REAL WEDDINGS AND WEDDING IDEAS

A Royal Wedding

Jessica and Adam met at the University of Reading, in the student union nightclub and it was love at first sight. Within a week of dating, they became official, and they knew they'd found their soulmate. The bond between this couple grew quickly and the 'L-word' was used within a few weeks.

Endless Love

Rachel and Andy met at university in Lincoln. "Andy was a lovely, attractive guy who was completely different to anyone I'd ever met," Rachel shares. "He made me so happy, and I enjoyed spending time with him. I felt lucky when he asked me out." Meanwhile, Andy found himself attracted to Rachel's personality and sense of humour.

Love At First Swipe

Like many of us in this modern world, Angharad and Lewis met online through a dating app. Angharad recalls, "As I'm a teacher, I thought I would add a humorous part to my bio and said that there were perks
to dating a teacher, one of those being unlimited milk and cookies.

Best Day Ever!

Pagie and Jordan met at the Reading Festival when they were teenagers, after chatting online for two years. The two knew they were soul mates the day they met and didn't leave each other's sides for the entire festival. However, they also knew that aged 16 and 17 they were too young to make a long-distance relationship work (Paige lived in Manchester and Jordan in Durham) so, they decided to remain best friends.

Happily Ever After

These lovebirds met in London, where their love story began! Over time, it became clear just how special their connection was—and they never looked back. Firat proposed in October 2021 during a weekend trip to Bath, creating a moment Dimitria would cherish forever.

Love At First Sight

Emma and James met online and knew straight away that they had a lot in common. Their instant connection formed a genuine bond where they could talk about anything without fear of judgment – a very strong building block for any successful marriage.

Love All Around

Charlie and Nikita first crossed paths at a college house party when they were just teenagers. Both were eager to escape the chaos, stealing a quiet moment away from the noise. Charlie figured they'd never see each other again – they were on completely different courses and had separate circles of friends. But Nikita, who wasn't usually the forward type, made a bold move and found her on Facebook, hoping to stay in touch.

Bold and Beautiful

These lovebirds met while travelling in Australia. Vicky had just moved into a shared house in Melbourne, where Alex was already living. It took a bit of time for them to get to know each other, as Vicky worked night shifts at a pub while Alex had an early morning construction job. More often than not, she'd come home to find him snoozing on the sofa.

From Sheffield With Love

Lauren and Brendan met during lockdown when Brendan was a trainer at Lauren's new job. The first time she saw him over Zoom, when he asked everyone to turn their cameras on, she immediately felt the attraction! "We both thought the other had the most beautiful, excited, deep eyes and instantly fell for each other," Lauren says.

Country Chic

Jennifer and Ryan met at 18 while working together at a hotel and restaurant. Ryan proposed in the Lake District at Aira Force Waterfall. He'd originally hoped to pop the question at the top of a high peak, but the weather changed, so his plans did too. The couple decided to tie the knot at Bunny Hill having been attracted by its countryside rustic barn with a modern twist vibe. So, with the date set for 23rd April 2024, the couple set about planning their big day.

Laid-back Luxury

Sarah and Barnaby met on a dating app in 2021. "On our first date, we went for dinner and realised over a couple of bottles of rosé wine that we had plenty in common and never stopped laughing!" Sarah tells us. "It was Barnaby's sense of humour and our shared love of food and wine that sealed it!"

Sparkle Ever After

Chance brought Lindsay and Nicky together when an old school friend of Lindsay's, who happened to be Nicky's brother, reached out to him. This connection led to an introduction that sparked a true love at first sight moment when they first met in 2009. More than 10 years later, Lindsay decided to host a surprise proposal party at their favourite spot, the Haymarket Hotel in London.

The World Is Your Oyster

As cheesy as it sounds, it was honestly love at first sight." remembers Alison. "We met at my local yacht club, and it felt like something out of a movie. Jack was a professional sailor at the time, competing with his dad, and they were there for a sailing competition. We locked eyes from across the room, and I'll never forget the moment he came over to buy a drink."

Coastal Vibes

Bryony and Sam met in 2018 through mutual friends, and from the beginning, there was an instant connection. "What brought us together wasn't just shared laughter or conversations but a mutual appreciation for hard work and the simple things in life," they tell us. "We spent a lot of time working together on a farm in the early days, building a relationship on trust and teamwork. Those days laid the foundation for everything that followed."

Love Is All Around

Before these lovebirds met, Ian knew they would hit it off after their conversations on the dating app Hinge. Both had spent much time during lockdown reflecting on what they truly wanted, which set a positive tone for their first date. Ian shared, "I loved that we could have fun talking nonsense because Lou is curious, hilarious, kind and mischievous.

Childhood Sweethearts

Ed and Abbie were childhood sweethearts, meeting at school at the ages of 13 and 14. They started 'going out' a few years later after Ed asked Abbie to be his girlfriend on New Years Eve 2011 and have been together and by each other's sides ever since. The pair became Mr and Mrs Clark on Friday 31st May 2024 at Villiers Barn, Thorpe-le-Soken.

A Touch Of Drama

Jo and Jonny met at primary school, where they appeared in their first show together. "Jonny forgot all about me after that until I walked into his adult life at 33 years old!" Jo tells us. "He proposed at Lincombe Hall, a hotel and spa in Torquay, just before Christmas 2023, after three years together. I did not enjoy the wait – but Jonny was worth it!"

The Ultimate Hoedown

Hannah and Ben met at the car garage where Ben worked. It was following a car accident Hannah's dad was in, the car was a wreck but thankfully Dad walked away unscathed. Fast forward a year, Hannah returns to the garage with her own car and Ben is there.

Love Is All Around

Tamla and Ben started their love story with a fi rst date at Wetherspoons in Cosham, a perfect halfway point since Ben lived in Waterlooville and Tamla was in Portsmouth. Their connection was instant, and before they knew it, they were enjoying a second date at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, where they strolled through the woods with Ben's dog, Roxy.

Such A Perfect Day

Jess and Adam met the oh-so modern way, on Tinder. After many unsuccessful swipes between the two, they eventually matched in early May of 2021. Their first date followed a couple of weeks later. At the time, Jess was living in York, while Adam was in Sheffield. So, he came to see her in York to meet her and they spent the whole day walking, talking and getting to know each other

The Rhythm Of Love

Emily and Adam were in the same friendship group at school but drifted apart when they went to university. However, when the pandemic hit, they reconnected and formed their own social bubble during lockdown, taking long walks together and having fun being kids again.

Tinder Hearts

Nathan and Lucy met online through Tinder, and their connection was instant. They spent hours chatting on the phone, feeling like they had known each other forever. It was truly love at first swipe. After some time, they decided to meet, and from that moment on, they've been inseparable.

Wed Of Roses

Newly single and having sworn off men, Millie attended a party thrown by a friend and met Todd. Despite staying strong for a few months, turning down repeated invitations for a date, she finally gave in over the phone one night when drunk! And the rest, as they say, is history. The couple shared a long-distance relationship for a while, which included Millie moving to Sweden for a time.

The Future Is Bright

Emma and Daniel met at Imperial College London, where they'd both signed up to do a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. They got to know each other during the climb and subsequent safari and on return kept bumping into each other. It was almost as if the universe was trying to bring them together! They hit it off from there, having fallen for each other's sense of humour and light-hearted outlook on life.

Summer Loving

Cameron, from Northern Ireland, and Elise, from Kent, met for the first time at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where they both attended. Their shared subject and mutual friends pushed fate to seat them next to each other. However, it wasn't until they met the second time on a night out that the romance started.

Gothic Romance

Jessica and Edward met via the dating app Bumble. "Edward had an incredible photo of himself dressed as a warrior monk, which I thought was a refreshing change from photos of sports cars or tigers," says Jessica. "I was really late for our first date because my bus broke down on the way. Edward started to worry that I might not turn up, but I ran in the door of the café, and we instantly hit it off."

Back On Home Turf

Morgan and Jacob met at college and started out as friends. "We always liked each other, but graduating and taking jobs took us away from one another," Morgan explains. "But one day, the universe brought us back together and we've been inseparable ever since."

Match Of The Day

Emma and James met in a service station watching Everton play West Ham away back in 2010. A few weeks later, they met up again when their team were playing at home, and the rest is history. James had the engagement ring for 14 months intending to propose, but Covid got in the way.

Champagne Dreams

It's believed that those who are meant to be in your life are attached to you by an invisible string, and when the time is right, fate will pull that string and bring you together – this is very much the case for Jack and Julie's relationship. They both went to the same primary school, but it wasn't until they were in their twenties that Jack messaged Julie on social media; they later bumped into each other at the pub and the rest is history!

Monochrome Magic

Charlotte and Adam met when they were teenagers working at their local golf club. "Adam likes to think it was his singing that got me to say yes to a date, but it really wasn't," says Charlotte. "After more than a decade together, Adam proposed in 2022 during a holiday to my family's villa in Spain.

Silver Screen

Katy and Oliver met as students working in the local social club bar. They soon became friends and two years later their relationship blossomed into a beautiful romance! While on holiday in Placa De Catalunya, Barcelona, on one knee pretending to snap a photo of Katy, Oliver pulled the engagement ring out of his bag. "

Nautical Bliss

Charlotte and Jacob's love story begins at work, in fact, it starts in the interview room! Jacob recalls, "Charlotte actually interviewed me and will tell you she was my boss (still not convinced!). Our friendship grew and we started to go out with each other more as the months passed."

Love At First Sight

Nia and Carwyn met online during the pandemic. "Our story was a bit of a whirlwind, from talking online and meeting families on our second and third dates to Carwyn moving in after a month and a half, but we knew we were meant to be," says Nia. "By the time we had our first date, Carwyn had already proposed over messenger three times!

City loving

Nadia and Matthew met 11 years ago at JD Sports, Trafford Centre, where they both worked. Nadia oversaw the junior department, and Matthew supervised the changing rooms (conveniently for this love story, the changing rooms were located next to the junior section).

Fairytale ending

Georgie and Phill met in the gym in 2018 and after months of exchanging shy looks, Georgie's best friend (and who would later be her maid-of-honour) left a note on Phill's motorbike outside the gym. He texted Georgie that evening and their first date was just three days
later. The couple had an instant connection, sharing the same family values, interests and ambitions – the perfect recipe for a happy marriage.

Childhood sweethearts

Emily and Declan met in school when she was 14 and he was 15. "He was very funny and particularly kind," Emily tells us. "We immediately clicked, and the rest is history!" Years later Declan proposed at the Glastonbury Festival – a total surprise to Emily. The video even went viral on TikTok!

Romance at the barn

Sian and Ciaran matched on Tinder. "I was instantly attracted to his cheeky smile and gorgeously curly hair," Sian shares. "Once I'd met up with him, I discovered that I love how much he makes me laugh, even when I want to be annoyed with him at times!

One perfect spring

Hannah and Liam met on Tinder pre-Covid. They moved in together during the pandemic, which was the perfect opportunity for them to really get to know each other! One year later, they got engaged on Christmas Day.

I will always love you

Emily and Metz met as teenagers back in 1997 when they were working in MacDonald's. Emily was attracted to Metz's never-give-up attitude. "He asked me out numerous times before I eventually agreed," she shares.

Relaxed romance

Kit and Jack met while working together at The Cat Inn in West Hoathly back in 2018. As they got to know each other, their relationship blossomed from there. While on holiday in Sicily four years later, enjoying dinner in a beautiful rooftop restaurant, Jack got down on one knee. "It took me a minute to realise what was going on as I had absolutely no idea he was planning to propose,"

It's party time

Abi and Ryan's love story starts at The Range, where they both worked. Abi had it as a weekend job while she studied and Ryan worked there full time. After a few months of working together, Ryan plucked up the courage to ask Abi on a date. The nerves got the better of her and she responded with 'I'll let you know'. Ryan thought this was it and he'd missed his shot!

Countryside vibes

Rianna and Andrew met while working together at a dental practice. "Andrew would come into work on particular days, and I'd always look forward to seeing him as he was so smiley and made me laugh," Rianna remembers. The two realised they had much in common and after some persuasion he managed to get her to go on a date with him.

A royal 'I do'

Julie and Enzo's romance can be defined as love at first sight. Julie first noticed Enzo when she saw him with his daughter on the way to a play date. She recalls, "I used every excuse to message and chat. Eventually Enzo asked me out for our first date, and it all went from strength to strength".

A day to remember

Harley and Matt's love story starts during Covid, when Harley was working in the local hospital, and Matt had come to sell fruit and veg to the staff who couldn't make it to the shops. Matthew had asked his uncle to get Harley's number, under the promise that he knew someone who could fix her car. The chatting started and the rest is, as they say, history!

Nautical bliss

Georgia and David first met in 2014, however, after a few months of dating, Georgia had to move to Iceland for her master's degree. They reconnected in 2019, and their love quickly blossomed into something special. With the impending lockdown in 2020, David moved in with Georgia so they could be together, and the rest is history!

True love

Our ceremony occurred in the beautiful Summer House in the gardens. We had our reception in the Tudor Barn and then danced in the Horse Barn, which is absolutely amazing! We used the Old Dairy for our guestbook area and for displaying photos of our loved ones who are no longer with us. It was a beautiful day, so our guests were lucky enough to explore the stunning gardens and make the most of the grounds.

Blooming beautiful

We had the ceremony at a local church, the drinks reception in the lovely gardens at South Farm followed by the amazing meal in the Tudor Barn, coffee in the Old Dairy, and dancing in the Horse Barn with the funky light-up floor!

Love always

These lovebirds met during the pandemic. Liv thought Dan was a bit odd, but she grew to appreciate his sense of humour, confidence, and undeniable handsomeness. Their connection blossomed after they started messaging each other on social media, and they eventually met up in Sutton Park. It was not the most romantic start, but the beginning of something special – the rest is history!

Memorable moments

These lovebirds met at work, where an instant connection sparked, resulting in plenty of laughter and shared special moments over time. Fast forward to a weekend getaway in Rome, David proposed while they were exploring with their nine-month-old son.

An iconic Windsor day

Hayley and Nick worked together for some time before Nick plucked up the courage to ask her out. "The attraction stemmed from being comfortable in each other's company and we became best friends," Hayley tells us. After 18 years together, Hayley told Nick that she wanted to get engaged on her 40th birthday so they went engagement ring shopping and the rest, as they say, is history!

Jungle disco

Chris and Lianne had crossed paths years ago in Ibiza, where their mutual friends had first introduced them. Chris stayed close with Lianne's best friend, who eventually let her know that Chris had moved to London. He suggested they reach out and meet, and when they did, it was like magic – they hit it off
immediately and became inseparable from that moment on.

Pretty in pink

Danny and Laura met when Danny was working as a doorman at a local club that Laura visited. "He was standing at the bottom of the stairs as I walked down into the venue," Laura tells us. "I remember looking at him and thinking how handsome he was. I needed an excuse to speak to him,so I asked him for a lighter, even though I didn't smoke!

Finding the one

Tina and Spencer met through family years ago, but the timing wasn't quite right, and it wasn't until 2021 that their romance started. When they rekindled, it was an immediate connection!

Champagne Style

Being best friends with Andrew's sister, Tiffany had known him for years. Butit wasn't until the time of the pandemic that they found themselves spendingmore time together and realised how similar they were and how much they hadin common. "We definitely bonded over our love of food," Tiffany says. "I wasdrawn to his kind heart, humour, strong family values and his amazing smile. Hetells me he was attracted to my fun and energetic personality, my natural beautyand my incredible culinary skills!"

Get, Set and Match

Becky and John met while working at the same school, John being a tennis coach and Becky taking students to the courts for tennis lessons; these courtside meetings led them to talking at the staff barbecue one summer.

Winter Wonderland

Hayley and Craig's story began 21 years ago when they crossed paths as holiday reps in Majorca. They got engaged and were all set to tie the knot in 2006, but they were both a bit too young and didn't fully appreciate what they had, leading them to part ways. However, fate had other plans, and their paths intertwined once again a few years ago, rekindling their love.

Kiss and Bloom

Ceri and Gareth have worked at Rowton Castle for many years and met within the extraordinary setting in 2007. Fast forward time, they've been together for more than 10 years. Gareth proposed on the 19th of September 2022 at an altitude of 3,842 metres. They had just stepped into the Aiguille du Midi Skywalk (the glass room at Mont Blanc) when Gareth got down on one knee. Ceri recalls that it was quite possibly the best distraction from the terrifying height they were at. The proposal had been nearly a year in the planning, with their entire holiday to Lake Annecy revolving around this day trip to Chamonix. Ceri had no idea and was shocked!

Disco Inferno

These lovebirds met at a vocational university focused on backstage theatre, where they essentially worked for free. Jess was a Scenic Artist, and Jay took on the role of Stage Manager, which often meant that Jay would tell Jess what to do, and Jess would playfully ignore the instructions. Their connection blossomed through mutual friends, who would end up being their bridesmaids six years later. Fast forward time, the pair had a heartfelt conversation about how they felt about each other and their dreams for the future, which led to Jay catching a bus to the nearest Pandora store to purchase some rings. Meanwhile, Jess found herself in a bit of a panic while Jay was gone. By the time Jay returned, it was dinner time, and Jess whipped up some ham sandwiches. They shared a cup of tea, and then, in the cosy kitchen of their student digs, Jay proposed. In a sweet twist, Jess accepted with the ring and proposed back. Just thirty minutes later, they attended a university event and excitedly shared the news with everyone

Modern Matrimony

In true modern style, Emma and Becky met on social media platform TikTok. "At the time, we weren't looking for a relationship but got chatting after Becky commented on my video (which is something she normally wouldn't do)," recalls Emma. "We exchanged numbers and spoke every day. We realised how much we had in common and knew we had something special. We fi rst met in Norwich and went for a meal and some drinks. As soon as we saw each other the attraction was there, and we just hit it off!"

Monochrome Magic

Ryan and Kay met in 2019 on a random Friday evening at their local social club where Ryan was playing darts for his team. "I'd arranged to meet a friend there for a catch up, and after a few vodkas, I'd mentioned to my friend that I liked the look of Ryan," recalls Kay. "Whilst I nipped to the ladies, unbeknown to me, my friend told Ryan exactly what I'd said. Whilst exiting the ladies, Ryan was stood there confi dently and said, 'Your mate told me what you said about me'. I wanted to die inside, I knew then that I had to play it cool, 'Did she?' I answered, and with that Ryan said 'Yeah, I'll see you later then', and with that he left the club. I went back in and spoke to my friend and before Ryan had even got to the exit, I'd sent him a friend request on Facebook. We met up again that night and have never gone a day without speaking since. Neither of us were looking for a relationship, I'd not long left an unhappy marriage, and Ryan was in his prime on Tinder!"

Run Away With Me

Amy and David met in modern fashion online through a dating app in 2019. "Chatting to him was instantly easy," recalls Amy. "He was funny, and conversation flowed immediately. When I first met him, I thought he had a gorgeous smile and beautiful, kind, bright blue eyes. It wasn't love at first sight, but I definitely got tummy tingles. He was very apologetic that he was late to our first date though!"

Love At First Sight

Cassie and Xander met in modern fashion on a dating app in 2021 and it was love at fi rst sight! "We moved very quickly because when you know you know!" shares Cassie. "Our fi rst date was at a chicken wing shop, outside in the freezing cold (we were just coming out of lockdown). It wasn't the most romantic start but we chatted and laughed all evening; we have a love of musical theatre in common and just clicked right away!"

Sail Away With Me

Emily and Alex met on a dating app when they were both living in Fulham, West London. Emily tells us their beginning, "Alex and I found we had similar values and life goals and constantly discovered our connections to similar places and interests, for example, I have family connections and spent several childhood holidays in Norfolk where Alex grew up and we now live! We also both have an interest in sailing and spending time on the water, we now spend our summers together on Alex's family boat on the Norfolk Broads."

After All This Time... Always

These two lovebirds met when we were 19 through mutual friends! They got on straight away and were great friends from the word go. After being together more than seven years and previously discussing marriage, they viewed a Harry Potter-related venue as they're huge fans of the franchise. They fell in love while looking around the spaces and decided to go for it and get married! Coming home having booked a wedding venue was a surprise for them both. The bride's engagement ring was her mother's, which is extremely special as she died when Elizabeth was only 10. So, this detail meant the world to Elizabeth.

