How did you meet your fiancé?

Like all North Coast Fairy Tales, we officially met for the first time in Kellys, Portrush. But prior to that we had started speaking over social media.

How did he propose?

We got away on a last-minute trip to Santorini with Chris’s Family as we always try to get away somewhere over that time to remember his youngest sister Emma who sadly passed away on 15th October 2014. Prior to this trip there was no ring and Chris had not even planned to propose. We spent the first 3 nights in Oia and on our final day in this part of the island we went to an area called Amoudi Bay – it was beautiful and had the most stunning jewellery shop build into the rocks of the bay. This is where we spotted the ring and thought it was super pretty and different but again there was no thoughts on actually purchasing it at this point.

We then travelled to another part of the island to stay our final night before heading home on the Friday. We stayed in Kamari (30-minute driver from Oia) and on the Friday our flight home wasn’t until late, so we spent the day chilling on the beach. Half asleep trying to get as much of a tan as possible I felt this tapping on my shoulder, and it was Chris. The little crator had been thinking about the ring and how Santorini would be the perfect place to get engaged – so he asked me if I wanted to go back and get the ring. After about 10 minutes of a flustered panic in disbelief (in a good way) I delightfully said yes and we got a taxi journey back to Amoudi bay. The ring was purchased, and Chris got down on one knee and ask me to be his wife!

What brought you to Jade Alexandra Bridal?

I have literally fangirl-ed Jade way back from when she original worked as a Wedding Planner and followed her journey opening her own bridal studio! Even before I was engaged, I knew I would get my dress from Jade, and she was the only bridal store I went to – I’m pretty sure she was one of the first people I told when I got engaged because I couldn’t wait to come in and get my dress!

How did you know your dress was the one?

Again, before engagement, I sent a screen shot to Jade from a video she posted on her Instagram of Evie Young’s new collection, and I just fell in love with a dress called Zaine. When I got engaged, I booked in and Zaine was the first dress I tried on and I just knew right away – so much so I didn’t even want to try on any other dresses, but Jade picked a few more out for me to try, just to be sure - and as beautiful as they all were, my mind didn’t change. Zaine was the one!

Do you have any dress shopping top tips for future brides?

One of the best bits of advice I can give is if you can, go look at dresses by yourself first. I went by myself, so I knew exactly what I loved without getting other opinions first. If you fall in love with a dress – don’t over think it! Another bit of advice is do your hair and make up on the day you are dress shopping – feel beautiful as this will make trying on the dresses so much better and give you more of a wedding day feel!

Where was your ‘go-to’ for wedding planning inspo?

Pinterest and Jade Alexandra Instagram of course!

What was the highlight of your wedding day?

It’s a tricky one as the whole day was so special, but id say my main highlight was having all my loved one there after the stress of Covid possibly ruining our day!

Did you stick to traditions, or add anything new into your day?

We didn’t stick to all the traditions as some of them felt like more pressure than enjoyable! Firstly, we got legally married back in May at the registry office and kept that a little hushed until sending out our invitations for September! Secondly, we didn’t do speeches – Chris, his dad and my dad said a quick few words and then we got stuck into our dinner! We also didn’t have a first dance; we do not dislike the first dance tradition, but it didn’t feel very ‘us’ so we didn’t want the stress of that putting a burden on our day! Lastly, we didn’t have an official top table – we wanted our bridal party to be sat with their other halves or friends!

Did you have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?

Yes, my bridesmaids actually sorted this for me!

Something Old: An old Teddy that Chris had bought me years ago

Something New: My J/A Earrings for the wedding day

Something Blue: A little blue charm to clip onto my bouquet!

Something Borrowed: My first veil which my now sister-in-law Victoria gave to me!