An Essex Wedding - Mar/Apr 2017 (Issue 79)

36 All of my bridesmaids came to try on loads of different dress styles and colours. I thought finding something that suited them all would be a nightmare, we went with a full-length, pleated, chiffon gown with a high neck – they all looked amazing! N atalie and Shardarne first met in Bournemouth nearly nine years ago, while visiting their friends who were brothers.Although the pair lived in the same small town they had never met. “We clicked straight away and talked for hours. It was evident we had loads in common and seemed to have the same opinions and focus in life,” shares the bride. “Two months later Shardarne was off to University in Florida, so we decided to just be friends, but we talked every day on Skype.After a few months I visited him and we decided the long distance wouldn’t be so bad and to give it a go.We lasted the four years and when Shardarne came home we moved to London together.” Seven years into their relationship Shardarne popped the question in Florida, while on holiday. “I booked a hotel outside Universal Studios in Orlando, in the same room where we’d stayed when we’d gone for a mini-break during Natalie’s first trip to see me,” says the groom.“I didn’t really know when or where I was going to propose but I ended up getting down on one knee over dessert at a beautiful restaurant, so I could just enjoy my chocolate cake and stop worrying.” Natalie adds,“It was such a surprise and just perfect being in the place where we’d spent so much time and had such fond memories.” There were essential elements I was looking for in my wedding dress, but I tried to go with an open mind. I found my Essence of Australia gown in a flash sale and I fell in love with it. It was a backless, vintage- inspired dress with a modest train – the embellishment was way more glamorous than I’d have predicted. The groomsmen and our fathers all wore dark grey suits with navy blue waistcoats, white shirts and uniform brown shoes. They had sage-green pocket squares and ties to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses. “I wanted to standout and therefore opted for a royal blue custom-made suit, which had our initials stitched on the inside,” says Shardarne. “I chose everything from the style and cut, to the lining and stitching. It was the best experience and I looked forward to wearing it as much as Natalie did her dress.” We knew we wanted to get married in a church – it was something that was really important to us. My aunt and uncle live in the Coggeshall parish and the local vicar agreed to marry us there – it was so grand and the stained-glass window is just beautiful. “Houchins was such a grand space that we just used small finishing touches to draw everything together,” – Natalie