Timeless Elegance

Jade and James had crossed paths as teenagers through mutual friends, but it wasn't until years later that they matched on Tinder. Despite the time apart, the early stages of their relationship felt incredibly natural; they weren't strangers at all. At that time, both were working unsociable hours, which made it challenging to see each other as often as they'd have liked. However, this only meant they cherished the quality moments they did have together even more. James always made Jade feel like a priority, making her realise he was the one for her.

Something Blue

Charlotte and Josh met at work 13 years ago and became good friends. "Five years later, a good friendship developed into dinner dates and we realised we didn't want to be apart," Charlotte tells us. "We moved in together shortly after and have spent the last eight years laughing, travelling and eating our way through life!"

Zest For Life

Jessie and Joe met via the dating app Tinder at the beginning of 2018. "I was attracted to Joe because he was funny and kind," Jessie tells us. "I was attracted to Jessie because of her gorgeous blue eyes and willingness to laugh at my jokes!" Joe adds.

Autumn Vibes

Nicole and Andy were introduced by a mutual friend during the summer of 2019 and met up on a date at a local pub soon after. "From our first date, it was clear that we got along well," they tell us. "We both have a good sense of humour, are family-orientated and enjoy countryside walks and pubs!"

Local Love

Emily and James begun their relationship at work. "Even though we were in different departments, we got chatting one day and realised we both grew up close by to each other and had plenty in common," Emily tells us.

Winter Wonderland

Qusai and Robyn met via mutual connections at work and started messaging via Instagram. "I was attracted to Robyn's carefree attitude," Qusai tells us while she was attracted to my kind eyes and smile. I knew how to make her laugh and be serious when needed!"

A Spring Affair

Charlie and Luke met at the yearly Bampton Charter Fair hosted in the village where they live. "Luke asked me out on a date and 12 years later, with two children, we decided to finally tie the knot!" Charlie tells us.

Memorable Moments

Helena and Sam met through a mutual friend who arranged for the group to get together for drinks. Although neither of them was actively dating at the time, they hit it off immediately and began a relationship. Their similar personalities made it easy for them to connect, and they quickly became inseparable. Seven years later, Sam proposed at Harlyn Bay in Cornwall; a place that held a special signifi cance for Helena since she spent her summer holidays there as a child. Sam had planned the entire trip as a surprise, and when he popped the question, it felt like the perfect culmination of their journey together, making it an unforgettable moment.

Woodland Wonderland

It started as just another typical day, a quick bus ride home from the university on the U2B, but today turned out to be anything but ordinary! Janice was laughing with her friends when she noticed Anton, who was recovering from a visit to A&E with his arm in a full cast. "Oh, hi!" she said. "What happened? Are you okay?" Just like that, a beautiful journey began! Fast forward three months, and they hadn't crossed paths since that day until they found themselves at the student bar on a Tuesday night. Their eyes locked once more, and Anton leaned closer to ask, "Care to dance?" From that instant, they were enveloped in each other's warmth, united by their kind spirits, a shared love for adventure, strong family values, and, of course, their undeniable charm! Then came the unforgettable moment on May 17th 2022, on the breathtaking Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.

Autumnal Vibes

These lovebirds met on a night out. Sophie spotted Ed from across the pub, surrounded by his friends, but soon, most of them decided to head to another bar. A couple of Ed's friends stayed behind, and Sophie found herself chatting with them. In a moment of honesty, she confided in one of their girlfriends that she thought Ed was good-looking. That little admission led them to the pub where Ed had gone. To avoid looking like a stranger following him, they crafted a backstory that made it seem like she knew the girlfriend. However, things took a humorous turn when one of Ed's friends approached him and blurted out that a girl had followed him in because she fancied him. They started talking before Ed asked her on a date.

Stand By Me

Charlie and Alice met on Hinge during lockdown and had their fi rst date the day the pubs reopened. What a day that was! Charlie was attracted to Alice's sense of humour, smile and love of sport. Alice was attracted to Charlie's handsome smile and the fact he also happened to be a Chelsea FC fan. Post lockdown, the pair moved to New York and worked and breathed city life there for 13 months.

Rustic Romance

Through the power of social media, Louise and Paul found each other. Louise remembers, "We both felt really comfortable in each other's company from day one. The proposal was a complete surprise as when I met him, he was very anti marriage due to his past experience."

My Forever Crush

Vadim was the keyboard player of the worldwide metal band Dragonforce, famous for fast heavy music and featured in Guitar Hero III and the Despicable Me 4 movie - Natalie was a fan of the band. The couple met at a Dragonforce concert where Natalie was photographing the show, and Vadim noticed her in the crowd and thought she was naturally beautiful and stood out. After meeting at the end of the show, they fell in love very fast and had the, 'when you know, you know' feeling. Natalie was already a fan and had posters of the band on her wall as a teenager, so she was really surprised that her crush noticed her and was interested in her.

After All This Time... Always

Danielle and Aaron met online in 2021 and spent their fi rst date in Liverpool where they visited Roxy Ballroom and played beer pong. "I think we were attracted to each other because of our common interests. We're both Harry Potter geeks, and like Disney, quizzes and travel. We're also close to our families and share similar values," Danielle says.

One Ring To Rule Them All

Stacey and Dan worked together at Debenhams, but didn't meet each other properly until after work drinks one evening. Despite not talking much, that night Stacey had a dream about Dan! In the dream she was married to him, and they were late for her best friends' wedding. "Which, quite frankly, I enjoyed," Stacey says. She told her best friend about it, who wasted no time in sharing the information with everyone she knew, including Dan! One morning, he found her changing the store's front window and proposed to her as a joke. Stacey was mortifi ed, but since then it's been a whirlwind of romance for the two of them and here they are today, married, just as Stacey predicted. "We both make each other laugh, which everyone around us loves, and we enjoy the banter we share. We never argue," Stacey shares.

Love In Lavender

Megan and Tom met at work and immediately felt comfortable around each other. They soon became fast friends having discovered plenty of mutual interests. "Mostly, we made each other laugh and really happy," Megan says. Tom proposed to Megan in August 2022, while on a family holiday in Spain. "We were all out together enjoying a meal and Tom suddenly dropped to one knee. I'm not sure it was the most romantic of settings, but it was a surprise and felt very special having our family with us to celebrate," Megan shares.

Love Is All Around

This couple crossed paths on their very fi rst day at university in Guildford, Surrey, and enjoyed a friendship for about eight months before becoming a couple. A mutual friend was the one who introduced them, and she remains a dear friend to this day. She had the honour of being Caitlin's maid-of-honour at her wedding – a little spoiler there! Greg proposed during a lovely walk in one of their favourite spots, and he had planned an exciting day in London fi lled with delicious food, drinks and exploring the city. While it was a surprise that day, they had previously discussed getting engaged.

It Must Be Love, Love, Love

Vicky and Jamie met at work in East London, and an offi ce romance soon blossomed into something more after lunchbreaks together and after-work drinks. "Things escalated one evening after work which ended up with us singing Backstreet Boys and trying to ballroom dance in the karaoke room!" recalls Vicky.

Made You Blush

Sarah and Ben met at work and were friends for many years before they grew close through social events. "We were both attending an exercise class and went for a drink after one session, and the rest is history!" shares Sarah. "Ben proposed to me on Christmas Day 2021 at my sister's house with my family – it was a total surprise! He wrapped the ring up as a 'pass the parcel' game and got my niece and nephew involved – which was special to me; he got them wearing T-shirts asking me the question 'Will you marry me?' which they revealed at the end."

Te Amo Te Amo

Lucy met Hugo when they were teenagers, "Hugo was at an all boys school when I attended and all girls school. I was attracted to Hugo's beautiful twilight eyes and thick black hair. We were the same age but he was very mature and really kind and caring; he always had lots of interesting things to tell me." Hugo adds, "Lucy also had beautiful eyes, she was so shy and cute."

Made With Love

Beckie and Michael met while working together at The Sidcot Arms, Winscombe. Michael was head chef and Beckie worked front of house. They both lived in the hotel and Michael would knock on Beckie's door to wake her up for 6am shifts and gave her cuddles in the kitchen to warm her up on cold winter mornings. Soon, they fell in love.

Once Upon An Autumn Day

Kate met The Honourable Hilary Wise, or Hils as he's known to her, through mutual friends. "He has a good sense of humour, and genuinely cares for people," she tells us. When he proposed to her at home in 2023, it was a complete surprise. They followed her "yes" with a celebratory trip to London where lots of surprises had been arranged for her including dinner at the chef's table at Gordon Ramsey's Lucky Cat and a theatre trip to see Dirty Dancing.

Mountain High

Megan told the story of how she met James best in her wedding speech: "We didn't romantically bump into each other in our favourite coffee shop, instead we met on the well-known dating site, Hinge. When I came across James, I couldn't believe my eyes. The first photo showed him in an open water wetsuit, the next he was on a road bike, the next on skis... I thought 'wow'! He looks like the fun, outdoorsy guy I'm after! It turns out he posted six photos from a single triathlon that his brother forced him to do three years prior and he rather prefers lying horizontally on the sofa drinking beer and binge watching The Office. I'd been catfished!" All jokes aside, the two hit it off from their first date, when they discovered plenty of similar interests and aspirations for their future. They both love travelling, trying new food and spending time with friends and family.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Helen met Dan when he joined the company she worked for. Over time they became friends, eventually best friends. Six years later, they realised their strong connection was something more and became a couple. "We call ourselves split-aparts (Plato's theory of soulmates) and constantly share the same thought at the same time. It's kind of spooky actually," Helen says. "We laugh at the same things and are impossibly co-dependent, which in turn makes everyone else laugh at us!"

Irish Charm

Ronan proposed to Gráinne outside the house where they fi rst kissed in White Street, Brighton. The couple live in Ireland, but met in Brighton, which was where it all began for them back in 2011.

Childhood Sweethearts

Emily and Adam met at school when they were 15. "We passed each other in the school hallway and I smiled at him and he instantly fell in love," says Emily. "We got together in 2015 and from then on we've been inseparable." Adam proposed at The Borrowdale Hotel on the couple's sixth anniversary. "The Borrowdale Hotel is a very special place to me and my family," shares the bride. "My grandma passed away when I was 10 and we often go there on the anniversary of her death and for other occasions, because it was a special place for her and my grandad. The proposal was a complete surprise! I couldn't quite believe it because I never thought we would get married. He had gone to speak to my parents a couple of days before about proposing and was so nervous he drove past their house numerous times before building up the courage to do it. After our meal we went to go see my parents to tell them the news and they gave us flowers and a card because they knew I would say yes. We then went to tell Adam's dad and step mam, who were equally as excited and happy for us."

Gorgeously Green

My first memory of George is him drunkenly giving me a fireman's lift during freshers week at university," Alice says. The two lived in the same halls accommodation and were part of the same friendship group. It wasn't until they moved into a shared house of 10 people for their second year that they grew closer. The two shared the same taste in music, which led to George offering Alice his spare concert ticket to see The Killers. Despite trying to convince their families that they were just friends, George asked her out a few weeks later.

Boho Romance

Cole and I connected through a dating app and engaged in endless conversations. We decided to meet up for a hike with our two dogs, Chewie and Chauncey. Within the same year, we moved in together next to the trail where we had our fi rst date.

Festival Of Love

Olivia and Lewis met at a festival when they were teenagers. "We became really good friends and would always bump into each other on nights out," says Olivia. "A couple of years later, Lewis made the move and sent me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on Valentine's Day, and we have been together ever since."

It's The Little Things

These two lovebirds fi rst crossed paths at university, where they lived right next door in their fi rst-year dorms. A mutual friend played matchmaker, and it wasn't long before they discovered their shared passion for baking and outdoor adventure – the rest was history! One beautiful day, Andrew chose a picturesque spot in the countryside for a special moment: he planned to propose. He had always envisioned asking the big question surrounded by nature and was determined to keep it a secret. For weeks, he'd been hiding the ring in his sock drawer, all while nervously hoping that Emma wouldn't catch a glimpse of the oddly shaped box tucked away in his coat pocket during their walk. As they strolled along, the anticipation was almost palpable, making that moment even more special when he fi nally dropped to one knee.

Memorable Moments

Nearly eight years ago, these lovebirds crossed paths on a dating app called Tinder, and it was a match! Sam messaged her for a while, but Danielle wasn't quite ready to dive in at fi rst. Coming out of a not-so-great relationship, she wanted to take things slow. However, he didn't give up. He reached out again and asked if she'd like to meet, planning a beautiful date that included a trip to the theatre followed by a nice meal. Of course, things didn't go quite as planned! Somehow, it turned into a double date with her friend tagging along, making the whole night a bit unconventional. But honestly, it turned out to be perfect in its own way, and it ended up being the best date Danielle could have imagined. From that moment, she knew Sam was different. She felt butterfl ies in her stomach and couldn't believe how safe and happy he made her feel. He even brought her to tears—happy tears, no less—on their very fi rst date! What attracted Danielle to Sam was his kindness and authenticity. The fact that he was a dad was a huge green fl ag for her. He was thoughtful, genuine, and full of love. From day one, she just knew he was the one, and the rest, as they say, is history

Match Made In Heaven

This couple fi rst crossed paths while working at a retail job, where their shifts overlapped. Robert took on the night shifts while Louise worked during the day. From their fi rst meeting, it was evident they had a unique connection, and the rest is truly a beautiful story! Robert surprised Louise with a proposal in the stunning Lake District, where he had arranged for their hotel room to be decorated before he got down on one knee.

Our Happily Ever After

Lucy and Jack met through a mutual friend. "She introduced us eight years ago and she still likes to refer to herself as Cupid to this day," says Lucy. "Jack proposed while we were on a break in Devon. We had a picnic on the beach at Durdle Door and watched the sunset when he popped the question. It was a massive surprise!"

Festive Romance

Emma and Stephen met in 2014 through a mutual friend. "We hit it off immediately and found we had so much in common, including our love of Italy, wine, music and food," says Emma. "Stephen had fractured his collarbone, so he couldn't drive, so our first date was actually drinking espresso at his house and we ended up talking for hours. Our second date was at the Salt House in Ipswich and we both felt a real connection – although Stephen regretted his choice of ordering a steak as he struggled to cut it up due to his collarbone injury!"

Childhood Sweethearts

Lucy and Toby met during their last year of secondary school. "We had similar interests and senses of humour," says Lucy. "Funnily enough, we bonded during missed PE lessons – I maintain I had a legitimate injury; Toby had no such excuse!"Toby popped the question on Christmas Day in their living room. "We're both big fans of Christmas," shares the bride. "He had put the ring inside of an ornament hanging on the tree and rearranged the Christmas lights to lead up to it."

Bold and Beautiful

Emily and Ted were introduced by mutual friends. Ted's best man is a local farmer with a younger sister named Sasha, who happens to be one of Emily's good friends. Their first encounter took place at Sasha's birthday celebration in Fulham. At that moment, Emily was in a relationship, so nothing significant occurred between them, but they certainly caught each other's attention. Ted had a bit of a crush on Emily, and she recalls him being quite charming. A few months later, after ending her relationship, Emily took the initiative to message Ted directly. Just like that, their love story began!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Julia and Tom connected through a dating app during lockdown. They chose a nearby park, maintaining a safe distance to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines for their fi rst meeting. They enjoyed playing board games and munching on cookies. Tom shared that Julia's smile and playful humour initially attracted him. Meanwhile, Julia was captivated by Tom's ginger hair and gentle personality – the rest was history!

Love Story

Charlotte and Sam met back in secondary school, so they've known each other since they were about 12 years old. For a while, they weren't particularly close friends. That changed when they started studying together after school for their A-levels. Ironically, it wasn't until after graduation that they began dating, just before heading off to separate universities more than 100 miles apart. Sam made it a point to travel home nearly every weekend to visit Charlotte, while she juggled her studies and work shifts. He was drawn to her caring and selfless nature. He appreciates her adventurous spirit and how she always encourages him to step outside of his comfort zone. Charlotte was initially attracted to Sam's calm and soothing demeanour. As they grew closer, she fell in love with his unwavering loyalty to his loved ones and fierce dedication to their well-being. Sam is the calm in any storm for her, the yin to her yang.

Pretty In Pink

Charlotte and Andy met while working at Flackwell Heath Golf Club but never spoke to one another. "It wasn't until 10 years later via a dating app that our paths crossed again," Charlotte tells us.

La Dolce Vita

Emma and Dan met via the dating app Hinge but had unknowingly been at a party together a few months beforehand. "Dan moved into my brother's house as a tenant and was living with my brother's best friend!" Emma tells us.

Summer Lovin'

Sam and Ben met at university back in 2013. "We were in the same college and became friends very quickly," they tell us. "We both share a good sense of humour and we think that attracted us to each other!"

A Day To Remeber

Emily and Charlie met in 2013 when they both attended the same school in Derbyshire. They've been together ever since and, says Emily, "Charlie has always been the funniest person in the room. He's also extremely kind and caring." It was all of these traits that attracted her to him.

Pretty In Pink

These lovebirds met on Tinder in July 2020 in that brief Covid window when people were allowed back outside in the summer together. Jemima recalls, "We definitely clicked over our shared sense of humour on our first date, and Hassan's charming moves convinced me to give him a second chance. I had just returned from living abroad, and Hassan had recently moved to London, so we enjoyed exploring the city together that summer. It felt really special that we met, especially since I hadn't planned to be back in London that summer – everything had to fall into place for us to meet, and I'm so grateful it did."

Fun In The Sun

Ellie and Ricky met in 2012 at Broad Haven Beach in Haverfordwest. "He was a popular boy who I thought was attractive, but nothing ever happened as he was too old for me at the time," says Ellie. "Fast forward to 2014, when he took a fancy to me dressed up as a bobsleigher and we've been together ever since."

You Make My Heart Skip A Beat

Kath and Dan met through St John Ambulance Cymru. "Dan was my daughter's cadet offi cer and when he found out that I was a member years ago, he encouraged me to come back as a parent helper, which I did," says Kath. "One year my son had the honour of carrying the St John Ambulance Badger standard in a Remembrance Parade. As a proud mam, I put the photo on social media, saying, 'Proud mam seeing my boy carrying this fl ag this morning'. Dan saw the post and quickly sent me a private message saying, 'It's called a standard,' and that's how our friendship somehow started. The thing that attracted us to each other was how similar we both are; we enjoy a bit of banter and we just bounce off each other. We constantly laugh and joke!"

Step Into Spring

Aisling and Liam met during their first week at dance school. "Liam was in his first year of the course and I was doing the foundation year," says Aisling. "We met at a house party and were friends for about eight months before starting a relationship."

Going For Gold

Chelsea and James met back in 2013 at the pub. James played for the local football team and Chelsea had gone along with her mum who played for the darts team. "I'd noticed James, and could appreciate that he was a good looking boy, but as he'd just fi nished playing football he was sweaty, still in his kit and had fl ip fl ops on," Chelsea says. "It defi nitely wasn't love at fi rst sight!" It was Chelsea's mum's friend who commented they'd look good together and asked for her phone number to give to James. Happily, once they started talking, they realised how similar they were and found plenty in common. "We have the same sense of humour, same values and are equally as sarcastic as each other," Chelsea shares. They started dating around six months later and the rest is history... well, almost!

Four's Company

Sisters Asher and Ellis got engaged at a similar time, so Asher and fiancé Mike waited for Ellis and John to confirm their date first, allowing them to tie the knot within the following month or two. When away on a weekend away together as a group, the topic of a double wedding came up as a joke. "We were quite a few drinks deep at this point, so we can't remember who exactly suggested it,"

Our Happily Ever After

Fate seemed to draw Marite and Artis to each other. "One week before we met, Marite recorded a video of someone singing at an open mic, which later turned out to be a video of me," says Artis. "So, in a way, our story began before we officially met. We actually met at Marite's friend's birthday party, where I ended up by sheer coincidence as some people who I met during the day at a Couchsurfing meetup invited me to come along.

