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

REAL WEDDINGS 43 A bi and Matt first met through mutual friends at a bonfire. “It was the first time we’d properly got to know each other and we ended up lying on the grass, looking up at the stars and chatting,” shares the bride. “At the end of the night, there were just a few of us left and Matt started to put the bonfire out, however, he set his jeans on fire and we spent the rest of the night at Broomfield Hospital.” A few days later, Matt planned to take Abi and two others out for dinner to say thank you for taking him to hospital and waiting while he was treated. After that, their mutual friends then organised another dinner but mysteriously dropped out. “He asked me if I still wanted to go for dinner with him, and the rest, as they say, is history,” says Abi. Matt popped the question on the couple’s second anniversary; they’d booked a romantic weekend in Bath to celebrate by visiting a spa, nice restaurants and a luxury hotel. “On the day of our anniversary, Matt was acting very strangely. We’d planned to visit Prior Park Landscape Gardens but the weather wasn’t looking promising and parking was difficult, but Matt insisted,” adds the bride. “There was a beautiful Palladian bridge there so we got some tea from a nearby stall and sat on a grassy bank. He said that he had a surprise but I needed to stand up and close my eyes, which was very confusing as all I wanted was some cake! When I opened my eyes, he was there on one knee with a beautiful ruby engagement ring and asked me to marry him.” Abi, of course said ‘yes’, screamed and jumped on the groom-to- be, which sent the ring flying! Here the bride tells us more about the big day... SETTING THE SCENE “We fell in love with Ulting church when we first saw it – it looks as if it belongs in a fairytale,” says the bride. “We decorated the archway with laurel leaves and gypsophila and we adorned the pew ends with wicker hearts.” Abi and Matt liked the idea of a barn for their reception and The Warren was perfect – it boasted gorgeous surroundings, including resident doves and a peacock. “We made our table plan using a large aperture frame and included baby photos of both of us,” shares the bride. “As we’re