See how other couples celebrated their big day with wedding stories and ideas from County Wedding Magazines' Real Weddings features.
Emma and Mark first met on a dating website. "We were attracted to each other's smiles and had a mutual love for food, travelling, and running," says Emma. "Mark proposed on Lytham St. Anne Beach in the middle of a rainstorm. It was a complete surprise. I was chasing around the dog we were looking after at the time, hopping over puddles on the beach in the downpour! To celebrate, we got a chippy tea."
Leanne and Jonathan met through friends on a night out. "We didn't have mobile phones at the time, so we had to message each other through MSN at first," laughs Leanne. "After 14 years together, Jonathan proposed on holiday in San Diego on a gondola at sunset. It was a surprise, as after so many years together, I didn't think it was actually going to happen."
Katie and Mark met in 2014 on Grand National Day. "I was working at Claire's Accessories, and Mark worked at the William Hill across the street," says Katie. "I went across to the bookies to put a horse bet on, and Mark started making small talk with me. A few minutes after I'd left and gone back to work, Mark came in looking for a gift for his mum's birthday. We were chatting for a while, and he eventually asked me out on a date. Mark said he thought I was beautiful the moment he saw me, and I thought he was really funny and cute."
These lovebirds first met on Instagram when Ollie messaged Beth with a cheesy pick-up line about her eyes. The pair arranged to meet at the cinema, but Ollie confessed to messing up the timings when Beth arrived. They ended up spending two unexpected hours together in McDonald's beforehand. They'd already fallen for each other after plenty of laughter and a spilt coffee. Beth says, "He made me laugh and still manages to nine years later, even when times are hard!"
These lovebirds met at work and despite knowing each other for years, they only started dating after working in the same office. Lou says, "I loved how funny and sweet Col was; he genuinely seemed interested in getting to know me." Col proposed to Lou shortly after her birthday! She says, "We'd had a lovely romantic weekend in York, but Col waited until we had got home to completely shock me by getting down on one knee and popping the question while we sat chilling on the sofa!"
Lauren and Matt met through work when they both embarked on the same graduate scheme straight out of university. "I'm from Leicester and Matt is from Liverpool so if it wasn't for the graduate scheme, we probably never would have met," Lauren says. "We were both very similar in terms of what we wanted out of life and what we enjoyed – mainly food and travel! For me, it was Matt's accent that won me over!"
Becky and Andy became legally married in Qatar and wanted to hold a wedding reception in Wiltshire to celebrate with their loved ones. They chose Bowood hotel, spa and golf resort as their venue, which has recently won VisitEngland's Silver Award for Large Hotel of the Year 2023. Here, Becky tells us all about their special day.
Rhianna and Joseph met through his mum. "Joseph's mum was a client of mine at my beauty salon," says Rhianna. "Joseph came back from New Zealand for his sister's wedding, and I was asked to do the beauty treatments for them at his parents' house ahead of the wedding. When I arrived and met Joseph, we instantly clicked. His words in his speech were that it was love at first sight, and he knew that I was the one."
Leah and Ryan chose to get married at the stunning De Vere Cotswold Water Park, a hotel and event venue that overlooks the lakes which spread across the Cotswold Water Park, with 152 in total. Turn to page 25 to read all about De Vere Cotswold Water Park as a wedding venue.
Bree-Anne and Harry met in 2014 through her cousin. "We instantly clicked and always had a laugh when we were together," says Bree-Anne. "We were best friends for a few years before getting into a relationship in May 2016."Harry popped the question in 2022 in Corfu. "It was a complete surprise," shares the bride. "It was the beginning of the holiday, and Harry took me to a clifftop as the sun was setting, where he then got down on one knee. I was speechless, but of course I said yes!"
hese lovebirds met on Bumble in 2018! Jen had given up all hope of meeting anyone online and was pushed by her sister to give it one more try, and that last chat was Darren! After meeting up, Jen introduced him to pink gin as well as kebab wraps with halloumi. After a quick check of Jen's Spotify playlist, Darren realised they had the same taste in music and the rest is history! Darren proposed on their anniversary during a trip to a log cabin. Jen says, "I was 12 weeks pregnant and unwell, but we agreed on small gifts. I got him some socks, and he got me an engagement ring!"
Molly and Zach met in a beer tent at Suffolk Pride. "I noticed Zach was wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a pink glittery beard," says Molly. "I asked Zach to wait a month for our first date, as I was about to hand in my dissertation and my degree was important to me. We ended up texting every day, getting to know each other.
Siobhan and Dale first met on a dating website before spending hours together at a pub for their first date. It's safe to say the pair hit it off as Siobhan jokingly messaged a friend saying, 'I just met my husband'. They shared similar interests and weirdly had the same address with a matching door number and road name in different areas. Dale proposed in Devon at South View Lodges in Exeter. Jill, the owner, helped him secure the perfect surprise proposal and then hid in the bushes to get it on camera – of course it was a 'yes' from Siobhan!
