I choose you When Nicola and Matt Harmel tied the knot at Shortmead House in Biggleswade, their wedding was every bit as personal, colourful and fun as the couple themselves Images courtesy of Ace of Spades Photography Nicola and Matt’s love story began in January 2017 when they met online through Plenty of Fish. In fact, they were never actually supposed to be matched, with their profiles being paired by mistake. Today, they like to think it was simply fate. At the time, Nicola was in her final year of training to become an adult nurse, while Matt was working for a warehouse company. Within a few years, they had launched their own Pokémon business together, eventually opening their very own shop. It was fitting, then, that Pokémon would play a subtle but memorable role in their wedding day. Matt proposed on Christmas Day 2022 at Nicola’s parents’ house, surrounded by their three children and Nicola’s family. When he announced that it was time for Nicola’s present, he pulled out a packet of Haribo sweet rings. Assuming he was joking, Nicola was completely confused – until Matt knelt down and asked, “How about a real one?” before producing her engagement ring. Their venue was another happy accident. Having originally booked a hotel, the couple were left without a venue when it unexpectedly closed. Their wedding dresser, Claire, suggested Shortmead House, and after meeting owners Lee and Esme, they instantly fell in love with its exclusive, intimate and private atmosphere. For a couple who wanted to avoid anything too plain or predictable, their Pokémon-inspired styling was the perfect fit. Each table was named after a Pokémon, with every guest becoming a Pokémon Trainer and receiving a Polaroid-sized image featuring their assigned Pokémon and table. The keepsakes could then be taken home as a reminder of the day. The colour scheme continued throughout the décor, with each table reflecting its Pokémon: purple for Gengar, yellow for Pikachu, blue for Blastoise, green for Venusaur, black for Umbreon, pink for Mew and red for Latios. Their wedding cake followed the same idea. From the front, it appeared to be a classic white three-tiered wedding cake decorated with bold, colourful flowers. From the side, however, it revealed vibrant Pokémon-inspired layers. The flavours were Red Velvet, Victoria Sponge and Double Chocolate. The relaxed atmosphere extended to the food. Rather than opting for a traditional sit-down wedding breakfast, Matt and Nicola chose a BBQ, reflecting their love of casual gatherings. Guests enjoyed a selection of meats, salads, breads and more, followed by an evening finger buffet. Nicola chose a close-fitting dress from Wed2B that complemented her figure and made her feel both comfortable and confident. She went shopping with her mum, Pat, and maid of honour and big sister, Michelle. Knowing her sister would always give her an honest opinion, Nicola knew she had found the one when both Michelle and her mum were moved to tears. Matt wore a light blue micro-check suit with matching waistcoat and trousers, finished with a blue tie and buttonhole, while the groomsmen wore the same. The bridesmaids complemented them in floorlength, sleeveless gowns in a dusty steel-blue shade. Entertainment was a major part of the celebrations. Pianist and singer James Nicholas performed throughout the day, including an acoustic version of I Feel It Coming by The Weeknd as Nicola walked down the aisle – a meaningful choice as the song was in the charts when Matt and Nicola first met. Illusionist Lee Smith Magic left guests completely amazed, while DJ Jamz kept everyone dancing into the evening, even bringing out the bongos and playing the Pokémon theme. For Nicola, however, the most emotional moment came when her dad, Keith, walked her down the aisle. Earlier that year, Keith had been diagnosed with kidney cancer and subsequently heart failure, making surgery particularly risky. Four months after undergoing the operation, he was there beside his daughter on her wedding day. For Nicola, having her “rock” by her side was a moment she will never forget. Her advice to other couples planning their wedding is simple: make a list of must-haves and another of things that would be nice to have, then tackle each element gradually. “Trying to do everything at once creates so much unnecessary stress,” she says. “You want to enjoy the process, so take your time!” REAL WEDDINGS 25
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