Your Herts and Beds Wedding - June/July 2020 (Issue 80)

RUSTIC Chris and Shelley’s big day was full of love, happiness and huge celebrations Images courtesy of Rafe Abrook Photography C hris and Shelley’s adventure first started back in 2012 when the pair both started a teacher training course and were instantly attracted to one another. After getting to know each other, they became great friends which turned into a beautiful relationship. Shelley says: “I knew that Chris was the one when I realised how natural it was to be with him. There was never any ‘game-playing’ as we both just wanted to be together and it was simple, easy and full of happiness.” Chris knew Shelley was the one the moment she entered the room late in their first university lectures. Shelley adds: “Two specific moments when I knew that Chris was special were before we were together, he selflessly spent hours helping me look for one of my favourite bracelets which had fallen off at Uni, and the time he turned up at my house on Valentine’s Day with a bunch of roses and a McDonald’s takeaway – he knew the way to my heart!” Chris proposed two days before Christmas, their favourite time of year, during a walk around a nature reserve. Shelley recalls the moment saying: “As we were walking around, I had no idea that Chris’s dad was secretly hiding out, wearing full camouflage gear in a bush, waiting patiently with his camera for what was about to happen. Chris and I reached a little area of decking that looks out onto a pond and he began telling me how much he loved me, before getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him – it was perfect! The date was set for the April 18 th, 2019, and the countdown started. Here Shelley shares details about their special day… elegance  43 REAL WEDDINGS