The Great Outdoors

Cacy and Josh met at Cacy's Halloween party. "Josh was invited by a friend of a friend," says Cacy. "He turned up with one of his best men, Aakash, and I thought they were a couple, so I was slightly disappointed. It was not until 3am that Josh had the courage to talk to me, and at this point I was in my pyjamas and ready to go to bed. I wished Josh and Aakash a safe journey home, to which Josh replied, 'How will you know we got home safe if I don't have your number?' and the rest is history."

Dreamy Romance

Chelsea and Scott met at work and would regularly talk over coffee as friends. "When we realised that there was much more to our relationship and that we had lots in common, we decided to try dating," says Chelsea. "Our love of rum, holidays and reality TV has brought us closer than I ever imagined possible. Almost three years later, we're living together and are now married."

Festival of Love

Elaine and Richard met in secondary school before losing touch and bumping into each other on a night out in 2009. "After 10 years together, I proposed in February 2020," says Elaine. "It was a leap year and I wrote on a chalkboard that had a scratch card attached, will you marry me?"

A Weekend Wedding Celebration

Tripti and Richard met online after both swiping right, and the rest is history. "I was drawn to Richard's kind nature and sense of humour, while he was captivated by my energy and passion for life," Tripti tells us.

Bold and Beautiful

Max and Julia's romance blossomed through their shared friends, Leo and Ally. Max and Ally have been friends since childhood, having grown up with the same childminder. While at university, Max met Leo and later introduced him to Ally, which eventually led to their wedding. Julia, who attended university with Ally, first crossed paths with Max at the York races in 2016, and they instantly connected.

True Love

These two lovebirds were introduced by their friends while at university. They joined a group to catch a rugby match in Cardiff, and by the night's end, they spent time alone together. Ella was the fi rst to ask for Adam's number in their friends' Facebook group chat. They clicked instantly, sharing the same sense of humour and feeling at ease being playful with one another

Rustic Romance

In 2015, these lovebirds crossed paths. Both had been through lengthy relationships before – Corinne for 27 years and David for 16 years – and each had children from those past unions. They wanted a true-life partner rather than just a fleeting romance. Interestingly, they met on Tinder, an app often linked with casual encounters. They both swiped right, and soon after, David reached out to Corinne while watching Spectre in a nearly empty cinema on the Isle of Wight. Coincidentally, Corinne was also at the cinema, attending a black-tie charity event and watching the same film simultaneously. Their conversation flowed easily, covering topics like their recent breakups, their kids, their passions, and what they wanted in a partner

A Spring Elopement

After 11 years together as a couple Steve proposed to Maria in their kitchen. "I responded by saying "yes" and after wiping away tears, the perfect ring was presented to me," Maria says. "The rest, as they say, is now part of our history."

Steeped In History

Amina and Leo met at The Totnes Brewing Company. "His laugh, height, and desire to help others through his volunteer work helping refugees and the homeless attracted me to him," Amina tells us. Leo adds, "I loved Amina's ambition, courage and how she looks at life."

Falling In Love

Online dating soon turned to true love for Jenine and Michael. In front of family and friends on Jenine's birthday, Michael popped the question – and it was a resounding yes! Wedding planning commenced and on 21st October 2024 they tied the know at Little Channels.

Where Flowers Bloom So Does Love

Ally and Stuart met at work. Both taking on overtime simply to spend more time together, they knew they were more than friends. Love blossomed and before they knew it, they were buying their fi rst home and welcoming a new addition to the family. Ally was eight months' pregnant when Stuart proposed, and of course, she said, yes!

Full Of The Joys Of Spring

Lois and Kieran met through a mutual friend in 2016. Following a few years of dating, under the warm Milan sun, Kieran popped the question. The ring, specially designed by Kieran, fitted perfectly! Delighted, they celebrated their engagement with Champagne, followed by an evening out at a gorgeous Italian restaurant. Wedding planning commenced and Lois and Kieran Handford said their vows on 11th April 2024 at Braxted Park Estate

All White On The Nigh

Although Nejma and John had bumped into each other a few times since they lived so close, they didn't meet offi cially until Nejma's 18th birthday party where she surprised John with a running man dance routine! They became inseparable. "I was attracted to his piercing green eyes and sense of humour," Nejma shares. While John says, "She was really good looking and a really bad dancer!"

Autumnal Romance

Alice and Tom met in the pub on Christmas Eve 2013. Alice was trying to break up a fi ght between mutual friends at the time, and Tom swept in to pull her away. "He'll say it as my bright orange hair that attracted him, while I love the fact that he just wasn't fazed by the drama unfolding around him and fully focused on me," Alice remembers. "I also thought he had great fashion sense, although his choice of socks really had me questioning that on our wedding day!"

A Taste Of Italy

Lucy and Matt met at the MMA Academy in Liverpool where Lucy had joined the Muay Thai class and Matt was a coach and fighter. It wasn't love at first sight and they took a while to pluck up the (Dutch) courage to take things further on a night out in the City. "It was definitely a case of opposites attract," Lucy says. "Neither of us was each other's type, but somehow it seems to work and within a few weeks we were living together!"

Love Is All Around

Katie and Andrew knew each other from the village where they lived. "We both had previous relationships and found a friendship that grew into soulmates," they tell us. "Andrew is the kindest, most gentle and generous man," adds Katie while Andrew says, "Katie has the biggest smile and most beautiful eyes and is caring and loving."Andrew proposed in Porthleven after asking Katie's dad in person for his permission. "He just felt the time was right for our next chapter," Katie explains.

Garden Party

Harriet and Tom met on the dating app Bumble in 2017. "Our first date was at the Oyster Shed, a wine bar along the River Thames by London Bridge where we immediately hit it off and after hours of non-stop talking, we arranged our second date for just two days later," Harriet tells us. "We had so much in common and we bonded over our love of travel, dogs and family."

A Pure Love

Sophie and Matthew met on Tinder and chatted for a few weeks before deciding to meet. Matthew picked Sophie up and took her to Macdonalds for a milkshake. "It wasn't a big deal but we had the best day ever," she remembers. When he dropped her back home, he asked her to come to his car boot. Sophie wondered what he was playing at but went anyway. There she found 11 big red roses waiting for her. "It's safe to say that from this moment, I knew he was the one for me," she shares.

Love Without Borders

Isi and Stu met on Tinder. "We swiped right and whoo we were a match," Isi says. A very successful match as it turns out since Stu ultimately decided to propose. He took her to watch Liverpool play at Anfi eld for the fi rst time and booked an overnight stay for them in the city. While there, they paid a visit to the Liver Building and took a tour to the top. Here, as Isi was busy taking selfi es, Stu got down on one knee and proposed with Anfi eld in the background. After she said "yes" he presented her with a football jersey bearing the words "I said 'yes'" and the number 23 on the back, the year of the proposal.

When You Wish Upon A Star

Being alone during the pandemic had a profound affect on Kelly. It allowed her to slow down and reflect on what she cherished in life. She realised that she hadn't been prioritising what she really wanted: her own family. So, on her birthday she made a wish and a decision to meet her soulmate. That night she created her profile on a dating website. The next morning she woke up to an amazing message from Erika. "I knew I had to respond, and it was the best thing I ever did," she says. By the time it was safe for the couple to meet, Kelly already knew Erika was the one. "Meeting her was like coming home," she explains, "I've never been more certain of anything in my life." Wishes really do come true.

An Intimate Day

Phoebe and Greg met through Phoebe's mum, Susie who introduced them. "She was Greg's manager for a few years in a job he had while also studying at university and she thought he would make the perfect son-in-law!" Phoebe tells us. "She used to let Greg leave work early so that we could go on dates and when I started working in the same job, she would assign us to the same shifts. We used to have such fun working together and were both always desperate to spend more time together - she was a great matchmaker!"

A Touch Of Class

Amy and Peter met at a mutual friend's wedding reception. Peter asked Amy to dance and the connection was instant. From that moment they both knew they'd found their 'one' and the rest is history.

Hearts Of Gold

With plans of a proposal up a mountain on a Northern Lights tour, scuppered, Mike instead asked Helen to be his wife on a lazy Saturday morning having tea and toast in bed. It was a huge yes, of course. Mr and Mrs Hall tied the knot at Southminster Hall, followed by a party at their family home on 3rd August 2024.

You Are My Morning Light

Tom proposed to Natalie at a Caamp gig, their favourite band, in November 2022. Natalie describes the moment, "I didn't think he was going to propose yet as he had his great grandmother's ring that he wanted to redesign for me as an engagement ring and I knew that hadn't happened. The week before the gig, I told him about how my friend had a 'stunt' ring (which Tom had never heard of) so I was even more convinced he wasn't going to propose. But on the night in between songs, Tom kissed me on the check – I didn't really acknowledge it because I was watching the band, then he held my hand and said, 'you are my morning light' (inspiration from Caamp lyrics) and then went down on one knee and presented a ring! I screamed, didn't say yes, just grabbed the ring out of the box and put it on my finger. We both cried and Tom said, 'I take that as a yes.'"

Love Actually

Jessie and Matt met jumping over fire together as part of a Spartan race! "We were in the same team together as we had a mutual friend," recalls Jessie. "Matt used to try and impress me by lifting heavy weights during our training sessions. I loved how much fun he was and how kind he could be."

Fly Me To The Moon

Robin and Matt met in New Zealand during fl ight training. "It was my fi rst night in the country and I met Matt at the welcome party," recalls Robin. "The theme was silly shirts and Matt walked in dressed in a crisp white shirt which really stood out from the many Hawaiian shirts. We spoke most of the night and he persuaded me to join everyone heading into town and said, "there's a myth that a night out fi xes jet lag". He was defi nitely wrong about that, but we started dating soon after.

A Dream-Worthy Day

Michael and Chantell were together for four wonderful years before they decided to get engaged. Their connection was instant, fueled by their similar personalities, and they were destined to be a couple. The day after celebrating Chantell's 35th birthday during a weekend getaway to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, one of her favourite places, Michael surprised Chantell by proposing. It was a moment she would never forget! Together, they planned the perfect wedding with showstopping touches.

Our Happily Ever After

Amy and Daniel fi rst laid eyes on each other in a nightclub in 2014. "My friend Louis introduced me to his cousin Daniel, and we got talking," says Amy. "I soon found out that Daniel was the most down-to-earth and kindest person I have ever met. He always said that from the moment we met, he loved me. We literally spent every day together from then until now."

Fall In Love

Samara and Tom met at work. "Tom was hired to join the same team as me," says Samara. "We just instantly clicked and became friends, but it quickly developed into something more than friendship!"Tom proposed during a surprise trip to Paris for Samara's 30th birthday. "One evening we walked down to the Eiffel Tower and he got down on one knee," shares the bride. "He asked me to marry him and we were over the moon."

The City Of Love

Amie and Elise met when Elise joined the local women's football team that Amie had set up. "We quickly hit it off and started hanging out at group outings with the team, enjoying each other's company more and more," says Amie. "As time went on, our friendship grew into something deeper, and before we knew it, our group outings turned into dates. One thing led to another, and we fell in love, beginning our beautiful journey together."

Love Is A Drug

Steph and Abhi met through work, both being pharmacists working in the NHS. The two attended a medical conference in Basel, Switzerland, and after a few drinks and moves on the dancefl oor, they shared a kiss, and the rest is history! It wasn't long after this that Covid hit and the two formed their own bubble, supporting each other throughout this diffi cult time.

Wedfest!

Catherine and Mike are both police offi cers and met through work. The fi rst team Catherine joined after training college was Mike's and there was an instant spark between them. The more they got to know each other the more they realised how similar they are. When they both had Valentine's Day off in their shift pattern, they seized the opportunity and went on their fi rst date. Shortly after, Covid hit and the couple moved in together; it made sense as being key workers, they both had to continue working throughout the pandemic. "Long walks and many games of Scrabble and Monopoly kept us sane!" Catherine remembers.

True Love

This charming couple crossed paths on the dancefl oor of a neighbourhood pub, where they instantly fell for each other's incredible dancing skills – the rest is history! Adi popped the question the instant Adele stepped indoors after her trip to Thailand, where he had been home taking care of the dog. It was such an unexpected moment!

One Ring To Rule Them All

Tegen and Sam met at the University of Brighton. Sam lived with a mutual friend and she first laid eyes on him at a gathering at her digs. Although they didn't speak much that night, when Sam posted a few days later that they'd be hosting a barbecue over at theirs, Tegen responded to ask if she could join them. Unfortunately, the barbie didn't go ahead, but Tegen invited Sam over to watch films and chill with her housemates instead. "I fell in love with him the third time I met him," Tegen shares. "I arranged to take our housemates down to the beach one day and picked Sam up on the way. When we got to the beach we were inseparable." They spent the next week together and became official a month later. "I fell in love with his ocean blue eyes, curly hair and dark sense of humour," Tegen continues. "Since then, he's been such a gentleman, he always takes care of me, and we always put each other first above anyone else. He's my safe space, home and heart."

Love Al Fresco

This lovely couple found each other on Tinder! Justyna was drawn to Aaron's easygoing personality and willingness to embrace new ideas. Plus, she thought he had a fantastic jawline! After connecting on the app, they wasted no time arranging a coffee date. Justyna is stunning, so Aaron felt a bit starstruck when they fi rst met. As they chatted, it became clear they had so much in common and they walked away from that fi rst date, feeling something signifi cant had just begun.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Molly and Chris met when they were both working at a racecourse. "We had a team-building day, at which point we had never met and were partnered against each other," says Molly. "Sparks soon started fl ying, and we found out we are very competitive! A few months after dating, we travelled to New Zealand and Hong Kong in a van with a tent on top of it. Chris soon learnt my love of planning everything and I discovered Chris' love of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wine! Everyone thought it was going to be a disaster trip, but it was the start of our amazing adventure in life together and we can't wait to take our two boys back."

Our Happily Ever After

Louise and Naomi met on a dating app in late 2021. "We were both attracted to each other's love of family, travel and food," says Louise. "I proposed to Naomi on her 30th birthday at Drusillas Park Zoo during a penguin encounter. Naomi has an extreme love for penguins and this had been on her bucket list for many years. I had been working secretly with zoo keepers to arrange the surprise proposal during the encounter. I had rolled a secret note in an egg, which Naomi had to search the penguin beach to fi nd. When she found it, it read, 'roses are red, violets are blue; turn around; I have something to ask you', and I was behind her on one knee."

Our Dream Day

Emma and Bradley met each other online. "We had a short first date due to being interrupted by a pub quiz," says Emma. "I was attracted to Bradley because of his kind nature and good looks."

Love All Around

This charming couple crossed paths at a friend's gathering, and their chats seemed to come naturally as if they had known each other forever. They spent the whole evening laughing and relishing each other's presence – the rest is history!Time fl ew by, and Matt popped the question at home right after the couple set up the Christmas tree. Later, Charlotte learned afterwards that she kept ruining all of his proposal ideas as her working hours changed for a period of time.

True Love

This couple fi rst crossed paths at a house party during their last year of university. Jenn took the initiative to initiate a conversation with Jake, not knowing that he had spotted her a few times at the gym nearby. From that day forward, their story began to unfold.Jake proposed in Croatia and, aside from noticing he was acting a bit suspicious with his cabin bag, Jenn had no idea what was coming! The proposal took place during a lovely evening stroll on a headland that offered a stunning view of the harbour. It was completely secluded, with no one else in sight – it was absolutely perfect.

Bound Harmony

This couple first crossed paths in high school but reconnected during the 2020 lockdown, sparking their reconnection. Matt was captivated by Emily's beauty. He admired her kind and caring nature and her wonderful sense of humour. Emily appreciated his kindness and sensitivity. He has a big, soft heart that she truly adores.

Meant To Be

Julie and Steve met on a dating site, and over time, their relationship blossomed. In 2022, for their one-year anniversary, Steve got down on one knee and proposed, which was a big surprise for Julie.

Falling In Love

Laura and Joe met at a nightclub while at University in Southampton. At the time Laura's best friend was dating Joe's best friend. She set the two up, and the rest, as they say, is history!

Apple Of My Eye

Elsie and Lily met at a mutual friend's birthday party. "At the time, Lily was uncertain of her sexuality," Elsie explains, "But I knew the minute I saw her that I was going to fall in love with this girl! I chased her around the party, both young and nervous. She got her dad to pick her up immediately!" After frightening Lily off, the two spent several years being friends with Lily trying everything to avoid falling in love with Elsie. However, one lockdown later Lily fi nally bit the bullet and kissed Elsie one evening. From there, their relationship blossomed. "We're defi nitely the defi nition of opposites attract," Elsie continues. "Lily is quiet and I'm wild and loud, but our two personalities just melt together perfectly. Where one falls, the other lifts us up. Although, we'll never agree on who's funnier!"

A Dream Of A Day

Emily and Chris met during their university years in Plymouth. They were introduced by a mutual friend, and that's where their story began. "Aside from her obvious good looks, within only a few minutes of speaking, I knew there was something more between us," Chris shares. The two enjoyed an evening of chatting over drinks and haven't stopped enjoying each other's company since. "Emily is known for finding the best deals out there, but I think I won when it came to finding her that day," Chris continues. "At full price and worth every penny, she is my world! We've shared more than a decade of memories and milestones including graduations, landing our first professional jobs, buying our first home together, and travelling the world side by side. None of which would have been possible without our attentiveness to one another and the love we share."

A Beautiful Berkshire Day

Laura and Adrian enjoyed a great fi rst date which sparked the beginning of their romance. "Adrian was standing waiting outside the bar that we arranged to meet in for 20 minutes while I was sitting inside the bar, also waiting!" Laura tells us. "Both of us assumed that we had been stood up! We both turned around, caught each other's eye through the window and that was it."

Monochrome Magic

Vanessa and Dom met on Tinder in 2017. "Dom had a great photograph of him on a boat somewhere tropical and also playing golf which was an instant attraction for me," Vanessa tells us. Dom adds, "Vanessa had a selection of photos which showcased her lovely eyes and brown hair." The couple enjoyed their first date at an Italian restaurant and soon became inseparable. "We moved in together during the autumn of 2018, survived the lockdown in a one-bedroom flat and purchased a house together during the summer of 2021," they tell us.

A Spring Affair

Claire and Adam met through friends during a trip to St. Ives in Cornwall. "Adam proposed to me at home," Claire says. "He had placed rose petals and candles around our house ready for when I came home from work one Friday evening. My Universe by Coldplay was playing in the background and it was all so romantic."

In An English Country Garden

Jordan and Mark met via friends while studying at university and would often see each other at parties. In fact, it was one birthday party in particular where they really hit it off, but it was just when Jordan was about to move to London for work. However, they didn't give up and met up in London for a few dates, as well as embarking on a long distance relationship with Mark remaining in Leeds. Happily, everything worked beautifully for the couple and seven months later, Jordan moved back up to Yorkshire.

Monochrome Magic

Harriet and David met through mutual friends. "We lived in neighbouring villages and when a friend shared our numbers, we started texting," says Harriet. "I had absolutely no interest in David to begin with, then he convinced me to go on a date with him, to which I reluctantly agreed. He made me laugh like no one has before and that was it! We've been inseparable ever since! We definitely believed we were each other's other half and it's still the same nine years later!"

Classic Elegance

Lauren and Rob met through work in 2015. "I thought he was really charming and we got on really well," says Lauren. "Our relationship grew and in 2023, Rob proposed while we were in Cardiff. We went back to the fi rst hotel that we stayed in together and I had no idea that he was going to pop the question. It caught me by complete surprise."

Summer Loving

Megan and Simon met in their third year of university. "I was running a social for some of the students and a mutual friend introduced us," says Megan. "Simon immediately caught my eye, and the three of us ended up getting dinner before the social started. We started out as just friends, but there was a clear connection there from the beginning; we had the same sense of humour, enjoyed the same movies, were both close with our families and loved dogs. A few months later, we had our fi rst offi cial date on Valentine's Day and the rest is history."

Burning Love

Sinead and Harry met online in 2016 and quickly discovered a mutual love/hate relationship with Bradford City, as well as a passion for music. Responding to the many hints Sinead had been dropping, Harry casually proposed in 2023, which suited the couple perfectly.

