These lovebirds met online, sparking a connection that grew almost instantly! Lianne, a current broadcaster and former English professional footballer, was living in New York at the time when her best friend convinced her to change her location to the UK because she wasn’t meeting anyone who fit what she was looking for. “We both liked each other’s photos,” Ellis recalls, “but then Lianne deleted the app before seeing my ‘like’. A month later, she reappeared and we started talking. Our love for Disney really connected us!” When they finally met in person, it was at Hyde Park during the Covid-19 lockdowns. “We socially distanced and walked around for hours talking more,” Ellis says, “and the rest is history!” Lianne proposed at The Grove in Watford. She had arranged for a car to collect Ellis on their anniversary. “When I arrived, there was a drink waiting for me downstairs, and then she blindfolded me and led me to a room upstairs decorated with flowers, lights, candles, rose petals and photos of us,” Ellis comments. “There were light-up letters that spelt out, ‘Will you marry me?’” THE LOCATION Choosing the venue was an unexpected but magical moment. Ellis explains, “We had a handyman who came round to help with putting up pictures and other bits, since both Lianne and I are rubbish at DIY. While chatting, he told us he also DJ’d and mentioned this venue he worked at on the weekends. He said it looked like something from the South of France and showed us photos on Instagram. We fell in love immediately and went to view it the very next day. We both had goosebumps before even seeing the whole place. It was the first venue we saw, and we just knew it was perfect – we booked it there and then!” From the waterfall and the grounds to the welcoming owners and relaxed rules, it just felt right for the lovebirds. SETTING THE SCENE The couple chose a timeless and elegant colour palette of black, white, gold and coconut milk. Ellis comments, “Those colours really reflected the classy yet modern look we were going for – it all came together beautifully.” Guests were treated to a delicious selection throughout the day. There were canapés like mini jacket potatoes, prawn toast topped with cream cheese and king prawn, mini-Yorkshire puddings 24
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