!
Tegen and Sam met at the University of Brighton. Sam lived with a mutual friend and she first laid eyes on him at a gathering at her digs. Although they didn't speak much that night, when Sam posted a few days later that they'd be hosting a barbecue over at theirs, Tegen responded to ask if she could join them. Unfortunately, the barbie didn't go ahead, but Tegen invited Sam over to watch films and chill with her housemates instead. "I fell in love with him the third time I met him," Tegen shares. "I arranged to take our housemates down to the beach one day and picked Sam up on the way. When we got to the beach we were inseparable." They spent the next week together and became official a month later. "I fell in love with his ocean blue eyes, curly hair and dark sense of humour," Tegen continues. "Since then, he's been such a gentleman, he always takes care of me, and we always put each other first above anyone else. He's my safe space, home and heart."
Julie and Steve met on a dating site, and over time, their relationship blossomed. In 2022, for their one-year anniversary, Steve got down on one knee and proposed, which was a big surprise for Julie.
Molly and Chris met when they were both working at a racecourse. "We had a team-building day, at which point we had never met and were partnered against each other," says Molly. "Sparks soon started fl ying, and we found out we are very competitive! A few months after dating, we travelled to New Zealand and Hong Kong in a van with a tent on top of it. Chris soon learnt my love of planning everything and I discovered Chris' love of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wine! Everyone thought it was going to be a disaster trip, but it was the start of our amazing adventure in life together and we can't wait to take our two boys back."
Louise and Naomi met on a dating app in late 2021. "We were both attracted to each other's love of family, travel and food," says Louise. "I proposed to Naomi on her 30th birthday at Drusillas Park Zoo during a penguin encounter. Naomi has an extreme love for penguins and this had been on her bucket list for many years. I had been working secretly with zoo keepers to arrange the surprise proposal during the encounter. I had rolled a secret note in an egg, which Naomi had to search the penguin beach to fi nd. When she found it, it read, 'roses are red, violets are blue; turn around; I have something to ask you', and I was behind her on one knee."
Emma and Bradley met each other online. "We had a short first date due to being interrupted by a pub quiz," says Emma. "I was attracted to Bradley because of his kind nature and good looks."
This charming couple crossed paths at a friend's gathering, and their chats seemed to come naturally as if they had known each other forever. They spent the whole evening laughing and relishing each other's presence – the rest is history!Time fl ew by, and Matt popped the question at home right after the couple set up the Christmas tree. Later, Charlotte learned afterwards that she kept ruining all of his proposal ideas as her working hours changed for a period of time.
This couple fi rst crossed paths at a house party during their last year of university. Jenn took the initiative to initiate a conversation with Jake, not knowing that he had spotted her a few times at the gym nearby. From that day forward, their story began to unfold.Jake proposed in Croatia and, aside from noticing he was acting a bit suspicious with his cabin bag, Jenn had no idea what was coming! The proposal took place during a lovely evening stroll on a headland that offered a stunning view of the harbour. It was completely secluded, with no one else in sight – it was absolutely perfect.
This couple first crossed paths in high school but reconnected during the 2020 lockdown, sparking their reconnection. Matt was captivated by Emily's beauty. He admired her kind and caring nature and her wonderful sense of humour. Emily appreciated his kindness and sensitivity. He has a big, soft heart that she truly adores.
Laura and Joe met at a nightclub while at University in Southampton. At the time Laura's best friend was dating Joe's best friend. She set the two up, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Elsie and Lily met at a mutual friend's birthday party. "At the time, Lily was uncertain of her sexuality," Elsie explains, "But I knew the minute I saw her that I was going to fall in love with this girl! I chased her around the party, both young and nervous. She got her dad to pick her up immediately!" After frightening Lily off, the two spent several years being friends with Lily trying everything to avoid falling in love with Elsie. However, one lockdown later Lily fi nally bit the bullet and kissed Elsie one evening. From there, their relationship blossomed. "We're defi nitely the defi nition of opposites attract," Elsie continues. "Lily is quiet and I'm wild and loud, but our two personalities just melt together perfectly. Where one falls, the other lifts us up. Although, we'll never agree on who's funnier!"
Emily and Chris met during their university years in Plymouth. They were introduced by a mutual friend, and that's where their story began. "Aside from her obvious good looks, within only a few minutes of speaking, I knew there was something more between us," Chris shares. The two enjoyed an evening of chatting over drinks and haven't stopped enjoying each other's company since. "Emily is known for finding the best deals out there, but I think I won when it came to finding her that day," Chris continues. "At full price and worth every penny, she is my world! We've shared more than a decade of memories and milestones including graduations, landing our first professional jobs, buying our first home together, and travelling the world side by side. None of which would have been possible without our attentiveness to one another and the love we share."
Laura and Adrian enjoyed a great fi rst date which sparked the beginning of their romance. "Adrian was standing waiting outside the bar that we arranged to meet in for 20 minutes while I was sitting inside the bar, also waiting!" Laura tells us. "Both of us assumed that we had been stood up! We both turned around, caught each other's eye through the window and that was it."
Vanessa and Dom met on Tinder in 2017. "Dom had a great photograph of him on a boat somewhere tropical and also playing golf which was an instant attraction for me," Vanessa tells us. Dom adds, "Vanessa had a selection of photos which showcased her lovely eyes and brown hair." The couple enjoyed their first date at an Italian restaurant and soon became inseparable. "We moved in together during the autumn of 2018, survived the lockdown in a one-bedroom flat and purchased a house together during the summer of 2021," they tell us.
Claire and Adam met through friends during a trip to St. Ives in Cornwall. "Adam proposed to me at home," Claire says. "He had placed rose petals and candles around our house ready for when I came home from work one Friday evening. My Universe by Coldplay was playing in the background and it was all so romantic."
Spain is a place very close to Verity's heart having spent every summer there as a child. So, when Jonny decided to propose, this was where he took her. Hiring a boat, they went out to sea to watch the dolphins. Mesmerised as they swam past, Verity didn't initially notice until she turned around that Jonny was down on one knee holding out her engagement ring. "It was the best surprise ever and a very magical moment," she remembers.
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