A new year, a new beginning

Posted by Kelly Andrews on 3 February 2023

Victoria and Christopher met on a blind date at the Manchester Christmas markets, having been set up by their friends. Three years later, and now a couple, they moved to Dubai and that's where they still live, happily ever after.

Christopher proposed at Pier Chic in Dubai. He'd taken Victoria to brunch there and afterwards surprised her with all of her closest friends looking on.

Mottram Hall They chose Mottram Hall to host their big day. The location, stunning grounds and new Champneys Spa sealed the deal for them. The day after the wedding, they enjoyed massages in the Spa with their close family and friends. The gents in the wedding party even got to make the most of it the night before.

Here, the bride shares her memories of the wedding day, New Year's Eve, 2021...

Joseph Massie Flowers set an incredibly impressive scene for the big day in line with the couple's palette of white, blush and gold.

The showstopping centrepieces on four of the tables featured statement gold vases filled with a lush combination of hydrangeas and roses arranged in a full dome.

These were accompanied by a curated selection of cut glass vases, each filled with a collection of fresh blush and ivory blooms.

Tea lights in golden cut glasses accented the tables, as well as the aisle, which was also lined with the statement gold vases atop clear acrylic plinths.

The remaining reception tables were adorned with a collection of cut-glass vases filled with blush and white blooms, accented with golden candlesticks, chunky ivory pillar candles and golden tea lights.

On the top table there was a gorgeous luxury run of fresh flowers lit by floating candles and hurricane lanterns.

The bride's incredible hand-tied bouquet was filled with soft, fluffy garden roses in shades of soft blush and ivory.

The sweet-scented avalanche roses were paired with blush hydrangeas and ivory akito. It was chic and glamorous without being too fussy, and beautifully clean and modern.

The tableplan was crafted from gold acrylic and designed to match the theme of the couple's save-the-dates by AE Design. The place and table names too were fashioned from the same material.

Also, tying in with the glam gold theme were the bottles of Bottega, gifted to each guest as wedding favours so they could all raise a toast at midnight.

Cake The big-day bake featured four showstopping tiers decorated with gold pearls placed around the bottom of each tier. The base boasted an impressive ruffle effect. The table and the cake itself were adorned in flowers to complement the rest of the décor.

Bride "I opted for a New-Year's-Eve-glam dress. I'm not usually a sparkly girl, but it caught my eye and with it being new year I had the perfect excuse," Victoria tells us.

She found the dream Zavana Bridal dress at The White Gallery in Ramsbottom. The bride continues, "It had a detachable cape, which I removed towards the end of the night."

The groom and his groomsmen all wore black tie. Christopher's tux from Ascot and Chapels in DIFC, Dubai, had chic velvet lapels.

The bridesmaids, Victoria's sister and two best friends, wore Pretty Lavish Bridal dresses, all white but in different styles.

Singer Abbie Hanlon entertained guests during the ceremony and drinks reception.

As Victoria walked up the aisle towards Christopher she sang Can't Help Falling In Love With You.

They signed the register to Forever Young and exited the ceremony to Send Me On My Way, also sung by the oh-so talented Abbie.

During the evening, String Infusion a vibrant, electric and acoustic string group filled the dancefloor with a DJ, saxophonist and two electric violinists.

Victoria remembers, "The electric violinists played Auld Lang Syne after the countdown to new year. We wanted a party atmosphere and that's certainly how it felt.

The firework display at midnight was magical too."

Dancing "I felt extremely nervous, but when I walked down the aisle all the nerves vanished and it was time to enjoy the day," Victoria shares.

"We had friends who'd travelled from far and wide to be with us and celebrate – Australia, Scotland, Dubai and Spain to name a few.

I probably had the most drunk bridesmaids in history. There was a lot of dancing on chairs!"