FRIENDSHIP TO FOREVER From medical school to Mr & Mrs: Jess and Marcus’ romantic Norwich wedding was picture-perfect Images courtesy of Jono Neill - JSN Photography Jess and Marcus first met on their very first day of medical school at the University of East Anglia in 2016, when they were placed in the same small case-based learning group of just 10 students. They quickly discovered they had something else in common – they had both attended the same high school, although their four-year age gap meant they had never actually crossed paths. Meeting every week throughout their first year, the pair quickly became close friends before eventually becoming housemates – five years into their friendship they began dating. Marcus proposed in May 2025 while the couple were enjoying a holiday in San Diego. After a beautiful coastal walk from La Jolla to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Marcus waited until they reached the end of the route before getting down on one knee. Although Jess and Marcus were living in London while planning their wedding, there was never any doubt that they wanted to return to Norwich – the city where they had first met. They chose St Peter Mancroft Church in the heart of the city for their ceremony. Over the year leading up to the wedding, the couple enjoyed becoming part of the church community and were made to feel incredibly welcome. “It felt like the perfect place to exchange our vows.” For the reception, they chose The Assembly House, a magnificent Georgian house in the city centre. From their first visit, the team impressed them with their warmth, professionalism and attention to detail. “We knew we’d be in safe hands there!” The couple chose a romantic colour palette of blush pink, dark olive green, soft pinks and touches of yellow. The bridesmaids wore light blush-pink satin dresses, while Marcus and his groomsmen wore dark olive-green suits, creating a sophisticated contrast. Flowers by Lauren brought the palette together beautifully, combining soft and brighter pink blooms with hints of yellow. She created elegant bouquets, buttonholes and bud vases that carried the colour scheme throughout the day. The Music Room at The Assembly House already provided a beautiful backdrop, so Jess and Marcus kept the décor understated while adding plenty of personal touches. They created the rest of the styling themselves, with tables featuring delicate bud vases, candlesticks and tapered candles. Framed photographs from their travels added a personal element, while matching menus and name cards completed the look. Jess wore the Renzo Mikado gown from Wed2B. Interestingly, she had originally planned to wear a high-street dress she had bought online and hadn’t intended to go wedding dress shopping. Then, just two months before, she changed her mind. “I decided I wanted to experience trying on wedding dresses after all, and I’m so glad I did.” Renzo was the very first dress Jess tried on that day. Although she went on to try several others, she kept returning to her first choice. “It felt comfortable, elegant and like me. Looking back, I’m so pleased I changed my mind and allowed myself the full bridal experience, which my mum and I enjoyed together.” Marcus wore a dark green suit from Slaters, complemented by a floral tie and light blush-pink pocket square. The groomsmen also wore dark green Slaters suits, with blush-pink ties and matching pocket squares to coordinate with Marcus and the bridesmaids. The bridesmaids wore light blush-pink satin dresses from Oasis via Debenhams online, perfectly complementing the flowers. Music was one of the couple’s biggest priorities when planning their wedding, and they were happy to dedicate a significant part of their budget to it. The ceremony featured the church choir singing alongside the hymns, as well as beautiful choral pieces – the organist and church bells adding to the atmosphere. During the drinks reception, acoustic duo Flynn & Jan performed vocals and guitar, providing a relaxed soundtrack while guests mingled. The music continued into the wedding breakfast, where Kavolini string quartet performed pop songs with a Bridgertoninspired feel. “This seemed to be a huge highlight for the guests and brought a lovely atmosphere.” In the evening, a DJ from Epic Events took over and kept the celebrations going, with a packed dancefloor throughout the night. For Jess and Marcus, one of the most memorable moments came immediately after the ceremony. As they left St Peter Mancroft Church, the bells were ringing and their family and friends showered them with confetti. Outside on Millennium Plain, members of the public had gathered and joined in the celebrations, clapping and cheering as the newlyweds emerged. “It felt like a really special moment and stands out for us.” REAL WEDDINGS 23
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