Puppy love

Posted by Claire Muffett-Reece on 2 March 2023

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.

Couple in field We'd only been seeing each other for a couple of months when lockdown hit, which resulted in me being furloughed from my job. Jade continued to work full-time, so I agreed to stay at his to look after the dogs as his usual walker couldn't visit. It's fair to say lockdown speeded up our relationship!"

The couple didn't intend on getting married at first, as they'd both been hurt in previous relationships. "One day I mentioned to Jade that I'd seen a stunning pre-loved 18 carat yellow gold emerald and diamond ring at the company I work for," continues Simone.

"It was quite close to Christmas, so Jade asked me if I'd like it as a present. I said no, as it was an engagement ring – so Jade replied with, 'well, let's get married then!'

All of our friends and family were over the moon, as they could see how in love we were and felt we should have always been together."

The couple set the date for the 9th July, 2022, choosing Great Ayton's Howard Court for their big day.

Here, Simone tells us more about their amazing wedding...

Guests When it came to choosing a venue, it was important for Simone and Jade that their guests didn't travel far. "In the end we only looked at Howard Court, as we knew straight away that it was right for us," says Simone.

"It was a very new venue and didn't even have bathrooms installed at the time, but the owners had big plans for it – and we could see their vision. By the time our big day arrived it had been transformed into a stunning venue!

We were also able to have the entire space to ourselves from Friday lunchtime until Sunday afternoon, with our families staying in the on-site cottage and two shepherds' huts."

With Howard Court being a blank canvas venue, the couple were able to choose their own suppliers and decorate as they wanted.

"I loved this side of the planning and painted our 'Welcome' canvas myself," says Simone. "I also decorated the venue the day before with a beach theme in mind.

I used lots of white muslin runners, pearl cluster string lights, glass tea lights and scented candles on the tables, along with glass cylinder vases filled with roses and sea thistle, as well as white pillar candles and seashells.

Outside, we used lots of storm lanterns, along with glasses filled with pink and white roses, baby's breath and greenery."

Simone left choosing their wedding florist in her fiancé's hands.

"We used The Flower Box in Guisborough as that's where Jade regularly buys me flowers from," continues the bride.

"I didn't carry a bouquet, choosing a white orchid wrist corsage instead.

My mum, Jade's mam and my bridesmaids had wrist corsages of white roses, while the men wore white rose buttonholes.

We also made our own rose petal confetti, collected and dried by my wonderful mum and dad from their garden. My neighbour's daughter held the basket and made sure all of our guests had a handful ready to throw."

First kiss When it came to weddings bands, Simone didn't have far to look.

"I work for Middlesbrough jewellery and finance company, Ramsdens, so was lucky enough to get our rings designed and made," she says.

"I opted for an 18 carat yellow gold band with half hoop diamonds, while Jade and I designed his ring together, incorporating our love of the beach – and his love of surfing. His platinum band features a sand effect on one half; etched in the centre with a wave; with the other half smooth like the sea."

As Simone's only four feet 10 inches, she wanted a dress that complemented her shape. "I was looking for a design that was simple and classic, while still highlighting my curves," she says.

"I found my Stella York dress in the Joanne Kay Bridal Boutique, initially only going there because my mum's called Kay – and my best friend's called Joanne!

As soon as I put it on, I knew it was the dress for me. I then went to award-winning milliner, Lynne Young, for my bespoke hat. I gave her a brief of keeping it simple, but with a birdcage veil. She sourced a crystal moon and star to add a touch of sparkle, which was also a nod to what Jade and I messaged each other every night before we moved in together – 'I love you to the moon and stars'."

Jade also looked the part on their big day, heading to Middlesbrough's Bakers Bespoke Tailoring. "The owner, Paul, is a close friend, and has been in the business for over 40 years," says Simone.

"He measured Jade to perfection – and the fit was incredible. Jade wanted a slim Sixties 'mod' style, choosing a beautiful blue two tone fabric. He teamed it with a classic navy polka dot silk tie and handkerchief, bespoke Cuban heeled boots, and silver cufflinks, which were a gift from my parents.

He also carried his mam and dad's wedding rings in his pocket for luck. Jade's dad, Peter, passed away a few years ago, so I never got to meet him. Having his dad's wedding ring close to Jade's heart was important to us both."

Food was another important element of Simone and Jade’s wedding. “Jade’s school friend, Matthew, is a professional caterer, and he nailed our buffet perfectly,” continues the bride.

“Our friends and family enjoyed a delicious spread of salad and pasta dishes, seafood, Italian meats and artisan breads, along with a very popular hog roast. Jade also has a very sweet tooth – so I had to make sure that was catered for!

We hired an old-fashioned ice cream bicycle, getting all of the kids invited to choose the flavours they wanted before the big day.

We also had a rustic wooden cart filled with pic ’n’ mix sweets to enjoy, while our delicious wedding cake – three tiers of vanilla, lemon and chocolate orange – kept guests satisfied throughout the remainder of the evening.”

Drinks cart A good selection of drinks was also readily available in the form of Redcar based horsebox bar, Mr Bentley's. "Carole and June, who run the bar with their husbands, are friends from my running group," says Simone.

"Welcome drinks included Pimm's, pink prosecco and bottles of alcoholic and non-alcoholic lager, which went down a treat. They even gave our cocktails names associated with us and our dogs!"

Then there were the other nods to the couple's fur babies throughout Simone and Jade's wedding. "Our invitations featured our boys sitting on the beach, and were beautifully illustrated by a local artist," continues Simone. "She even gave us the original picture as a wedding present, which is now hanging in our living room.

Our oldest dog, Marley, was quite poorly at the time, and we were so grateful that he still made it to our wedding. A couple of months later he finally went to sleep, and it means the absolute world to us that he was with us on the best day of our lives."

Bell tent

When it came to keeping their guests entertained Simone and Jade made sure that both children and adults were catered for.

"I found a fabulous local company in Middlesbrough, Stargazers Tepee & Event Hire, who set up a beautiful bell tent for the kids to enjoy," says the bride.

"They filled it with plenty of cushions, throws, bunting and lights.

It was incredibly popular with the little ones – and some of the older ones later on, too!

We also hired a magician, Marc Dominic Thompson, who was a great addition to the day – and a real surprise for our guests.

He kept everyone mesmerised with his card tricks and sleight of hand illusions."

The choice of music the couple wanted for their big day was also a vital part of their celebrations.

"Alan, the DJ, is another of Jade's friends, so we always knew he'd be the one for us," says Simone.

"He put together an amazing playlist of Northern soul, funk and old disco classics, which had our friends and family dancing all night.

We also had our first dance to Al Green's Let's Stay Together, which was very fitting, as it's what Jade played to me when he first asked me to be his girlfriend."