Charlotte and Matt met on Tinder. After chatting on the phone, they decided to meet for a first date at a pub in Wakefield. The two talked and laughed non-stop and even sat in the car together after the pub had closed to continue their conversation. As Covid hit not long after they found themselves thrown together in scenarios that might otherwise have taken months, or even years, but Charlotte believes this helped to strengthen their relationship. Matt proposed one Christmas Eve. Charlotte had just managed to get their son Blake down for a nap when Matt handed her a scratch card. Nothing particularly unusual as they have scratch cards every year at Christmas, that was until Charlotte matched three rings and started to realise something different was happening. She scratched off the prize panel and Matt got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, just as the card revealed. Initially, the couple were looking to get married abroad but after some research they were still unsure so decided to look at some UK venues to be sure. “Temple Newsam was an absolute wildcard for us as we didn’t know they did weddings,” Charlotte shares. “We’ve always loved visiting stately homes and have spent a lot of time at Temple Newsam either with friends or together as a family. When we met Josh and looked around, we were blown away by what it had to offer.” Josh then told them about a new room available for hire, so they went to take a look. “As soon as we set foot in The Picture Gallery, we knew it was the place for us,” Charlotte explains. “A jaw-dropping room, the Gallery was the perfect backdrop for our wedding and suited us as a couple.” So, with all thoughts of an overseas wedding dismissed, the date was set for 26th April 2025. Here, Charlotte tells us more... SETTING THE SCENE “In terms of decorative touches at Temple Newsam we chose barely any,” Charlotte says. “The venue itself is so impressive as it is so, we didn’t want to ruin the aesthetic by adding in something that would take away from its history.” For the evening do at Calverley Golf Club, the couple opted for navy and white floral centrepieces finished with a lantern each. The chairs were adorned with theme-fitting navy sashes and the newlyweds sat at their own sweetheart table. The flowers were artificial, allowing the bride and bridesmaids to keep their bouquets. They featured blue and white roses, gypsophila, greenery and pink tulips in memory of Charlotte’s late grandmother. The groom arrived at the ceremony venue in a custom MK6 Jaguar followed by his bride who’d travelled with her bridesmaids in a Bramwith Royale in ivory and black. The Bramwith later took the newlyweds on to their evening reception. “It got lots of beeps and cheers as we drove along,” Charlotte remembers. Rather than a sit-down dinner, the couple opted for a casual Mediterranean-style buffet. LOOKING THE PART Charlotte wore Nella by Wtoo by Watters. “I’d always dreamed of having a big, yet classic wedding dress, something that would make me feel like a princess,” Charlotte shares. She also opted for the Nella bow, which she had customised to include a pearl belt on the front. REAL WEDDINGS 17
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