It's Only Natural

Spain is a place very close to Verity's heart having spent every summer there as a child. So, when Jonny decided to propose, this was where he took her. Hiring a boat, they went out to sea to watch the dolphins. Mesmerised as they swam past, Verity didn't initially notice until she turned around that Jonny was down on one knee holding out her engagement ring. "It was the best surprise ever and a very magical moment," she remembers.

Monochrome Magic

Sam, who hailed from Canada, had come to London expecting a two-year adventure before returning home. As her trip neared its end, she packed her bags and was ready to return when her job surprised her with an exciting offer and sponsorship. This was fantastic news, but she also needed to fi nd a new place to live quickly since she had already given up her fl at. She turned to the London fl atshare app, Spareroom, searching for a spot in East London—unbeknownst to her, just down the street from her future wedding venue. There, she discovered the ideal room listed by a charming stranger named Jack, who was planning to move back home to save some money. Sam was instantly drawn to the room, and Jack graciously showed her around. After putting down her deposit, Jack invited her over that weekend to meet the other fl atmates.

Oh-so Elegant

These lovebirds met through friends at Hakkasan in London over a green destiny cocktail, and the rest is history! Fast-forward to 2015, and Sasha was completely surprised when Jonathan proposed in Venice on a water taxi.

Rustic Romance

Christina and Aaron met at a mutual friend's fancy dress birthday party. "We were coincidentally wearing pretty much the same outfi t!" Christina tells us.

City Chic

Chris worked as a Project Manager on commercial construction projects in central London. At the same time, Becky was and continues to be an interior designer specialising in workplace environments when they first crossed paths. Their initial meeting occurred during an interview that Becky held, and she was truly impressed by their work. That connection blossomed into a lasting relationship - the rest is history!

In Full Bloom

Amina and Corey met during freshers week in September 2013 at the University of Nottingham. "We both attended a party with an army theme, and there was an immediate mutual attraction and connection between us – despite the camoufl age!" Amina tells us.

Vikings Ahoy!

Nicole and Arron met via an online dating website during the lockdown and realised they shared mutual friends. "We quickly became friends and then fell in love," they tell us. "We share a quirky sense of humour, a thirst for adventure and we are both spontaneous with very similar personalities."

A Royal Occasion

Amy and Alex met at work. "I think looks were the initial attraction, and I loved how good Alex was with his son," says Amy. "Alex proposed while we were skiing in Les Gets, France, in April 2022. We were at a friend's charity event, and by pure coincidence, I actually won the raffl e and had to go on the stage. As I looked around, Alex was coming towards me and getting down on one knee. This was really out of character, as Alex is really shy and doesn't like attention. He had gotten the DJ to play my favourite song. It was so lovely to be there with most of his family watching. I then rang all my family and friends back in the UK in hysterical tears, showing off my beautiful ring!"

Boho Romance

Hayley and Ed met while they were both working at an insurance company 10 years ago. "We reconnected several years later and have been inseparable since," says Ed. "We share the same values, a laid-back approach to life and a love of animals." "I proposed to Hayley at Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, which has a beautiful view overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera House," shares the groom. "Hayley lived in Australia for a few years and I knew it would be special to do it in a place that she holds dear. I asked her to pose for a photo against the backdrop and then dropped to one knee. Based on her shocked reaction and happy tears, I would say it was a big surprise." The couple sh

Childhood Sweethearts

Samantha and Joseph fi rst met while out with friends when they were 14 years old. "We didn't say hello to each other, but that evening Joseph added me on Facebook and we spoke for four days before Joseph asked me out," says Samantha. "I found Joseph to be very handsome and talking to him felt so easy and he always made me laugh."

Out Of The Blue

Chris proposed to Alexandra at Charingworth Manor in the Cotswolds just before sunset in the September of 2020. "We'd gone away to celebrate Chris' birthday and he surprised me by proposing with a speech about our time together on a hillside with a glorious view of the countryside," Alexandra remembers. The couple had met as students while studying at the University of Manchester.

Deco and Downton

Corrine and Matt met at university when they moved into the same f latshare. They'd make excuses to hang out with each other and their f latmates would often find them in the kitchen making numerous cups of tea! "I was attracted to Matt's blue eyes and his sense of humour," Corinne shares. Matt meanwhile had an instant crush on Corinne but was too shy to ask her out, so Corinne eventually stepped up and did the asking.

I Love You To The Moon & Back

Alexandra's mum played matchmaker to get Kris and Anlexandra together. The pair soon hit it off and before they knew it they knew they were inseparable. Kris proposed and the rest is history.

Love Is The Greatest Adventure

Mark proposed on his birthday at 'One Tree Hill' in Stanford-le-hope – the place the couple had shared one of their fi rst dates. Following this, Emily had organised a surprise birthday party for Mark but little did she know that Mark knew about the surprise and added a surprise of his own! What Emily thought was just going to be a birthday party turned into an engagement party when they returned from the proposal. All the family were there for the double celebration!

Music Sounds Better With You

George and Daniel met each other right before lockdown, as George explains, "It wasn't the best time to fall in love but we managed to get through it together by speaking every day, from WhatsApp messages to FaceTime. It meant that we really got to know each other and on a really deep level that - without Covid - may not have happened." George and Daniel bonded over a love of BBC Radio 2, Disney and playing lots of Animal Crossing together on the Switch! The pair finally got to see each other more 'in real life' towards the end of the summer 2020, and f inally managed to put the world to rights by moving in with each other in 2021!

Floral Fantasy

Having met when they were just 11 years old, Chloe and Brandon were high school sweethearts, navigating the craziness of their school years side-by-side. After a school trip to Paris they became besotted with each other, realising they were more than just friends and got together at the age of 15. "Laughter was defi nitely our bond, sharing a sense of humour throughout the years and building from our foundation of friendship," Chloe shares.

Into The Woods

These lovebirds first met at a computer programming meetup in London in 2016, thanks to a mutual friend. Being ex-astrophysicists, they hit it off right away. Despite living in different cities, they managed to spend more time together when Stew moved to London for a data science internship program. It took a while, but they eventually realised their feelings for each other after several visits between London and Hampshire.

Festival Vibes

These lovebirds fi rst crossed paths as teenagers in school, sharing a desk in their English class. They quickly realised they had many common interests, particularly their mutual love for metal/punk music, and immediately hit it off.

Memorable Moments

These lovebirds first met at a friend's garden party, where George asked Jhanvi's friend for her Snapchat, and they started talking from there. Jhanvi comments, "I was drawn to George right away because I felt so at ease around him; he had a great sense of humour and didn't take himself too seriously, which I valued in a partner. We just clicked; he always made me laugh, and we had such great banter. George found me attractive from the start, especially my eyes and hair. As we got to know each other, he realised we had much in common regarding what we wanted in life. Even though we have different personalities, I'm more outgoing while he's more introverted, we both feel like we balance each other out and bring out the best in each other."

True Love

These lovebirds first encounted each other in a Wetherspoons, sporting their pajamas during the yearly medical school pub crawl back in 2013. Emily surprised Gareth by being punctual for once and since there weren't many others around, they immediately initiated a conversation. However, it wasn't until they relocated to Shrewsbury in 2016 that they began dating; the rest is history!

All You Need Is Love

These lovebirds fi rst crossed paths through mutual friends and eventually, Josie found herself working for Tristan a few years later. Their bond grew over their shared love for beer and movies, plus their passion for good food brought them closer over time – the rest is history! Tristan surprised Josie with a romantic weekend getaway to Dublin, followed by a heartfelt proposal. Since they had already discussed marriage, it wasn't entirely unexpected for Josie. She recalls, "We had just purchased our fi rst home together, so everything was happening simultaneously. Tristan had planned to propose in one of the gardens in Dublin after our dinner, but unfortunately, it was closed for the evening when we passed by. Instead, he suggested we walk back to the hotel. He intended to pop the question during the walk but accidentally stumbled off a curb and twisted his ankle! We eventually returned to the hotel and luckily, our room had a stunning view. That's when he asked me to marry him. Looking back now, it's defi nitely a funny story!"

Heart To Heart

These lovebirds fi rst crossed paths at Alton Towers in 2012. It all started on the staff bus when John threw cereal at Amber, hoping to make her laugh. Unfortunately, it didn't have the desired effect and annoyed her instead. Despite this rocky start, John decided to take a chance and asked Amber out for an evening. Little did they know, this would begin a beautiful journey together! Fast forward to a special moment at their favourite theme park, Europa Park in Germany, John chose this magical setting to propose to Amber. He kept it a secret with the help of his future best man, James, who cleverly disguised their plans by telling Amber they were meeting a press and marketing lady before the Ice Show. In reality, they were fi nalising the details with the team who would assist with the proposal.

Sand, Sea and Romance

Nicola Williams and Nicola Davies met as members of a Brighton walking group. When a mutual friend, Gill, arranged some walks and meals aside from the main group, the two had the opportunity to get to know each other a bit more. Eventually, Nicola W. asked Nicola D. out for a drink and their relationship grew from there.

Rustic Romance

Joe proposed to Mary at Disneyland Paris with their daughter, Ava, asleep in her pram. They'd known each other since childhood, having met at infant school. With their hearts set on a rustic barn wedding they set out on their venue search and fell in love with the beautiful Cissbury Barns in Findon, West Sussex. "We knew we wanted a beautiful, barn that was all enclosed for guests to mingle, especially for a running toddler!" Mary explains.

Country Charm

Chloe and Lewis met at Lewis' workplace. Chloe was friends with his boss' sister so they'd go and visit the workshop together. The future couple got on well together straight away with plenty of banter and they became friends. "Everyone wanted to set us up and egged us on to go on a date," Chloe says. "Once we did, the rest was history." Indeed, the first date went so well, Lewis tells us, "Afterwards, I knew I was going to marry her."

A Spring Affair

Catherine and Lizzie met at work in 2018. "We became good friends, eventually moving in together as part of a house share in 2019," they tell us. "We grew closer and on New Year's Eve, Lizzie shared how she felt and was delighted that my feelings were reciprocated," Catherine says. "Being friends fi rst meant we already knew so much about each other. We loved being together and shared many interests like cooking shows, video games and music."

Something Blue

Dominique and Andrew met through an online dating website in 2019. "We went on holiday together and then when the lockdown happened, I temporarily moved in with Dominique so we did not have to isolate separately – the rest is history!" Andrew tells us. Andrew proposed in the gardens of East Hampstead Park Estate during a weekend away in November 2021 and the couple married the following year.

Love Is All Around

Prianka and Neel met through a mutual friend at university. "Neel proposed by booking Prianka a surprise day off work through one of her colleagues. "I was getting ready for work when he presented me with packed bags," she tells us. "I thought we were going abroad but we stayed at The Shard in London before taking a short trip to Madrid."

A Timeless Wedding

Gemma and Adrian were instantly attracted to each other. "We have a lot in common, with many of the same interests," says Gemma. "I liked Adrian because he always had something interesting to talk about. He was also nicely dressed on dates and always made an effort."

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Chloe and John first laid eyes on each other at work. "Chloe complemented my car one morning as we were arriving to work," says John. "We spoke briefly and I rushed into work, not fully embracing her comment. We then met again during a work party. I set my eyes on her and thought she was lovely, but that I had no chance – not in my league! That turned out to be a false assumption and in summer 2016, we started exchanging messages and we went from there!"

Love Is In The Air

These two lovebirds initially met in 2012 as teenagers in the Army Cadets, but it wasn't until eight years later that they truly connected when Amy decided to reach out to Joe. They clicked during a visit to his local pub, and even though Amy was a bit shy, Joe was keen to meet her again. After a few dates, he asked her to be his girlfriend, and their romance fl ourished. Amy loved Joe's kind nature and his wonderful sense of humour. She has always thought he was handsome since day one.

Dream-Worthy Memories

These charming couple first crossed paths 11 years ago at a party. They instantly connected over their shared sense of humour. They spent the entire evening in fits of laughter, and that joyful night marked the beginning of their beautiful relationship. Fast forward time, Josh surprised Jordan by proposing during a recreation of their first date, which included a drink at a local pub and an evening walk through the fields – it was a complete surprise! Jordan says, "It's a funny story because at that time of year, there's usually a huge sunflower field at the end of the walk. Josh had planned to get down on one knee in front of the sunflowers, which he had checked the week before to ensure they were still there. Once we walked through the fields, we realised they had recently been harvested and were just a muddy land area. At this point, I wasn't aware Josh had planned to propose, so I just laughed it off, and we walked back the way we came from. We sat on a bench, where he knelt and asked me to be his wife. I was shocked and maybe said some swear words before finally saying 'yes'!

Once Upon A Time

These lovebirds first crossed paths at school when they were 12 years old, playing on the playground. David's mother decided to enrol him in a different school than his two older brothers. The moment David spoke to Abigail, he playfully made a flirty comment and flashed a charming smile that she couldn't shake from her mind since that very day. They were just school friends for two years, while Abigail's friends had to endure her constant chatter about how much she fancied David.

A Timeless Wedding

Kate and Paul met online. "His good looks are what fi rst attracted me," says Kate. "Once I got to know him, I was drawn to his caring and funny personality." Paul proposed in the couple's living room. "It was Valentine's Day," shares the bride. "We went out for a meal and he asked his mum to f i ll our living room with candles. He made a scrapbook of all our memories together and, at the end, asked me to marry him. It was eight years after he asked me to be his girlfriend and it was a huge surprise."

Our Dream Day

Lois and Ben met through mutual friends in 2017. "Our relationship blossomed and in August 2022, Ben popped the question," says Lois. "We were away for the weekend in the Lake District and while on a walk up Loughrigg Fell, he asked me to be his wife. Ben had already secretly asked my dad for his permission the day before."

Love At First Swipe

Lydia and Leith met online. "We actually went to the same secondary school for a few years," says Lydia. "Leith was a couple of years above me at school and I actually remembered him, but he had no clue. We connected almost immediately!

You're Golden

Melissa and Brandon met when her college began working with Brandon's work to learn about business studies. "I came across his profile six months later and we matched on Tinder," says Melissa. "We went on our first date and we have been inseparable ever since. It just felt really natural to be in one another's company."

Out Of This World

Laura and Sam attended the same school and met in sixth form. "We hit it off straight away with similar tastes in music and other hobbies," Laura tells us. "Sam proposed to me in Central Park, New York on the 25th of May 2022. I had a feeling that it was coming but I kept telling myself I was imagining it as I didn't want to ruin the surprise. It was one of the best days (and trips) of our lives – and my first time visiting the USA."

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Rebecca and Simon met through work in 2019 after both qualifying as nurses. "We started as friends but our friendship grew into something more during the pandemic," Rebecca tells us. "During this time, there were limited options as to what we could do due to the restrictions, so we went for walks at Camber Sands, picnics and visited the supermarkets!"

A Beautiful Berkshire Day

Amy and Luke met at the University of Reading in 2015 during their f i rst year. "Luke proposed to me on the 26th of August 2023," Amy tells us. "He ordered cake pops from Pop Bakery that spelt out the words 'Amy will you marry me?' I came downstairs to make a cup of tea in the morning and when I opened the fridge to get the milk, there they were! The proposal wasn't a surprise, but how he did it was."

Blue and Green Should Always Be Seen

When Claire and Jack met through a mutual friend, it wasn't long before he asked for her number. In no time, they were off on their fi rst date to the BFI on London's South Bank. "I loved how many diff erent interests and hobbies Jack has," Claire tells us. "He'd say he loved my sense of humour!"

Game, Set, Match

Vicki and Steve met on Tinder in 2017, and got together for a first date at Nettle and Rye in Bristol. At the time, Vicki lived in Clevedon, and made a memorable exit when her Uber driver crashed into a bollard while reversing! The two soon went on a second date and before long they'd bonded over a love of food and enjoyed subsequent dates at foodie hotspots including Bravas and Poco Tapas in Bristol and Scoozi's in Clevedon. As Vicki is a vet Steve also impressed her on an early date with a tour of Bristol Zoo complete with a quiz.

This Is Love

While Pia and Joe were aware of each other at school, nothing happened between them until they were old enough for a bit of Dutch courage, and met up at a pub five year's after leaving. "Although we weren't high school sweethearts, meeting in our early 20s felt like the right time for both of us to have this forever thing going," Pia explains. "It's funny because even when we started dating, Joe said he didn't want anything too serious. Obviously that didn't quite go to plan!"

A Touch of The Med

Jess and Martyn met when she was a professional dancer and he a professional singer during rehearsals for a cruise ship contract in Italy. "We instantly connected," Jess remembers. "We could talk like we'd known each other forever." The two began to build a wonderful friendship becoming inseparable, and a few months later realised they were, in fact, much more to each other than friends. Their relationship blossomed from there.

Meant To Be

Holly and Cory met while working at a nightclub when they were 18 and 19. "We were completely lost in the world, not knowing what we wanted to do in life," says Holly. "We'd have never thought that 12 years later we'd have a house, be married and have two children!"Cory proposed during a break away. "I had planned a trip to New York as a surprise for his 30th birthday," shares the bride. "We went to Central Park at Thanksgiving, which was full of people and there wasn't an inch of it without a tourist with a camera. We walked for hours while Cory tried to fi nd the right place for us. Finally, we found a place called the Cop Cot. Sitting there, we decided to say what we were thankful for, in true American tradition. We discussed the journey we'd been on as a couple, our two beautiful children and just as we were about to leave, Cory explained he had one more question before we left. New York will forever be our special place."

Festival of Love

Rob caught Saz's eye while she was out at a bar with her friends. "We exchanged a few words and ended up matching on Tinder a couple of months later," says Saz. "We bonded over our love of festivals, music and rugby. We are both very outdoorsy people. We go hiking and camping quite a lot and have attended lots of festivals and concerts together.

Fall In Love With You

Haley and Kristian met while Haley was working at a pub in Neath. "I became friends with a regular called Ryan," says Haley. "I didn't know at the time that Ryan had a brother, so when Ryan walked into the bar one day and I asked him about his trip away to Butlins and he told me he'd just returned from Egypt with his girlfriend, I was confused! Later on, Ryan came in again and was dressed in a different outfi t! It turned out Ryan and Kristian are brothers and looked exactly the same to me. It was then that Ryan introduced me to Kristian, and well, that was when our story began. We were both in relationships, so we just enjoyed being friends. Kristian was so nice to me and he became my best friend.

Endless Love

Kristian and Matthew met at a New Year's Eve party. "I was drawn to Matthew's awkwardness and his jokes that not everyone would laugh at but I just found funny and innocent," Kristian shares. "I knew from the beginning that he was special, a unique character that deserved to be loved." For Matthew, Kristian's nervousness attracted him, as well as his smiles whenever they were together. "He couldn't do enough for me. I always wanted to be around him, and his personality was so infectious," he explains.

To The Moon and Back

Sophie and Craig met in York's Yates while Sophie was up from Brighton visiting a friend. Craig danced over to her to Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl, but his cool moves were hampered by the sticky bar floor! He was dressed in a bright red Rudolf the Reindeer suit jacket and tie at the time... well it was Christmas. After a brief conversation, Craig handed over his number and they parted ways, or so Sophie thought. An hour or so later they bumped into each other again at a different bar and something compelled her to stick around this time, their two groups united. From there, a long-distance relationship blossomed.

The Perfect Day

These lovebirds met as London university students at an indie night club called Propaganda in Angel, Islington. On their first date after meeting, they went to a bar called The Book Club in Shoreditch. Chris was immediately charmed by Katie's individual style despite her being almost an hour late to the date. Here, they realised they had a shared sense of humour and loads in common with the same values for the future. They were also surprised to find out that they lived just round the corner from each other.

City Loving

These lovebirds fi rst crossed paths at university and were assigned to the same dormitory. Although it wasn't love at fi rst sight, they quickly became close friends, and their bond grew stronger. Fast forward, Ollie decided to propose to Katy at a serene spot in Greenwich Park, a place they frequently visited during lockdown. While it wasn't a complete surprise, Katy had a hunch that something special was about to happen when Ollie suggested having a fancy breakfast at The Ivy on a random Saturday in February!

