Childhood sweethearts

Posted by Melissa Cullen on 5 July 2023

Jenna and Rob met 20 years ago when they were just 14. "We were at a social club and got chatting about a bracelet he had on that I really liked, "says Jenna.

"He said I could borrow it, and I had it for two years until we met again at his cousin's 18th birthday party. As soon as I saw him, I knew straight away I wanted to be with him.

Peck on the cheek I rung him several times that night asking to meet up again. Rob took me out on our first date, and almost 18 years and two children later, we're still together." Rob popped the question on Christmas Day. "He hung my engagement ring on the Christmas tree at home," shares the bride. "I took it off the tree, and our daughters asked: 'will you marry dad?', to which I, of course, said yes!"

Here Jenna shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

Venue Rob used to go shooting at Browsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn many years ago, so when he mentioned the venue, I looked it up and we decided to go to an open day they were having. As soon as I saw it, I knew straight away that it was the place I was going to get married, and we booked it practically the same day. It's a stunning venue, and it suited our style perfectly.

We opted for a grey colour scheme and decorated the space with light-up letters from Invite & Light.

Our favours were bottles of home-brewed sloe gin, which we also used as place names.

The table plan display created a lot of attention from our guests; it included feathers, a flat cap and shot gun cartridges.

We know Alex from Flowers & Feathers well as she makes our Christmas wreaths, so we asked her to use feathers and shotgun cartridges in her flowers to go with our theme. We also had lots of greenery, gypsophila and roses.

Cake Jo from Cake Occasions made our brilliant cake; the bottom tier was chocolate, the middle was vanilla sponge and the top was sticky toffee pudding. It looked like a log slice at the bottom and the top two tiers were a naked, white effect. It had a heart carved into the design to represent when Rob carved 'R Heart J Forever' when we first met.

I knew I wanted to get my dress from Ava Rose Hamilton as I used to watch Say Yes To The Dress all the time with Gok Wan. I had an image in my head of the style that I wanted and Zoe at Ava Rose Hamilton found my perfect dress. I accessorised with a necklace, bracelet and earring set that Rob bought me.

I was calm all morning until I was ready to walk down the aisle then I got the shakes; I was so excited but a nervous wreck.

As soon as we were married, we both felt amazing.

My six bridesmaids wore Little Mistress grey gowns, and the two flowergirls chose beautiful dresses from Debenhams.

Rob and the groomsmen wore House of Cavani suits with personalised pocket watches.

Rob and I hired a photo booth from Reflections Entertainment, which was a huge hit with our friends and family as they got instant prints and copies sent straight to their phones.

We had a saxophone player from Dancefloor Couture LTD perform as I walked down the aisle and during the drinks reception, which our guests loved. The company also provided a DJ for the evening entertainment.

Ceremony I remember being stood just outside the room where our ceremony was taking place and the venue looked surreal; it was out of this world and even more amazing than I had ever imagined. As I walked in, I saw Rob and couldn't take my eyes off him, I didn't really look at any of our guests at that moment.

The best man's speech was very funny and had our guests in stiches; he managed to tell our whole 18 years of being together in a poem. Some very drunk guests made it hilarious; the atmosphere of the whole day was just perfect, nothing but laughs and happy people.

All our suppliers went above and beyond; I'm so pleased with our photos, the flowers were fantastic, and the cake and decorations couldn't have been more perfect. The saxophone made it extra special for me, and getting to marry my best friend was the most unreal feeling.

Outside venue For our honeymoon, we went to Paphos in Cyprus in a beautiful adult-only hotel for five days. Rob had planned this as a surprise and told me during his speech; I had no idea as he only booked it on the morning of our wedding. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed being together.