Once upon a time...

Posted by Rachel Westall on 7 December 2022

Sam and Victoria met at work. Victoria tells us, "We realised we had a lot in common, liked the same things and found ourselves eating pizza and drinking wine at the local restaurant shortly after."

During lockdown, on Christmas morning Sam proposed. Of course, Victoria said yes, and wedding planning began! On 28th May 2022, at Ripley Castle, Harrogate, the pair said their vows.

Here, Victoria tells us more about their day...

Venue exterior Traditional, beautiful, classic. That was the couple's order of the day and that's exactly what they found with Ripley Castle in Harrogate. Victoria reminisces, "The venue was breathtaking. When we walked into the castle grounds there was no turning back and after meeting Rebecca and the team and seeing inside, it was everything we could've wished for.

The vision of the drink's reception on the terrace and the various rooms in the castle for different sections of the day – it was just perfect."

With such a fabulous venue, Victoria and Sam were keen to carry the classy theme throughout the day and chose neutral tones and decorated the tables with beautiful white roses and dark foliage.

Cake Blossom Tree Cake Company in Harrogate designed the cake – a three-tier white and light champagne icing with ruffled bottom adorned with iced white roses.

Dressed to impress

Victoria looked picture perfect. She chose her dream dress from Ava Rose Hamilton in Silsden – a Stella York design in head-to-toe lace with a statement train.

Her bridesmaids all wore individually made, peach, floorlength dresses with a design chosen by them to suit their shape and style.

Sam wore a charcoal suit from Hawes & Curtis with a white shirt, white paisley tie from Eton, finished with a white pocket square and white rose buttonhole.

The groomsmen also had a charcoal suit from Owen Scott in Huddersfield with the same accessories but instead with a grey paisley tie.

First dance For Victoria and Sam, there was only one way to celebrate!

Victoria explains, "I was previously a professional Latin dancer and so for our first dance, I taught Sam a routine, inclusive of lifts and tricks to entertain the guests." Of course, this went down a storm!

Following this, the party continued with a DJ playing popular songs, all part of their wedding package from Ripley Castle.

Lake She adds, "It was truly the best day of our lives. Everyone said they'd never been to a more sincere, genuine wedding and it felt that two families were coming together forever."