See how other couples celebrated their big day with wedding stories and ideas from County Wedding Magazines' Real Weddings features.
Phoebe and Greg met through Phoebe's mum, Susie who introduced them. "She was Greg's manager for a few years in a job he had while also studying at university and she thought he would make the perfect son-in-law!" Phoebe tells us. "She used to let Greg leave work early so that we could go on dates and when I started working in the same job, she would assign us to the same shifts. We used to have such fun working together and were both always desperate to spend more time together - she was a great matchmaker!"
Katie and Andrew knew each other from the village where they lived. "We both had previous relationships and found a friendship that grew into soulmates," they tell us. "Andrew is the kindest, most gentle and generous man," adds Katie while Andrew says, "Katie has the biggest smile and most beautiful eyes and is caring and loving."Andrew proposed in Porthleven after asking Katie's dad in person for his permission. "He just felt the time was right for our next chapter," Katie explains.
Harriet and Tom met on the dating app Bumble in 2017. "Our first date was at the Oyster Shed, a wine bar along the River Thames by London Bridge where we immediately hit it off and after hours of non-stop talking, we arranged our second date for just two days later," Harriet tells us. "We had so much in common and we bonded over our love of travel, dogs and family."
Sophie and Matthew met on Tinder and chatted for a few weeks before deciding to meet. Matthew picked Sophie up and took her to Macdonalds for a milkshake. "It wasn't a big deal but we had the best day ever," she remembers. When he dropped her back home, he asked her to come to his car boot. Sophie wondered what he was playing at but went anyway. There she found 11 big red roses waiting for her. "It's safe to say that from this moment, I knew he was the one for me," she shares.
Isi and Stu met on Tinder. "We swiped right and whoo we were a match," Isi says. A very successful match as it turns out since Stu ultimately decided to propose. He took her to watch Liverpool play at Anfi eld for the fi rst time and booked an overnight stay for them in the city. While there, they paid a visit to the Liver Building and took a tour to the top. Here, as Isi was busy taking selfi es, Stu got down on one knee and proposed with Anfi eld in the background. After she said "yes" he presented her with a football jersey bearing the words "I said 'yes'" and the number 23 on the back, the year of the proposal.
Being alone during the pandemic had a profound affect on Kelly. It allowed her to slow down and reflect on what she cherished in life. She realised that she hadn't been prioritising what she really wanted: her own family. So, on her birthday she made a wish and a decision to meet her soulmate. That night she created her profile on a dating website. The next morning she woke up to an amazing message from Erika. "I knew I had to respond, and it was the best thing I ever did," she says. By the time it was safe for the couple to meet, Kelly already knew Erika was the one. "Meeting her was like coming home," she explains, "I've never been more certain of anything in my life." Wishes really do come true.
Amy and Peter met at a mutual friend's wedding reception. Peter asked Amy to dance and the connection was instant. From that moment they both knew they'd found their 'one' and the rest is history.
With plans of a proposal up a mountain on a Northern Lights tour, scuppered, Mike instead asked Helen to be his wife on a lazy Saturday morning having tea and toast in bed. It was a huge yes, of course. Mr and Mrs Hall tied the knot at Southminster Hall, followed by a party at their family home on 3rd August 2024.
Tom proposed to Natalie at a Caamp gig, their favourite band, in November 2022. Natalie describes the moment, "I didn't think he was going to propose yet as he had his great grandmother's ring that he wanted to redesign for me as an engagement ring and I knew that hadn't happened. The week before the gig, I told him about how my friend had a 'stunt' ring (which Tom had never heard of) so I was even more convinced he wasn't going to propose. But on the night in between songs, Tom kissed me on the check – I didn't really acknowledge it because I was watching the band, then he held my hand and said, 'you are my morning light' (inspiration from Caamp lyrics) and then went down on one knee and presented a ring! I screamed, didn't say yes, just grabbed the ring out of the box and put it on my finger. We both cried and Tom said, 'I take that as a yes.'"
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.
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