A Step Back In Time

These lovebirds first crossed paths at a mutual friend's birthday bash and instantly clicked! Abi was drawn to Chris's witty humour and charming Irish accent, while he couldn't resist her vibrant red hair and the way she laughed at his jokes. Fast forward 10 years, Chris popped the question to Abi during a beachfront dinner in the Maldives, which was very romantic and a huge surprise. They scheduled their wedding for July 2023, hoping to craft a flawless day for their cherished guests

A Festival of Love

Anna and Owen met at university in 2012. "We knew of each other but didn't really get to know each other until a few months later," says Anna. "When we spoke to each other properly, there was instant chemistry and we've been extremely close ever since. Our attraction to each other was obviously physical, but our personalities are very compatible and we can always make each other smile and feel loved."

Summer Loving

Katie and Marc met at school when two mutual friends introduced them. "We were in a relationship for fi ve years before we went our separate ways," says Katie. "Four years later, Marc reached out to see if I wanted to go for a drink. I thought it would be an opportunity to reassure us both that we'd made the right decision all those years ago; however, within fi ve minutes, it was clear that we were going to get back together."

Timeless Romance

Ann-Jee and Nick were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a Halloween party 10 years ago. "For me, it was love at first sight," says Nick. "She was so effortlessly charming and funny, with a captivating smile. Sadly, my 'friend' had already told Ann-Jee all of my most embarrassing stories, so she took a bit more convincing, especially as I was the only person in attendance who hadn't bothered with a costume!"

Memorable Moments

These two lovebirds instantly hit it off when they first crossed paths at the pub where Emma worked! Lewis, a somewhat shy guy, would frequently drop by with his buddies, and they couldn't help but notice his fondness for Emma. Eventually, Lewis gathered the courage to ask her out on a date. Time flew by, and in August 2021, Lewis proposed at Godrevy in Cornwall. It's worth mentioning that Lewis hails from Cornwall, and throughout their 10-year relationship, they had made it a tradition to visit every year. Their absolute favourite spot was St Ives, and Godrevy offers a breathtaking view of the sea overlooking the iconic destination. Lewis put together a charming breakfast picnic for Emma and their threemonth-old son. As they savoured their meal, Lewis seized the moment and popped the question. With the sun shining down on St Ives, it was an incredibly special and perfect moment – a complete surprise for Emma!

True Love

These lovebirds met at their local pub and hit it off! Kierran hadn't got up the nerve to introduce himself properly until Olivia approached him on New Year's Eve at the bar! She comments, "He was tall, which immediately caught my eye, and he had a gorgeous smile!"

Love Is In The Air

These lovebirds originally met at work and became friends but lost contact for quite a few years while Luke travelled. They reconnected through social media, and it was clear to Erin that they shared a connection worth exploring. She says, "I remember I was nervous when we met for our first date, but that all faded away. It was like I'd seen him the day before, laughing and talking like we always had.

Boho Vibes

Mel and Tom met at a drum and bass night in Leeds when they were at university in the city. "We both love raving and drum and bass music and having fun," Mel tells us. "We kissed early on, but then remained friends for fi ve years before fi nally getting together as a couple."

Coastal Vibes

Nadene and Steve met at The Devonshire, Derriford Health & Racquets Club where they worked. "I was in reception and Steve was a lifeguard of the swimming pool," Nadene tells us. "Steve would walk past reception when starting his shift and leaving to go home. We soon started talking and then enjoyed our fi rst date at the Jack Rabbit pub - we haven't stopped talking since!"

A Fusion of Cultures

Lily and Shiv met at university, yet their paths never crossed until the very last day. "It was at the end-of-year celebration that I saw her in the student union," Shiv tells us. "The stars were out, the exams were behind us, and Lily looked stunning. Before meeting her, I saw the world in black and white, governed by logic and reason. But that night, my world burst into colour. My heart understood feelings that reason could not explain, and I knew I had found somebody special."

A Match Made In Heaven

Amy and Rich met via the online dating website, match.com. Having spoken online and on the telephone for a few weeks, it was now time to meet in person, as Amy explains. "Our fi rst date was bowling and cocktails. It was like we'd always known each other, and we couldn't wait to see each other a few days later. Rich was and is very caring towards me, he looked out for me in ways that no one had ever done before. He made me feel special and is my safe haven."

Out Of This World

Chris and Vanessa met at work. Over time, their feelings intensifi ed for one another and friendship, respect and love grew. On 28th October, 2023 the pair offi cially became Mr and Mrs Egan, with a Halloween inspired affair at Baddow Park House.

Lucky In Love

Daisy and Georgia met at 18 when they first started at the University of Chester. Georgia tells us more, "We met each other on the very first day and have been inseparable ever since. We become friends very quickly, but in all honesty I don't think we were ever actually 'friends' as we started to like each other very quickly."

Springtime Romance

Jo and Jon started out as friends. They were both going through a tough time when they met and became a support system to each other. The two are DJs and instantly had this major part of their lives in common, as well as sharing the same sense of humour. The time was right eventually though, and love grew between them.

Sail Away With Me

When Hannah and Chris met online they felt an instant connection. Two years later, now a couple, they travelled to Dublin for the day and Chris popped the question at the castle after finding the perfect spot beneath and archway full of flowers in the gardens. "It was such a surprise, my first response was to swear rather than say 'yes,'" Hannah remembers.

Winter Warmer

Lizzy and Matt met when working in ASDA during their student days. "We bonded over our love of indie classics and Leeds festival," Lizzy says. However, the timing wasn't right then and they decided to remain friends instead of pursuing a relationship. It wasn't until a few years later that they decided to give it a go and the rest is history! "We had the most incredible first date at the beach and we quickly fell in love," Lizzy remembers.

Love On Top

These lovebirds crossed paths on Tinder in September 2020, just before the second Covid lockdown was imposed. Brett postponed the initial date, and Emily almost called off the second one, so they were very close to missing each other – thankfully, they didn't! They went on three or four dates, so had to decide if they would form each other's social bubble. Emily recalls, "We had so many shared interests, like a passion for food and drinks, vacations and sports – the rest is history. We kept meeting up, going on dates and enjoying each other's company. After three months, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I moved in with Brett about a year later!"

Love Is In The Air

These lovebirds met on a night out in their hometown. Peter was home for Christmas from the military and was introduced to Lauren through mutual friends – there was an instant attraction between the two! Lauren comments, "I fi rst noticed how outgoing Peter was and loved his blue eyes plus tattoos. We spent New Year's Eve together dancing and drinking; our fi rst kiss was at midnight!" Peter comments, "Lauren took my breath away as soon as she walked into the room, I knew I needed to get to know this girl! I remember exactly what she wore: a red dress and a black shawl. I was immediately comfortable in her presence and couldn't wait to get to know her more – the rest is history!"

True Love

A mutual friend set up Dan and Zoe, who hit it off after exchanging numbers! The pair bonded over time and fell in love while creating memorable moments – the rest is history! Dan hates big events or being the centre of attention, a big wedding was never on the cards, and Zoe gave up hope that a proposal would happen. However, that was all about to change! They went to Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester with the kids on her 30th birthday. Time had slipped away, and the family rushed back to prepare for a meal. Zoe comments, "Dan agreed to get the kids sorted and I quickly went upstairs to get myself ready, but the kids kept calling me constantly. I was annoyed and confused about why Dan wasn't getting them ready like I had asked. I came stomping downstairs to fi nd rose petals in the hallway leading to the living room. I walked into the candle-lit living room to fi nd Dan, my daughter Gracie and my son Oliver, each down on one knee with a poster saying, 'Will you marry me?' and I was utterly shocked!"

Childhood Sweethearts

Jess and Luke went to secondary school together and fi rst dated when they were both young. "I decided he was too shy!" recalls Jess after a short-lived time together. "We were always good friends, and it felt like there was always something there. When I returned from a year in Australia when I was 19 we met back up and the rest is history!"

Something Blue

Shannon and Hollie met playing football and were initially friends for a while before realising there was something more between them. "We loved each other's sense of humour and ability to have fun," they tell us. Hollie proposed during a break in the New Forest, by a small luxury lodge located on the river. "It was all a surprise," Hollie says. "Shannon thought she was going away with family and not long after arriving, I asked her to marry me. It was a wonderful moment as two swans peacefully swam past."

Nature's Way

Charlotte and Michael met via the online dating site Tinder in 2015. "Our profi le pictures were of us both on holidays in Marbella and Ibiza so it was clear that we shared a love of partying!" Charlotte tells us. "We discovered that we lived around the corner from each other and hit it off on our first date."

From Sussex With Love

Sasha and Ted's story is a modern romance having met on Tinder back in 2016. Sasha had just moved back to her parents' in Eastbourne after university, and Ted was working in Lewes. "I will admit, it was the photo of Ted with his family's boxer dog, Bruce, that made me think he seemed like a really nice guy," Sasha shares. They went for their fi rst date at a local country pub and hit it off right away, soon discovering a similar sense of humour and shared family values.

Love At First Sight

'I fell in love with Ben as soon as I saw him in a petrol station and he opened the door for me," Joanna tells us. Later, she randomly found him on Facebook, they met up the next day after exchanging messages, and have been inseparable since. When Ben decided to pop the question, he did so at the Eiffel Tower late at night when it was lit up and sparkled as brightly as Joanna's engagement ring.

Viking Heart

Siobhan met Nick when she started working in the same pub as him, and according to Nick it was love at first sight! The two clicked from the outset, having similar interests in music and games, but it wasn't until Siobhan was due to leave for university some two years later that Nick plucked up the courage to express his feelings and they started dating.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Alexandra and Oliver both swiped right! "Oliver's fi rst words to me were a joke about Gummy Bears, which made me giggle," Alexandra remembers. The two met for dinner at a local country pub for their fi rst date and felt completely at ease with each other right away. They'd been dating for a year when they went on their fi rst Disney World trip together. By the time they got back, they'd decided to start saving for their first house.

Autumnal Bliss

Danielle and Sam met while on a night out. "A mutual friend introduced us," says Danielle. "She still calls herself cupid for setting us up. He added me on Facebook after I left; we got talking and went from there. On our first date, we took my dog for a walk, and she ran off, which she had never done before. I don't think she approved, but she absolutely loves him now."

Rustic Romance

These lovebirds had known each other for a while but started dating after a night out. Fast forward time, Tom popped the question on a quiet beach in Norfolk, and their new chapter began. After setting the date in September 2023, the couple started planning their wedding.

Adore You

These lovebirds fi rst met at work back in 2013 in recruitment! The girls Louisa worked with asked who she found attractive in the offi ce, and she pointed at Carl, who was midway shoving a doughnut into his mouth. They all laughed, and he looked so confused. Straight away, Louisa knew he was the one for her! Fast forward time, Carl proposed on Christmas Eve in 2018. It was just the two of them and their French Bulldog Mo at home, so extra special and very intimate. Of course, he got down on one knee!

Effortlessly Elegant

This couple's love story began in 2010 on Hannah's 21st birthday! She says, "I invited my work friend out for drinks to celebrate who already had plans for another birthday, but it turned out we were going to the same place. Mat happened to be a mutual friend who tried to impress me by ordering a big round of drinks, but his card was declined! The bar could only swipe cards, and his magnetic strip no longer worked as it was always next to his phone. This is before contactless; I'm feeling old! His mate had to pay for him, but I don't remember that with it being my 21st. However, this wasn't the first time we had met. We met at another mutual friend's birthday, but I was seeing someone else at the time. I even had a photo of us both that we didn't realise."

The Perfect Match

Hannah and Mark met each other at work and over time, their relationship blossomed. Mark proposed at Rydal Water near Grasmere in November 2022. It's a place Hannah loves and visited all the time with her grandmother.

Monochrome Magic

Laura and Phil lived in the same apartment block when they first met. "I moved in 2013 and kept noticing Phil," says Laura. "I lived in the top-floor apartment, so I had a view of the whole street and I kept seeing him. I decided one day, after a night out with my friend, to put a note on his car. The note read, 'I think you're lovely; here is my number.' The next day, he texted me and we decided to meet up. He was in the army at the time and had to go away for three months, so we had little to no contact. Once he got back, we went on our first date to watch a Manchester United vs. Stoke City match, and the rest is history."

Our Dream Day

Rachel and Lauren met through a mutual friend. "We had a lot in common and got along well from the off," says Rachel. "However, as Lauren was in the military, it was around 10 months before we got together, as she was posted in Cyprus for six months."

The Beauty Of The Lakes

Rebecca and Kyle met over 10 years ago. "Kyle first spotted me on New Year's Eve, but we never spoke," says Rebecca. "A few weeks later, on my birthday, Kyle came up to speak to me and have a dance and the rest is history."

Made For Each Other

Sarah and Daniel met at school. "We didn't actually speak until a night out for my sister's birthday 22 years ago," says Sarah. "The day after, he jumped out at me with a bunch of flowers while I was walking to work."

Made In Buckinghamshire

Liv and Louis were friends for years having met at a 16th birthday party of a mutual friend. "It wasn't until the summer of both our fi nal years of university that we became a couple," they tell us. "We enjoyed a long-distance relationship for a year and the rest is history."

Summer Days

Carmel and Rob met at school when they both attended the Reading Blue Coat School. "We spent a month away in Bolivia on a world challenge expedition one summer and that's where it all began," they tell us. Rob proposed during a holiday to Cascais in Portugal in September 2021. "It was a surprise because we'd been together for 12 years and I'd almost given up hope that he might ever propose!" Carmel tells us.

Countryfile

Sharon and Richard met via a dating site. "After messaging for a few weeks, we enjoyed our fi rst date in a lovely pub in the Cotswolds," Sharon tells us. "It was love at fi rst sight, we didn't stop talking the entire evening! We had plenty in common in terms of interests and both had children of a similar age."

You Bowl Me Over

Ollie was in Chelsea's sister's class at secondary school, and years later an Instagram message brought them back together. When Ollie decided to propose, he chose a very windy spot in Scotland while the two were away on holiday. Although they didn't realise at the time of booking, their wedding date fell on that same day two years later.

We Did It Our Way

Nic and Phil matched on Tinder, neither truly believing they'd meet anyone this way, let alone it leading to marriage! "Having both been married previously, we'd resigned ourselves to the single life," Nic says. Their fi rst date was a Sunday lunch at The New Mill in Taunton, and Phil was the perfect gentlemen we're told. "The time fl ew by," Nic continues. "There was an instant connection, easy conversation, lots of laughter and a common passion for music and gigs."

Bee Mine

Fiona and Adam met during university fresher's week. "I was attracted by his amazing dance moves – who am I kidding?" Fiona jokes. The two spent a lot of time together in halls and in between lectures, and soon fell in love.

Bold and Beautiful

These lovebirds met at a music festival in Ibiza back in 2018. Yan saw Jess in the crowd before he decided to go and talk to her. "Surprisingly, after a few minutes of conversation, we felt like we'd known each other for years," comments Jess. "At this time, I was living in Paris while Yan was in London. I went back home the day after we met, but we kept the relationship alive by spending countless hours on the phone every night and visiting each other on weekends. Moving forward to the end of 2019, we moved in together in London."

Love is all around

These lovebirds met on the dancefloor at Fabric nightclub in the summer of 2018. Claire was with some girlfriends who weren't enjoying the music, unlike her, which is when Dave caught her eye. She comments, "He smiled at me, and we got chatting. We're both ravers, and we've been to many of the same events without meeting before. It was one of those serendipitous moments you never thought would happen to you. Dave gave me some of his best chats: as a teenager, he was a Team GB gymnast, and his bathroom had underfloor heating! He asked me to go for a drink with him later that week. I said 'yes' and we've been inseparable ever since.

A Never-Ending Love

Bethan and Sam met through mutual friends. "We messaged each other for a few months and eventually went on a date," says Bethan. "We went to Winter Wonderland in Cardiff and instantly clicked with each other. After we met, Sam went back to his local pub and met up with his friends, and when they asked how it went, his response was, 'I'm going to marry her.' We went on several dates after this; however, lockdown then happened in March and we made the decision to move in together rather than not see each other."

Where The Wildflowers Grow

Rachael and Sam met through social media. "Sam had not been in New Zealand long and we instantly struck up a friendship," says Rachael. "We chatted for a few months before we finally organised a date. It was truly love at first sight. All though our connection was instant, our relationship was a slow burn, as I have two daughters who were six and ten at the time. I had to make sure Sam was a keeper before he met Ava and Amelia, but he had me at hello, and his morals, ethics and loyalty would last me a lifetime."

At One With Nature

Beth and Alex met on a dating website. "We have both been married before and gone through difficult separations and divorces," says Beth. "Alex was incredibly charming and to this day, I still call him my Charming Mr Alex. We had a lot in common, as we both love the outdoors and enjoy walking, paddleboarding, the beach and coastal areas. Our love for life was what really shone through. We had an immediate connection and I know it may sound cheesy, but I know that we were meant to meet. He is what I had been waiting for my entire life! He treated me like an absolute lady from the start and spoilt me rotten in every way and still does. He completely swept me off my feet and the first year was a total dream come true. It is incredible to meet someone who respects you so much for who you are and who will love you unconditionally. I feel so lucky to have met Alex and to now have the family that I do with him."

From Yorkshire With Love

Kate was wellbeing lead and Emma was head of year at the same school. During Kate's first staff briefing Emma read out a notice and as soon as she heard her voice the world stopped turning for her. "I fell in love instantly," Kate remembers. For various reasons, they couldn't be together, but instead became best friends. "I kept my feelings hidden for a couple of years," Kate remembers. "I eventually declared my love to her though, and happily she felt the same."

Wine, Wedding and Song

Kelly and Mike met via Tinder as so many couples do. "We met, fl at-shared, bought a house, had two children, then got married," Kelly says. "Probably the wrong way around, but totally perfect for us!"

The Perfect Day

These lovebirds met each other just before university while out with friends! Fast forward the start of a beautiful relationship, Gordon then proposed to Ayesha in London. He booked a room at The Shard, where they had a wonderful dinner. Following the meal, they both took a nice walk along London Bridge, where Gordon gave a speech and got down on one knee. Ayesha could hear cheers from behind her and when she turned around, her whole family was there witnessing the surprise!

Chapter One

Alice and Josh met during their first year of university. "We became really close friends and eventually it blossomed into something more," Alice says. We fast forward to 2022, by which point the couple had been together for nine years, and they'd gone out to celebrate this milestone anniversary in York. Unbeknownst to Alice, Josh had enlisted the help of her mum to decorate their living room with balloons and banners while they were out, and when they arrived home, the Champagne was waiting. Josh dropped to one knee and proposed with this late grandma's ring. "It was the perfect end to the night, and the rest is history," Alice says.

I do, I do, I do

P urdie and Steve met many years ago. Initially, Purdie wasn't interested in meeting anyone, but when she met Steve, she decided to give him a chance and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

In The Meadow

Heidi and Michael first crossed paths as children at church. "I attended with my family and Michael was an altar boy along with my brother," says Heidi. "Years later, I caught Michael's eye on social media, but he did not recognise me at first. He messaged me asking why I had numerous photos with celebrities; my brother was manager at a nightclub at the time. I read the message, recognised him immediately, and shocked him with my response, 'Didn't you used to be an altar boy?' We arranged to meet and quickly became friends, which soon developed into a relationship."

Fly Away With Me

Samantha and Craig met at a pub. "I was working there and Craig would regularly visit," says Samantha. "I was attracted to Craig from the moment I saw him, especially his dazzling blue eyes and his gleaming white-toothed smile. Later, I realised he also had a great sense of humour and personality. He always made me laugh; there was never a dull shift at the pub when he was there. We got chatting quite often and after a few months, we went out on our first date."

Glastonbury Vibes

Jen and Chris met by chance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2016. "It was at the Arcadia stage while the DJ Andy C was playing," the couple tell us. "Our friends hung out and we kept in touch. When we got married, we walked up the aisle as husband and wife to the song Heartbeat Loud by Andy C which was very relevant!"

