FIRST SWIPE Love at Carol and Lea big day was a celebration of love Images courtesy of Through the Looking Glass Caz and Lea’s love story began with a swipe right on Tinder. Before meeting a friend at Ashford Designer Outlet, Caz arrived early and decided to spend a little time browsing the dating app. That seemingly ordinary moment meant she fell within the distance settings Lea had chosen – and the rest, as they say, is history. Caz proposed during a romantic getaway to Dorset in June 2022. She had carefully planned a picnic on the beach and asked Lea to pose for a photograph, secretly pressing record on the camera to capture the moment. As Caz got down on one knee, however, the proposal took an unexpected turn when a flock of seagulls swooped in to steal the picnic, knocking the camera over in the process. Ring safely on Lea’s finger, the newly engaged couple found themselves sprinting across the beach to rescue their lunch. If that wasn’t enough excitement, two determined dogs soon appeared to continue the battle for the picnic. “It certainly wasn’t the proposal we’d imagined,” laughs Caz, “but it couldn’t have been more memorable.” The couple viewed several venues, ranging from DIY spaces to all-inclusive wedding packages, but it was The Hythe Imperial Hotel that immediately stood out. “The staff were wonderful and we fell in love with the ballroom,” they explain. “Having accommodation on-site was also perfect for our guests travelling from further afield.” There was another unexpected reason the venue felt so special – it was right beside the location of their very first date. “We parked up, ate chips in the car and then went for a walk along the beach. It was a cold, windy day back in 2019, so getting married just a few steps away felt incredibly meaningful.” A sophisticated dusky blue colour palette ran throughout the day, complementing the hotel’s naturally elegant ballroom. Rather than overpowering the venue, Caz and Lea kept the styling beautifully understated with tall white floral centrepieces and dusky blue chair sashes that added just the right pop of colour to their styling. For their bridal looks, Caz chose Indy by White Rose from Molly Dolly’s in Hythe. “As someone who doesn’t wear dresses very often, I felt so comfortable in it straight away. The style suited me perfectly, and when all my friends cried after seeing me in it, I knew I’d made the right choice.” Lea wore the elegant Avia gown by House of Nicholas, purchased from Brides Visited in Ashtead, Surrey. “I rarely wear dresses, but this one made me feel a million dollars.” Their bridal party complemented the classic styling perfectly. The bridesmaids wore dusky blue dresses from JJ’s House, while the wedding party wore timeless black tie dinner jackets. The couple made sure there was plenty to keep guests entertained throughout the day; outdoor lawn games, including cornhole, encouraged everyone to mingle during the drinks reception, while a playful peg game challenged guests to secretly clip pegs onto one another without being caught. The evening brought another surprise, with the DJ unveiling an unexpected karaoke session that had everyone laughing and singing along. Although the day was filled with unforgettable moments, one stood out above all the rest; Caz and Lea wrote a personal message for every single guest, placing each note inside their place card. “We asked everyone to open them at the same time,” they explain. “Then we simply sat back and watched everyone read their messages.” Watching conversations spark around the room, alongside the smiles, laughter and emotion, became one of the couple’s favourite memories of the day. “It was so special to see just how much love surrounded us.” Their advice to newly engaged couples is simple, “Work as a team throughout the planning process and make sure your wedding reflects both of you. Include the things that are meaningful to you as a couple, because those are the details you’ll remember most.” REAL WEDDINGS 35
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