Emily and Owen met at the University of Nottingham while studying music and were friends for several years before they started dating – the rest is history!Owen proposed back in 2020 at the Great Orme in Llandudno. He fell into a bush beforehand because he was that excited to propose, and Emily suspected something special might be about to happen. Of course she said 'yes', and together they planned a fun wedding surrounded by loved ones.
These lovebirds met at the local gym, somewhere neither returned to once they got together! Lewis smiled at Holly while walking past a machine, and she had a Facebook add later that evening – it was obviously the smile that did it!"
Jacqui and Jeremy live in Dubai and work in the same office. "I was attracted to Jacqui's caring nature and her energy," Jeremy tells us. Jacqui adds, "I loved how patient he was." Jeremy proposed on Jacqui's birthday in 2022 which was a complete surprise. "One month earlier, I had been looking for rings and was thrilled when I found the perfect one, which prompted me to propose," Jeremy says.
Michelle and Paul found each other online and met up in Bath for their first date. It was intended to be coffee, but it soon turned into a small walking tour of the city followed by dinner. "From the outset, I liked Paul's positive demeanour and confidence," Michelle says.
Hannah and Tom have been together since they were teenagers. Tom would try to catch Hannah's attention in the corridor between lessons, but she was completely oblivious! Eventually, it was Hannah who decided to add him as a friend on Bebo, as she knew of him at least. He accepted and they spent the next few months messaging each other before deciding to make it official, even though they hadn't met #IRL yet.
Anna met Mat in her home town of Minehead in 2014, while he was in town for a stag do at Butlins. She was sitting outside a local pub when Mat and his mates walked in. Anna's friend caught their eye and they went over to join her table. Anna and Mat hit if off that night and kept in touch after he'd returned home.
Elise and Jonny met at school when Jonny joined Elise's sixth form. "We had mutual friends and Jonny invited me to go on a cinema date on Valentine's Day," Elise tells us. "He turned up with a dozen roses and after the movie, he invited himself into my parent's house and made them a cup of tea! I loved his confidence and humour!"
Lauren and Jono met via the dating app Hinge. "I remember that one of Jono's photos was him drinking rose wine in the sunshine," Lauren says. "He seemed nice and when we met, I loved his bright blue eyes. He was interesting and easy to talk to - I was so happy when he texted me to ask me out on a second date!" Jono adds, "Our first date was at Gordon's Wine Bar in London and I thought Lauren seemed witty and cute. I had to leave the date early because work was so busy at the time so I asked her for a second date, and she accepted - a miracle!"
Charlotte and Andrew first met while working in Austria during the ski season. They fell in love with the mountains and, of course, with each other while creating the most amazing memories. Andrew proposed at the pair's favourite waterfall in Scotland called The Hermitage. He was taking photos using a tripod and managed to capture the moment he popped the question.The lovebirds set the wedding for July 2022 and created a fun day surrounded by loved ones.
Carina and Matt met on a night out in Manchester when they were both at university and have been a couple for ten years. "It was our friend, Chris' 21st birthday when we met so naturally he was one of the ushers at our wedding!" they tell us. Matt proposed during a trip that he planned as a surprise for Carina's 28th birthday. "It was exactly 51 weeks before our wedding then took place," Carina says. "There was a cabin by a lake with a hot tub and champagne where we were staying. Matt had called our parents the week before to tell them and ask for their blessing so the proposal was a wonderful surprise and perfect in every way." Carina and Matt wanted to get married in Devon where Carina is from so here she tells us all about their magical day at Harefield Barn in Crediton.
Both working at Norfolk Museums Service, romance blossomed amongst the paintings, taxidermy and archaeological artefacts of their surroundings. David proposed to Alison on a remote beach in North Wales whilst on holiday. The fantastical village of Portmeirion formed the backdrop to the proposal on the deserted beach. Looking back – all the holiday pictures before the proposal David had one hand in his pocket– clutching the precious emerald and diamond engagement ring, just waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question. It was a surprise to Alison – although, being a traditionalist David did of course seek permission to marry Alison from her parents first.
Louise and Heather met at work in 2014, and soon became friends. Before long, Louise found herself attracted to Heather thanks to her quirky fashion sense, brilliant sense of humour and fierce sense of loyalty. Heather in turn found herself attracted not only to Louise's personality, but also her "randomness!" Heather proposed on Christmas Day, while still in their pyjamas opening their presents. She'd prepared a box for Louise containing notes telling the story of their journey together as a couple, which ended with Heather asking Louise to marry her. There was a beautiful ring in the box too! Louise was so shocked that Christmas lunch was late.
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