Cornish Charm

Cornish Charm

The Greatest Show

Emma and Aaron met in a local pub through a mutual friend. "Aaron was quiet while I was outgoing and making jokes all night," Emma tells us. "Aaron was too shy to ask me out so he asked his friend to invite me to spend time with them both and eventually plucked up the courage to ask me on a date - the rest is history!"

Let The Music Play

Kassie describes the proposal as, "out of this world!" Kassie elaborates, "When I fi rst met Rob, he said he doesn't do things by halves. He wasn't kidding. He took me to our favourite special place a hotel called Ashdown Park in West Sussex, a place we visited when we fi rst got together and where we fell in love." Having checked in, the pair went for a drink in the hotel bar. The surprises started there, as Kassie's best friends crept up behind her, revealing they were there for a belated birthday treat!

Summer In The City

Emma met and became friends with Vic and Lee in the Philippines while travelling and arranged to meet up with them again in Melbourne at a music event. Unfortunately, or fortunately as is turned out, they couldn't make it having decided to stay on in Vietnam and instead put Emma in touch with Jack. They both did a little Facebook stalk before meeting up and decided they weren't interested romantically, but both now agree that this all changed the moment they sat down together in that bar in Melbourne. They became inseparable from that night on. "Jack made me laugh so much and had such a good energy, I just wanted to be around him all the time," Emma says.

On Top Of The World

Joe proposed to Kaite on 22nd February 2017 on her 30th birthday at the top of the Empire State Building in New York. The trip was a complete surprise and it wasn't revealed where they were going until Joe asked Katie to look up the flight number on the departures board. The couple have continued to make memories ever since. Katie and Joe became Mr and Mrs Harrison on 15th July 2023 at The Compasses at Pattiswick.Here, Katie shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

It's Always Been You

Laura and met when we were just two years old at playschool. The friends then went on to infant, junior and senior school together. Back in the days that after school you logged into MSN Messenger, the two pals would sit and type to each other. Laura tells us more, "We'd chat for hours on end until one evening, 18th December 2008, Elliott built up the courage to ask me out one final time and to his surprise I said yes - (well, I typed yes!). He considers himself a hero for doing the impossible and making it out of the friendzone! From that day on we've been the best of friends, soul mates and each other's biggest supporters."

Autumnal Vibes

Even though they had probably known each other beforehand, Hannah's first memory of Sean was of a (slightly worse for wear) stranger knocking on a friend's door to take a break from winding his merry way home from a wedding. He leaned against the kitchen counter and the rug slipped out from under his feet, leaving him in a heap on the floor. Hannah comments, "Our mutual friend tried to convince me to give Sean a lift the rest of his way home, but that wasn't going to happen!"

Love At First Swipe

Lucy and Greg met on Tinder, "We swiped right and matched! The mutual photos of travelling the world also attracted us to each other."After a relationship beckoned, fast-forward to 2021 and Greg whisked Lucy off to Mauritius for her birthday. "He proposed two days later on a deserted beach at sunset!" adds Lucy.

Midnight Romance

These lovebirds met each other on tinder in 2015! Katie was very busy with work so told Dan that it would be a while before she could actually meet up and he was fine with that! The pair finally met on a Sunday at 2pm and didn't get home till midnight! Safe to say, they hit it off straight away. Dan planned an amazing day; they went to a rooftop bar overlooking St Paul's and then on to a restaurant for dinner.

A Love Like Ours

Lydia and Ben met through mutual friends, and as Ben was in the RAF, they were only able to spend the odd weekend together in the early stages of their relationship. "We'd travel for hours just to see each other for a few days," Lydia remembers.

From Liverpool With Love

Jamie proposed to Sarah in Edinburgh where they were enjoying a picnic in the castle gardens. Soon after, they started to plan their big day in the Caribbean, which was something they'd both dreamed of. Still keen to celebrate with friends and family though, they discussed the possibility of booking a UK venue too for a reception. The Titanic Hotel immediately sprung to mind as this is where they met at a Christmas party. So, they went along to enquire and were shown West Bay. "The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, even without being dressed for a wedding," Sarah says. "The brick, the lighting, the size of the room..."

Out Of The Blue

Jess and Jonny met overseas through work. He was in the military, while she was on a diplomatic posting. "I convinced myself for several months that our friendship would be purely platonic, as I didn't want to fulfil the cliche of falling for a man in uniform," Jess says. "Oh, if only I knew!" The two instantly clicked and became the very best of friends, they were in fact completely inseparable.

Come Fly With Me

Natasha and Cameron met on the number 12 Arriva bus to school when they were just 12 years old. Cameron sat behind Natasha but was too scared to speak to her as she was in the year above him. He'd go home and tell his mum all about this beautiful long-haired red head from the bus though, and eventually, thanks to his mum's advice, he did pluck up the courage to sit next to her and ask her out. They remained extremely close throughout their teenage years, even living together at university.

Diagnosis Love

Bethany was working as a ward nurse when one day while doing her usual 5pm drug round she found herself faced with a man looking for his younger brother who'd had surgery earlier that day. As she showed him the way, she thought to herself, "Why couldn't I have met this man when I was looking slightly more put together?" Happily for Bethany though, this man was Matthew and he hadn't been the slightest bit put off by her old nurse's uniform or lack of make-up and had felt a connection too. Later that evening, he asked her out for dinner, and she gladly accepted.

Festival Fun

Lou and Sam met while working together at a big gym venue, but it wasn't until a year had passed that they actually spoke to each other. Once they did though, they soon discovered a common interest in music and pets, and before long set up their first pub date.

Meant To Be

Olivia and Luke met in 2018 at work. "I was Luke's boss," says Olivia. "He convinced me that he was a qualified personal trainer, so we started going to the gym together, became best friends, and ended up falling in love."

Let The Good Times Roll

Dan was Fay's personal trainer at her local gym, which is how the two met. They got on like the proverbial house on fire with Fay often listening to his tales of recent girlfriend trouble. The two officially started dating once the aforementioned troublesome girlfriends were off the scene and began meeting socially outside of the gym. Eventually, a few beers at a rugby match led to their first kiss!

Rustic Romance

Amy and Chris met at work and started talking after they were introduced by Amy's boss. "We became friends and the rest is history," says Amy. "We have three children between us and in 2020, they said: 'Will you marry our dad?' with my mum's engagement ring in hand. It was a complete shock and the most perfect proposal, as the kids were included. My mum sadly passed away in 2018 from cancer, so it means a lot to me that he used her ring."

Rustic Bliss

Hayley and Simon were set up on a date by a mutual friend. "He was kind and loyal and we wanted the same things in life," says Hayley. "He was also very chatty and funny."

At One With Nature

Rosie and Michael met, like most modern couples, online. "We were attracted to each other's sense of adventure and love of the outdoors," says Rosie. "Michael almost missed out though, as he cancelled our first date at short notice because he'd found a lost dog while out on the fells and, in the process of reuniting the dog with his owner, managed to get sunstroke. It was only because my mum persuaded me to give him another chance that I agreed to reschedule!"

Love Blooms

Marguerite and Jason met eight years ago in London. "I was looking for a space to rent and Jason's house share had a room available," says Marguerite. "I was in touch with Jason's flatmate, but at the last minute he couldn't show me around, but he mentioned that his flatmate, Jason, would do it instead. It's a bit cliché to say it was love at first sight, but since the moment he opened that door, I knew I wanted to get to know him better. I even called one of my friends after the visit and said that if I don't get the room, I'll ask for his number. In the end, I didn't need it, as they offered me the room. Once I moved in, we started to chat a lot and go out as friends until six months later, when we finally admitted our feelings to each other."

Romance At The Manor

When Harry met Megan online, he immediately found himself attracted to her confidence as she was the one to send the first message and had included some witty banter about his profile. The early attraction bloomed into a romance and Harry proposed in 2022.

Fall In Love

In March 2016, Daisy arrived at a pub in Kington, Worcestershire. "I was there with another man," says Daisy. "Barnaby, the barman and waiter for the evening, caught my eye. We chatted and flirted, but then I left with the other man. After a swift 24 hours and enlisting the help of my maid-of-hour, I hunted for this mystery bar man via the pub's Facebook page, scrolling through hundreds of photos until I found him. I immediately added him on Facebook and the rest is history."

A Touch of Romance

Tilly and Jordan met when they were teenagers. "We got along really well and had lots in common," says Tilly. "Jordan proposed in 2017 at Centre Parcs. He bought our daughter a babygrow that said, "mummy, will you marry daddy?" It was a complete surprise and I was very shocked."

A Family Affair

Jodie and Scott met at work when Jodie was Scott's manager. "We connected instantly, mainly because of our sense of humour," Jodie tells us. "Scott was forever doing goofy things to make me laugh."

A Splash of Colour

Emma and Marwen met while on holiday. "It was your typical holiday romance that turned into a life together here in the UK," says Emma. "Marwen proposed to me during a holiday to Istanbul with our friends. He bought me flowers and a beautiful gold ring with a diamond and asked if I would marry him."

True Love

These lovebirds met through mutual friends and instantly clicked! Seven years later, Joe proposed in their first home together shortly after moving in. Hannah says, "Our first home was a labour of love and we spent months renovating it together, so the home proposal was perfect and a complete surprise."Here, she shares details about their special day...

At One With Nature

Harriet and Bernie met at young farmers and connected over their shared sense of humour. After their relationship blossomed, Bernie proposed to Harriet on Christmas Eve at Waxham Beach. "It was a complete surprise and he had picked out a beautiful opal and diamond ring," says Harriet. "It was lovely getting to visit our friends over Christmas to share our exciting news."

Oh-so Elegant

Joe was in the year below Sian at school, but we formally met in their early 20s through a mutual friend named Laura and hit it off. Little did the pair know that Laura would end up as one of the bridesmaids and do a reading during their ceremony years later!During a weekend in Devon in 2020, Joe proposed in a spot called Thatchers Point on the coast. Sian says, "It was a lovely surprise! It was good that he chose to do it on the first day as I accidentally left all but one of my outfits at home, so I spent the rest of the weekend wearing Joe's clothes, which would have ruined the pictures."

You're My Cup of Tea

These lovebirds worked at the same company for a few years before noticing each other and becoming a couple. Ross used to leave Gem tea and toast on her desk before she got to work – making tea is his love language! After being together for several years and having a daughter in 2020, the couple decided to marry. Ross suggested ring shopping one Saturday in October, and they set off to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham to shop at Hockley Jewellers. Gem says, "It was the best day! I thoroughly recommend picking your own ring ladies! I went for an emerald-cut diamond on a slim gold band. We also got our wedding rings from the same jeweller."

True Love

These lovebirds met through Tinder and never looked back! Ellie had just moved back home after living in Paris for a year and wanted to meet new people. Besides his good looks, Steve was extremely kind and proactive with arranging dates and remembered little details about her. He comments, "Ellie was great fun to be around from the start; we just made each other laugh all the time. As she had just returned from Paris and wasn't working yet, she would come and meet me during my lunch break, which I really enjoyed!"

Autumnal Dreams

It was the 24th of August 2017, the sun was shining, the number one song at the time was New Rules by Dua Lipa, Usain Bolt had just lost his first 100m race, West Ham had just finished a typically mediocre season, scientists had witnessed two Neutron Stars colliding for the first time and Nic found herself patiently waiting outside the station at Tottenham Court Road wondering if the stars would ever align for her.

Written In The Stars

These lovebirds were first-year flatmates when they started at the University of Lincoln and have lived together ever since! For Verity, she loved Scott's sense of humour and immediately felt a spark! Unfortunately for her, Scott had a girlfriend back home and she didn't think it was meant to be. Scott loved Verity's personality and her intellect; they shared many interests and always had something to discuss. Over time, they fell in love and started a new relationship together.

Wonders of Wiltshire

Olivia and Jamie met at work. "Jamie was my section leader and I remember thinking he was arrogant and I didn't understand why everyone else liked him!" Olivia tells us. "After a few months, we started talking and I saw a softer side of him once he started talking about Patch, his rescue dog.

With Love From Wiltshire

Holly and James met through their young children who were at nursery together. "James would read a book out loud in the reception area while waiting to take the children into the nursery, thinking it would impress me," Holly tells us. "It made me laugh, so I guess it worked!"

A Windsor Wedding

As soon as Charlotte and Aaron met, they hit it off right away. Aaron says, "Charlotte was energetic, full of life, intelligent, funny and kind – I knew we were a good match from the start. Charlotte adds, "From the moment we met, Aaron made me feel calm and completely at ease. Our joint love for food, sport and enjoying life to the fullest meant that we clicked straight away."

A Beautiful Berkshire Day

Samantha and Alex met at school and were friends for years before they started dating in 2014. "Alex proposed during a trip to Croatia while we were watching the sunset on the 26th of August 2021," Samantha tells us. "It was a beautiful evening and he asked a stranger to take a photo of us in front of the sunset and suddenly proposed to me!

Down By The River

Issy and Adam met at secondary school. "We knew of each other for years and I agreed to go on a coffee date with him when I was in college," Issy tells us. Adam adds, "I just knew she was the one. I told my mum there was a girl I knew I was going to marry but we were so young so I waited until the right time. Luckily for us, the wait was worth it."

Falling In Love

Beth and Chris met online and when they got together for a first date #IRL shortly afterwards at a local restaurant they immediately hit it off. "There were no awkward silences and we chatted for a couple of hours as though we'd known each other for years," Beth remembers. So, two weeks and five dates later, they made it official!

Oh-so romantic

Georgie and Matt were introduced to each other by a mutual friend who'd been trying to get them together for a while! The matchmaking was a resounding success and Matt proposed to Georgie while on a dog walk one Christmas Day.

That's All Folkes!

Harriet met Sam at the hairdressers where she worked as a Saturday assistant. "I tried to give him by number but then his mum walked in to pay for the haircut!" Harriet remembers. She was 16 and he was 15 at the time. Their paths didn't cross again until almost a decade later when Harriet was living in London after studying journalism at Kingston University. Sam had just moved there himself after studying at Manchester University. So, she dropped him a message on Facebook, they met for a drink and love blossomed from there.

Happily Ever After

It was love at first sight for Emily and Clay when they met at a restaurant in Dubai, and the rest is history! Clay very romantically proposed while Emily was ironing one day. "I kind of suspected it was going to happen," she says. "Well, I knew he was the kind of man I'd love to be with all of my days on earth, and I knew he loved me."

Stately Home Sweet Home

I'd love to say there's a wonderful, romantic love story about how we met," Hannah begins. "But it's probably how most start these days, on good old social media!" She met Kyle through Facebook in 2015: a friend request was sent and received, a few profile picture likes were exchanged, which in turn led to messaging and the rest is history.

Lessons in love

While Katie and Corey worked together as teachers at the same school, they only really got to know each other while on a residential visit to Whirlow Hall Farm Trust. Together they took a group of 12 primary school children to learn about farming and the countryside. "It's often the first time these children have stayed away from home, so we get them involved in the cooking but Corey and I were left with the washing up!" Kate tells us. And that's where it all began.

Flying High

These lovebirds first met after Trish came into the restaurant Tom managed in the City of London and asked to use the toilet. She was on one of her work trips to London and had been on a run. Her hotel was at the top of the street, but she didn't think she'd be able to make it back in time! Tom comments, "I thought Trish was stunning as soon as I saw her. In a clumsy attempt at flirting, I jokingly told her the toilet was for customers only, so she bought a glass of wine and sat outside. It just so happened that one of the restaurant owners was in that night, and she got talking to Trish outside. Eventually, I managed to join them when the restaurant had slowed down at the end of the night, to see they had joined tables and seemed like old friends. Trish was clever, funny and interesting

Woodland Roamnce

Julianne and Shaun met on a dating website. "After talking for a week or two, we arranged our first date," says Julianne. "We played bowling and had dinner, and Shaun still mocks my poor bowling performance to this day!"

My Dearest Love

Whitney and Shane met in a pub in Manchester. "My friend was travelling back to Greece for the summer and was hosting farewell drinks," says Whitney. "Shane was working there as a supervisor behind the bar. I went to order a pint and Shane had told me that there was a £5 minimum spend for card payments. I was taken aback as I didn't have cash on me, but Shane offered to put £5 through on the card and refund me the rest as cash. I took my pint, sat down at the table with my friends and couldn't stop saying how attractive he was, as I had always loved an Irish accent. My friend Beth kept urging me to go and speak to Shane, but I was far too shy, so she went up to the bar and told him I was interested. The next thing I know, Shane is following Beth back to the table. He told me that I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. That night, I added him on Facebook and we began chatting. We organised several dates and had to keep cancelling them until finally, in November 2018, we had our first date at a restaurant, followed by Shane getting us lost around the Christmas markets."

Love At First Swipe

Lucy and James met on an online dating site, and spent a few months chatting being open and honest with each other. "James liked my eyes and dimples, while I loved his smile," shares Lucy. After a relationship blossomed, James surprised Lucy with a proposal on Christmas Days 2018. "He created a parcel with loads of layers, inside was a ring and then he asked me."

Together Forever

Rachael and Andrew were high school sweethearts. "We were friends for a little while and eventually got together when we were 15," says Rachael. "It was all very high school; a kiss at a house party, a mutual friend asking if I would say yes if he asked me to be his girlfriend!"

Summer Lovin'

Gemma and Ben met on holiday in Cyprus six years ago where the pair hit it off. What started as a holiday romance, it took them both by surprise when a relationship blossomed on returning to England. "Ben proposed four years later on a return holiday to Cyprus, which was a complete surprise to me," shares Gemma. "It was at the same place we had met, which was where he'd been with his family on holiday from a young age, so it was a place special to him. We were away with friends and family who'd been with us from the start, which made the engagement celebrations even more special!"

Love Is In The Air

Verity and Ed met for coffee and instantly hit off. "I thought Ed was very handsome with a lovely, warm personality," says Verity. "In the first month or so, we were only able to meet up on weekdays as Ed was working night shifts. When Ed had a day off in the week, he would make and bring lunch to my workplace."

I do, I do, I do

Louise and Stephen met while out one evening after work in a wine bar in Fleet Street, London. "We quickly discovered a mutual love of good wine and good bread. Oh, and obviously attraction to each other!" shares Louise. "We met the following week, on three separate evenings. We spent the evenings, chatting, really listening to each other, laughing and getting to know each other. And there was an instant feeling for both of us, that this person gets me, and we both knew pretty quickly during those first few dates that our lives were going to look very different from how we had envisaged and that we would each have a starring role in each other's lives!"

Making Waves

Sarah and James met at a bar in 2015. "I'd decided to have a spontaneous drink with one of my good friends, Jess, after work," says Sarah. "It's fair to say that Jess had a few too many to drink by the time we met James. I was ordering drinks and when I turned around, I saw an overly sociable Jess had started chatting with James' friends. One of his friends pointed James out to me and asked if I was single. I'd sworn off men at that point and Jess was engaged, but we continued to chat and eventually I got talking to James. I could tell he was a very kind, interesting and intelligent soul and we got on well immediately."

Love Always

Natarsha had just moved to London on a two-year working holiday visa from Australia and got a job working at the pub down the road from where she had started house-sharing with friends. Marcus was already working there as a bartender, and the pair became friends first before slowly falling in love. She says, "I was new to the City, trying to find my feet, and Marcus worked up the courage to ask me on a date after a few months. I was surprised as I had been so overwhelmed with the move with finding somewhere more permanent to live, finding freelance work, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was living on the other side of the world, getting used to the everyday small things that make up life in London such as Oyster cards and what a Tesco was that I wasn't even thinking about dating

Woodland Roamnce

Jess and Sam met nine years ago via a dating app. "I moved to Oxford after meeting Sam and we started a long-distance relationship with him in Pembrokeshire and me in Oxford," says Jess. "I would get the train to Pembrokeshire after my night shifts and he would drive up every Friday night after work and drive back every Sunday. We travelled long distances for three years before Sam moved to Oxford."

