Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding - Jan/Feb 2018 (Issue 72)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  A fter getting to know each other online, Danielle and Andy went bowling for their first date and were only expecting to spend a few hours together. “We just clicked though,” says Danielle. “We ended up going out to dinner afterwards and eventually got kicked out of the pub at 11pm as it was closing time!” They soon discovered they shared the same views and outlook on life, romance blossomed and within 18 months they were engaged. POPPING THE QUESTION Andy proposed on 19 th November, 2016 at the Rhinefield House Hotel. They’d already discussed the idea and had decided to design the engagement ring together. “We’d been to the jewellers and the ring was being made. Andy told me it wouldn’t be ready until December and we were due to go to Rhinefield House that weekend to check it out as a potential wedding venue; slightly forward I know, given that he hadn’t actually asked me to marry him at that point,” laughs Danielle. As they were walking around the grounds, they were stopped by a photographer who pretended to be there to meet a prospective wedding couple. “He asked us to do some poses, so he could check the lighting for his camera, so I happily agreed and half way through Andy got down on one knee. He’d set the whole thing up and had the ring on him all the time. I was totally shocked,” she recalls. A PLACE IN THE COUNTRY There was only one choice of venue for the wedding – Rhinefield, of course. Danielle explains, “I’ve always loved the castle-like design of the building and also the location, right in the heart of the New Forest. I was brought up in the country and I love being around horses, so it was the perfect place to reflect that. Also Andy deciding to propose there, showed he loved it too!” LOOKING THE PART Danielle chose a Stella York dress (style 6343); the first one she tried on. “I came back to it after trying on about 15 others. I loved the lace on the back and the fact that the detailing went from top to bottom. I added a belt and a hoop underneath to give it a bit more flare at the bottom and had a sheer veil so as not to detract from the detail on the back. I also opted for a side tiara and Swarovski crystal earrings, necklace and bracelet set to go with the belt.” She carried a bouquet of sunflowers, ivory roses and greenery. The bridesmaids wore full-length claret chiffon dresses embellished with flowery lace embroidery to complement Danielle’s gown. “It took me ages BOWLED OVER Danielle and Andy scored a lucky strike when they matched up on online dating Images courtesy of Barry and Sandra Whitcher