True Love

These lovebirds met on Bumble, which felt like fate as they had matched before on Tinder – little did they know they'd become engaged in June 2021! When the government issued the roadmap back to normality after the Covid-19 pandemic, Joe told Adesola to save a date in her diary as his friends were coming to visit from Manchester for dinner. She says, "My family had a last-minute barbecue that I agreed to go to as I had completely forgotten! I ended up stopping by and rushing back to prepare for dinner. While I was getting ready, Joe told me to look outside the window. As I leaned in to look closer, I turned around to see him down on one knee and was so surprised – I couldn't stop staring at the ring! It turns out Joe had actually booked The London Edition for the weekend and a surprise dinner at Scott's, as I love seafood. It was even more special because Joe's not usually a planner!"

Something Blue

Izzy and Alex met at the Truro Hockey Club and both still play for the club now. They became engaged when Alex proposed in St. Ives. "He popped the question with his nana's ring which is stunning," Izzy tells us. "We had gone to do some last-minute Christmas shopping when he asked me to marry him! We went for lunch and then he surprised me by inviting our parents and his brother for dinner. He had secretly booked additional annual leave for us both for the following day and we all stayed in St. Ives to celebrate."

Love Al Fresco

Abbie and Alan met through a mutual friend. "We were introduced at a gig – I had expressed interest in him and we hit it off straight away!" Abbie says. "Alan proposed during a stay at a log cabin in Cornwall just after my 30th birthday with our closest friends gathered around. It was a wonderful surprise because he had led me to believe for a long time that he wasn't interested in getting married!"

A Devonshire Day

Jojo and Kane met at work. "We clicked instantly and found that spending time together felt very easy," Jojo tells us. "We quickly realised that we shared the same sense of humour and grew very close."

It Must Be Love, Love, Love

Sophie and Harry met through mutual friends while attending university in Liverpool. There was an instant attraction, thanks to their similar sense of humour.

Going Green With The Greeners

Maddy and Dan met seven years ago via a dating app. They didn't live in the same area at the time, so their first date was a bit last minute and brief, just to get an idea of what could be. Neither expected then what it would turn into. During that quick coffee at Cafe Nero, they were struck by how similar they were: both home bodies, passionate about reading, and adore dogs.

Club Tropicana

Ruth and Sam met in 2012 at a ski resort in New Zealand. It was Sam's third time there as a seasonaire, but Ruth's very first. "So, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing," Ruth says. We're told that there's an unwritten rule when it comes to learning to ski or snowboard: you should never let your significant other teach you if you don't want it to end badly.

Live, Bark, Love

These lovebirds met on a dating app and hit it off immediately! Aimee says, "In one of Ben's photos, he looked very handsome in a threepiece navy suit snacking on a large 'share bag' of blue Doritos. The contradiction of his suited and booted style with his student eating habits was something I immediately knew I wanted to learn more about. So I swiped, and we connected. After chatting for a few weeks, we met at Boltons Bench in the New Forest, a semi-equal distance between Poole and Southampton.

A Celebration Of Love

Kelly was cutting her client's hair at their home when she first met Damian, who also asked for a trim even though he was definitely not due for a haircut. Just like that, their love story began!

Love Is In The Air

Rebecca stumbled across Owen's Instagram after seeing his work as a PT at a local gym before following him and meeting at a local pub in Winchester for their first date. She says, "We actually only lived down the road from each other and were surprised that we had never encountered one another. After chatting for several hours, we realised that we were both very family-orientated with the same values, something which we were both looking for in long-term partners."

You Rock My World

The couple describe their meeting as 'a swipe right romance', meeting on Bumble some six years ago. Since then, they've fallen in love over a shared obsession of listening to vinyl, going to gigs and learning new instruments. Megan tells us, "Everyone was surprised when we got engaged as we're not a couple based on tradition. However, it was the easiest yes in the world. Ollie took me to the pub where we first met, and as we walked up to it, he asked where I had stood whilst I waited for him. As I pointed out the spot, he took the ring out of his pocket, went down on one knee and held out the most perfect engagement ring; a diamond set between two skulls. That evening we did exactly what we did on our first date, visited every pub again and got a donner kebab on the way home, perfect!"

So In Love

Paige and Joel met in 2015 through mutual friends on an unplanned night out. Following a summer getting to know each other attending festivals and going on holidays, the couple knew things were getting serious. Soon enough Paige and Joel became homeowners and soon the pitter patter paws of a puppy came along, Koba!

Falling For You

Alex and Hollie met at university. From friendship more blossomed and the pair were inseparable. On a summer's walk along Maldon Promenade, Alex popped the question and of course, Hollie said yes! On Friday 13th October 2023, Hollie and Alexander Martin married at Layer Marney Tower. Here, Hollie tells us more about their day..

Worth The Wait

When Sherene was looking to have her bathroom redone Horace was recommended to her by a friend. She called him to arrange a time to give her a quote and ended up chatting on the phone for 20 minutes. When he turned up on her doorstep, eyes lit up on both sides but they didn't get together for a further two years, even though Sherene kept asking him back to do more work!

Think Pink

Amber and Jack met through a mutual friend, and Amber straight away found herself attracted to Jack's sense of humour. We fast forward a few years and the couple, now parents, were in their garden for a gathering to celebrate their little girl's birthday, when Jack got down on one knee and popped the question. "We'd spoken about it for a long time, I'd even picked out a ring, but it was still a surprise," Amber remembers.

Teens To Tinder

Annalisse and Greg had known each other as teenagers, but it wasn't until they matched on Tinder that they really connected. "When I got the notification, I pulled the car over so that I could message her straight back, she'd always had a special place in my heart," Greg remembers. "Since then there hasn't been a single day we haven't spoken. It was always meant to be," Annalisse continues.

Let's Get Ready To Wed

Kara and Robbie met nine years ago when Kara signed up to take part in a charity boxing match that Robbie was coaching. "The first thing he ever said to me was 'how many fingers am I holding up?' after a roller derby girl smashed me in the face while sparring," says Kara. "Our relationship blossomed and in May 2022, Robbie proposed during a weekend away in Amsterdam."

Love At First Swipe

Nicky and Scott met on a dating website. "Our first date consisted of drinks and a meal," says Nicky. "We found that we had a connection straight away and Scott consistently made me laugh and was a complete gentleman."

Meant To Be

Staci and Adam met at a networking event at Worcester Racecourse. "A couple of years later, we matched with each other on a dating app and our relationship quickly blossomed," says Staci. "Adam is a big horseracing fan and I've started going with him occasionally, which is funny since we first met each other at the races."

Party On

Hannah and Andrew were friends before becoming a couple. "We started secondary school together where we were in the same tutor group," Hannah tells us. "We both went off to different colleges and then universities but when we moved home, we started hanging out again. We finally became a couple in 2013 and our new adventure began. We went travelling together, came back and purchased our first house and then our beautiful puppy, Rio, came along at the end of 2020. Having our long friendship as our beginning means we have seen each other for who we are."

Best Day Ever

Lydia and Damien met at university and quickly became great friends, bonding over laughter, silliness and a shared love of festivals and animals. It wasn't until six years later though that their loyal friendship turned into something more and they began dating.

A Perfect Day

Daisy and Chris met via Instagram. "It transpired that our paths had nearly crossed at various stages of our lives," Daisy tells us. "At one point, our parents lived one street away from one another; we attended the same high school (although Chris had finished before I joined) and we almost both ended up at the same university! We bonded over our love of the television sitcom Friends, our family values and our passion for travel. We also both quickly discovered how particular we both are — a useful trait when you want to be super organised planning a wedding!"

The Cotswolds Are Calling

Kimberley and Charles met when Kimberley was based in Cheltenham and Charles was located in Birmingham. "We shared a similar sense of humour and Charles' confidence and charisma attracted me to him," Kimberley tells us. "Kimberley's kind nature and thoughtfulness drew me to her," Charles adds.

True Love

These lovebirds initially met while working together on a ward at a local NHS hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. They started dating as restrictions subsided and restaurants opened again. They were both attracted to the fact they were hard-working and intelligent while also being caring and compassionate in their work.

A Day To Remember

These lovebirds met through a mutual friend and hit it off immediately one evening at a bar – the rest is history! Paddy proposed in December 2022 while putting the Christmas decorations up in their first home together. Vicky comments, "It was perfect as he knows I didn't like a fuss; this was so intimate and very much a surprise!"

Spring Fever

These lovebirds would always see each other around but started talking during sixth form, where Alice was instantly attracted to Ryan's humour. She officially became his girlfriend in 2012 after he came back from his first year at university – the rest is history! Alice has been going on family holidays to Cornwall since childhood! So naturally, Ryan joined these special trips over the years. On 17th April 2021, Ryan proposed on Porthminster Beach in St Ives, which was a complete surprise! Alice comments, "We'd already been together for nine years, so all of our friends and family asked when he would pop the question, but I was never expecting it. He asked the question the evening before my parents arrived so that we could enjoy the rest of the trip celebrating with my family."Here, the bride shares details about their special day...

As The Sun Sets

These lovebirds met at ASOS in 2017, a few months after Chloe had started at the company. Two of her friends spotted Jack, who had just completed his induction, and they knew he would be her type! Chloe says, "It wasn't long before they acted as our dating gurus, and we shortly exchanged numbers. A week later, Jack organised a brilliant date night at Cote in St Albans, and it was clear after our first date we were attracted to one another. We had lots in common with the same life values."

The Perfect Day

These lovebirds met on their first day of university! Hannah says, "We wouldn't say it was love at first sight, but it was friends at first sight! We were extremely close throughout this time, and our relationship blossomed!" Jay proposed on Barricane Beach in September 2021 – a complete surprise for Hannah. It was his third attempt in the four days they were away.

Romance On The Road

Gem and Matt met at university and soon discovered a lot in common both in terms of interests and values. They became friends, and even now, after their relationship blossomed into something much more, Matt still says that Gem is his best mate. During lockdown the couple converted an old school mini bus into a campervan and planned a four-week trip around the UK for when it was completed in the summer of '21, taking them from Durdle Door to the NC 500 in Scotland. When they arrived at the campsite at their first stop and finished setting up, they headed down to the beach at Durdle Door for a sunset walk. It was at this romantic spot right on the shoreline, that Matt proposed. "I was completely shocked and so happy," Gem tells us.

Pretty In Pink

These lovebirds met while working on Blue Peter during a team lunch, and their smiles attracted them to each other. After chatting back and forth via emails, followed by a friend's leaving do, the pair decided to go on a date. They played 20 questions over dinner, then spent a further four hours talking in the car till 2 am before Bec flew off to Australia for a couple of months. They didn't want to make anything official too quickly, but Tim picked her up from Heathrow when she returned, and the rest is history

Rustic Romance

Soon after they met online Katie and Kieron set up their first date. When they met at a local pub there was an instant attraction, neither could stop smiling and both knew this felt different.

Love Al Fresco

Joanna and Dan met at school. "I went to his sixth form and we were best friends and started dating after we finished school," Joanna tells us. "We went travelling around South America before moving to London from Reading. To propose, Dan took me to Hampstead Heath one Sunday and asked me to marry him. We enjoyed a pub dinner afterwards and as a surprise, he had pre-arranged for my friends and family to be there!"

The Three Of Us

Lucy and Harvey met at a friend's wedding in 2016 when Lucy was a bridesmaid and Harvey was a groomsman. "We met the day before the wedding and immediately hit it off," Lucy tells us. Harvey adds, "I spent the morning of the wedding wondering if it was ok to ask the groom if Lucy was single! She looked stunning as a bridesmaid and it soon became clear that there was something special between us."

Baby,You're A Firework

Nicola and Andrew originally met in college, but went their separate ways after graduation. The two became friends again in 2001 and by 2012 their relationship had blossomed into something much more. Andrew popped the question at the couple's home over a Bonfire Night weekend. Having tried on numerous occasions to find the right time on 5th November, it eventually happened after cooking dinner for the two of them on the 6th!

With Love From Somerset

Rosie and Jordi met through mutual friends at Glastonbury Festival back in 2013, and their wedding day took place 10 years later to the day, which couldn't have been more poignant for them. During a tense time for the country, in December 2021, while we were in lockdown but permitted a day to mix with one other household, Jordi proposed in front of Rosie's family at her home. "Safe to say, everyone needed a reason to celebrate at that time and we definitely did that," Rosie says.

One Day...

Chloe and Matt met at a mutual friend's birthday party when they were 18. There was an initial attraction but they didn't exchange numbers until the following year after bumping into each other again at a club in Bristol. After some texting back and forth they went on their first date and the rest is history.

One Fine Day

Frances and Tom met when they both worked for Jack Wills in Marlow. "A few years later, I liked Tom's new profile picture on Facebook and we reconnected instantly and it was the start of our love story!" Frances tells us. "We went on our first date later that week and for our second date, Tom took me for drinks at Aqua in The Shard - he was trying to impress me! We didn't stop talking and laughing all night - I knew he was someone very special."

Our Perfect Day

Laura and Danny met, like most modern couples, online. "We spoke by text for a few weeks before meeting for a drink," says Laura. "We've been together ever since."

The Most Perfect Day

Katie and Darren first laid eyes on each other when they became next-door neighbours. "We always got along well whenever we bumped into each other, but Darren moved to another house and soon after, so did I," says Katie. "A few years later, we met at work after I started a new job at the same place as Darren. We were put on the same team during a period of 12-hour shifts and instantly hit it off. There was a mutual attraction and an instant spark between us.

Love At First Sight

Sam and Jen first laid eyes on each other in 2018. "I remember that day like it was yesterday," says Jen. "We met at work, although I use the term 'met' loosely because, at first, she seemed to have no idea that I existed. I walked into the office kitchen and there she was, sitting at the table, engrossed in a book. Sam was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I couldn't help but feel an instant connection, even though we hadn't exchanged a word.

An All Time Love

Melisa and Josh met in 2018 at Valley Church. "Josh had been going there for years, but I had just joined," says Melisa. "I saw him playing bass with the worship team and I was attracted to him right away. I loved how funny he is and that he lights up a room."

Woodland Roamnce

Sam and Iain met through a mutual friend and instantly hit it off. "We really enjoyed each other's company and shared a similar sense of humour," says Sam. "It felt so easy and natural talking to one another."

Fun In The Sun

Izzy and Ryan were brought together through unusual circumstances. "The first time I met Ryan, we were introduced by my previous partner in a nightclub, as he was one of his friends," says Izzy. "I met him a couple of times after that, but we didn't really speak much. A few years later, we found out that our partners were seeing each other behind our backs! Ryan and I started to message each other about it and the more we chatted, the more we realised we had lots in common and very similar values. Once I got to know Ryan, I discovered we went to the same high school and knew a lot of the same people."

Childhood Sweethearts

Jess and Ryan first met when they were 15 and 16 years old. "Ryan has never failed to make me laugh and has given me belly giggles since we met," says Jess. "We have been through every big life event together, such as first jobs and cars, and unlike many childhood sweethearts that sometimes grow apart, we grew up together and remained close."Ryan proposed on a mountain in Lake Garda in 2018. "He got it all on video and it was magical," shares the bride. "It was a complete surprise and Italy has since become our favourite destination."

Home Away From Home

Anna and Chris met online. Although Chris messaged first, he then took a week to respond to Anna's reply. When it finally did come, the note just said: "I'm rubbish at messaging people back. Shall we just meet?" They'd both discovered a common interest in CrossFit and he attended a gym Anna was herself interested in joining, so she thought: "Why not?" They got together for a lunchtime Nandos, and having both made strange requests with their food, immediately felt comfortable with each other. "We both had a lot in common, but were also both independent. Having our own interests was very important to us both," Anna says.

Back To Nature

Charlotte and Matthew met on a spontaneous night out in Newcastle. "I spotted Matthew across the dancefloor and made an unsuspecting approach, wing-womaned by a friend," says Charlotte. "We hit it off and the rest is history."Matthew proposed to Charlotte on their five-year anniversary in Tynemouth, where they had their first date. "Matthew intended to propose at the end of the pier next to the priory, but when we got to the end, three fishermen drinking cans of beer killed the moment somewhat," shares the bride. "On our way back, Matthew spotted a quiet space on the pier and surprised me. An even bigger surprise was when we returned to Matthew's parent's house to celebrate and my parents were also there, having secretly travelled up from Cheshire."

If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play On!

Jess and James met through mutual friends in 2012 and found mutual interests in music and festivals for a relationship to soon blossom. James proposed to Jess on 17th December 2021 on a cold Christmas getaway to Berlin, Germany, which was a surprise to the unsuspecting bride-to-be. The big date was set, 13th May, 2023, with Reach Court Farm setting the scene.

Classic Elegance

Ashleigh and Joe met by chance. "It all started with an encounter in Yates, Hartlepool, after I had been out in Newcastle for the day for my friend's birthday," says Ashleigh. "Joe had been out with his dad and they decided to have a cheeky stop in town before heading home. When one of the best mixes came on over the speakers, a dance off broke out with boys vs girls. Joe saw his chance to take the centre of the circle, but little did he know that I would break out into dance and steal the show. A few weeks after our chance encounter, we crossed paths again on Tinder, and as we recognised each other, we started talking and eventually organised our first date."

Disco Fever

Sophie and Sam instantly clicked 10 years ago when they met on a night out at Kent University; Sophie was a student and Sam was out with his rugby team. After starting a relationship Sam later proposed while the couple were in Thailand after a day of exploring the Phiphi Islands on a secluded beach. "He felt like it was the right moment, after carrying the ring in a box on a wobbly boat for the entire day!" shares Sophie. "It was near the beginning of the holiday, so it gave us a good excuse to celebrate for the remaining duration!"

Out Of The Blue

Abbie and James met on Tinder and quickly became friends. The couple spoke for three months before going on their first date. "We are both family-oriented and have the same interests," says Abbie. "We were able to talk for hours and get to know each other well before starting to date. We became a couple in March 2017 and have been together for more than six years."James popped the question at Rhossili Sunflower Arch in August 2020. "We had spoken about getting engaged for over a year prior to this," shares the bride. "Despite this, it was a total surprise on the day when he proposed."

It's A Family Affair

Amy and Dan met when they were 17 and hit it off straight away. "I worked in a tearoom and Dan worked in a fruit and vegetable shop and delivered to us. Dan was the guy that all the ladies fancied so I thought there was no chance; he was handsome with dark hair and chatty, I thought: he's a bit of alright!" Dan adds, "Amy was always chatty too, she never stopped talking; plus, as she worked in the tearooms I would always get a free breakfast!"

A Day To Remeber

Lisa and Nigel met each other online. "I was attracted to his devilish good looks," says Lisa. "We have similar personalities and the same goals in life. Our relationship grew, and Nigel asked me to marry him during a family holiday to Tenerife. Everyone knew he was going to ask except for me, so it was a big surprise!"

Winter Winds

These lovebirds met in December 2019 while playing in a tag rugby Christmas-themed tournament. During the prizegiving and drinks celebrations afterwards, Rob fired a champagne cork at Lucy's head to get her attention. It worked, as he managed to get her number!

Childhood Sweethearts

Hannah and Lee met online in 2014, when they were 16 and 17 years old. "We arranged to have our first date in Bristol," says Hannah. "We had a long-distance relationship, as Lee was from Somerset and I lived in South Wales. Over the years, our relationship blossomed and we bought our first house together in April 2020."

True Love

These lovebirds met at a friend's reeling party in Clapham and had their first date a few weeks later at a cocktail bar in Kings Cross – the rest is history! Chris proposed in Venice in October 2021. It was an extremely wellthought-out and planned surprise!

We Did It Our Way

Lindsey and Stephen met online and within three dates knew this was it. "Finding out that Stephen used to come fishing at my parents' ponds when he was younger, made it feel like we were destined to meet all those years later," says Lindsey. Feeling that their lives fit together perfectly, Stephen proposed on Lindsey's 30th birthday at home with help from their children, five and four months. "It was the perfect, intimate proposal I'd always dreamed of," Lindsey remembers.

Styled To Perfection

Daniel went to a summer camp with Camp America in 2016, which is quite popular while studying at university in the UK. He travelled to San Diego after his summer in Pennsylvania with some mutual friends of Laura, who grew up in California, which led to the pair meeting and hitting it off. They had a longdistance relationship for four years before Laura moved to London – they've lived together ever since.

Raise A Glass

Although Claire and Jack knew of each other from school, it wasn't until they were a bit older that their paths regularly started to cross during nights out in town. "We started talking on my birthday one year and that's when Jack finally asked me out on a date," Claire tells us.

Coastal Charm

Hayley and James met through mutual friends and after becoming a couple, James proposed in Barcelona on the rooftop of the Yurbban Passage hotel where they were staying. "The staff knew about it so they made sure that the rooftop was off-limits for other guests," Hayley tells us. "Afterwards, when we headed back to our room, it was full of flowers and champagne which was incredible."

An Intimate Day

Ellie and Tim met online and instantly hit it off during their first date at a local pub. "We discovered that we both shared a joint love of travelling, Christmas and good food and drink," Ellie tells us. "Tim proposed during a trip to Peru as we were climbing Machu Picchu. It was a complete surprise - I had no idea!"

Love At First Sight

Kath met Josh at a party and the minute she saw him turned to her friends and said, "I'm going to marry him!" How right she was, two short years later, Josh proposed on holiday in Majorca. "It was such a surprise," Kath says. "He was all nervous because he'd not been able to get in touch with my dad to ask for his blessing." Nevertheless, all went perfectly and it was soon time to start looking for a venue for the big day.

Love Me Tinder

Lindsay and Dave both swiped right on Tinder and went on a first date. "I loved that Dave had two dogs, lots of hobbies and is a good prosecco drinker too," Lindsay says.

Going For Gold

Nicky and Dave met at Tabley Point To Point – "Neither of us were looking for love, just a couple of wins on the horses," Nicky says. "Our friend introduced us later that evening playing Cilla, and surprise, surprise we went off on our first date a week later!"

Besides The Seaside

Vikki and Andy met at school where they were best friends. "We got back in contact 20 years later and never looked back," Vikki tells us. Andy proposed on the 4th of July 2020, the day that the lockdown was lifted. "We were in our local pub with all of our friends gathered around us when he asked me to marry him," Vikki tells us. "It was a great surprise!"

Forget Me Not

DDanny and Paige met the modern way, via Tinder. Love blossomed, as Paige tells us. "Our proposal was just perfect. In 2021, shortly after the birth of our son, Freddie, my now husband Danny booked us a holiday to the Greek island of Santorini. We've always had a boat day on any holiday we've done together, so it was only right that on this trip, Danny booked a boat for the afternoon. However, this wasn't any tourist boat this time. I arrived at the port, and a luxury private yacht was waiting for me with the captain handing us a glass of champagne each. We spent the afternoon jumping into the ocean, sipping wine and nibbling on Greek snacks. At sunset, we were taken to the middle of the ocean, where Danny got down on one knee and presented me with a stunning pear-shaped diamond ring."

Blooming Beautiful

Dulcie and Bobby first met at college and ended up attending the same university. Their friendship grew stronger over time, retaining a comforting link to home. "We always had so much in common, sharing the love of the same books (Harry Potter, obviously), TV shows and movies", says Dulcie. She continues, "We lived together for our second and third years, where our friendship grew into something more during this time. We ignored and denied it for a while but eventually took the risk and never looked back. Fast forward time, we have shared 12 years of love, 16 years of friendship and one year of marriage!"

Festival Vibes

These lovebirds met through a mutual friend but became closer thanks to their shared love for the gym and lifting weights, a hobby they still do together today. Henry proposed shortly after the pair purchased their first house together. He organised a treasure hunt that finished with candle-lit lanterns in the garden and a sign saying, "Will you marry me?" – it was an easy "yes" for Cheryl.

Blooming Beautiful Day

These lovebirds met at college through a mutual friend before discovering their shared personalities and sense of humour. Fast forward the years, Aaron proposed at home on Chelsea's birthday. It was a surprise, although they had been together for a decade.

The Stars Aligned

Lauren and Ed met at Leicester University in 2018. The pair matched on Tinder and everything progressed from there. Ed was studying a four-year course and Lauren was doing a three-year course. However, a last-minute decision to stay on to do a Masters, meant that the two crossed paths. It was certainly meant to be!

Happily Ever After

They say everything happens for a reason and it seems the stars aligned for Jo and Nick. Nick moved back to the village that he grew up in to take over the running of the local village pub with his cousin Adam - and on that opening night is when Nick clapped eyes on Jo! They had met their match. Jo tells us, "Nick proposed to me in Budapest at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths on the 5th December 2019." A little later than expected due to lockdown, on 6th October 2023, the day finally came and Jo and Nick tied the knot at Houchins.

A Perfect Match

Becky and Mikey met at Winchester University 11 years ago and bonded over a shared love of football, "We both had found great humour and laughter in conversations and were both tall!" adds Becky. "It was great to have a man who was still taller than me even when I wore heels."

Best. Party. Ever

Precious met Sean when they were younger as he is the best friend of her brother; fast-forward 19 years and they have now tied the knot! After Sean proposed in a treehouse in the Cotswolds the day before Precious's birthday, the big date was set for 27th August 2024, with the bride's family home in Virginia Water setting the scene.

A Love Match

Lauren and Rob met at a football match 13 years ago. "Rob's a semi-professional football player and has been a goalkeeper most of his life. I guess you could say Rob was tall, dark (he had hair at the time) and handsome!" shares Lauren.

We Belong Together

Lauren and Jon met on a train in 2013. "I couldn't read the sign, so I decided to ask Jon for help," says Lauren. "We hit it off and spoke for a few months before things fizzled out. By chance, we met again three years later at a station. We went for drinks, and the rest is history."

Once Upon A Time

Rebecca and Bradley met in March 2020 and had an instant connection. "After five dates, lockdown hit," says Rebecca. "We spent three months talking via FaceTime, and at that point, we knew if we could get through lockdown, we could get through anything. Straight after the restrictions eased, we went house hunting and nine months later, we finally managed to move in together

Perfect Pitch

Me'sha and Darren are musicians who met when she was performing her original music at Shepherds Bush Cricket Club. "He's a drummer, educator, and two-time all-natural bodybuilding champion; I'm a singer, actor, and vocal coach," says Me'sha. "I had a habit of firing drummers from my band, so when I first set eyes on Darren, I thought, 'Oh no! He's really handsome!' Annoyingly, he'd been really attentive when learning my music, brought his own drumkit to the gig, knew all the lyrics to my songs, and was really good with children. We were also both members of the faculty at a specialist music school in London, so not long after that, we started dating, and I didn't have to fire him from my band!"

The Great Outdoors

Evie and Alex met through mutual friends. "We went for a meal in Windermere for our first date," says Evie. "For our second date, we went on a boat trip across Lake Windermere to an aquarium. It snowed heavily the whole time we were there, and it was beautiful."

Once Upon A Time

Danielle and Iffan met at work. "It was my first day in critical care; I asked him for a handover and he was rude to me," says Danielle. "He was so rude, I decided not to speak to him again, but we kept running into each other at work and eventually started talking. We met again at a work's do, sparks started to fly, and the rest is history!"

When Love Just Clicks

Heather and Joe met while studying at university. "Although we were on different courses, we lived together in the same accommodation during our first year," says Heather. "We were friends for a year and got together the following summer. I always found Joe attractive, particularly because of his bright blue eyes. He was always the funny one in the group, and we would spend a lot of time together as friends."

Home Sweet Home

Nicholas and Michael met on Tinder during one of the national Covid lockdowns. They chatted online for a while until it was safe to meet up. But even then social distancing restrictions were still in place, so they were forced to resort to a MacDonald's car park – "Very classy," laughs Nicholas.

Together Forever

Natalie and Josh met at a party 13 years ago, and Josh proposed in 2016 just before Christmas. He'd intended to pop the question in Paris on New Year's Eve, but collected the ring early and was so excited, he couldn't keep it a secret any longer! He booked a restaurant in Brighton instead and happily Natalie said, "Yes."

Could It Be Magic

Grace and Mark met through work and decided to give coupledom a shot at the Christmas party back in 2016. Fast forwarding four years we find the couple on top of Cheddar Gorge near Glastonbury, where Mark popped the question. The original plan was to propose a few months earlier, while they on holiday in South Africa, but unfortunately Covid put a stop to that. But the new version on home soil was definitely an incredible surprise for Grace who of course said, "Yes"!

Christmas Wishes

These love birds had known of each other through the grapevine, but swiping right on Tinder brought them together! Jason proposed in Barcelona, Elle's favourite city, in a secluded area amongst the trees overlooking the city during a picnic. It was on the first day of their holiday, so they enjoyed the rest of the week celebrating. It was a complete surprise and Jason did well to get through airport security smoothly – his bag usually sets alarms off!

True Love

These lovebirds first met around 10 years ago but lost contact over time. It wasn't until Dom moved back from London in 2018 that he messaged Dan to meet for a drink – it all restarted from there! "Sense of humour is what initially attracted us to one another and as our relationship grew, it was obvious that we had so many similarities", says Dom. He popped the question a few years later during a beach walk with their dog. He says, "There was little romance to it; I asked Dan if he fancied having a wedding and when he said 'yes', I replied, 'Oh that's good because I have a ring'. It was a surprise to Dan but nobody else. I roped in one of his best friends and her husband to find out his ring size, keeping quiet is not one of my strengths!"

PrettyIn Pink

Trang and Kurtis met at university. "I spoke to Trang at the annual ball," Kurtis tells us. "We got on well and over the next few weeks, I discovered the fun and silly side of her personality." Trang adds, "I thought Kurtis was funny when I first met him and as I got to know him more, the small things attracted me to him including his gentle, calm demeanour and love of animals."

With Love From Wiltshire

Sammy and Graeme met while at university when they both went on a skiing trip to France. "We bonded over being beginners on the slopes and throwing some interesting shapes on the dancefloor," they tell us. "I was immediately attracted to Sammy and, at the advice of my friends, I thought I was playing it cool by waiting an entire day to ask her out!" Graeme says. "For our first date, keen to impress, I planned a tour around some of the best cocktails bars – but I was so nervous that I arranged the meeting time for two hours before the music started in the first bar and then I missed her numerous hints for food while asking the waitress for more free popcorn! Still, it can't have gone too badly, because by spring we'd become inseparable."

Monochrome Magic

Georgia and Nathan met at work. "A friend of ours at the Christmas party told me that Nathan had a little soft spot for me and the rest was history from that evening," Georgia tells us. "Nathan asked me to marry him four years later in Bath which was the perfect place because it's where he had taken me for our first ever weekend away.

In The Countryside

These lovebirds met on Hinge the day before the first lockdown, so they spent three months video dating and getting to know each other. They watched TV simultaneously, played games over Zoom and cooked the same meals. Fast forward time, Tom proposed on a trip to Marseille! Nicola says, "It was a surprise; I suspected it was coming at some point, but not during that trip. He got down on one knee in a little cheese and wine bar – it was perfect!"

Go For Gold

These lovebirds worked at the same company but didn't start chatting until Howard moved into the same block of flats as Steph. After a few dates, the pair knew they had found their soul mate and the rest is history! Steph comments, "We managed to spend evenings chatting away, and there was never a lull in conversation. From the beginning, we just got on really well!"

Rustic Romance

David came back from university and met Sophie, who was working behind the bar in a local pub. A few weeks later, the pair bumped into each other and exchanged numbers – the rest is history! Fast forward time, David popped the question and the couple tied the knot on August 6th 2022. They planned the perfect day full of fun

Love Is In The Air

Eleanor and Reece met on a night out just before the lockdown in 2020 and created a strong bond that grew over the next few years. Reece was attracted to Eleanor's independence and thought she was the most gorgeous girl. It was love at first sight for them both – how romantic!

Hip, hip, hooray!

Charlotte and Jerry met through mutual friends on a night out. "Jerry was so easy to talk to and we found out pretty quickly that we have the same dry sense of humour!" Charlotte tells us. "We've been inseparable ever since."

Our Happily Ever After

Chloe and Ryan met through a mutual friend. "I used to be a barber and cut Ryan's hair," says Chloe. "We bonded through our love of Harry Potter, and the rest is history."

A Riverside Wedding

Hannah and James met at the Corn Exchange Wallingford theatre, during an audition for an Agatha Christie murder mystery in July 2018. "I thought that James was tall, dark and handsome but too young for me because he is five years younger," Hannah says. "In the end, I decided to pursue things although James was more forthcoming than I was and we shared some kisses off stage in the wings!"

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Jade and Matt met at Oxford Brookes University in 2013. "I worked with Matt's friend who introduced us and our relationship blossomed from there," Jade tells us. "Matt proposed to me during a trip to the Cotswolds where we stayed in a place called Piglet Cottage. With the help of our sausage dog, Malcolm, who was dressed in a bow tie printed with the words 'she said yes', Matt got down on one knee in front of the fire and asked me to marry him. It was a wonderful, romantic surprise! For the past five years, I had always packed my best clothes and make-up whenever we went away, should a proposal happen, but it never did. The one time I packed my comfortable unflattering clothes, it happened!"

Soulmates

Emilene and Mark met at a local football presentation evening, and soon found themselves chatting away. At the time they were both in relationships with their own families, and at the end of the night went their separate ways not knowing what the future would hold. Five years later, and now free agents, their paths crossed again. Mark messaged Emilene asking to meet up. He says, "From then on, I was hooked. There's not one day we don't laugh or be silly together. She's my best friend and a wonderful mother to our four beautiful children." Emilene tells us, "It was an easy, 'Yes,' to meet up. In fact, the more we met up the more I knew for sure he was the one. He makes me laugh every day and it doesn't matter what life throws at us as he's my Brightside."

You're Timeless to me

Emily met Joe at a gin bar while she was in her final year of college. There was an instant attraction from both sides. Joe credits the cobbled streets of Bath, at least in part, for the success of their first date. When walking Emily to the bus stop she was wobbling around on them in her high heels and he was able to offer his arm to assist her – "And that was really where our love story began," Emily says.

Here comes the sun

Ben winked at me while ice-skating on our first date, and in that exact moment I knew I'd found something special in this person," says Hannah. It was remembering this special moment that made Ben book ice-skating for them again at the same rink while on a weekend away together in Bath a few years later.

The Beauty of Nature

Carla and Matt met online. "I liked how down to earth, kind, and understanding Matt was and how easily the conversation flowed," says Carla. "Matt said that he fell for how kind and sweet I am."

Where the Wind Blows

Kylie and Joe met 14 years ago thanks to a mutual friend. "Our bond was ignited by our shared sense of humour, which quickly brought us closer together," says Kylie. "Our connection grew, leading us to embark on numerous dates and lots of fun activities, which included a lot of sight-seeing."

Soulmates

Kay and Kenny met at a soul night. "On our first date, Kenny wanted an informal vibe, so we wined and dined me at our local Wetherspoons' curry night!" says Kay. "I knew then he was a keeper! He also makes me laugh and is an amazing cook, which was definitely the way to my heart."

Look at the stars

Hannah and Robs met on a dating app. "However, after six months we went our separate ways as it just wasn't the right time," says Hannah. "Two years, a pandemic and two break-ups later, I messaged Robs again – and that was it; I wasn't letting her get away! I'll never forget tipsily screaming, 'Will you be my girlfriend?' at Durham Pride in the rain, and she moved in five months later."

Love At First Swipe

Catherine and Steve met on a dating website in 2011 and had their first date at a pub in Brynmill, Swansea. "We were both single parents, so we had that in common," says Catherine. "We hit it off right away, and I loved his eyes and that he liked my laugh."Years later, the happy couple went to look at wedding rings together. "I liked one, but it was very expensive, so we decided to leave it and go home," shares the bride. "That weekend was our anniversary, and we celebrated by going back to the pub where we first met. Steve proposed to me that night with the ring that I had fallen in love with."

You are my sunshine

Rachel and Ghandi met at a friend's party. "At the party, Ghandi asked how my son was doing (from a previous marriage), and the rest is history," says Rachel. "There's a 17-year age gap between us, which on paper shouldn't work, but as Ghandi says, he's Peter Pan and has never grown up, so that helps!

Enchanted Romance

Sam and Beth met in 2013 while they were both working part-time at Homebase. "I worked on the customer service desk, and Beth was on the shop floor," says Sam. "I was newly 'out' in the LBGT world and noticed Beth during one of our shifts. Beth was quiet and no one knew her name, so I plucked up the courage to go over and invite her on a night out with the girls.

Live, Laugh, Love

Nicola and Ian met at school back in the 80s. "We then went to the same college, where Ian asked me out on the steps in front of his friends – and I said, 'No!'" says Nicola. "Years passed, then one day Ian popped up on Facebook as a friend suggestion. Messaging each other, he explained he was getting divorced, so being a lawyer I offered my help and suggested a coffee date. That first coffee was lovely; a great catch up while talking about the legal stuff. The next time we met was to get his divorce and conveyancing moving. Ian then asked me out for a third time for no reason, saying we should go for a walk the next morning. We talked for hours, then as we said goodbye he kissed me. Boom – that's when I knew this was something special."

Regal Romance

When Adam and Jake met online they were both immediately drawn to each other's values, love of family and strong work ethic. So, naturally their relationship flourished and one day down the line Jake decided it was time to propose. He took Adam to their favourite spot, the West Cliff Pier at Whitby on New Year's Eve, which was also Adam's birthday. When Jake popped the question, it was a complete surprise for Adam, and although he never wanted a public engagement, the whole of the North East was seemingly on the pier that day, which Jake assures us was completely unintentional!

Grand Designs

Ruth met Scott through a mutual friend. "Lockdown hit, so we started FaceTiming as well as messaging," says Ruth. "Scott works offshore, so when he returned – and after restrictions were lifted – we went to the beach for our first date. We then met nearly every night to go for a walk and grab some food. We moved in together quickly, and there was no looking back!"

Last Christmas

Emma met Tom at a friend's Christmas party in Newcastle. "I was a student in my second year of uni, whereas Tom's from the city," says Emma. "There was an instant attraction and we spent the whole party getting to know each other ending the evening dancing in the living room to Wham's Last Christmasoblivious to everyone watching!

Bold and Beautiful

These lovebirds met at work during the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant they could only have walking dates. Amy comments, "Joe had made a picnic for us both with Pimm's in plastic water bottles on one of our first walks– how classy! I instantly knew this was the man for me."

Such a perfect day

Beth and Rob met during their teenage years, having bumped into each other on various nights out. As they grew up, they went their separate ways, but their paths crossed again in 2018 and they began to date. In 2021, Rob proposed in a beautiful cove at sunset in Ibiza.

Lessons in love

Clare and Mitchell met at school but not as pupils, as teachers. They didn't hit it off right away and didn't much care for each other at first. But during one summer break, they realised that they actually did enjoy each other's company and fell in love – they say absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Our Best Shot

Hannah and Steve met in a bar in Kavos, Greece back in 2018. Hannah had gone away with her best friend and Steve was on holiday with two of his mates. They got chatting over shots and soon discovered not only that they lived just 10 minutes away from each other, but also that they shared a mutual friend. The two spent the rest of the holiday getting to know each other, then having arrived back in the UK they met up the same evening to go for a meal. They couldn't stop talking, it was the start of something wonderful.

Blooming Beautiful

These lovebirds have been together since they finished secondary school almost 20 years ago. After many wonderful years together, the pair finally got engaged! Laura says, "Mike always said it was a case of when he would pop the question and not if, while keeping in mind that I wanted the proposal to be very us and involve the children. So on Christmas day, my daughter asked me to open a toy while my son filmed the moment I discovered the ring!"

City Vibes

These lovebirds met one another while working at Jack Wills while both at university – the rest is history! Emily says, "We decided to get married while travelling in Iceland and staying at the Blue Lagoon Hotel in October 2021. We realised our 10th anniversary would be in October 2022 and decided it would be fun to get married then. It's slightly unconventional but exactly who we are."

Love All Around

These lovebirds met through mutual friends in the summer of 2010 when they were just 16. "Lewis was a cheeky, pretty boy but also very loving and caring", shares Lucy. Lewis proposed in August 2021, during a barbecue at Lucy's parents' house. She says, "It was a complete surprise; we were taking a group photo when Lewis ran out to the front and got down on one knee!"